20/ OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 THE RIDER


2017 Ontario Trail Riders Association Board of Directors


President/Ride Schedule Helmut Hitscherich, 905-473-9329, helmuthit@gmail.com


Vice President Tug MacDonald, 905-885-9191, shemac0@hotmail.com


Secretary Linda Fell 905-842-9031, linda.fell@outlook.com


Administration Sheila MacDonald 905-885-9191 shemac@hotmail.com


Treasurer Jan Belanger Elmvale, ON L0L 1P0 Home: 705-322-2027 janbel@csolve.net


Trail Development Ron Keeler, 705-341-1073, alltrails@live.ca


OTRA: 1326 Odessa Cres., Oakville, ON L6H 1R8 The Ontario Trail Riders Association Inc, established


in 1970, is an equestrian organization which promotes recreational trail riding and the creation, development, preservation and safe use of trails.


“Look for a way to lift someone up. And if that’s all you do, that’s enough”. Elizabeth Lesser


What happened to the camper who swallowed a flashlight? He hiccuped with delight.


2017 Ride Schedule Another great year for the


Ontario Trail Riders. By the time that you receive this report the 2017 ride schedule will be all but a fond memory. So much going on in September and October. Contingents of OTRA riders in-


cluding Otter Creek patron Sheila MacDonald, with first time Otter Creek riders Linda Fell and Kirsten Penney visited Otter Creek in September. Their visit was following and prior to Hel- mut Hitscherich and Ron Keeler’s visits. Helmut and Ron also visited trail riding friends in Michigan. I was happy to be in Ontario August 26 – 27. OTRA members Ruth Pugh and Brad VanSchaik were instrumental in the orchestration of The Great Trail Celebration, Dutton Dun- wich Trans Canada Trail. Camp- ing and weekend activities were


held at the farm of Mel and So- phie Gowan, in Wallacetown. The nicest, most hospitable cou- ple that you will ever meet. One of the best ride and camp week- ends that I have ever attended. The decision to attend was made easy because Ruth Pugh was in- volved. Everything that she has a hand in is first class. Thank you to everyone connected The com- munity spirit was everywhere. I told Ruth that I wanted to move there. Lol. Not an OTRA event but attended by several OTRA members was the Rockwood Trail Riders, 50th annual Trail


Horse Trials. Riders maneuvered their horse through various obsta- cles located on the property, in- cluding water


crossings.


performance as well as on horse- manship, sportsmanship and fel- lowship. OTRA members have been very active this fall. If you visit the OTRA Facebook page you can read about the bridge on the blue trails at Mono Cliff Provincial Park. According to Jessica Puccia it has been changed and is completely non- horse friendly. A few OTRA members have enjoyed all that Algonquin has to offer in the fall.


Ride and camp South Algonquin Trails, Sept. 22-Sept. 24. Algonquin Park (East) west of Whitney, ride and camp, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1. The last ride of the season was the Thanksgiving Ride and Camp, Oct. 6-Oct. 9th at Helmut Hitscherich’s. We do indeed have a lot to be thankful for. The fel- lowship and camaraderie was mov- ing. Great time enjoyed by all. Happy trails,


Lana English ------------------- October 12, 2017 a large group, Cowgirl Carol Blake, August 26, 2017, Wallacetown


including supporters for the Dufferin Forest unaffiliated Trail Riders , were in attendance at a Council Meeting in Orangeville. These Trail Riders were trying to reclaim the separate trail system in the Main Tract north of Mansfield. 100% of the prime single horseback trails were allotted without Recreation Plan compliance, to the cyclists. The unaffiliated group had six delegates. The cyclists had one, OCTRA had one- both supporting the current Plan, as they both sat on the Committee who created the original draft. We await answers from Coun- cil on what will be done about the breach of the Team Van-go Property Use Agreement with regards to the il- legal use and promotion publicly of alcohol, forest damage and obstacles on cyclists trails, cyclist speed limits and posting of signage at over 40 critical intersections where single and multi track trails cross. Who will en- force? Many thanks to Elaine Weisner for present-


Newsletter Lana English 519-658-3489 lanaenglish@sympatico.ca


with the Ontario Trails Council, Ontario Equestrian Federation and Equine Canada. We welcome your membership to help support the voice of OTRA on your behalf. Visit our Facebook Page


ing OTRA’s position. Ron Keeler Trail Development Cowboy’s logic,”be


sure to taste your words be- fore you spit them out”. Reading about


the


methods of identification for horses in IRMA’s path in Florida makes me think about how many of us ride with ID on our horses.....No not in our pockets and preferably not on a saddle. Telephone numbers are being painted on Florida horses backs for Id from a distance. Some write on their feet but I’d worry it would wash off. A good idea is to braid a dog tag style ID into your horses mane with your number. Halters are being removed as they cut into the horses face if caught. The photos are horrible. We rarely think we need these meas- ures but tornadoes aren’t uncommon and it’s always good to be prepared. We also have heard about lost horses who run off with or without tack and not found for days here in Canada. I recall a horse tied to the trailer who spooked in the Dufferin lot and ran out to- wards Airport Road. It had broken the halter and was not found for hours. A fran- tic situation for that young lady. Always best to be prepared wherever we take our horses.....food for thought and prayers for our southern friends. Yvonne Taylor


------ Yvonne and Stewart in the Vivian Financially supported by Ted, Jiggs, Sophie and Mel. Dutton Dunwich


COWBOY CODE “If it’s not yours,


DON”t TAKE IT. If it’s not true,


Check out the horns on Cowboy Bob's dash!


DON”T SAY IT. If it’s not right, DON”T DO IT”


OTRA and its members represent the equestrian trail user


Community spirit! Dutton-Dunwich Trans-Canada Trail Celebration.


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