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Check the Weather Before You Ride!
Events for 2009More coming soon! SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2009 - ANNUAL HOLIDAY GET-TOGETHER AND 2009 RIDE PLANNING WHERE: Moose Jaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co., 110 Wisconsin Dells Parkway So. Wisconsin Dells, WI TIME: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. FOOD: Ordering from the menu and cash bar. (No pot luck items) BRING: Yourselves and your calendars, photos on CDs to show, your ride photos, ideas for trail rides for 2009 Questions: Call Sharon Bailey evenings 608-845-7655 or e-mail at sharon.bailey@deancare.com. Also, if you would like information about local hotels to make a long weekend of it, please contact Sharon who will be compiling a list.
Events for 2008Events for 2008April 19 | April 25-27 | May 8-11 | May 30-June 1 | June 20-22 | July 11-13 Midwest Horse Fair, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI Annual TrailGaiter Saturday afternoon Get-Together at the Fair Grab some lunch and meet at 12 noon in the café area of the lower level of the coliseum.
Castle Rock Horse Trails, Ukarydee Campground, Arkdale, WI Coordinators: Dan and Linda Catherman This outing will be something unique for the Trailgaiters. The weekend was specically selected to coincide with the Castle Rock Horse Trails Club Trail Clean-up weekend. This property is fairly unique among the places that we ride, because it is privately owned and the maintenance for the trails fall on a small group of dedicated people that spend a lot of time keeping the trail in good shape. They don't have the state or county to do the "heavy lifting" for them like many other properties. We are suggesting that those attending might want to give a half day or so of labor to help clean-up the trails. It is not required, but for those that want to help, there will be an opportunity. Mary Harris (Ukarydee Campground) has graciously offered one free night's camping for those that volunteer 5 or more hours. Here is an opportunity to give back to a trail system that has hosted many of our outings over the years. Please drop us an email if you can help out on Saturday (dcatherman_84@earthlink.net) so we can get an accurate count for the work crew. Information on the campground is below. The campground is just off Highway 21 and County Z near Necedah, WI. Portable toilets, electricity, and water are available to all sites. A shower is available at the office for a small fee. Ukarydee connects to the Castle Rock-Petenwell Trails with approximately 40 miles of trails with 7 loops. The terrain is flat to slightly rolling sandy trails and mostly wooded. Some trails travel along the Wisconsin River. Shoes are not needed on this terrain. If the season is wet, there can be a few small water/mud holes to cross with little difficulty. Be aware that some areas are used for public hunting. During duck hunting, there is a lot of gunfire along the river trails and more trucks and boat trailer traffic on roads. Turkey hunting and possibly duck hunting may be during this time. However, it doesn't appear that there will be any deer gun-season during this weekend per the DNR website. ATVs do ride on roads; but normally there is very little traffic from them. ATVs are not allowed on the horse trails. It has been our experience that they are very considerate with approach and speed. Ukarydee has 49 sites and additional expansion area for camping. 15 sites are spread out on a hill in the woods and accommodate smaller rigs. 15 original sites are on the flat in a field and 19 new sites adjoin the original field sites. Some sites on the hill do not allow for bigger rigs to get in and out, so be aware when making reservations. Make your reservation at the Ukarydee office as sites fill up fast at this time of year. Call Mary Harris, phone 608-564-2233. Dan and Linda dcatherman_84@earthlink.net
Endless Valley Ride/Campout and Whitesell Clinic, Spring Green, WI Coordinator: Sharon Darrow Details coming soon.
