April Meeting

Tuesday 20th, 7 pm (6 pm if you want to eat ahead of the meeting) 
at Baker's Square, Auburn
Speaker: Cathy Maretti

Cathy Maretti, a long time Gold Country member, is our guest speaker at the April meeting. 

Some of us get so freaked out by the thought of failure that we avoid setting goals. Cathy will talk about the importance of stretching our limits by setting goals that are attainable, the signs that let us know when a goal is too far from our reach--and when this is the case, what actions to take to bring the goal closer to us. We will use the Tevis as an example but these techniques can be used anytime you want to make some improvements in your outlook on anything in life. This will be an interactive meeting, so feel free to bring questions and examples of your own.

Since 1996, Cathy has been helping animals and their human companions using her own unique brand of energy healing work. This work helps make lasting changes in her clients both physically, helping them to see the lighter side of life. Call her anytime at her office in Chico 530-342-6878.

Cathy and her husband John have served the club in many aspects and have also been there for GCER members at the Oroville endurance ride. The refreshment truck is a sight for sore eyes towards the end of the ride and has always been greeted eagerly by thirsty members. Cathy's focus has always been towards the holistic approach and her talk will be of interest to all. Please plan on attending this fun, informative evening.

Gold Country Endurance Ride Entry

The entry for this years' ride is now up to date. You may print a copy out from the web site:

• Ride Entry
• Liability Release

These links are also permanently available on the main GCER web page.

Note that the ride is limited to 85 entrants.

Missing Item - Signed Calf/Sheepkin?

I received a call from Deb Foote regarding an item that no one seems to know the whereabouts of - or even when it was last seen. 

There were a group of contributors to a sculptured model of a Pony Express rider that was given to Wendell Robie and Will Tevis. There was also a gift of appreciation of a sheepskin or calfskin signed by some long time endurance riders, among them Rho Jacoby and Potato Richardson . 

It is this item that is Deb is trying to locate. It would be commemorating the 20th Tevis, 1974. 

I hope I have the facts straight, but I know it is the signed sheepskin that is the item of concern. If there are any club members that can help, call me with the information and I will pass it on to Deb. Some think the last person to have it may be Buck of Auburn Tack and Feed, but I don't know that for sure. 

Karin Occhialini

GCER Supports the Endurance Capital

The Gold Country Endurance Riders are showing their support for Auburn, officially declared the “Endurance Capital of the World” last year, by becoming a sponsor of the Auburn Chamber’s State of the Community Dinner to be held at The Ridge on Friday, April 30th. 

The theme of this year’s dinner is “Celebrating Endurance.” A highlight of the evening will be the awarding of the prestigious Friend of Auburn Award to the Wendell and Inez Foundation, in memory of the late Wendell Robie, founder of the Tevis Cup Ride. Almost all of Auburn’s leading business and civic leaders will be present. 

Come on out and show your support for endurance by attending this annual community event. The costs is $37.50 per ticket, which includes the choice of three delicious meals—salmon, steak or a special vegetarian spinach ravioli. The no-host bar opens at 5:30 p.m. with dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Since GCER is a sponsor, one table will have a sign on it with the organization’s name prominently displayed. It will also be recognized in the program. 

Wouldn’t it be great to have a large number of endurance riders sitting around the GCER sign to cheer for Wendell and show our support to Auburn for its Endurance Capital declaration? Make your reservations early because this event does sell out. Call Debi at the Chamber at (530) 885-5616, ext. 220, to make your reservation. And, be sure to tell her you are with GCER.

Club Dues:

• Dues are now past due for 2004!  Single = $15   Family = $25
• I will collect at the meeting, or they can be mailed to the club PO box: 
  P.O. Box 3412
  Auburn, CA 95604.  
• The email and s-mail lists were purged of "non-paying members" at the beginning of April, so if people want to receive anything, they must pay the dues. We don't charge for back dues - so there is no penalty for missing past years.

Stories

Rides of March 50 Mile Endurance Ride
Lucy Trumbull

Things I learnt at this ride:

