Hospice Aftercare Services Event - Oct 20th

FCTB has committed to donating $25 to this event. All funds go to Hospice Aftercare Services, which provides funeral/cremation support for hospice patients who's families cannot afford to pay for the services themselves.

We would like to challenge all of our members to match or add to this donation. Please send your check payable to KD Huff to be received by Oct 5th and she will combine all donations into one larger check to Hospice Aftercare Services from FCTB. Or you can get more information about donations in our files section and send your personal donation directly to Hospice Aftercare Services.

Club Ride - River Rise State Park

Our second planned ride for September will be a camping trip to the O'Leno/River Rise State Park. We plan on the weekend of Sep 28 - 30. There are a limited number of stalls, so come early if you're not going to tie out or bring panels. If you can't camp, we hope you'll join us for a day ride. Unfortunately - pets are not allowed.

You may have heard, the shaded trails of this area are in jeopardy as the State wants to convert the park back to a Sandhill community of wiregrass and pines. You can read more about this in our files section with a document called River Rise West. We hope you'll add your voice to the other equestrians who are outraged by this action.

**Don't forget we have another weekend planned for October - scroll down to read about that ride**

Labor Day Camp and Ride at McCulley Farms

McCulley Farms was the perfect spot for the FCTB Labor Day weekend camp and ride. While the threat of heat and rain kept some away, the 5 members who showed up were not disappointed. Friday we got in a nice evening ride and reaquainted ourselves with the nice winding trails that surround the McCulley homestead. Saturday morning the early birds headed out in the fog and enjoyed a four hour ride that took them along the Withlacoochee River. We saw several springs and no other riders. Most of our ride was in the shade and quite pleasant. The only bad part was the banana spiders that had staked their claim to the trails. We wore out several "spider sticks" and exercised our vocal cords throughout the weekend. Traci executed a perfect limbo move by laying her head all the way back on Tucker's rump to avoid one arachnid. Saturday afternoon we piled into one truck and visited Blue Springs. We shared the icy waters with some scuba divers and colorful locals who one after another leapt from a high dock that overlooked the big spring. Our favorite daredevil (Wildcat) flung herself off the dock with enthusiasm. The rest of us were too chicken to try it! Donald found that bathing suit suspenders might be a good idea the next time he decides to swim against the current of clear rushing spring water. Now we all know what the rest of his belly tattoo says! Sunday we had another nice four hour ride along the river and on some narrow woodsy trails. Cathy hung for the full 8 seconds when her horse became airborne. Ride 'em Wildcat! We again enjoyed the shade and peacefulness of the ride. Sunday afternoon we went to Pot Springs, which was not quite as big and not as many people. It was invigorating to soak in the icy waters! We spent the afternoon at the spring and then came back to camp to enjoy a wonderful dinner prepared by Chef Bobby and then we had a small but cozy campfire. Monday morning we stayed on the McCulley side of the woods, and meandered down some new trails for about two hours. Another perfect day of riding! We truly enjoyed the sincere southern hospitality of the McCulley family. They are such wonderful hosts, it is almost impossible to not enjoy the visit. We look forward to seeing them again before the end of the year! Here are the great photos of the weekend.