Central Florida Buggy Club

Club members and friends arrived on Friday night for a fun filled weekend at Fecthel Ranch, Lower Wekvia State Park near Deland. On Friday night the rain came down, the wind howled and shook the trailers. The horses didn’t mind because they were very comfortable in the stalls. The sky was clear on Saturday and more day drivers arrived to join us for a woods drive. The buggies were decorated with hearts for the Valentine theme. The horses (VSE to Draft Mules) were adorned with red beads and heart pendants. We knew this was going to be a great drive because we had two Angels (one white mini and one white pony mule) along with us. Sue had her mini Angel wearing a red feather boa for Valentine’s Day. As we traveled down the trials, little red feathers fell off the boa. Someone called this our RedNeck GPS. We had fun spotting the red markers on the way back to camp. In addition to this GPS we had great  trail bosses Judy (riding Arab/ Ernie) and Georganna (riding Peruvian Paso/Zoro).  They ride at this park weekly and knew where to avoid the deep water and plowed/ fire break /horse trails. Everyone was in awe of the wonderful unspoiled Florida landscape. The native palm trees and wild magnolia flourished along these trails. It seemed that we could have been back in the 1800’s exploring Florida. The trails have several low water crossings. The depth of the water crossing is much greater when you have the view of a VSE/very small equine.  Max was driving a pair of minis hitched to a mini easy entry cart. She placed her feet on the dash as they ford the creek crossing. The pair willing crossed but the water came up to their bellies. Needless to say that Max got her shoes and other parts of her clothing very wet. Fellow drivers offered her the use of a raincoat for the next water obstacle.

This was a fast pace drive that someone equated it to Speed Dating. I don’t know if it was the cold weather or the wind that made this a fast drive. But, I think it began when Max moved out front with her pair of minis/ Chip and Sassy. Max said we were going too slow and she was tired of holding her team back. The fearless little guys flew down the trail and only the occasional muddy spot would slow them down.  They kept a good pace for the entire 7 mile drive. And they were willing to lead us again on Sunday. We met a mini paint donkey named Hambone driving along on the trail. He was with his owner Janette and her daughter Jessica. They joined our group and Hambone had a blast with trying to keep up with the other minis.

On Saturday night, Georganna fixed a huge pot of spaghetti filled with meatballs and sausage. Everyone else provided the wonderful side dishes and of course desserts. The sweets were enjoyed over cups of hot chocolate and coffee around a warm campfire. Sue provided the entertainment by telling jokes that sparked laughter from the campers.

Sunday traditional big break feast was in full swing by 8AM -  Virg was cooking the Cowboy Breakfast, Ernie was making the bacon and eggs, and Connie was cooking Belgian Waffles. This is what camping is all about! Additional food was brought in and consumed. It took us a little longer to get ready for driving.

Connie and Ernie went out to explore some trails on their own. Ernie was driving Toby/ Halflinger hitched to a four wheeled cart and Connie had Kate Mule hitched to a two wheeled buggy. They encountered a large area of deep mud and decided to turn around. Ernie was very surprised of Toby’s ability and willingness to back the heavy cart through the mud and then calmly side pass to make the turn around. It is times like these that make us appreciate the strength and training of our equines. Ernie was able to return to camp with clean boots and only had to wash the mud off the buggy wheels and Toby’s feet.

If you have not been to Fecthel Ranch recently, you will notice a big improvement in the facilities and trails. This is all due to our winter volunteers/ camp hosts Louise and Greg Mayor. The first change you will notice the road into the park is freshly graded and free of potholes.  Greg requests that you ride your horse along the trial beside the road in order to keep it smooth. Next, stop at the bathroom and you will find it clean and fully supplied with paper, soap, and towels.  The barn is kept in good repair and the stalls are very clean. The trails have been reopened and are free of debris. Most of these trails have been impassable for years since the hurricanes blew down trees across the trails. We went down a trail that in which a huge tree had been blown down from the Friday night wind. It was reported to Greg and he jumped on the tractor to pull it from the trail.

Please tell Greg and Louise, how much you appreciate their work. Remember these are volunteers and we hope they will return next winter.

Sunshine Raceway

Our club was invited to the Sunshine Raceway/Trotter Track in Zephryhills to show the spectators our type of driving. Sharon drove BJ / Racking horse/ hitched to a two wheel aluminum  woods buggy. Virg drove Babe/ Halflinger / hitched to his two wheel aluminum cart  with USA flags flying on the back. Buttons /Jack Russell/ was Virg’s passenger and navigator. Sharon B—. drove Peggy Sue/ Paint Halflinger  / hitched to a four wheeled competition cart. We paraded up and down the track while the announcer told the audience about our turnouts and club functions Virg told me to pick up the pace and show them how fast we can go. Even at our fastest trot, we looked like turtles compared to their pony trotters. Everyone had fun and several people came over to learn more about our club and our horses.