May 30 - June 1 Here's a pdf of the trail map. Underdown Horse Trail/Campground Amenities:
June 20 - 22 Yellow River Forest is located in Allamakee County in northeast Iowa. Its headquarters and recreation facilities are located on county highway B25, approximately 4 miles southeast of Waterville or 3 miles west of Harpers Ferry. It has mostly wooded trails and a nice variety of hills and flat grassy stretches to gait. There are about 25 miles of trails with many water crossings. There are 5237 acres in the Yellow River Forest and I would recommend shoes on your horse as the terrain is somewhat rocky and some of the river crossings are very rocky. The campground is primitive. There is a pit toilet but there is NO water pump available. So bring your own water for your horses and yourself. It is only about a half mile to the Little Paint River from the campground if you want to take your horses down for a drink. The Paint Creek Unit is where we camp. It has the Big Paint Creek, Little Paint Creek and equestrian campgrounds with capacities of 48, 80 and 40 sites respectively. We usually try to go to the second equestrian campground as those sites don't fill up as quickly as the first one. To get to the second equestrian campground just follow the signs to the Equestrian Campground and drive past the first one a short distance, maybe a half mile and you'll see the second campground. Hopefully we can all camp together. Paint Creek Unit also contains 6 miles of trout stream stocked from April through October and a marsh from which bass and panfish may be taken. (For those not solely interested in horseback riding.) Camping fees are $12.00 per night for the equestrian campgrounds. Advance campsite reservations can be booked through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available for self registration on a first come first-serve basis. See maps for campground and trail locations. Hiking, snowmobile and horse trails and several picnic areas are located on the Paint Creek unit. Several scenic overlooks are accessible by horseback, foot or auto and a large portion of the cross country ski trail system is found here. For more information contact me or call 563/586-2254 or e-mail Robert Honeywell at robert.honeywell@dnr.state.ia.us
July 11-13 Happy Barn, Mt. Horeb, WI - Coordinator: Dorinda Jelle The Happy Barn is a privately owned facility, between Blanchardville and Hollandale. It is open to trail riders and has great trails and alot of them. The Pecatonia River runs through the property. The terrain is varied with a little of everything. To ride there you must call Nettie on her cell (608-574-0542) to get permission, as she wants to know who and when you are coming. You must sign a release and a donation is appreciated. There are two places to camp, one is the campground and then big parking lot by the Happy Barn. I have reserved the campground just for the Trailgaiters for July 11-12-13, and Sharon Darrow said club would pay donation fee for the weekend. There are no maps and trails are not marked. At the campground there is awater hydrant and stock tank full of water, 4 picnic tables, large fire ring, flush toliets, wooded, tether highline between trees, but no hitching posts.. Using electric fences is fine. Showers are by the Happy Barn and we are welcome to use them. You can build fires but put them only where others have, as it kills the grass. The releases for the weekend must be signed by all members. Directions : Take Hwy F south of 39. Second right road is McKenna Rd. it is hard to see as it is right over a hill. There is a farm on the corner, white farm house with 3 big pines. A few miles down McKenna you cross a bridge over a river and the first left is Taylor Rd. Campground is up Taylor Rd. on the left. If any questions please call me at 608-437-8260 or email me at ourfarm@mhtc.net
Wildcat Mountain State Park, Ontario WI - Coordinator: Gail Seasor
Outback Ranch, Houston, MN - Coordinators: Ruth Thompson & Roger Swansen
Northern Illinois Horse Fest, Boone County Fairgrounds, Belvidere, IL Watch for 2008 details on their website, www.illinoishorsefest.com
