My Chief Joe Experience - Karen Bumgarner

Karenshorsetales Blog - Full Story

July 26 2015
Karen Bumgarner

I have always wanted to ride the Chief Joseph Trail Ride. This is a special ride retracing the route of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce people after defying orders to move to the reservation in 1877. Sadly, we all know that it didn't end well. After the Nez Perce people faced the hardships of miles, starvation, illness, battles and death, it all ended at Bear Paw when Chief Joseph surrendered.The atrocities of what the U.S. government did to the Indians in those days should not be forgotten. Especially in todays political world where so much is rapidly changing. The heart of the Nez Perce and all American Native tribes are strong and amazing. They have endured a great deal and are tough beyond words.


There are different ways to experience the historic route of 1300+ miles. There is an auto route, a back roads route, or you can hop on an Appaloosa horse and participate through the Appaloosa Horse Club as they complete a segment of trail each year. The ride was launched in 1965 by the late George Hatley who has done so much for the Appaloosa for many years! These riders love the horse, the history and they return year after year! Jim and Anne Mischel have never missed an event! Unfortunately Jim was taken into the hospital at Billings and then went home. Anne has ridden it 47 times and now comes to just enjoy it and her extended Chief Joe family!...

Read more here:
http://karenshorsetales.blogspot.com/2015/07/my-chief-joe-experience.html

Lake Almanor/ Camp Far West - Heather Reynolds

Reynoldsracing.us - Full Article

Sunday, 05 July 2015

The Lake Almanor ride was cancelled at the last minute and then in a mad dash, scramble it was re-established at a new location, the Camp Far West venue. Jeremy and I are staying near the Camp Far West camp so we volunteered to help mark trail so that it would eleviate some of the work load from the generous volunteers that had agreed to help host the ride.

We met up with Shawn Bowling and his friend John on the first day of marking. It was HOT and dry. We did 22 miles of the long loop and had some fun with it. When we were done we enjoyed a yummy spread of food and drinks provided by Shawn's wife, Lisa. Very much appreciated.

The next day I went without Jeremy, as he had to do a long run in preparation for his Vermont 100 mile run that is happening on July 18th. Shawn came and picked up my horse and I again. This time Nicole Chappel and I marked one loop while Jeremy Precopio and Shawn morked a different loop.

When we were done we had another Lisa meal:) Then we went over to the base camp to mark out where the FEI and AERC parking were. There were several rigs already in camp. Both days of marking trail were long, hot ones. I got home after 10 pm...

Read more here:
http://www.reynoldsracing.us/heathers_blog/view/515/lake_almanor__camp_far_west