The Story Continues 2010
It is time again to write a recap of the 2010 year of activities at York Hills Horse Park. It’s February 2011 now and we are about to enter our 5th season “that’s right count em 5 seasons” at our park. Has it been worth it to Becky and me? Absolutely, because our close relationships carry over through the winter and we are all looking forward to hitting the trail and camping as soon as the weather permits.
We are fortunate to have an indoor facility and use it regularly. I have kept nine horses on shoes this winter and it’s a job to try and keep them ridden. Sue, Becky, Lisa and Marilyn help me with that on Sundays and I try to ride a couple times during the week. Sometimes we have quite a gathering of friends out there and just like at the pavilion, food happens to show up to be consumed and laughter isn’t far behind.
I think we have had record snowfall this year and I have been sleigh riding several times already. Johnny and I went a week ago and again on Wednesday. I went Friday evening and Becky and I went again on Saturday. I decided I’d do it again on Sunday but the other half of the project “Foxy” was not in total agreement with my thoughts. I went out and called her and she ignored me. I got a bucket of grain and fed her pasture mates and she walked the other way. I drudged through the snow clear to the back of the field following Foxy with my bucket in hand and snow almost to my knees when it finally occurred to me that I was alone in my effort and Foxy had made her decision. I stood and waved at Foxy and said “I’ll see you next week” and walked back to the barn and rode instead.
2010 started off cold and wet but cleared off and we had great weather all riding season. We enjoyed two Cavallo Creek hunt paces, a Competitive Mounted Orienteering event, ACTHA ride, trail trials for Indiana Horse Rescue, St. Jude’s Hospital benefit ride, poker run, Pumpkin Pace, Cowboys for Christ ride and a couple live bands.
Camping picked up in 2010 with a lot of interest in our electric sites. All these events brings with them great people and an opportunity to make new friends. In 2011 we are expecting to repeat the events we had last year and maybe add some more. We have had inquiries about medieval equestrian events. I had hoped to start building an obstacle course but the weather so far this winter has been very disagreeable. I won’t give up hope because I have spring and summer coming and maybe I’ll find time to get it done. We are hoping that many of you will come and join us for camping this year. Bob and Sue have been very busy cutting and splitting firewood and we are planning to transplant some small trees. We still have open concept camping which means you can kind of pick out a spot or group up and camp. We have four electric sites we can reserve and some special sites for busy and holiday weekends.
Our trails ended up 2010 in great shape and are looking forward to a smooth opening this year. Logging was not possible this winter because of cold, snow and rain interference. After it dries up some logging may take place but will be isolated and hopefully not damage the trails.
For those of you who are contemplating becoming a trail rider I urge you to give it a try. The nice thing about York Hills is that you are never so far out on the trail that it becomes a task or pain to get back to the home base. You can ride a couple hours, come in and eat or rest then go back out. This makes for an enjoyable day. Well, in a few weeks, hopefully the first of April, our fifth season will start. If you haven’t ridden here yet we look forward to meeting you and all you regulars we can’t wait to see you again.
Ride on,
Dale and Becky |