• Nevada is known for its rocks. Where it doesn't have rocks, it has sand.
• Motorcycles make dips in sandy trails.
• Dippy trails cause you to get very uncomfortable, very quickly, and stay that way throughout the ride.
• Nevada trails feel nothing like American River canyon trails.
• Lemmon Valley is in the high desert and can be very cold at night. Double-blanket the pone and remember to give him warm water to drink or he won't drink at all overnight and he'll be dehydrated next day.
• Lemmon Valley is in the high desert and can be very hot during the day. Bring horse clippers to remove large amounts of fluff, or make like you're from Southern California and persuade your horse to shed out completely prior to the ride.
• In order to follow the trail thoughtfully laid out by Ride Management, it is necessary to watch for rather obvious ribbons and very noticeable lime arrows/blobs on the ground. Failure to adhere to this simple technique will cause you to visit areas not usually used by horses.
• A Rubbermaid tub makes a great crewbox which you can sit on at vet checks. 
• In order to sit on your Rubbermaid tub, you must remember to either move it to where you are standing holding the horse, or move yourself and the horse to where it is. Standing on the opposite side of the vet check area doesn't work.
• Sliced turkey and sliced cheese goes down quick before your gag reflex cuts in, enabling you to actually eat during the ride.
• Ensure now comes with a screw-on lid. You can consume exactly one half a bottle of Ensure before your gag reflex cuts in. Reseal and finish the second half at the second vet check.
• Feeding yourself enables you to finish the ride gimpy, but actually able to function mentally and physically without looking and feeling like a wreck.
• Riding with a GPS that tells you that you've been riding on the "20 mile loop" for 22.5 miles and you still haven't found the vet check does not engender enthusiasm.
• If you finish the ride after sunset, spotting the not-terribly-obvious-because-everyone-else-has -already-ridden-over-them-before-you-got-there lime arrows/blobs can be difficult. For this reason, it is better to attempt to finish before it gets completely dark.
• Finishing dead last may not hold much glory, but finishing at all and then hearing the vet say "Well, he looks quite happy!" at the final vet check is all the glory I need.

Finding Chief
March 20, 2004
Britt Porter

It was our new horse Indian Chief’s first endurance ride. We had just adopted him in October 2003 from the BLM program at the Carson City, Nevada State Prison Camp. It was the Rides of March in Lemmon Valley, Nevada. We were very happy to start the 25-mile ride with my husband Stuart and his horse Elly May. Chief was an angel in the beginning of the ride. We even passed Stuart and Elly and were riding with some new friends. We were at about 8 miles, enjoying the ride and scenery when Chief started to buck. It might have been his crupper that caused him to buck, regardless he bucked, I bailed off and landed okay in the sand. Chief just kept running and before I knew it he was gone! One rider followed him for a while, but then came back to see if I was okay, which I was, thank God. All eight of our horses are Mustangs, seven of them from the BLM. We always brag about how easy they all were to get use to a crupper, we won’t do that again!

We started off to look for Chief, it was very difficult to spot his tracks among all the others even though he was in Easy Boots. We kept looking for about an hour and then ran back to camp hoping to find him there, but no luck. I started to tell the ride management about our situation while Stuart called the local authorities. The sheriff, BLM, and local Animal Control were of no help unless we knew exactly where the horse was, or if there was a rider lost. If we could spot him they would help us extract him, but they will not search for just a horse. So Stuart jumped in a friend’s car and went up to look some more, while I went out to the vet check to see if anyone spotted him. Stuart looked for another 2 hours to no avail, and I had no sightings from anyone. We thought a helicopter would be the best way to find Indian Chief. Stuart started to call different pilots trying to find one to help us and I worked on making fliers to post around town to find our lost horse. Everyone was so nice and friendly and they all wanted to help any way they could. 

I got a ride through town to put out the fliers and Stuart, after striking out with 3 helicopter services found a helicopter pilot willing to look for Chief. Justin the pilot had flown in the area and had lots of experience in doing searches. Stuart met him about ¼ mile from camp and off they went. Stuart hates flying and had to warn the pilot to take it easy to avoid re-decorating the cockpit. They started a grid pattern over the area, working back and forth for about 5 miles square. The area was fenced in very large parcels, and they figured it would be easy to spot him. Almost an hour went by and they had seen cattle, other riders, motorcycles, and jackrabbits, but no Chief! They went back lower and slower and then all of a sudden Justin says “I got him”, Stuart almost hugged him in joy. 

There was Chief up against a fence, standing but not moving. The pilot let Stuart get a coordinate and sighting on the ride camp and then let him off 200 yards up the hill from Chief. The pilot warned him to exit by keeping low and walking perpendicular for about 40 feet before raising. Stuart got out, but forgot about his hat, which quickly became confetti above him, this really reinforced what the pilot had just told him.

Once on the ground Stuart came up on Chief and got a big whinnie (help me daddy). He had his reins stuck in the loose barbwire, but he did not have a scratch on him. He was just standing there looking towards camp with an expression like “where ya been”? They were out about 6 miles and took about 2 hours to get back. Stuart called some cell phones to let people know he had Chief, but he was only able to leave messages. All of a sudden I hear Stuart say “hey Britt” and there they were looking very happy and healthy. I was overjoyed and hugged them both a lot. Stuart has since added another item to our ride checklist, PUT LOCAL HELICOPTER PILOTS ON RETAINER BEFORE RIDE.

Square Nail 50 and 30-Mile Endurance Ride
Charles V Gabri

April 3, 2004 was the first running of the Square Nail Endurance Ride, sponsored by NASTR*. Chuck Mather was not there. 

