www.atra.ca ATRA meets the 3 rd Thursday of each month (except for the months of May to August and December) hosting informative and entertaining speakers. Refreshments are always served. We invite you to come down and check us out. Please join us for our next meeting on: THURSDAY, Sept. 15 @ 7 PM Guest Speaker Susan Fyfe Topic Rescue 100 Meeting location: Kirk United Church located at 13535-122 Ave. Please feel free to bring guests as there is plenty of room in the upper auditorium. (Additional parking is available behind the church.) ATRA is on Facebook! Want to share what you ve been up to and find out what others are doing? How about look at pictures of a ride that you could not attend? Face book is the place to be! Become a member of the Alberta Trail Riding Association Facebook group and help us by posting your pictures, letting us know what is going on and updating trail conditions in your area. Need a Place to Advertise? Remember that the ATRA newsletter has a wide distribution here in Alberta. What better way to reach a target audience for a very reasonable price! Members receive a discount for advertising and everyone receives up to 50% off for placing multiple ads. For more information and prices, call Anita at 780 475-3858. Newsletters can be located on our website at www.atra.ca 1 ATRA NEWS SEPT 2011
Hands On Driving Clinic Sunday, Sept. 25 9 6 p.m. Thorsby Haymaker Arena This clinic is a collaborative effort by the Klondike Driving Chapter and ATRA to introduce horse driving to the riding community. Trained, experienced horses and driving vehicles will be supplied by Klondike Driving Chapter members. Clinic includes: safety, harness, driving vehicles, putting to, tack repair and conditioning, emergency kits for driving and riding, combined driving videos. Hands-on will be ground driving and driving a variety of horse and vehicle combinations. James Built Saddlery will be providing a session on care and conditioning of harness and tack as well as making available a generic leather repair kit for riding and driving. Bring money to purchase one of the ready to go leather repair kits. Price around $70 Cost $75 (Subsidized by ATRA) ATRA members on the registration list must pay to be confirmed. Other ATRA members must register and pay by Friday, Sept. 9 then it will be open to the general public. To register contact Barb Richard (CEF Driving Coach) at 780-266-4036. ==++====++====++====++====++====++====++====++====++====++=== $ $ $ CASINO $ $ $ The casino money is enabling ATRA to provide excellent clinicians and educational presentations. A major portion of the money is designated to supporting trail development and maintenance. ATRA has been allocated Oct. 4-5, 2011 at the Century Casino on Fort Road. Please consider volunteering and contact Shirley at smcfall@telusplanet.net or 780-662-4747 CLSC BBQ & BARN DANCE FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 TH Come join us at the Lawrence acreage 51238 Rge Rd 221, just south of Hwy 14. Arrive around 6-6:30 pm, start barbecuing at 7. Please bring your own lawn chairs, meat to BBQ, and either a side dish, vegetable, salad of dessert to share. Please bring your own labelled serving utensils & cold drinks. Hot drinks, paper plates and cutlery will be provided or bring your own sturdy plates & cutlery. Murray Few will teach some basic square dancing and play other dance music. Please call Vicki regarding your potluck contribution or for directions at 780 922-2227. 2
Donalda Ride July 23-24 Submitted by Shirley McFall 2011 Summer Mountain Trip Reports Beckie Clements and her fellow Over the Hill Trail Riders(OTHTR) hosted about 20 ATRA members to a lovely ride at Donalda July 23 24. The weather was so wet just prior to the ride that the ride was in jeopardy of being cancelled. Some riders joined the group for a long Saturday ride while many more rolled in for the Sunday ride. We camped at the Donalda Arena, fully equipped campground. Our potluck supper was a feast followed by a big fire to warm us as the day cooled off. Sunday we road out to the ski hill property which the OTHTR hope to develop as an equestrian staging area. Beckie arranged to ride on many private properties which enabled us to have a very scenic ride up and down the Meeting Creek valley area. The trails were wet and boggy in places which were a good physical and mental challenge for the riders and horses. Our ride ended with a parade up main street and back through the town. Many stopped in to get an ice cream while others came back to browse through the restored businesses and shops, all open on a Sunday. Thank you Beckie and fellow riders for hosting ATRA. If the weather remains reasonable in the fall, ATRA would like the OTHTR to join us for a ride in the Blackfoot. 3
