IMHC Spring Trail Ride
Tippecanoe River State Park
Winamac IN
IMHC Trail Ride Report - 2006 By Sandy White
Nothing
better than a beautiful weekend spent with beautiful horses and great people!
That’s what IMHC
members experienced the weekend of June 3rd at the Annual
Spring IMHC Trail Ride at Tippecanoe State Park near Winamac. Members Carolyn
Stanger, Jo Olinger, Sue Hansen, Judy Sitcler and Sandy White got a jump start
by arriving Friday afternoon to set up camp and sneak in some early riding.
Carolyn brought along her new ‘driving’ horse, Duke, who was a real champ on the
trails. Sandy’s mount, Casey, on the other hand, was more intent on showing off
her athletic talent for balancing on two legs and leaping sideways to avoid
horse-eating deer and barrels. (I don’t call her my ‘silly filly’ for nothing!
slw). The group was joined Friday evening by Doug and Connie Shipley who came by
just to visit. They regaled us with tales of their property in New Mexico before
we all called it a night around 11.
Saturday
morning more members arrived including Danielle Kiefer and her friend Heather
(we showed our diversity by welcoming her despite her horse being an Arabian).
Arriving shortly after were Cheryl Royer and Kevin Wallin, and the Frazees
(Eric, Erica and Katie – guess Julia had to stay home & mow grass). Dave and
Sharon Hicks, and Richard Greeley rounded out the day riders. The larger group
took about an hour trail ride before returning to camp for lunch. Afterwards
smaller groups went out for rides of various lengths (& speed). Throughout the
day, Kevin was interesting to watch. He brought his ‘project’ horse, Chopin on
which he had worked his Parelli magic. The horse was very well behaved and Kevin
was even riding him around bareback by late afternoon.
Saturday
evening was the traditional pitch-in with great fare once again. Steve Royer
joined us with a box of Fried Chicken. It would be hard to name one specific
favorite dish this time but Sharon’s lasagna is always a pleasure and the
desserts… need I say more? The group dispersed after dinner with only the Royers,
Sue and Sandy staying for Saturday night. We spent the evening by the camp fire
watching a DVD of Parelli on dealing with needle-shy horses (something dear to
Casey’s heart).
Sunday
morning Sue and Sandy went out for a long ride and ended up being the ‘camp’
heroes. We were headed up one trail to be surprised by the sight of two
stock-type horses meandering side-by-side up the trail towards us sans riders.
Naturally we caught them (not difficult) and led them back up the trail a short
bit to a tie-rail rest stop area. Very shortly after someone came by in a pickup
on the adjacent road asking if we had seen two loose horses. We were quickly
able to get horses and riders (unhurt) back together. The fun part was for the
next hour of our ride every group we passed said to be on the look out for two
loose horses! Apparently news of their escape traveled much faster than news of
their capture. There’s another sidebar to this story but I won’t embarrass Sue &
myself by relating it here, let’s just say our powers of observation need
improvement…. hee, hee!).
Look
for another opportunity to join the fun this Fall. We’re in the process now of
setting a date & place – input is welcome!
Nothing
better than a beautiful weekend spent with beautiful horses and great people!
That’s what IMHC
members experienced the weekend of June 3rd at the Annual
Spring IMHC Trail Ride at Tippecanoe State Park near Winamac. Members Carolyn
Stanger, Jo Olinger, Sue Hansen, Judy Sitcler and Sandy White got a jump start
by arriving Friday afternoon to set up camp and sneak in some early riding.
Carolyn brought along her new ‘driving’ horse, Duke, who was a real champ on the
trails. Sandy’s mount, Casey, on the other hand, was more intent on showing off
her athletic talent for balancing on two legs and leaping sideways to avoid
horse-eating deer and barrels. (I don’t call her my ‘silly filly’ for nothing!
slw). The group was joined Friday evening by Doug and Connie Shipley who came by
just to visit. They regaled us with tales of their property in New Mexico before
we all called it a night around 11.
Saturday
morning more members arrived including Danielle Kiefer and her friend Heather
(we showed our diversity by welcoming her despite her horse being an Arabian).
Arriving shortly after were Cheryl Royer and Kevin Wallin, and the Frazees
(Eric, Erica and Katie – guess Julia had to stay home & mow grass). Dave and
Sharon Hicks, and Richard Greeley rounded out the day riders. The larger group
took about an hour trail ride before returning to camp for lunch. Afterwards
smaller groups went out for rides of various lengths (& speed). Throughout the
day, Kevin was interesting to watch. He brought his ‘project’ horse, Chopin on
which he had worked his Parelli magic. The horse was very well behaved and Kevin
was even riding him around bareback by late afternoon. 
Saturday
evening was the traditional pitch-in with great fare once again. Steve Royer
joined us with a box of Fried Chicken. It would be hard to name one specific
favorite dish this time but Sharon’s lasagna is always a pleasure and the
desserts… need I say more? The group dispersed after dinner with only the Royers,
Sue and Sandy staying for Saturday night. We spent the evening by the camp fire
watching a DVD of Parelli on dealing with needle-shy horses (something dear to
Casey’s heart).
Sunday
morning Sue and Sandy went out for a long ride and ended up being the ‘camp’
heroes. We were headed up one trail to be surprised by the sight of two
stock-type horses meandering side-by-side up the trail towards us sans riders.
Naturally we caught them (not difficult) and led them back up the trail a short
bit to a tie-rail rest stop area. Very shortly after someone came by in a pickup
on the adjacent road asking if we had seen two loose horses. We were quickly
able to get horses and riders (unhurt) back together. The fun part was for the
next hour of our ride every group we passed said to be on the look out for two
loose horses! Apparently news of their escape traveled much faster than news of
their capture. There’s another sidebar to this story but I won’t embarrass Sue &
myself by relating it here, let’s just say our powers of observation need
improvement…. hee, hee!).
Look
for another opportunity to join the fun this Fall. We’re in the process now of
setting a date & place – input is welcome!