This ride replaced the long running Derby Ditch, which was sponsored by the same club. If ever a ride deserved to be put down, it was Derby Ditch. It‘s UGLY, but…it is an early ride in the year, a relatively flat ride and a good ‘tune-up’ for the season. So NASTR* needed a first ride to replace Derby Ditch as the first jewel in the NASTR Triple Crown. (Triple Crown: Square Nail 50, NASTR 75, and Virginia City 100). The silver bullet that put Derby Ditch down was private property owners who balked on allowing horses onto their property. 

Being the first event of any kind is always an adventure. The ride director was Gene (the Trail Nazi) Myers. Dayton, Nevada is the location for this new ride, at the Rodeo grounds. Ample parking was available with enough Porta Potties for humans and a dumpster to deposit horse excretion. Start of the ride (I will speak only of the 50-miler, but there was a 30-miler and some of the same trail was used) was 7 a.m., a very civilized time. Seventy-Four horses started and California was well represented. It began on a dirt road and proceeded onto BLM land, which is mostly frequented by dirt bikes. Soon after the start we entered a canyon of unparalleled beauty. Very different from the reputation Nevada has for starkness, this course, for the most part, had lots of vegetation. The first several miles were very rocky. The view was terrific, reminiscent of the old movie, “The Treasure of Sierra Madre.” One might expect a band of Mexicans to appear and demand our gold, and say, “Badges, we ain’t got no stinking badges.” But none appeared. We crossed a creek several times, zigzagging through the canyon. Some miles later we entered a high wide canyon and rode on a dirt road. Finally we are able to trot for a long period of time. We then experience a long hill climb and the first vet check at about 24 miles. The vistas here were again terrific. Snow capped mountains and rolling pinion pines, with a dash of sagebrush and buck brush thrown in. 

I love the vets for Nevada rides. I don’t know why, but they are friendly and warm and I have a lot of confidence in them. They don’t put you through a ‘pre purchase’ exam at every stop; and you know they know what they are doing. The weather was warmer than the day before, even though we saw snow on the trail. The first hold was 30 minutes and following that, we had a very difficult 10-mile loop and a return to the same vet check for a one-hour hold. This 10-mile loop had a very long climb and a longer descent. Again this was on dirt bike trails. At the one hour check, NASTR* had barbequed hamburgers/cheeseburgers and vegieburgers for the vegans, free for nothin. After the hour hold, the return trail snaked down hill again, using dirt bike trails. 

When before I mentioned a lot of vegetation, what I didn’t say was that these ‘pinion pine’ trees are related to vampires. The pine needles are the most stiff and abrasive I have ever seen. Due to the lack of water, these trees feed on human blood. Since these are primarily dirt bike trails, I know why the dirt bikers wear so much body armor. Pity the rider who didn’t wear a helmet. I ducked and used my head/helmet for protection numerous times. Sometimes I raised my head just it time to get whacked by an unforeseen branch. If I didn’t know better, I would think these trees were artificial, made from armor piercing metal. They are the same texture as buck brush. I guess I’ll heal. Perhaps someone will sneak out there next year and do some trimming. As for fauna, we saw 2 squirrels, one rabbit, and a chipmunk. 

Snaking back to the finish was all downhill and our horses were tired until…we joined the same trail we went out on, and revisited the canyon and many creek crossings. I should mention this ride had numerous opportunities for horses to drink. When we rejoin the common trail, the horses ‘smell the barn’. No longer noticeably tired, they head for home.

Nanci and I are among the 63 finishers, along with several other Californians. Dale Peterson finished 6, first heavyweight, and I believe won Best Condition. Tamara Medeiros was 8 and Michel Bloch was 14. Additional California riders were Marcia Smith 16, Nanci and I, 22 and 23. Tammy (future Mrs. Kimler) Botts, Leigh Bacco, Greg Kimler, and Frank Smith were 44 through 47; Kim Gastman, Al and Jackie Beaupre, (Al and Jackie are Nevadans, but Gold Country members), 50 through 52, Michael Elliott 55 and the last Californians were Kim Dean, Kathie Perrie and Terri Miller at 58, 59 and 60. 

The 30 miler was 10 for 10 - starters and finishers. Mary Abbot first, Stuart Porter on one of the Porter’s many wild horses was second and David Putman finished in the middle. For complete results, check ridecamp or wait for the AERC magazine next month. 

*NASTR Once upon a time I asked a Nevada rider, “What does NASTR stand for.” (I could assume the N = Nevada) the reply was “Nevada All State Trail Riders.” Always being curious I said, “I don’t understand, what does all-state mean, everyone in Nevada, or perhaps all of Nevada?” “No” the answer was, “it means all the other states!” So I said “Like all the United States?” “Yes” was the answer. Not satisfied I said “So why didn’t you call it the United States Trail Riders because that is what it means”. “Because it’s in Nevada, was the reply”

The Nightmare of Tevis - 3
Lucy Chaplin Trumbull

Training for Tevis and Making a Mess of It—April had its up and downs. Finishing Rides of March 50 and having Provo run circles around me after the finish as I walked him back to camp was definitely one of the ups. Subsequently letting him go out and run for 25 miles in the American River canyon the following weekend - although initially feeling like an up - later turned out to be a major down... as did continuing to try and ride long conditioning rides by doing it again the following weekend, albeit slower.