June 27-July 3 Kananaskis Little Elbow (changed as Hummingbird access closed due to flooding). Submitted by Lisa Friedenberg We had 8 ATRA adults, 2 kids, 2 guests and 10 horses attend this ride. Despite all the rain in June, the campground and trails were in great shape and we had nice weather all week. As most of the group had not been there before, I guided us on many different types of trails, hiking the Nihahi Canyon (pictured below left), riding to the Cornwell Falls, Volcano Ridge (pictured below right) and new Glasgow Creek Trail and Big Elbow Camp. We rode to the top of Powderface Mountain and had to find a new route to get over the top, as the snow was too deep. The hot tub, potluck and evening campfires were great. We also drove to Elbow Falls one evening. After supper on Canada Day, my students and I rode our horses bareback through the non-equestrian loops of the campground (pictured below center). There were lots of excited kids to see horses. The campground was full for the long weekend. 4
August 1-7 Ya Ha Tinda Mountain Camping Trip, west of Sundre, AB. Submitted by Lisa Friedenberg We had 34 ATRA members attend this ride. Despite all the rain in July, and reports for riders that went in July, we had no problems crossing the river. Many new faces and a few of them first timers to the mountains. We split up into about 3 different rides each day, going to different waterfalls, lakes and mountain tops. The drive and trails were dry and dusty, except for a short thunderstorm one evening. The potluck, hot tub, campfire, and Murray s guitar were great hits in the evenings with the river view. A few of us decided to experiment with different types or boots instead of shoeing are horses. Both riders using the easy boot brand lost or destroyed them. The Renegade and Cavallo boots seemed to stand up all week, but must be properly fitted or will also come off. All the shod horses did well. Different groups got to see some elk and sheep on the rides, as well as at the Ya Ha Tinda Ranch when we went for a tour one evening. The Ranch buys, trains and winters park warden horses. On Thursday, 12 of us gave our horses the day off, and went on a 30 mile Whitewater Rafting Adventure on the Red Deer River with Mukwah Tours. Thankfully it was a warm day, as the water was cold, and we didn t all stay in the rafts. We also got to try jumping off a 10 and 25 cliff and body surfing. Watch for updates of the Sandy McNabb & Black Cat Ranch rides in the next newsletter. 5
NINTH ANNUAL MINISTIK POKER RIDE FOR STARS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th,2011 Once again, Cooking Lake Saddle Club is proud to host this fund raiser for STARS. Bring your horse and packed lunch to experience a 3-4 hour, guided trail ride through the beautiful Ministik Bird Sanctuary. Buy a poker hand for $10, or increase your odds of winning (and make STARS a bigger winner) by buying more than one hand. Meet at 10 a.m. to saddle, register and draw your first cards. Ride out at 11 a.m. A BBQ will follow (hot dogs-$2, pop-$1). This walking trail ride is for intermediate riders and trustworthy horses. A waiver will need to be signed. No smoking or drinking on the trail. An outhouse is at the staging area. For riders of remote areas, STARS is our only lifeline to medical help. Please come to enjoy the day and support this worthy cause. From Hwy 14, go south on Range Road 215 (which becomes RR 220). At Twp 504A, (about 3½ mi), look left for the staging area. Watch for signs. OR Going east on Hwy 625 (Nisku-Beaumont Rd.) or Twp Rd 504, cross Hwy 21, turn north on Rge Rd 221. After ¼ mi, turn east on Twp Rd 504A for 1 mile. Watch for signs. For more information call Vicki @ (780) 922-2227. A Cowboy's Guide to Life 1. Don't squat with your spurs on. 2. Don't interfere with something that ain't bothering you none. 3. If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. 4. Always drink upstream from the herd. 5. Telling a man to git and making him do it are two entirely different propositions. 6. When you give a personal lesson in meanness to a critter or to a person don't be surprised if they learn their lesson. 7. If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still back there. 8. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket. 9. If you get to thinking you're a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else's dog around. 10. And never, ever, miss a good opportunity to shut up. 6
