Happy Spring
Welcome to Altoona Trail Riders
Dedicated to preserving equestrian trails, participating in community service and promoting family fun.
february 2025
Thursday, February 6
Monthly meeting, Altoona School, 7PM. Refreshments will be served.
February 7-9
Camping at Shangri-La on the Greenways. You must make your own reservations through the Shangri-La site. There will be a day ride on Saturday for those wanting to join in. Ride out at 10:00. Let us know if you will be coming so we can wait for you.
Located southwest of Ocala 12788 SW 69th Court, Ocala, Fl 34476. (42 miles from Altoona). From Altoona, go west of CR 42 all the way to the end into Pedro (29 miles). In Pedro go right on CR 475 (north) for 3 miles to CR 484. Go left (west) onto CR 484 for about 4.5 miles to Marion Oaks Course (traffic light). Go right (north) onto Marion Oaks Course and follow the road around to the left where it turns into Marion Oaks Trail. Follow the road for 2.5 miles to SW 69th Court. Go right (north) onto 69th Court and follow the road into the campground.
Wednesday, February 12
Day ride at Half Moon Wildlife Management Area. Ride out at 10:00. Bring lunch to eat after the ride. There is a port-a-potty on site. Bring water for your horses.
Directions:
6014 FL-44 Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538
From Altoona, Go west on CR 42 to the end in Pedro, approximately 30 miles. Go left (south) on CR 475 all the way to the end at SR 44, approximately 4 miles. Go right (west) on SR 44 for approximately 6 miles. Look for Half Moon WMA signs. Turn RIGHT onto CR 247 for 4 miles to the Half Moon parking area on the left.
Saturday, February 22
Progressive Dinner Ride - we will leave from Paige and John Chassis's place after appetizers and ride to Ginger Patrick's for the main meal. We will then ride to Heidi Rogers Twisted Oaks for desserts. There will be water at each location for horses. And tie outs for your horses. A list will be posted as to what food each rider needs to bring.
Directions to the Chassie's.
19915 E. Altoona Rd, Altoona, FL 32702
From Altoona School go north on SR 19 a very short distance to the first road to the right, turn right and go to the end of the road, approximately one mile. The Chassis house is the last house on the left.
march 2025
Thursday, March 6
Monthly meeting, 7PM, Altoona school. Pizza sponsored by Dan's Discount Feed. Speaker from Seminole Feed.
Saturday, March 15
Obstacle training session, M&M Show Horses, 3207 CR 721, Webster. 33597. Limited to 20 riders. Let Ron Smith know if you want your name in the drawing for a spot.
March 20-23
Campout at Coldwater Creek Equestrian Camp in Blackwater River State Park in Milton. Everyone to make their own reservations for campsite and stall.
April 2025
Thursday, April 3
Monthly meeting, Altoona School. Voting for officers and directors for next year will take place. Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, April 5
Day ride at Sawgrass Island Preserve. Ride out at 930. This will be an Easter egg scavenger hunt. Search for items on the trail and take photos with your phone. Bring lunch to eat after the ride. And bring water for your horse.
April 25-27
Campout at Colt Creek State park, Lakeland. Everyone to make their own reservations by calling the rangers at Colt Creek, 863-815-6761, and ask for the equestrian campgound. Potluck on Friday night, pancake breakfast Sunday morning. All other meals on your own.
may 2025
Thursday, May 1
Monthly meeting, 7 PM, Altoona School.
Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, May 3
Kentucky Derby Party, Crazy Gator's in Eustis. 5-7 PM. All food and drinks on your own. Wear your best Derby outfit and hat. Bring $3 to pick a raffle ticket for the race. RSVP to Michelle so we know how many are coming.
Thursday, May 8
Day ride at Orange Creek in Citra.
Saturday, May 24
Day ride at Trailhead Ranch
About Us
Come ride with us!
We have monthly day rides and campouts with horses. We have monthly meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 7PM at the Altoona School, SR 19, Altoona. Visitors are always welcomed.
The Trails we Ride
We ride many different trails in the north Central Florida area including the Ocala National Forest, the Florida Greenway Trails, and state forests, parks and preserves.
Join Us On The Trail
Visitors are welcome to come ride with us and will have to pay a day membership fee of $5. ATR enforces Nicole's Law - an approved helmet is required for those 16 and under when riding horses on public lands.
Current newsletter
Message from your president
May 2025
OFFICERS DIRECTORS
Michelle McWilliams, President Contact info: email markmichellworks@aol.com or Text 352-636-6430
Ron Smith, Vice President/Trail Boss: email trails4me@aol.com
Paige Chassie, Secretary
Libby McDermott, Treasurer
Directors: Karen Pando, Jerry Harrington, Margaret Schuman, John Dalziel
Message from your President : The ATR season is winding down with the last campout completed this past weekend at Colt Creek. The report from those who camped it was warm but not unbearable. No bugs except for those at camp which came out at dusk but didn't hang around for long. Upcoming is the Derby Party this Saturday at Crazy Gator in Eustis starting at 5pm. Always a fun time so I hope to see you there. There are only 2 more day rides left before we break to hide from the heat and bugs of the summer. Be sure to check the calendar for ride details. Then on June 7th we will gather to celebrate our riders who made this riding season so much fun. Please check out the details below regarding the Year End banquet.