Sometimes I can't see the wood for the trees. Finishing one 50 does not make my horse Super Horse. It doesn't suddenly mean we can rush about the countryside, abandoning any former caution in our conditioning regime. And remembering that rest and careful ramping back up are as important as "hard work and sweat" when it comes to horses is something that shouldn't be easily forgotten. Unless you're really stupid.

Anyway, hopefully no harm done. Provo did get two proper weeks off and a slight change in diet to plump him up, so with luck he's no worse for wear for the experience. Tomorrow he gets chiro-ed to hopefully iron out any tweaks he's got brewing and next weekend we'll see how we fair at American River 50. If he doesn't stomp on my foot and break my toe, it'll be an improvement on our 1999 effort, as will finishing in less than 10:30 hours.

Time Spent with Sanskrit - Part 1
Terryl Reed

After researching information in the AERC Archives Lucy noticed that I was Sanskrit's rider on all but two of his rides. She asked if I could write a little something about my experience with him.

I first saw Sanskrit when he was just shy of 6 months old. He was not a big colt, in fact he was a pretty lean, lanky, gangly colt. I remember him being light gray in color and having a beautiful, fine, chiseled head with a nice eye. The Woods had sent him to our training barn to be prepare for and taken down to Om El Arab's (home of El Shaklan San's sire) Open House. You can imagine how surprised I was when on a hay run with Dee Matlock to the Woods' in Lincoln I was told the horse I was admiring in a back paddock was the same little colt I had haltered nearly four years earlier. He had developed into quite a handsome stallion. I helped Dee on a few more hay deliveries to the Woods. Each time I was drawn back to San's paddock. At that time I was living and training horses at the Matlocks. Dee and I would talk about San's on the way home. I think Dee was formulating the same ideas as I when I asked Dee, “If the Woods are willing to sell Sanskrit would you like to form a partnership and buy him”. They were willing to sell and a partnership was formed. Dee provided feed and board and I was to train and ride him.

We knew San's was an excellent stallion prospect. He was handsome, had already proven himself as a Champion Halter horse under the tutelage of Mike Neal of West Coast Training Center, and had the pedigree to produce. I personally had handled El Shaklan and knew of his kind, gentle nature, and that he had scored very high in all aspects of the German Stallion Testing Trials especially the endurance segment. Naborr among other greats was on San's dam's side. Naborr a big boned horse had retired a successfully racehorse as well as sound off the track. This gave even more credence to our belief that Sans had what it took to be not only an awesome distance horse but a pre-potent producer. Years of experience backed our intuition but until you actually get on and ride you really never know. The first day I rode San's up the hill behind Dee's I knew I was right. San's was awesome. He was confident, powerful, and athletic. His walk was incredible and his trot ground covering. We spent a lot of time getting ready to race. A lot of long slow miles were accumulated going up and down and around a lot of mountains. Our riding companion was Moire Donald and her horse Fleet. Most of you know Moire, she rode Ace the phenomenal horse that top 10ed numerous rides and finished his last Tevis at the age of 27. San's was always well mannered and a gentlemen. When San's lived at my place, like Seabiscuit, he had an old mare as a companion. They use to stand at the top of the hill under an old almond tree and survey all that went on below. On occasion I'd pony one of his daughters on the shorter conditioning rides using her to help teach him patience. I'd often turn her loose to follow. Sometimes she would dart by at a gallop. He learned to keep his pace know matter what she did.

On our first ride, Sans was incredible. I hear constantly about the trouble riders have with their mounts and it makes me shake my head. Maybe being a trainer I am less tolerant and have a little more insight in what to do to avoid problems, but I have to say San's from day one was a joy to ride. Aggressive and eager at times, but never obnoxious or dangerous. His P/R's were equally incredible and on many occasions I told Dee and others I was riding a "Secretariat" His pulse was incredibly low and when asked to exert himself it only took minutes for a complete recovery. I remember riding with a gentleman from Cool who sold heart-monitors. Never having used a heart monitor, on one particular conditioning ride he set me up with one to try. We were well into the days ride climbing out of a pretty steep canyon at a brisk pace when he asked what my pulse was. It was just a little over a 100 and that is what I told him. He said, "No way". We topped the mountain and weren't two or three minutes over the other side and he asked again what San's pulse was. "60", I told him. "No way!" he again exclaimed with even more conviction. We traded heart monitors. He was convinced the heart monitor he had let me use was defective. Not so he had found out. His horse still had high pulse readings and San's were low.