Centered Riding Clinics and The Visible Rider Demo November 17-21, 2011 with Peggy Brown, from Ohio www.anatomyinmotion.com has information on the equine and human body and how they work together in all forms of horsemanship. Demonstration of the Visible Rider and Centered Riding on Thursday, November 17 at 7pm at Kirk United Church 13535-122ave, Edmonton, Cost for Non-2012 ATRA Members is $10. One Day Clinics will be offered in Centered Riding, Centered Jumping and Centered Driving (need minimum of 4 each). Friday, November 18 & Saturday November 19 at Thorsby Haymaker, www.thorsbyhaymaker.com Sunday, November 20 & Monday, November 21 at Colchester Stables, www.colchesterstables.com Groups: Each day will start with groundwork from 9-10am. Then we will split into 2 groups of 4. The 1st group will ride/drive from 10:30-12pm & 23:30pm. The 2nd group 12-1:30pm & 3:30-5pm. Participant Fee: $120, payable to ATRA (riders must be 2011 ATRA and AEF members). Please bring your own lunch. Spectators: $10/day, no pre-registration required ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------REGISTRATION (Riders only) post-dated cheques or cash for November 1st payable to ATRA. Mail with payment to Lisa Friedenberg, 52146 RR 223, Sherwood Park, AB, T8C 1A7. *No refunds after November 1st without doctor or vet note. Rider Name: Rider Age: Circle One: Riding, Jumping, Driving Date/Location Preference (list more than 1 if possible): Phone #: Email: Horse's Name, Age, Breed: What would you like to work on? After September 1st, please phone Lisa (780-237-7587) or e-mail (lisa_f@mailcan.com) to save your spot BEFORE mailing or dropping off registration forms/cheque. Spots will be held for one week, before post-dated cheque must be received! Paid Chq # 7
For the safety of all members, ATRA s policy on riding with dogs ison single day rides or weekend rides with a large group, no dogs are permitted. On longer trips, such as mountain rides, dogs may be permitted on the trail if all riders in your smaller group are in agreement. Some riding areas require dogs to be on leash. Please ensure that you are aware of and obey all regulations regarding dogs in a particular area. LOCAL TRAIL RIDES & UPCOMING EVENTS DATE HOST Sept 11 LOCATION DETAILS Circle Square Ranch Ride-A-Thon- 403 884 2444 Sept 15 ATRA Kirk United Church General Meeting 7 pm Guest Speaker Susan Fyfe rescue 100 Sept 16 CLSC Lawrence Farm BBQ and Barn Dance Vicki - 780 922 2227 Sept 18 CLSC Ministik STARS Poker Ride Vicki 922 2227 Sept 17/18 Riversong Ranch Whitecourt, AB Horsewomanship Clinic info@chrisirwin.com Oct 8/9 Donalda Ag Grounds Poker Rally Becky - 403 883 2436 Oct 20 ATRA Kirk United Church General Meeting 7 pm Speaker TBA Nov 17 ATRA Kirk United Church Peggy Brown Demo 7 pm www.anatomyinmotion.com Nov 18 & 19 ATRA Thorsby Haymaker Centered Riding Clinic Info TBA Nov 20 & 21 ATRA Colchester Stables Centered Riding Clinic Info TBA If you have an event we should know about, call Anita @ 780 475-3858. For insurance purposes, each active trail riding member is required to hold a current Alberta Equestrian Federation membership. Renewal forms were in your Fall Alberta Bits magazine (also available on line). * All riders ride at your own risk. * We recommend helmet use and STRONGLY encourage it for those under 18 during ATRA events. * Please be responsible. Show by example: Clean up and properly dispose of manure - and educate others to do so as well. * Please support the Alberta Equestrian Trail Supporter Program. They in turn, support our trails. Please be aware that the MINISTIK BIRD SANCTUARY is closed to horses from March 1 to July 15. We ask that you respect this closure and refrain from riding there during these dates. SEE YOU ON THE TRAIL! 8