September 12-14 THIS IS A LOCATION CHANGE. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS! So. Kettle Moraine, Horsemen’s Campground, Palmyra, WI - Coordinator: Andrea Kahn Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit- Horseriders Camp, Palmyra, WI. Approximately 54 miles of trails. The terrain is hilly and forested with hardwoods and pines. Some areas are rocky, so at least front shoes or protective boots are recommended. The trails are well marked and maps are available. The campground has about 56 level sites, picnic shelter, horse shower, drinking water, new pit toilets. Each site has fire ring and high line posts. Portable pens are also allowed. Reservations are recommended in spring and fall. Make reservations through Reserve America at 1-888-947-2757 or online at www.reserveamerica.com. Wyatt's Bunkhouse Inn is nearby for those that need sleeping accommodations and stalls. Contact them at 262-495-2718 or online www.bbonline.com/wi/bunkhouse/ Kettle Moraine State Forest Headquarters - phone 262-594-6200. Palmyra offers a few restaurants, fuel stations, and small grocery store for those last minute items. Campground is located south of Palmyra on 3rd street. Coordinator - Andrea Kahn e-mail - leroy022@centurytel.net
September 26-28 THIS IS A LOCATION CHANGE. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Hay Meadow Flowage, Chippewa County Forest - Coordinators: Jeanne & Mike Fox Hay Meadow horse trails are located in Chippewa County Forest. From Highway 53 take Highway 64 east until you reach County Road E. Take a left on E and then take the first left on Bob Lake Road. Follow Bob Lake Road for approximately 4 miles and turn right onto Hay Meadow Trail forest road. Follow forest road for 1.5 miles to the first trailhead, Hay Meadow Flowage #2. Caution - do not turn into Hay Meadow Flowage #1 which would be the first right off the forest road there is not enough room to turn around. Hay Meadow Flowage #2 includes a parking area with primitive camping, ties lines and a pit toilet. A second trailhead is located one mile farther north at Hay Meadow Flowage #3 with parking pads and tie lines. Portable toilets are available during the riding season. There is a flowage close by for watering your animals, but it is recommended that you bring water for yourself and your animals. Tie lines are available on a first come first serve basis, you may also contain your animals with portable fencing or by bringing along your own picket lines. Please picket or fence your animals away from the parking areas. Campfires are allowed bring your own firewood. The terrain is somewhat rocky so shoes or hoof boots are recommended. There are a variety of trails in the forest from wide fire lanes to narrow single-track trails with three bridge crossings. Trails are marked and trail maps will be provided. Please stay on the designated horse trails. Please practice the pack it in pack it out rules so that others may enjoy the area. Manure may be scattered into the forest. There are no camping or trail fees, but donations are accepted. Cell phone coverage is spotty in this area. Just for Fun -- Poker Run event during Saturday of the trail ride . Participants will be provided with a map of the trails with the area marked where there will be a bucket with tokens (five buckets total). Each participant will need to get a token from each bucket during the course of the day and turn those in for 5 cards. After the potluck supper we'll determine the player with the best poker hand. Participation fee is $10. The pot will be divided with 1/2 of the going to the Chippewa Valley Trailriders and 1/2 being payback to the poker run participants. So for instance if there are 20 participants @ $10 each: $100 will go to the CVT and $100 will be divided among the top three poker hands @ $50: $30: $20.
Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park, Lena, IL - Coordinators: Deb & Bill Dietz Lake Le Aqua Na has no reservations - and no marked sites, they just let you roll in and tie up. It is about 30 minutes from Monroe to the campground. They have no rules about picketing or portable corrals. Anything goes. No cost for day rides - there is a camping fee for overnighters. The horse camp has a hand pump for water, and newer pit toilets. You can drive to the people camp for bath houses. Besides the larger well marked trails there are lots of spider trails. There are a number of water crossings, but also a series of trails where you can avoid water. I think there is about 15 miles of trails max - but with lots of nice challenges on the spider trails and lots of variety. The park will close if there is a lot of rain - we will keep tabs on that aspect and mass email if there is a rain problem. The park has a No Alcohol rule, so if you bring any- bring a glass or cup so it is not visible.