There's not one ride that San's gave me that I won't forget. Each one was an experience that still puts a smile on my face and brings a flood of good memories. I'd have to look up the dates to remember which ride we did first but the first one that comes to mind is the Levi Triathlon sponsored by Levi and managed by Dan Barger. It had been a while since I had ridden a race. I had no clue how good the horses competing were and the pace in which it would take to win a race. I knew the pace San's could maintain and I knew it was as good or better than when I had been racing before. My plan was to follow the leaders, and if San's had it in him to pass them at the end. Our part of the race was only 25 miles. The bikers had to climb over Mt. Rose and then pass the wrist band off to us on the down hill northern side. We laced in and out of the trees at a good pace before starting our climb to the mid way check point. Everyone slowed way down wanting their P/R's below the required 60 needed to continue on. San's climbed the mountain eager to quicken the pace with his pulse staying well below the cut off. A quick drink at the water trough just before the vet check and we were ready to go. I took a look at the competition and I was sure we had the race won. It was down hill most of the way home and I knew we were home free barring any unforeseen happening. San's is one of the best down hill horses I have ever ridden and on that day he showed me how really good he was. He floats off a hill and in the dark I doubt if the average rider would know he had started his descent. After the descent there was one of those long desert type roads that seem to go on forever. I had ridden it previously and knew it would be slow going because of the rockiness of it. ; We were alone. We started at a safe slow trot negotiating the rocks in good form and for some reason San's lifted into a lope as if he knew he could do a better job at that gait. It worried me. But now wanting to break cadence for fear of stumbling in the slow down I let him continue on. It was as if he were floating over the rocks. There was not one miss step. As soon as San's recovered to the required pulse Dr. Jim Steer gave our runner the go ahead to begin the final leg of the triathlon. Not only was San's the fastest horse but he also won Best Condition.

Another memorable ride was the Camp Far West Ride. I had told a junior that I would sponsor her through the ride. When she arrived after dark with no hay I knew we were in trouble. The morning of the ride she checked in and I waited for her at the start of the race. She never showed up. I decided to go get her. With only minutes till the start there she was having breakfast. At least her horse was saddled. I noticed that her breast plate was missing. When asked where it was she said, "Oh I don't need one." Now if any of you saw her mare you would know she needed one. This mare was as herring gutted as a horse can be. But oh well, it was to late now. Off we went. San's set a fairly good pace, that is until we had to stop to adjust her saddle. Even on the flat Camp Far West ride her saddle had slipped dangerously to far back. After about the fifth time readjusting the saddle I took one of my split reins and made her a breastplate. Our ride was moving along slowly. When in front she would slow to a snails pace and when behind she would drop out of sight. Sans was patient. Finally I saw a chance we could make it in on time. Way off in front of us was some familiar competitors; one was a junior. I told my junior to catch them and stay on their tails. And off we went. At first it was at a nice working trot, it then got a little faster turning into a nice lope. Sans was enjoying every stride. But before long we were lengthening our stride and our easy lope was extended to a full gallop. I wasn't worried for Sans, he was loving it and our heart monitor indicated he wasn't being taxed. I was worried about the mare. The trouble was I couldn't catch my junior or her mare. They were doing as I said and chasing the two in front of them who I found out later were trying to lose us. No one had ever kept up with them like we were. We came into camp with the last five miles to go. My juniors horse was having trouble getting her P/R down and San's was ready to go. My crew convinced me to leave my junior and go on after the lead horse. I could take my junior around the last loop when I got back. San's and I left at a lope and never slowed down. San's gave it his all but the horse in front had left too far in front. San's was awesome that day. We had finished only a minute behind the leader, although we had left nearly fifteen minutes late at the start, fixed a breastplate at least five times , raced like the wind chasing two horses that were both pulled and then waited for my juniors horses pulse to lower for at least 10 minutes before our race to the finish. We didn't get BC on this ride but was told we were a strong runner up. In my heart San's was the winner. 

...to be continued

It's That Time of the Year
Cathy Richardson

The weather beckons us to ride and ride, and we do. It's all good except for The Pests. These come in the form of vegetation, i.e., poison oak, and in the form of insects. This year seems to be the Year of the Tick. I don't care what the Chinese calendar says, in our neck of the woods, the Tick reigns.

As I was meandering down the Larimer Trail the other day, I noticed that the first of the pests was out in spades. The poison oak, mere sticks a couple of days ago, was now in near-full bloom. Like a prom queen ready for the Big Night, the leaves on the Poison Oak were spreading their wings, green and oily, and seeming to glow as I passed by. Each leaf began to take on a face. A face that grinned evilly and said, "Maybe not today, but soon. When you least expect it." Moreover, when you're answering the call of nature and notice too late that -- well, you get the picture. And, days later, you get WAY more than the picture!

