HORSIN' AROUND
THE ALTOONA TRAIL RIDERS OF LAKE COUNTY RIDING AND CAMPING ON SOME OF STATE’S MOST BEAUTIFUL RECREATION LANDS
he Altoona Trail Riders club is based out of the unincorporated community of Altoona, Florida, located in picturesque northeastern Lake County—near Lake Dorr and Ocala National Forest. The current version of the riding club was founded in 1995 to preserve equestrian trails, participate in community service, and promote family fun. Glenda Dawkins founded the club because the area was becoming an epicenter of recreational trail riding; many trail riders had relocated from South Florida to the Altoona area after the devastation caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Originally, the club was made up of riders who took part in competitive trail rides throughout the winter. Members were involved in the Florida 100-mile CTR, which began in 1951. That ride no longer has as many participants as during its heyday and has moved to different locations over the years. It is still conducted every winter by the Florida Horsemen’s Association and, for the past few years, has been at Ocala-based Florida Horse Park.
The Altoona Trail Riders also paved the way for increasing the popularity of another equestrian event—obstacle challenges. For years, until 2014, the group held an annual obstacle challenge on the beautiful grounds of Rocking Horse Stables in Altoona. Obstacle challenges and practices are now popular events and are held in many locations throughout the state. The club currently has about 120 members. It holds a monthly meeting, with a guest speaker, at Altoona Elementary School on the first Thursday of every month. Monthly day rides and campouts with horses are held at many different locations throughout north-central Florida, from September through May. Camping and riding locations include the following: Ocala National Forest, the Cross-Florida Greenway, the Citrus Tract and Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest, Seminole State Forest, Fechtel Tract at Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park, and Indian Lake State Forest. Also included are Lake Norris Conservation Area, Sawgrass Island Preserve, Lake Louisa State Park, Silver Springs Forest
THE CURRENT VERSION OF THE RIDING CLUB WAS FOUNDED IN 1995 TO PRESERVE EQUESTRIAN TRAILS, PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND PROMOTE FAMILY FUN.
At left, Altoona Trail Riders participating in the annual Christmas parade in nearby Umatilla, Florida. Right, club members are a fun group of people who host monthly day rides and campouts.
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F LO R I D A C O U NTRY D e c e m b e r | J a n u a r y 2 0 2 1
PHOTOS THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY KAREN PANDO
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Written by: Kym Rouse Holzwart