Now that I've got you preparing for what is coming I'd like for you to take a moment to think back to past events. We will hand out a survey at the May meeting. We will also email a copy for members to fill out and either email or mail back to us. The survey helps us plan for next year so be sure to give us your input. The survey asks where you'd like camp or ride as well as what activities/events you enjoyed during this year. It also gives members an opportunity to make suggestions on ways to improve our Club overall. One topic of this survey that I'd like for members to pay special attention to is the camping section. Looking back over the last few years 22/23, 23/24, and 24/25 seasons it seems the number of members who camp is declining. The ATR season typically had one campout and one day ride per month starting in September to April. It has changed slightly over the years, eliminating September and October campouts due to low attendance. With this change another day ride was added, usually occurring during the week. Could it be that we need to adjust it again? We had six campouts this year, just one more than the previous two years. Attendance was around 8 campers per campout with the exception of Serenity Farms (Andy & Sue's) which had the highest number of campers, 19 in total. Campouts have always varied in location and either electric or primitive sites. Miles to the campouts have stayed about the same with the exception of Coldwater Creek in Milton, FL this year. We understand that many do not have living quarter trailers so finding a place that might offer on-site rentals could be more enticing. So what we want to know is WHY DO YOU NO LONGER CAMP WITH THE CLUB? What could we do to make you more likely to camp with us? Are there activities or features at camping venues that would make you more inclined to go? We'd love to hear your thoughts!!!!
Reminder for those that were newly elected to the Board this will be your last meeting before taking over your Board positions at the June meeting. Please be sure to welcome Karen Szabo (Director) and Renee Lewis (Secretary) and thank them for stepping up to serve. Leaving/relocating are Libby McDermott (Treasurer moved to a Director position), Margaret Shuman (Director) and Karen Pando (Director). Again please thank these ladies for their service this year. I can honestly say that these three and the entirety of this Board certainly made my job as President easier.
In case you missed it here is a run down of your Officers and Directors for the 2025/26 riding season :
Directors : John Dalziel, Jerry Harrington, Libby McDermott, and Karen Szabo
Officers : Treasurer : Paige Chassie, Secretary : Renee Lewis, VP/Trail Boss : Ron Smith, President : Michelle McWilliams
Calendar:
May :
Thursday, 1st Monthly Meeting - at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702 .
Saturday, 3rd - Kentucky Derby Party - The Crazy Gator at 402 N Bay Street Eustis, FL 32726. Party from 5pm to 7:30 pm. Come dressed in your Derby Duds and Hats!! Members purchase their own meal and drinks. Bring extra cash to place bets. Karen will have each horse racing in the Derby on slips of paper in various place finishing. $3 per slip. Once everyone has purchased one slip then it will be open for multiple bets. Please RSVP by Monday April 28th so we may have a head count for Crazy Gators on Facebook or email : trails4me@aol.com, Ron Smith with name and number in your party. You do not need to be an ATR member to attend.
Thursday, 8th - Orange Creek Day Ride - Ride out at 9:30 am. Let's support a local business by stopping at a local restaurant for lunch. Trail Boss Ron Smith will find the perfect place. We'll get a head count closer to the ride. Directions : 5225 E. Highway 318 Citra, FL 32133 (approx 60 miles from Altoona). From Altoona, go north on SR 19 to SR 40. Go West on SR 40 to CR
326. Go north-west on CR 326 to SR 441/301 for 5.5 miles to where 441 and 301
split. Keep right to stay on SR 301. Go 5.5 miles to the traffic light at CR 318. Go east
on CR 318 for 3 miles and the trail head will be on the left.
Saturday, 24th Day Ride at Trailhead Ranch - Ride out at 9:30am. This will be the last ride of the season. You won't want to miss it!!! You never know what we might have planned. Directions : 27435 SE Hwy 42 Umatilla, FL 32784
From Altoona, go West on CR 42 for 3.3 mi. Look for the Trailhead Ranch sign on the
RIGHT. Turn onto dirt driveway and follow to designated parking in pasture straight
ahead. Park as directed.
June :
Thursday, June 5, monthly meeting - at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702 . ICE CREAM SOCIAL!
Saturday, June 7, Year End Banquet - Being held at Grand Oaks Resort 3000 Marion County Road Weirsdale, FL 32195. Fun starts at 1 pm until 5pm. Food provided. There will be a cash bar. Tickets will go on sale in April for $35 per member and $40 for non members. Remember if you signed up under a single membership, spouses will be considered non members and must pay the $40 ticket fee.
Sunshine Committee: Larry Roberts, Diane's husband passed earlier this week. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