October 10-12 (northern ride) Tamarack Horse Camp, St. Croix State Forest, MN - Coordinators: Jeanne & Mike Fox, Email: foxy54748@yahoo.com Here are the directions to Tamarack Horse Camp located in the St. Croix State Forest. Do not confuse Tamarack Horse Camp with the horse camp in the St. Croix State Park. The riding is very different between the two areas. Mike and I will be going up on Thursday and will be parked at the campground on the left side of the Forest Road. We'll try to go on the loop furthest back - all of the sites are nice, but if we all park toward the last loop we'll be in the same area. Please RSVP to me so I have some idea how many plan to ride and I'll save some spots. Take Hwy 53 north to Spooner exit (Highway 70) As you enter Danbury watch for WI Highway 77 on your left or west. There is a large convenience store/restaurant on the left where you need to turn. If you pass the Hole in the Wall casino, which will be on your right, you went too far. When you cross the WI/MN border Highway 77 becomes MN Highway 48. Proceed on Highway 77/48 about 4-5 miles. When you cross the St. Croix River you will turn right or north on Pine Co. Rd 173. (watch closely and when you cross the river slow down because Road 173 comes up very fast and 48 is slightly downhill.) Proceed for 5 miles on Pine Co. Rd 173 to Tamarack Forest Road. (watch signs closely here too - it's very easy to miss this turn. There is a sign that points to Tamarack Horse Camp. Turn right or east and proceed for 4 miles on Forest Road until you come to a T – take a left at the T and you will see the Tamarack Horse Camp. The right side of the road is the old horse camp (which is almost always full) and day parking lot. The left side is the new campground – there are a couple of double sites. Bring water along unless you want to carry it as there are only a few water spigots. This is a very clean well-managed campground with over 50 sites. There is a nightly camping fee I’m thinking $9/night, but may have increased since we’ve been there. Horses can be tied on tie lines or contained in portable pens that are placed under the tie lines. The placement of portable pens is enforced and if it’s not under the tie line you will be asked to move it. There are over 20 miles of trails that can be challenging in a few places. There are several river crossings, bridges, stairs and switchbacks. Maps are available and the trails are well used. More information available at: http://www.horsetraildirectory.com
October 24-26 La Riviere Park, Prairie du Chien, WI - Coordinator: Joan Bartz Located on the southeast side of Prairie du Chien, 1 mile east of Hwys. 18 & 35 on Vineyard Coulee Road across from the Riverside Square shopping mall where Tractor Supply & Dick's Supermarket are located, turn east at the stop lights. Facilities include approximately 18 electric sites with 30 amp hookup, shelter, new pit toilets, and manure pits, picnic tables and fire rings available. The upper end of the campground is primitive with pit toilets, shelter, some corrals and a manure pit. There are no shower facilities in either of these campgrounds. No reservations are taken, it's first-come-first-serve but there also are no specified fees, this is by donation only and you can park pretty much where ever you wish. All of the donations are used to maintain and improve this facility. There are hitching rails, you can run a picket lines, or portable fencing is also allowed. Not many rules here, just be courteous and considerate of others and stay on the trails. The trails have some markings but no accurate maps are available, however, I've never gotten lost, it may have taken me a little longer to get back to camp than I planned, but I always get there, eventually. There is a well in the center area of the 2 campgrounds and an automatic waterer if you wish to let your horse drink from it. If you are going to need water for your trailer and horses, you will want to fill your tanks prior to parking and unhooking, there's no water at the individual sites. It's relatively flat and easy to park any size rig in the first campground. Coordinator Joan Bartz, e-mail: joan_bartz@yahoo.com
November 7-9 Castle Rock Horse Trails, Ukarydee Campground, Arkdale, WI Coordinators: Dave & Kathy Bleskey The campground is just off Highway 21 and County Z near Necedah, WI. Portable toilets, electricity, and water are available to all sites. A shower is available at the office for a small fee. Ukarydee connects to the Castle Rock-Petenwell Trails with approximately 40 miles of trails with 7 loops. The terrain is flat to slightly rolling sandy trails and mostly wooded. Some trails travel along the Wisconsin River. Shoes are not needed on this terrain. If the season is wet, there can be a few small water/mud holes to cross with little difficulty. Be aware that some areas are used for public hunting. During duck hunting, there is a lot of gunfire along the river trails and more trucks and boat trailer traffic on roads. Turkey hunting and possibly duck hunting may be during this time. However, it doesn't appear that there will be any deer gun-season during this weekend per the DNR website. ATVs do ride on roads; but normally there is very little traffic from them. ATVs are not allowed on the horse trails. It has been our experience that they are very considerate with approach and speed. Ukarydee has 49 sites and additional expansion area for camping. 15 sites are spread out on a hill in the woods and accommodate smaller rigs. 15 original sites are on the flat in a field and 19 new sites adjoin the original field sites. Some sites on the hill do not allow for bigger rigs to get in and out, so be aware when making reservations. Make your reservation at the Ukarydee office as sites fill up fast at this time of year. Call Mary Harris, phone 608-564-2233. RIDE DATES CURRENTLY OPEN: Franklin Creek State Park, Dixon, IL - Coordinators: Bill & Deb Dietz dietz@aeroinc.net Zumbro Bottoms, MN - Coordinators: Ruth Thompson & Roger Swansen rdtlew@hotmail.com Coordinators will schedule these rides based on their availability to host and trail & weather conditions of the locations. E-mail them to express your interest. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2009 - ANNUAL HOLIDAY GET-TOGETHER AND 2009 RIDE PLANNING WHERE: Moose Jaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co., 110 Wisconsin Dells Parkway So. Wisconsin Dells, WI TIME: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. FOOD: Ordering from the menu and cash bar. (No pot luck items) BRING: Yourselves and your calendars, photos on CDs to show, your ride photos, ideas for trail rides for 2009 Questions: Call Sharon Bailey evenings 608-845-7655 or e-mail at sharon.bailey@deancare.com. Also, if you would like information about local hotels to make a long weekend of it, please contact Sharon who will be compiling a list.
