MAY 1996 BACK ISSUE

Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 5/1/96; 10:00:00 AM.

Adventurous Yet Economical Summer Vacation

How much would you pay for a vacation to a breathtaking destination area of the United States which includes: three meals a day for six days, beverages, live nightly entertainment, horse feed, an experienced guide, and access to a physician, vet, and farrier? Would you believe only $325? You may be thinking, what kind of vacation is this? Only the most relaxing, adventurous, self-rewarding vacation you will ever experience. The answer to this invitation is one of the four Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) sponsored trail rides: the Apache Land in New Mexico, the Chief Joseph in Montana, the Sheltowee in Kentucky, and the Rocky Mountain in Colorado.

The Apache Land trail ride is the first ride of the season. This ride started in 1984 and has since continued in the Apache lands of Arizona or New Mexico annually. The 1996 ride was held near the famous town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Since the Apache Land is usually in the spring time, it offers an early retreat into warm weather for all those riders back every year. These riders come from every walk of life including ranchers, airline pilots, lawyers, housewives, and teenagers.

The next ride of the season is the Chief Joseph in July. This ride was the first ApHC sponsored trail ride which started in 1965. The trail ride traces the Nez Perce Indian war trail over 13 different annual segments totaling 1350 miles. The very first ride drew 35 riders and started at Wallowa Lake in Joseph, Oregon. Every year brings more riders and new adventures. Whether it's the Snake River in Oregon/ Idaho, the White Bird Battlefield and Lolo trails (also Lewis and Clark trail) in Idaho, Bear's Paw Battlefield in Montana, or Yellowstone Park, each segment provides unsurpassed beauty, history, and challenges.

As the ride grew to more than 300 riders a year, which is now the limit, more vehicles and crew were assembled to accomodate the numbers: cook and beverage trucks, baggage vehicles, rider's campers and motorhomes, medical doctors, veterinarians, farriers, entertainers, and often special guests.

During the day, riders will often be treated to talks by a Forest Ranger or B.L.M. supervisor and will learn how the area ridden is managed for recreation, timber, and grazing. In the evening, the riders listen to a portion of the Nez Perce war story with emphasis on what took place in the area and enjoy some professional country western music.

Each year a pin and patch, indicating the segment ridden, is given to each rider, as well as t-shirts. There are five year and ten year pins as well as a large plaque given to those who have ridden 13 and all 26 segments. The Chief Joseph trail ride returns many dedicated riders like 85 year old Idell Moore of Ledger, Montana, Don Johnson of Walla Walla, Washington, and Anne Mischel of Amity, Oregon, whom have ridden the Chief Joseph all 30 years! Many foreign enthusiasts also make the ride from Israel, Germany, New Zealand, Canada, and Yugoslavia. The Chief Joseph trail ride is definitely a special ride with a special tradition!

This tradition continues in the other ApHC sponsored rides as well. These rides, unlike the Chief Joseph, are open to all breeds and have a base camp where trails start and end every day. Nevertheless, the same quality of crew, entertainment, and adventure is shared by all of the riders and a new adventure begins every morning.

The third ride of the season is the Rocky Mountain held in August. Started in 1991, this Colorado ride is held annually in the Rocky Mountains and offers beauty that can be found in no other area of the world. At 7000 ft. elevation, this ride offers to be a rugged high adventure with breathtaking views of forests, meadows, and mountains. Also, if you don't have an equine friend to share the ride with, horse rentals are available as they are for all the rides.

Finally, the last ride of the season is the Sheltowee trail ride held in Kentucky. The ride was started in 1980 and is held annually in the fall, offering rolling bluegrass hills, hardwood forests, and brilliant fall colors. In addition to adventure and camaraderie, the ride traverses along the stomping grounds of Daniel Boone, who was name "Sheltowee" by the Shawnee Indians, bringing historical reference to the ride. This camaraderie returns the faithful riders every year and warmly welcomes new ones.

Over the years, the ApHC trail rides have become extremely popular for Appaloosa and other breed owners alike. Enjoying the outdoors with riders like themselves, at an affordable price, is what it is all about. For information about the ApHC trail rides, contact: Jan Ahles, Trail Coordinator, at 208-882-5578 ext. 281.

1996 Appaloosa Trail Ride Dates:
APACHE LAND TRAIL RIDE	New Mexico * Held annually in the spring $325 rider, $275 non-rider * Open to all breeds
CHIEF JOSEPH TRAIL RIDE	Darby, Montana to Big Hole Battlefield, MT * July 28-August 3 Retraces the winding trail taken by the Nez Perce as they fled the U.S. Cavalry in 1877. Rich in history & tradition, this ride follows hoof prints through scenic Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, & Montana in different sections each year. $325 rider, $275 non-rider, $250 youth Application & Fee deadline: July 1 ApHC Registered Appaloosas only
ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRAIL RIDE	Wolf Springs Ranch * Westcliffe, Colorado * August 25-31 Breathtaking mountain scenery & unique wildlife to witness! $325 rider, $275 non-rider Application & Fee deadline: August 1 * Open to all breeds
SHELTOWEE TRAIL RIDE	Lee County, Kentucky * September 22-28 Experience beautiful fall scenery on peacefull trails through hardwood forests $325 rider, $275 non-rider Application & Fee deadline: September 1 * Open to all breeds