Happy Spring
Welcome to Altoona Trail Riders
Dedicated to preserving equestrian trails, participating in community service and promoting family fun.
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
june 2025
Thursday, June 5
Monthly meeting, Altoona School, 7PM. Annual ice cream social.
Saturday, June 7
Annual banquet, Grand Oaks Resort, Weirsdale, 1-5PM. Contact Michelle if you want tickets.
Happy Summer, Everyone! See you in September.
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
June 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: Riders, can you believe this riding year is done!? We have had some great rides this year. I would like to THANK all those that hosted a ride, volunteered at a ride, lead a ride, provided snacks for meetings and meals for the rides and most importantly those who came out to ride. As I have said many times "It takes a Village" to keep this Club running. WHAT A FANTASTIC VILLAGE!!!! I hope everyone has enjoyed this year as much as I did. I started this year with two goals. First don't screw anything up! Well that didn't last to long before I made an "oops" here and there. Thankfully nothing that couldn't be worked out. Second honor the past Presidents by continuing to put in the time and effort it takes to keep a Club as Fabulous as this one going. Even though I did things a bit differently or with a little of my own flare sprinkled in I tried to preserve the fun of the games, the adventure of camping and the pure joy of riding at the top of everything we did. You, the riders, will have to decide if I lived up to their standard of excellence. I hope everyone takes a moment to fill out this years survey. Let's see what other adventures we can get ourselves into next year.
For those of you coming to the next General Member Meeting on June 5th please take a moment to thank Karen Pando and Margaret Shuman for a job well done this year. They both decided to take a less visible role in the ATR. Karen will continue to be the communications person (Woo Hoo!!!) for the 2025/26 riding season. We will be looking for a member who wishes to help with the T-shirt sales for next season. This person will house the T-shirts, keep an inventory of stock and bring the Club t-shirts to meetings and other special functions for members to purchase. Please contact me if you are interested or have any question. As you know we now have Renee Lewis and Karen Szabo on the Board for 2025/26. Please take a moment and welcome them. Renee will be taking over the Secretary position so please don't shake hands with her to hard. As you know the President talks a lot and talks fast making for a job difficult. I look forward to working with both of these lovely ladies.
Don't forget to RSVP for the Year-End Banquet. Deadline May 29th. You can mail a check to the ATR at PO Box 1225 Altoona, FL 32702. As long as you RSVP by May 29th you can bring your payment to the June 5th meeting too. $35 for members and $40 for non members. Menu is beef medallions, pork tenderloin, green beans, au gratin potato. Appetizers. Cake for dessert. Ice tea will be available. Cash bar at the Bistro.
I hope to see everyone at the June 5th meeting. This meeting should be short and sweet. Literally, there's ice cream! Let's share stories, laugh about the fun we had and enjoy the company of fellow riders.
Calendar:
June:
Thursday, June 5th– ATR Meeting at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702 Meeting will start at 7:15pm. Annual ICE CREAM Social.
Saturday, June 7, Year End Banquet - RSVP DEADLINE THURSDAY MAY 29, 2025. RSVP to Michelle McWilliams at (text) 352-636-6430. Being held at Grand Oaks Resort 3000 Marion County Road Weirsdale, FL 32195. Fun starts at 1 pm until 5pm. Food provided. Menu is beef medallions, pork tenderloin, green beans, au gratin potato. Cake for dessert. Ice tea will be available. Cash bar at the Bistro. Door prizes and annual awards. 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: Jerry Harrington is home recovering nicely from knee surgery. Carol Spelzhausen was briefly hospitalized with a tick related illness and is home doing well.