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The tenth annual Mobstacle held on January 17, was a successful event in obtaining $425.00 in donations toward the Horse Barn at Alafia River State Park. This event was sponsored by the newly formed community support organization, “Friends of Alafia River State Park”. Members of the Myakka River Riders, Triple B, Central Florida Buggy Club, Florida Whips, and the general public came out to show their support for the Alafia Barn Project. This year the Mobstacle event was open for rider competition. The riders and drivers explored the beautiful trails together and everyone had a learning experience. Some participants found it difficult to navigate the trail map but they were quickly redirected to the correct path. Some very small (VSE-AKA Mini) equines enjoyed the water obstacle / which was created by the over night heavy rain. Rosemary’s Prince decided to lay down in the creek crossing- TWICE. Snuggles the dog, was tucked under the driver’s seat and got very cool wet feet. Snuggles did not complain, he was just glad to be out on the trail. Participants found questions along the trail about our Florida State Parks and their recreational opportunities.  Park Manager, Coy Helms joined in on the fun to have a different view of the park. He was a passenger/ groom for Connie Boyette, driving Kate (Huge Draft Mule) hitched to a four wheeled wagon. Coy was very resourceful in answering all the questions without having to reference the park guide. He learned that it is sometimes difficult handle a head strong mule.

Riders and drivers kept fun in the Obstacle challenge. Some horses balked at the mailboxes, some did not like the back up box, but not one complained about the carrot/ apple obstacle.

Upon crossing the finish line, the horses were quickly tended to, and everyone gathered for a wonderful lunch. It included grilled cheeseburgers, chips, baked mac and cheese, coleslaw, pound cake and soda. The winners / closest to the secret time / included: Short Distance Drivers- 1^st place Rosemary Meredith / Prince, 2^nd place Nancy Slater/Fancy,    3^rd place Francine Lucas/Bella,   Short Distance Riders- 1^st place Trudi Jo Canter/ Sonny, 2^nd place Mariam Lauer/ CT, 3^rd place Mary Lou Sapp/Maverick. Long Distance Drivers-  1^st place Connie Boyette / Mule Kate, 2^ndplace Carol Gregg/Shots of Moonshine 3^rd place Becky Card Swerdloff/ Hershey   / Long Distance Riders- 1^st place Johnie Jamison/Zorro 2^nd place Deborah White/Zante,  3^rd place tie between Cathy Slusser/Tucker and Andrea Mosier/Indy.

Special THANKS to all the Friends volunteers, park volunteers, park staff, and to Connie Boyette for all the work in making this event possible.

If you were not able to make it this year, please come to the 11^th Annual Mobstacle in January 2011. It will be open for riders and drivers.

For more information about the Alafia Barn Project (Completion Date/ Fall 2010) call Sharon Flack 352 796-7796.

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The Central Fla. Buggy Club was off to a great driving season in 2009 and is even better in 2010. The group met at Oleno/ River Rise in High Springs for a Christmas Drive celebration. We shared the barn and facilities with some great people from the Santa Fa River Riders. The barn was full with equines with the holiday spirit. Members of our buggy group were layered with warm clothing. I don’t know if it was due to the cold  weather or the  idea that we were playing Topless Bingo. We invited our riders to join us in the game but they declined. Saturday morning started with rain and the game was moved into the barn aisle. It did not dampen our spirits as we played Topless Barn Bingo. Ernie volunteered to be the caller. The cards were passed out with the top letters (BINGO) were cut off. Ernie was instructed to not call out the letter of the bingo numbers. This game was more difficult than it sounds. The game continued until everyone was a winner. It was determined that Connie and Caroline should go out to buy a lottery ticket because they were the most frequent winners. Ruth and Georganna were the last winners and they were advised never to play the lottery. The horses enjoyed the company in the barn and benefited from all the treats. The players warmed up to cups of coffee and hot apple cider. The rain stopped and everyone went out for a drive. Buggies were decorated with Christmas garland and bells. Drivers put on stocking hats and hummed a few Christmas carols (no one could remember all the words).  If this does not get you into the Christmas spirit then nothing will. The group had considered going to the High Spring Christmas parade but the rain started again. We decided to sit around the roaring campfire and raise the umbrella when a shower came through. I think it is the campfire light that brings on some great story telling. One phrase I heard was “ When I was young I started out with Nothing. And now, I have most of it left.”

New Years Drive – we have some very hardy campers in our group. Several drivers were out in the cold at Green Swamp West / ready to ring in the New Year.  I was not among them but they tell me it was a lot of fun.

Please join for a drive. Call Sharon Flack for more information 352-796-7796 and check out our web site centralfloridabuggyclub.com

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