2007 Events April 20-22 | April 27-29 | May 18-19 | June 8-10 | June 29 - July 1 | July 27-29 |
April 20 - 22 |
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April 27 - 29 (CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS) |
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Larry Whitesell Gaited Horsemanship Clinic
April 27-29, 2007 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Black Horse Equestrian Center W737 Carlin Trail Palmyra, WI 53157 Audit Fee: $20 per day or $50 for all 3 days Pre-Registration Recommended Bring your own lunch and chair For additional information call: Sharon @ 608-835-8485 evenings or cell @ 608-770-2917 Email: trailgaiter@charter.net www.midwesttrailgaiters.com Sponsored by:“The Midwest TrailGaiters”All Gaited Breed Trail Club www.whitesellgaitedhorsemanship.com |
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May 18-20 Bill & Deb Dietz |
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June 8 - 10 |
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June 29-July 1 Hello Everyone! Something new for 2007 in Minnesota: Where can a Pass be purchased? Ideally, the trail user would acquire a pass prior to arriving at the horse trail facility. In the event that he or she did not purchase a pass prior to arrival, a self-registration system will be available, similar to that used by the cross-country ski pass program. Using this self-registration envelope, the trail user fills out the form, selecting either a daily or annual horse pass option, encloses payment and drops the postage paid envelope into the mail or payment box, if one is provided. If the user selected an annual pass, it will be mailed to them. Trail users retain one copy of this form as either a daily pass or temporary annual pass. What does the Horse Trail Pass cost? Directions: FROM THE EAST - CROSSING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN WABASHA, MN: YOU WILL ARRIVE AT THE MAIN CAMPSITE AREA - - This is called the West Assembly Unit. There are set campsites, but people seem to camp wherever. Some sites have good high line hitching rails, but fencing is allowed. There are some picnic tables and fire rings. There are very nice vaulted toilets and two hand pumps for horse water. There is no people water, no electricity, no showers, this is a primitive campground. There are two other camping areas, but this is the largest and easiest to get in and out of. The terrain is wooded, with some steep hills, also rocks (we have shoes on our horses). Bring your camera along as there are a couple of great lookouts with beautiful scenery. Most trails are single track, but main trail is a wider road-type trail. There is an old bridge that is closed to vehicle traffic that is used to cross the river. DO NOT CROSS THE RIVER anywhere else. There are only two safe watering areas along the river. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WATER at any other locations. The river has a mud/sand bottom and you and your horse can sink away fast into the "Quick Sand"!!! There have been horses lost in the river over the years!! At the top of Walnut Grove they have constructed a nice picnic shelter - always a nice place for lunch! We usually pack a lunch and water and spend the day out on the trail. You can easily ride for 5-6 hours. I think there are maps available at the pay station. I will have some maps made and will have them along. There is a site for a camp host, but the camp host position is rarely filled! We have a grey Ford F350 dually with a Cimmaron 4 horse trailer. Roger and I will arrive sometime on Friday afternoon. I might have to work on Saturday, but Roger will be around. Mike and Jeanne Fox will also be camping with us that weekend. Once we get to the campground you will not be able to reach us as there is no cell phone coverage at the campground. Emergency Contact: Other Info: Coordinators: |
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July 27-29
End of the Trail Equine Campground, Wildcat Mt. / Kickapoo Valley Reserve, Ontario, WI -
Coordinators: Dan & Linda Catherman (CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS!)
