More Info: Contact:
Sherrie White, 686-9169, sherrie@mexico-villas.com
Grab your horse and let's play poker! The Gallatin Valley Back Country Horsemen would like to invite you to our 23rd Annual Poker Ride.
For those of you new to the sport let me explain the rules. You don't need to know how to play poker, but you do need a horse. You, your horse and all of your riding buddies should arrive on July 10th at the Bridger Ski Bowl Parking lot. Registration is from 8:00- 10:00; you can begin to ride between 8:30 and 10:30. One poker hand, along with lunch and a chance to win great prizes is $20.00. Lunch alone is $10. The trail is well marked about 11 miles in length with colored tape and requires about 4 hours to ride; a shortcut is available (approx. 8 miles) and takes about 3 hours to ride.
Whoa, wait a minute, don't get ahead of the trail boss here. Before you ride out, register and pick up a map and tally sheet and draw your first card. Mount up and follow the marked trail for a few miles through the beautiful Bridger Mountains to the first stop where coolers with cold drinks and cards await. Friendly folks allow you to tie up, rest a spell, chat, have a cold drink and select another card for your hand. You will discover three of these "stops" along the route. When you arrive back in camp following the marked trail loop you will draw your fifth and last card. Turn your "hand" in to the Back Country Horsemen and head for the lunch tent. A hearty chicken dinner will be served, including cold drinks, salad and dessert. Winning hands are announced after lunch.
Everyone is guaranteed a good time but a good poker hand can get you a mighty nice prize. We would like to thank our generous sponsors that make this ride possible.
The proceeds from the event help the Gallatin Valley Back Country Horsemen to maintain regional trails. Gallatin Valley Back Country Horsemen have maintained the Spanish Creek trails for over 20 years.
GVBCH is an affiliate chapter of both the Back Country Horsemen of Montana and
the Back Country Horsemen of America. This is a non-profit organization whose
purpose is to:
Perpetuate enjoyable, common sense use of horses in the backcountry.
Assist government agencies in their maintenance and management of resources,
ensure that the Public Land Resource remains open to recreations stock use.
Educate, encourage, and solicit active public participation in the wise and
sustaining use of horses in accordance with our heritage and the backcountry
resources.
Proof of a 2010 negative Coggins test is required at registration. Everyone and their horse is welcome when they register and sign a release. Sorry we cannot permit dogs or stallions to participate. All minor children must have a signed parental release to participate. All participants are subject to Montana's Equine Liability law.
We hope to see you all on the trail and good luck!
Gallatin Valley Back Country Horsemen, Post Office Box 3232, Bozeman, Montana 59772
