Also check out the NATRC homepage and NATRC Region 5 homepage

REQUIREMENTS, DIVISIONS, and CLASSES:  This is an “A” Ride (2-day) and is sanctioned by the North American Trail Ride Conference (www.natrc.org where you can view and print the rule book for free).  Ride entries are open to all equines as follows: Open horses must be five years or older as of actual foaling date.  Novice and C/P horses must be four years or older as of actual foaling date.  Riders must be ten years of age or older.  Juniors must wear ASTM/SEI, Snell, or approved equal equestrian riding helmet at all times while mounted from the starting line at the beginning of the day’s ride until the finish line at the end of the day’s ride.  Juniors may not ride stallions, and must be accompanied by a responsible adult in camp, and a parent or guardian must have signed the liability release on the entry form.  Juniors may compete in Open Heavyweight or Open Lightweight Classes if weight requirements are met. The Open division rides 50-60 miles (in 2 days) at 4-6 mph.  Competitive Pleasure & Novice division mileage shall not exceed 24 miles in one day or 40 miles in two days at 3.5-5 mph. Classes include: Lightweight (rider and tack: everything the horse carries) weighing a minimum of 100 pounds and less than 190 pounds and Heavyweight (rider and tack: everything the horse carries) with weight at 190 pounds or more.  Spanish Trail ride management and FL Division of Forestry both require a current negative Coggins. The State of Florida requires a current Health Certificate for horses traveling into the state. It is highly recommended that your horses be protected against Rhino/Flu.

 

FEES: Adult Member $75, Adult Non-NATRC Member $95, Junior Member $55, Junior Non-NATRC Member $75. A non-refundable entry deposit of $45 & all meal fees is required with your application. All deposits must be received by March 4th or cancellation may occur. You must register on-line at www.natrc5.org/rms/logon.asp. Through this method, you may reserve and pay on-line through pay-pal OR reserve on-line and mail in your check. A small service fee and cancellation fee apply when paying on-line, as stated on the registration website.

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: On Friday, rider weigh-in begins at 11:30 am, in the barn area (for adult open and novice riders only – CP and juniors can proceed to check-in), Check-in/registration begins at noon, and the vet-in begins at 1 pm and continues until dark.  Ride briefings will be held after dinner at approximately 7 pm on Friday and Saturday in the dining hall.  Riders will depart between approximately 6:30 and 7:30 am on Saturday and Sunday mornings. A detailed schedule of events will be provided at the ride.

 

TERRAIN: The trails in the mostly pine tree forest consist of dirt and sand roads and trails, fire lanes, and sandy creek crossings, as well as an occasional bridge crossing. In addition, there may be gravel and rock on the trail for short distances and some gravel road crossings. Considered one of the easiest rides in the region, the terrain in the Blackwater State Forest is relatively flat with only a couple moderate ascents and descents, mostly coming in and out of camp.  Watch the national weather forecast to get an idea of what to expect in this area as it has ranged from sunny and hot to snowing in past years, but daytime temps are normally in the 60’s. Horses may be shod and full pads are permitted; leg protection of any kind is not permitted.  A farrier will be available on call.

 

CAMPING: Campsites are located along Coldwater Creek with most sites being partially shaded and having picnic tables. All sites have electric/water hookups and are first come/first serve. Camping accommodations are $20 a night ($10 for disabled/senior 65+ for Florida residents only) and stalls are $5 a night. There is a bathhouse with showers, flushing toilets, sinks, and electric outlets. Dogs must be leashed at all times when not in your trailer. No firearms, alcohol, or motorcycles are allowed. In addition, no horses are allowed in the camping area or in Coldwater Creek.  Come early, stay late: FFAHA has reserved the Coldwater Recreation Area facilities Wednesday through Monday. Reservation of campsite/stalls outside that time frame must be reserved with and paid directly through Forestry at (850) 957-6161.  Please note that the campsites next to the dining hall and bathhouse are assigned for ride management.

 

STALLING: All competitors’ horses will receive a stall or covered paddock assignment. Barns and paddocks have running water and the barn has lighting and areas to keep your tack. Bring your horse’s water and feed buckets, feed, and hay.  Shavings are available at $6 per bag.   Before you leave, your stall/paddock must be cleaned. Wheelbarrows will be available for your use, leave no hay and clean stalls completely. Please, follow the rules posted by Division of Forestry.

 

MEALS: Meal packages and individual meals are available by pre-paid reservation only and will be served in the dining hall during the posted meal times. Meals include non-soda beverages. Menu, meal times and prices are tentative at this point and subject to change:

Complete Meal Package for Riders (Fri lunch – Sun lunch) $45 – OR INDIVIDUAL MEALS:

FRI LUNCH: $7, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm                        

FRI DINNER: $7, 5:00 pm – 6:45 pm

SAT BREAKFAST: $7, 5:00 am – 6:30 am                

SAT LUNCH: $7, 11:00 – 2:00 pm                

SAT DINNER: $7, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm                       

SUN BREAKFAST: $7, 5:00 am – 6:30 am

SUN LUNCH: $7, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm    

**SUN DINNER: Separate dinner arrangements will be announced at Friday's ride briefing.**

For volunteer meal fees, see below under VOLUNTEERS.

            There is a gas station with convenience store six miles from camp, with a hot deli for breakfast/lunch and diesel fuel at the intersection of Hwy 4/Hwy 87. A block north from the convenience store on Hwy 87 is Tote-A-Bag General Store with a wide variety of items. Double CC Ranch Country Store is on the South side of Hwy 4 just before the turn onto Gordon Land Road going toward the Stables. They have horse supplies, snacks groceries, drinks firewood, hardware and such; 850-982-5562 Danny Cuts is the owner.  The nearest large grocery stores and restaurants are about 25 miles away. Also, the wilderness store at Adventures Unlimited Outdoor Center six miles from camp is stocked with snacks, ice, soft drinks, as well as t-shirts and camping supplies. Snacks and water are available to riders during P&R stops.

 

AWARDS and PRIZES: The Awards Ceremony will take place Sunday afternoon after the Judges have finished scoring.  First through six-place awards will be given in all classes for horse and horsemanship, plus Sweepstakes awards for Open and Novice Divisions.  A large variety of sponsored breed and rider awards are given. To qualify for breed awards, please send a copy of registration papers with your entry form; horses not registered will compete in Grade category. Before the awards ceremony begins, we may have door prizes (must be present to win). Great goodie bags will be handed out to riders and volunteers, courtesy of FFAHA and Pine Forest Saddlery of Pensacola.

 

VOLUNTEERS: If you know someone who can volunteer, please let us know and ask them to register on-line at www.natrc5.org/rms/logon.asp or call Wendy Allen 850-393-4216.  Volunteer’s meal package is $40, or $6 per meal. We typically have about 50 volunteers at each ride. Volunteers receive discounted meals on the days they work as well as goodie bags.

 

FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY, the Forestry Dispatch number is (850) 957-6140.