Moving on to the insects. Starting with those pesky face flies. They're in your face because they're attracted to the carbon monoxide we exhale. The answer to this problem is obvious. Quit breathing. The flies will then move to your horse's face, which may cause more of a problem than ceasing to breathe.

Then there's the ticks. Being from the city, i.e., from LA to Sacramento, ticks have never played much of a role in my life. They're making up for it this year. I've decided that Scotch Broom is just another name for Tick Condominiums. As I ride through them, I now can sense the ticks leaping as though trapeze artists at a circus, from the branches of the Broom to the withers and mane of my horse. And, to me!!! You know you're a country girl when a tick flops onto the table at your favorite Mexican restaurant just as you're digging into dinner. Right there in front of everybody. "Tick" is the sound they make when they land. Ticking from table to your refried beans. It's difficult to ignore. If you're lucky, you'll be with someone astute enough to notice said tick before it does its triple ganor into your food, quietly pull you aside, and pick the tick. It's a scary thought, but we "cowgirls" are becoming so accustom to this, that we fail to take into account the reactions of those at the nearby tables for whom the tick heads.

This year in particular has brought them out in grand numbers. A tick here and a tick there isn't so bad. Creepy things in ones or twos isn't a problem. Creepy things in Large Numbers is -- well creepy! Reminiscent of the scene in African Queen when the usually staid and together Katharine Hepburn succumbs to the big number of leeches (water-borne ticks) and begins yelling, "Charlie, Charlie -- I just can't stand this!!!" it's the shear numbers that throw you overboard. Pun intended.

Anyone out there with a cure for the tick, please post it on Ride Camp, or email me at cathy@jps.net, and you may get air time on Horse Talk. Tick Talk. I'm itching just thinking about them!!!

State of the Trails

Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Coming 
to Olmstead Loop in Cool
Julie Bourriague, President, Divide Horsemen’s Association

April 22^nd-25^th 2004— The International Mountain Bicycling Association’s (IMBA) Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew will be in Cool, April 22nd-25th 2004 to talk trails, teach people proper trail building technique, and spend quality time digging in the dirt. 

If you have members that are willing volunteers to learn proper trail maintenance and management per State Parks requirements please forward their names to me, everyone needs to be pre registered for the Subaru/IMBA's crew info sheet.

If you have volunteers that would like to be co-hosts or helpers for the mixer or school days I need their info too! 

Thursday the 22nd 6:00 pm: 1st Grange of California 1701 Highway 193 Cool.
Mixer- slide show beginning work trail info and registration. 

Remember this is a FREE event worth hundreds of dollars in knowledge to aid in the preservation of our trail system!

Saturday same place 9:00 am classroom day: lunch and drinks provided by
Divide Horsemen's.

Sunday Knickerbocker 9:00 am: work until lunch then ride afternoon. Trail
School Graduation!!!! 

Bike Works in Auburn will be doing a mixer Friday evening with FATRC same
format as ours to get the bike people involved preserving the trails too!

I am swamped with Auburn Rodeo this week so if you need info ASAP call my
cell 530-263-2681 as I am on the road or at the fairgrounds all week! Please email me your volunteers' names and phone numbers!!!

For more information and to register for the IMBA Trail building School, contact Julie Bourriague President Divide Horsemen’s Association @ 530-885-9019

For a complete list of visit dates, photos and additional information on the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visit www.imba.com.

Redding Horse Park

A message from GCTC member, Dee Meredith:

Hi Everyone - There is a major horse park being proposed in Redding called the California Horse Park. You can visit the website at www.californiahorsepark.com

This horse park is going to be either recommended or not by the Redding City Council on the 22nd of April. Please visit the website and either write, call or email your voice of support for this wonderful proposed facility. Please pass this email along to other horse people, organizations or groups in the western United States who may have interest.

Kathleen Downs
Market Street Marketing
2525 Park Marina Drive
Redding, CA 96001
T. 530.244.9202
F. 530.245.0874
www.marketstreetmarketing.com

New Trail at Cronin Ranch?

From Mountain Democrat:

March 29, 2004 - 
Trail is an eight-mile breath of fresh air 

THIS PASTORAL PASTURE may become part of the American River Trail, if funds to purchase the final 528 acres are raised by June. 

By SUSANA CAREY WEY Staff writer 

COLOMA - The Pacific Crest Trail, the Desolation Trail, the Appalachian Trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail; these trails call to the hearts of hikers and/or bikers throughout the country. Now, the American River Trail can almost add its name to the litany of great trails around the world. If funds to purchase the final 528 acres are raised by June, an 8-mile trail linking the American River Canyon to the Folsom State Recreation Area could be completed by June 2006.

"Over the last 15 years, we have acquired 2,200 acres ... now we are in the last stretch for the El Dorado County section," said Marc Landgraf, a land specialist at the American River Conservancy headquartered in Coloma. Opening the gate to the trail will be a final land purchase near the Salmon Falls Bridge for which the ARC must raise $2.5 million by this June.

