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Smoke Rise
Ranch, Glouster,
Ohio
October 27-28,
2007
We were joined at Smoke Rise Ranch by the Best of America by
Horseback crew, hosts of RFD-TV promotion Tom and Pat Seay, and riders
from across the state of Ohio. We were also joined by riders “from
across the pond” (England),
David Hasbury and Anita Snogles--charity riders and reporters to Farm &
Garden—a paper of
England.
Smoke Rise Ranch is a working cattle ranch bordered by the
Wayne
National Forest of 30,000
plus acres. This allows for almost enough riding area for most of us
weekend trail riders. HA!
Tom, Pat Seay, their crew, and the Smoke Rise staff working as a unit
soon had everyone directed to campsites, stables, registration
completed, activities and seminars listed, and still time for problems
adjusted, questions answered, and just plain socialization. Amidst this
accepted confusion Del Shields, cowboy poet and song writer, entertained
us, vendors such as Stage Coast West, Rocky Mountain outfitters, western
artists, camping or trailering supplies, etc… offered their wares for
viewing. It appeared if you wanted or needed an item or service it was
soon provided.
The BOABH ride itself was exceptional—well planned and well
executed. The riders were so many we separated into two groups—the
gaited and non-gaited groups. Allow me please to verbally paint a
picture of the ride. To try to express a small taste of the pleasure of
this ride. Picture, if you will, a fall day in Ohio surrounded by a mountainous national
forest painted in a colorful display of leaves, dress warm for there’s a
clean fresh “bite” in the air. You’re riding your favorite horse on a
trail from bottomland to rock bluff covered in a blanket of color. You
share this ride with a variety of wildlife—turkey, deer, longhorn
cattle, and le us not forget those photographers aways catching us at
our most unprepared moments. It was grand.
One of the seminars offered this weekend was of the Tennessee
Walking Horse, presented by Terrance and Joyce Moyer of Maple Crest
Farms, Castalia, Ohio; promoters of this BOABH ride, and Robert and Judy
Emrich, Happy Hooves Farm,
Bellevue,
Ohio. Eight Tennessee Walking
horses were made available to Tom & Pat Seay, BOABH staff, Hocking Hills
college attendees, and were also used in the seminar. Joyce, acting
clinician, verbally presented each horse and categories of model, gait,
versatility, disposition and people orientation of our wonderful breed.
Joyce presented and answered all questions of our breed while Terrance
and Robert gave a hands on demonstration of pose, model, confirmation,
gaits, etc… in hand and in saddle. As a topic was presented a different
horse was showcased—Sensa (confirmation, model, flat walk in hand),
Electra (running walk), Hunter (rocking chair canter), Trigger (2 yr.
old---all gaits), and onward. Joyce offered all the horses for anyone
wanting to experience the glide ride. The stands cleared—we thought
everyone had heard or seen enough—they were leaving. No!!! They were
lining up at the gate to try the glide ride—our horses got quite a
workout. It was great fun to hear the remarks of surprise and pleasure,
to see the smiles from kids of all ages.
At night following the buffet meals, visiting around a central
campfire, we were entertained by Del Shields singing cowboy songs and
poetry by our heros of yesteryear—Roy Rogers, Gene Autrey, Hopalong
Cassidy, Will Rogers and other western singers and philosophers. Some of
us even joined the singing of our youthful champions. A grand end to an
extraordinary day!
Our wish for you! If you’re able to attend a BOABH scheduled
ride—do so! It can be an experience you won’t soon forget. It’s a
sharing with friends—old and new. Tom and Pat Seay and their crew are
unique in their approach to life experiences—an approach you may already
share or may adopt. Above all else, if none of this appeals to you, then
find your own special trail, appreciate, and smile with your blessings.
Terrance L. Moyer
Maple Crest Farms
Castalia,
Ohio
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