2021 Archives

Members Horsemanship Clinic – May 2021

Clinician talking about equestrian safety — Here’s a couple pictures from today’s clinic/fun ride. Thank you to Dan and Emily Aadland for use of their arena. Thank you also goes out to Jennifer Hawkins Franco and Bill Routen for you presentations. What a nice day.

Clinician teacher giving rope tying demonstration — Here’s a couple pictures from today’s clinic/fun ride. Thank you to Dan and Emily Aadland for use of their arena. Thank you also goes out to Jennifer Hawkins Franco and Bill Routen for you presentations. What a nice day.

Main Stillwater Clearing – May 2021

mule crossing bridge in the Stillwater — We will be headed back to the Main Stillwater THIS SUNDAY (May 16th) to clear the trail! The weather appears to be a bit better than the crew experienced last Saturday, but raincoats are still a wise accessory. As last week’s crew completed the first 5 ½ miles – we will tackle as much of the remaining 7+ miles to Big Park as we can squeeze into the day. That said, this will not be a lolly-gag kind of a day. It will be a “get beyond Flood Creek Bridge”, which is 5.5 miles in, then on to the task at hand. There are typically many small pines and aspens bent over the trail beyond the meadows, so if you have loppers and handsaws – bring them. Again, you will need to be a paid-up member of the BBCH, but we will gladly take your checks on Saturday if you have not yet renewed or joined.

This is some pictures from the first Stillwater trail clearing. The group cleared all the way to the bridge at Flood Ck. Part 2 this weekend on Sunday. Robin Morris will take the lead on this trip.(see previous post) Thank you to everyone who has and will be able to make it.

This is some pictures from the first Stillwater trail clearing. The group cleared all the way to the bridge at Flood Ck. Part 2 this weekend on Sunday. Robin Morris will take the lead on this trip.(see previous post) Thank you to everyone who has and will be able to make it.

Summer Rendezvous – August 2021

Our Summer Rendezvous was a great success. A dozen members set up camp at the trailhead, while others enjoyed Myers Creek Cabin, or stopped by to enjoy the Packing Competition and BBQ that followed.
Robin and Beau got in a nice ride on Friday and were back at the trailhead to greet other members as they arrived. Saturday morning, five members enjoyed a 5-hour ride up Pass Creek stopping at Picket Pin Creek for lunch. Riders returned in time for the Packers Competition, which started at 3:30. Three teams accepted the challenge – the competition was fierce. Team Melissa and Matt, and Team David and Brad kicked off the challenge, while Team Louise and John waited on deck. All teams started out with the same score and points were deducted for improper/poor knots, cursing, or not treating the animals with respect, unbalanced load, missing an obstacle, breaking an egg or the watermelon, or breaking any of the beer cans. There was a bin that included extra supplies that they were free to use. The bin included a Tupperware container that perfectly accommodated the loaf of bread. Everyone caught on to that! Additionally, teams were timed, with the fastest team receiving an additional 5 points. However, proper technique carried a lot more weight than speed.
Teams were provided with two mantes, rope, a 50# bale of compressed hay, paper towels, a sleeping bag, half dozen eggs, 2 cans of beer, a loaf of bread, watermelon, grain, a backpack frame, and other sorted goods. The two-person teams, using basket knots to secure the mantes covering their cargo, had to load it and lead their pack animal through an obstacle course from their horse.
It was impressive to see how well the teams worked together, and how they packed their cargo. Our judges, Dan Aadland and John Chepulis had the tough task of picking a winner. It was darn near a 3-way tie. David Edwards and Brad Molnar came in first, John and Louise Jenkins second, and Matt Anderson and Melissa Codner came in third. While our chapter president, John Jenkins, had the fastest time (he trotted and loped), he lost three points for blowing up a can of beer! Participants were awarded gift certificates. Hopefully, this competition will be repeated at future rendezvous and more packers will rise to the challenge.
On Sunday, members split into two groups. The first headed up Myers Creek and the second group up Lodgepole. It was a great way to close out the weekend. Those that missed out…well you missed out on three wonderful days in the forest. I am pleased to say that our Chapter rocked it, in “leave no trace.” All members cleaned up after their livestock and left the campground looking like it did when they arrived. Good job. Enjoy the pictures.

Our Summer Rendezvous was a great success. A dozen members set up camp at the trailhead, while others enjoyed Myers Creek Cabin, or stopped by to enjoy the Packing Competition and BBQ that followed.
Robin and Beau got in a nice ride on Friday and were back at the trailhead to greet other members as they arrived. Saturday morning, five members enjoyed a 5-hour ride up Pass Creek stopping at Picket Pin Creek for lunch. Riders returned in time for the Packers Competition, which started at 3:30. Three teams accepted the challenge – the competition was fierce. Team Melissa and Matt, and Team David and Brad kicked off the challenge, while Team Louise and John waited on deck. All teams started out with the same score and points were deducted for improper/poor knots, cursing, or not treating the animals with respect, unbalanced load, missing an obstacle, breaking an egg or the watermelon, or breaking any of the beer cans. There was a bin that included extra supplies that they were free to use. The bin included a Tupperware container that perfectly accommodated the loaf of bread. Everyone caught on to that! Additionally, teams were timed, with the fastest team receiving an additional 5 points. However, proper technique carried a lot more weight than speed.
Teams were provided with two mantes, rope, a 50# bale of compressed hay, paper towels, a sleeping bag, half dozen eggs, 2 cans of beer, a loaf of bread, watermelon, grain, a backpack frame, and other sorted goods. The two-person teams, using basket knots to secure the mantes covering their cargo, had to load it and lead their pack animal through an obstacle course from their horse.
It was impressive to see how well the teams worked together, and how they packed their cargo. Our judges, Dan Aadland and John Chepulis had the tough task of picking a winner. It was darn near a 3-way tie. David Edwards and Brad Molnar came in first, John and Louise Jenkins second, and Matt Anderson and Melissa Codner came in third. While our chapter president, John Jenkins, had the fastest time (he trotted and loped), he lost three points for blowing up a can of beer! Participants were awarded gift certificates. Hopefully, this competition will be repeated at future rendezvous and more packers will rise to the challenge.
On Sunday, members split into two groups. The first headed up Myers Creek and the second group up Lodgepole. It was a great way to close out the weekend. Those that missed out…well you missed out on three wonderful days in the forest. I am pleased to say that our Chapter rocked it, in “leave no trace.” All members cleaned up after their livestock and left the campground looking like it did when they arrived. Good job. Enjoy the pictures.

Lake Abundance pack – September 2021

Here are some pictures from the Lake Abundance pack in and out. Thank you to everyone who helped. A shout out to ABWF for their work on the trail. It is with you and your volunteers that these trails are staying maintained.

Here are some pictures from the Lake Abundance pack in and out. Thank you to everyone who helped. A shout out to ABWF for their work on the trail. It is with you and your volunteers that these trails are staying maintained.

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