Access to the trail will most likely be near Greenwood Creek off Highway 49. A parking lot and restroom already in place makes it an excellent trailhead, according to ARC.

The recent acquisition of Cronin Ranch lands bordering the American River makes the trail several steps closer to completion. The ARC, the American River Parkway Foundation, the California Department of Fish and Game and other organizations are working together to make the American River Trail a reality.

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously (5-0) to back the concept and implementation of the American River Trail.

"This is a project everyone can get excited about," said Karen Killebrew, a media consultant whose lifelong love of conservation prompted her to become a volunteer at ARC. "If we can pull together as a community - and experience shows we can - we will be able to have a magnificent preserve and trail here."

Another ARC board member, Jann Scott said that besides donations, volunteers are always needed and welcomed. A training session for new volunteers will take place at the Town Hall in Placerville on April 7.

"We have an amazing volunteer network. Anything that you can do to help this effort is appreciated," said Scott. "The American River Conservancy is relevant for education and for preservation. Besides, the activities of the Conservancy, including the American River Trail are for everyone ... and for our children's children, too."

Board members mentioned that field trips to ARC and outreach programs have surged with school funding cuts. "Schools need all the help with curriculum that they can get," said Sue Britting, an ARC board member.

Not only will the American River Trail provide recreational options for California residents and visitors, the ARC will protect and conserve the land. Habitats for precious animal and plant species will be preserved. Future generations will have open, wooded space with access to the river.

Big picture

The big picture is the American River Trail, linking El Dorado County wilderness trails with the Folsom State Recreation Area, creating some 20 miles of continuous recreation areas for hikers, mountain bikers, anglers, bird watchers, equestrians and rafters.

At the Cronin Ranch off Highway 49, the vistas are panoramic, encompassing green rolling hills adorned by spring lushness and the canyon carved by the American River. Blue oaks, gray pines and other trees jut against blue sky, foliage that becomes silhouetted against a multi-colored canvas as the sun goes down, and silent sentinels when the stars come up. There is a feeling of immensity in this wide open area ringed by hills and mountains, all overseen by cloud formations in the big blue sky.

Little picture

But the little picture includes big blades of verdant prairie grass, tiny grasses and edible miner's lettuce. Woodland spring visitors like lupine, dandelions, betty blue eyes and little bright pink flowers peek out between the grasses. Little white flowers, perhaps akin to Alpine edelweiss or baby's breath, dot the landscape, looking like snowdrops on the green grass. "Every week in the springtime there is a different progression of wildflowers," said Sue Britting, an ARC board member.

Little birds and big birds, including golden and bald eagles, killdeer, bank swallows, osprey, robins and others make this their habitat. Framed by a field of green dotted by shrubs, a nervous mama bird swoops down, gliding in flamboyant, alluring arcs. She is acting as a decoy, hoping to lead potential danger away from her nest.

"It is also interesting to see them do the 'injured bird rout,' where they pretend to be injured to drive you away from the nest," said Karen Quiddichay, a birdwatcher and ARC board member. 

Otters, bobcats, deer, foxes and any number of woodland creatures make this their home. With this much space, unadulterated except for a trail and some rafters, these species will be free to carry on their lives without further encroachment by man.

This vast area is bordered by woodlands in the stewardship of the Bureau of Land Management. One adjacent property is privately owned, said Killebrew, but the owners are environmentally-aware and committed.

Tree candy

In fact, the Lollipop tree, a landmark for rafters, is on private property. This famous tree, looking just like its name, stands atop a bluff. It seems singular on its hill because it stands out in its perfect cylindrical shape. It actually is a gray pine, explained Killebrew, which was blazed in half by lightening.

Despite the shock, the tree continued to thrive in a bent-over shape that forms a circle. Rafters can spot the tree from several different bends in the river. The third time they see the Lollipop tree means that the most treacherous, but perhaps most exciting part of the river is right ahead - the gorge run.

Whitewater rafters know this part of the river well. The South Fork of the American River is one of the nation's top destinations for rafters. Here on Cronin Ranch property, picnic tables on the river's edge, some fire pits and some "Wee Chateaus" (portable toilet shacks) bespeak of rafters and property owners having forged an amicable agreement.

As big supporters of the environment and conservation, it is expected that whitewater rafting companies will continue to use the river for their sport, and use the soon-to-be public land for picnics and break points. In the future, there could even be triathlon-style events combining rafting, hiking and biking.

Rocks and horses

For many, the rock formations along the American River inspire awe with their imagination-firing shapes. One rock called "The Gorilla," perhaps looking a bit more like Sasquatch, stands sentinel over "The Maze," a rocky area of the American River. The rocks require circumnavigation much like an obstacle course. 