(see website or call for directions, don't rely on Map Quest)
Between Wildcat Mountain State Park (20 plus miles of Trails ) and Kickapoo Valley Reserve (40 plus miles of Trails ). You can get to both trail systems from campground. The owners, Jan and Moose, will also trailer you and your horse for a small fee, to some of the farther out trails or pick you up if needed. Separate trail passes are required for each trail system. Both can be purchased at the campground. $4.00 -daily and $15.00 annual. It is beautiful riding thru hills, valleys, and woods. Also has water crossings and some road riding. Horses should be in good condition and shoes are recommended. The trails are both single track and double, with a variety of surfaces. Trails are well marked in both systems.
Reservations highly recommended, deposit required. Sites are: non-electric $15 per night; and electric $20 per night. Each site has high lines, picnic table and fire ring. Firewood is available for a small donation. There is water, showers and toilets. Ice and ice cream are available at the office. Stalls are available to rent for $10 per night, including shavings. You clean before leaving. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash or tied at all times. Please clean up after your dog! Something new: a mobile home to rent, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, living room and kitchen for $100 per night plus pasture for your horses.
We plan to lead a ride to the Rockton Bar on Sunday Morning. They have a chicken barbeque at noon that draws quite a crowd. The bar has a place to tie horses away from the crowd. It is about 2-1/2 hours each way, so the chicken and a cold beverage is a welcome site.
Check out their web site - www.endofthetrailcampground.com and their email is equineexpress@centurytel.net . Phone # is 608-337-4738. Jan and Moose are in Arizona for the winter so the best way to make reservation is by email.
Your hosts, Dan and Linda Catherman (608-963-9734 or dcatherman_84@earthlink.net)
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August 10-12 Facilities include approximately 18 electric sites with 30 amp hookup, shelter, new pit toilets, and manure pits, picnic tables and fire rings available. The upper end of the campground is primitive with pit toilets, shelter, some corrals and a manure pit. There are no shower facilities in either of these campgrounds. No reservations are taken, it's first-come-first-serve but there also are no specified fees, this is by donation only and you can park pretty much where ever you wish. All of the donations are used to maintain and improve this facility. There are hitching rails, you can run a picket lines, or portable fencing is also allowed. Not many rules here, just be courteous and considerate of others and stay on the trails. The trails have some markings but no accurate maps are available, however, I've never gotten lost, it may have taken me a little longer to get back to camp than I planned, but I always get there, eventually. There is a well in the center area of the 2 campgrounds and an automatic waterer if you wish to let your horse drink from it. If you are going to need water for your trailer and horses, you will want to fill your tanks prior to parking and unhooking, there's no water at the individual sites. It's relatively flat and easy to park any size rig in the first campground. Coordinator Joan Bartz, e-mail: joan_bartz@yahoo.com. |
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Sept. 7 - 9 There are no camping or trail fees, but donations are accepted. There is a restaurant/bar at nearby Rock Lake Resort about 4 miles by road serving lunch and dinner Wednesday-Sunday. Meals include pizza and basket type menu items. During the summer/fall there are nightly specials. Cell phone coverage is spotty in this area. Please RSVP to either Jeanne or Mike at 715-288-6751 or email foxy54748@yahoo.com so we can have some idea of the number attending. If there are several large rigs we will need to organize the parking. If attendance is small the parking will be on your own. Just for Fun -- Poker Run event during Saturday of the trail ride. Participants will be provided with a map of the trails with the area marked where there will be a bucket with tokens (five buckets total). Each participant will need to get a token from each bucket during the course of the day and turn those in for 5 cards. After the potluck supper well determine the player with the best poker hand. Participation fee is $10. The pot will be divided with 1/2 of the going to the Chippewa Valley Trailriders for trail maintenance and 1/2 being payback to the poker run participants. So for instance if there are 20 participants @ $10 each: $100 will go to the CVT and $100 will be divided among the top three poker hands @ $50: $30: $20. |
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September 28-30 |
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October 19-21 |
Saturday December 15th
Iris Cooley Benefit at Aspenhill Ranch, Oregon, WI. 608-235-5051
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