Another rock is called Convict's Rock. Legend has it that some inmates escaped from Folsom Prison in 1928 and made their way up the river. When an alert rancher on an overlooking bluff saw their black and white-striped uniforms drying on a rock, he alerted authorities.

One of the boons to El Dorado County, said Maria DeCarlo, a veterinarian who is an equestrian and board member of ARC, will be to have an additional equestrian trail. 

One of the few public trails for horseback riding is the Olmstead Loop in Cool, she said. A few years ago, the Olmstead Loop was an uncrowded, pleasant jaunt.

Not so today. So many people have moved to the county that dozens of horse trailers can be seen there every weekend and there is barely enough space for all the equestrians. The American River Trail with its rolling hills and pleasant terrain would be "not dangerous, and not hard - it'll be perfect for equestrians and for social rides too."

Bulls rush in

And what of the cattle? Cattle graze all over this ranch overlooking the American River. They create a picturesque site, brawny brown bulls and demure spotted Jerseys with little multi-colored calves sprinting to keep up with mom. One big black bull planted himself in the muddy dirt road, determined to protect his family. It was going to be beast against SUV, he seemed to think. His steady big brown eyes held no fear.

When he was clearly convinced that his family was out of danger, he plodded into the meadow to rejoin the herd.

The land is leased for grazing the cattle, but only during some months of the year. In the summer, the cattle move to higher elevations, where it is cooler.

While ARC has not addressed the cattle issue per se, Killebrew said that cattle can be extremely detrimental to some habitats. The "riparian corridor" actually has been jeopardized by the cattle's hooves, tramping and grazing.

On the other hand, the cattle's existence means that there are already many roads in place. Many of these roads formerly used by ranchers will be incorporated into the American River Trail, a feature that will make building the trail in this area a little easier, according to Landgraf.

What happens with the permanent movie set, a cabin, a burned-down barn and other buildings remains to be seen. A road was built to reach the movie set, but it is not nearly as durable as the old cattle roads which were done a long time ago, according to Landgraf.

Would the site fee paid by movie studios offset the potential environmental damage, or would such a use be allowed on public lands? 

Kathleen Dodge, El Dorado County Film Commissioner, said that the United States Forest Service, the California Department of Fish and Game, ARC and others have always been most cooperative, and a joy to work with. Apparently ARC would cross the film or not to film bridge if it came up. It would deal with such usage on a-case-by-case basis, with careful consideration and input from several agencies. Whether the set would remain was not known by press time.

Joining rivers, hands

Several panoramic knolls on the Cronin Ranch have been used for SUV advertisements and commercials. Much of the acreage is on a peninsula between the South Fork and North Fork of the American River, a region rich in oak woodlands, wildlife and the unique ecology and scenery of a confluence area between two forks of a grand river.

The ARC, Landgraf said, bought the land for fair market value. The fair market value of the EDC land for the American River Trail to be obtained by June 30 is $2.5 million. With all of the property in place, the American River Trail will begin to fall into place.

Besides grading and trail making, plans are to build kiosks, provide signage and to study and conserve the ecological wonders of the region. This will take additional money, but obtaining the land is the immediate goal of the ARC.

Ultimately, 48 miles of protected recreational areas and trails could range from Sutter's Mill to Sutter's Fort, interconnecting the American River Trail, the F
olsom State Recreational Area and the American River Parkway System, but for now, El Dorado County's 8 miles of the American River Trail needs to be blazed with the help of the community.

To help the American River Trail Campaign, visit the Website at www.arconservancy.org or call Kyleen Cornell at 621-1224 or Killebrew at 878-1330. 

New Trail: Peregrine Trail, Sterling Pointe

In coordination with Placer County Parks, and Wendell & Inez Robie Foundation, we have added a beautiful short trail at Sterling Pointe Equestrian Park. Last Wednesday (24th March), Mark of Placer County Parks, Jim Larimer and myself applied some good old fashion backs and elbows to opening up the trail. At present the trail is marked by survey ribbon. Approx. 200' out on Sterling Pointe Tr., watch for ribbons to your left. The new addition (Peregrine Trail), drops back into the Sterling Pointe Tr. just prior to entering the State Park boundary fence. The Peregrine Tr. is open to use. Boy Scout Troop 718 of Auburn, has helped with additional interpretive signs, as well as helping to plant native plants and trees. Donna Williams 

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
General Plan/Resource Management Plan

The final version of this plan from the equestrian stakeholders is complete. Please contact Donna Williams for more information.

Trails threatened at Montana de Oro, SLO County

Please take a moment to read this message on RideCamp, regarding planned (unauthorised, seemingly) closure of certain trails in the Montana de Oro State Park. 

If you have never visited this area, it is absolutely gorgeous, with views out across the ocean and cooler weather in the summer than our inland oven. They have a horse camp. Lots of singletrack trails with multiple loops. It would be a great shame to lose any of the trails.

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