ATRA ON THE TRAIL
April 2015 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
Upcoming Events 2-4
Past Events
4
Classifieds
5
Reports
Events List
6-7
8
Pasture Management & Poisonous Weeds — April 16 — 7pm
Diana Brown B.Sc. Ag will talk about pasture and manure
management, noxious and poisonous weeds to horses.
Diana is the Assistant Agricultural Fieldperson for Strathcona
County so is well qualified to present on these topics.
ATRA was
established in 1973 for
people interested in
recreational riding &
driving.
2015 Club Executive
President: Shirley McFall
Past Pres: James King
Vice-Pres: Maggie Portas
Secretary: Marjorie Phillips
Treasurer: Cindy Hanas
Membership: Cindy Hanas
Directors: Vicki Lawrence,
Regina Landeck, Doug King,
Murray Few, Don Scott,
Tracy Campbell
*Webmaster: Erin King
Newsletter: Lisa Harrison
Contact to run an advertisement or
send an article to be considered:
[email protected] 780-237-7587
ATRA is a non-profit
family oriented organization that
encompasses a variety of equestrian
activities that promote safe horsemanship,
ongoing education and responsible use,
maintenance and development
of trails.
ATRA meets at 7pm the 3rd Thursday of the month Jan-Apr & Sept-Nov
upstairs at Kirk United Church, 13535-122 Avenue, Edmonton
Visitors are welcome at any meeting. Website: www.atra.ca
Membership for the calendar year is $20 single, $35 family.
Riding members must have current ATRA and AEF memberships.
Horsemanship Clinic & Lessons with Greg Czech April/May 2015
6 Tuesday Evening Lesson Series at
Thorsby Haymaker Arena 7-9pm
April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 19, 26
6 Thursday Evening Lesson Series at
Birch Bay, 51505 RR215 7-9pm
April 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28
Maxium 10 people for each series.
$150 for current members that joined in 2014, $210 for new members. 2015 AEF. No refunds.
April 19 -1 Day Clinic at Sturgeon Agriplex, near Morinville. Spectators welcome no charge.
Bring your own lunch. All riders must have 2015 AEF. Day fee $80 for current members that
joined in 2014, $120 for new or non-members. 2 groups of 5 riders. Group 1: Session 1:
930-11am & Session 2: 1-2:30pm Group 2: Session 1: 11-1230pm & Session 2: 2:30-4pm.
Still 5 spots April 19 1 day clinic, and 2 for Tuesdays and 2 for Thursdays!
Contact Lisa at [email protected] or 780-237-7587 to sign up. Cheques payable to ATRA
must be received/payable by March 21 (meeting) and no refunds, unless your spot is filled.
Sundance Canyon Trail Ride with Hugh Ashwell May 29-31
Hugh is willing to lead a group from ATRA on the Sundance Canyon Trail (17 miles each way).
There are some steep sections so best for experienced mountain riders. Located 12 miles west
of Edson. Riding out Saturday morning, camping overnight and then riding back Sunday. We
need someone willing to drive, and not ride, to take everyone’s overnight gear and food the
hour drive.. You may arrive Friday pm. No camping charge and no shoes required. He would
like 10-15 riders. Please contact [email protected] to sign up, or for info and directions.
Trail Obstacle Clinic at Courier Park — June 13/14
We had so much fun we are doing it again. Bob Klassen and Katelyn Carter will be instructing.
Email Doug King at [email protected] to sign up with number of people, home & cell number.
Saturday is already full after January
meeting sign up. Drop off $50
cheque payable to ATRA at the
March meeting to a board member
or mail to Doug before April 1. No
refunds after April 1. All participants
must be 2015 ATRA and AEF members. Bring a long lead, stick, tack.
Page 2
April 2015 Newsletter
Come Ride and Help Fight Cancer!
ATRA’s 37th ‘Trail Ride Against Cancer’ will be held Saturday, May 9th at Able Ranch, north of
Bon Accord near Lily Lake. As always, you may arrive early and camp over on Friday night
and join us at the campfire. Enjoy the complimentary breakfast on Saturday, sponsored by
Welsh’s. Pack a lunch for on the trail.
Start collecting your donations for the Canadian Cancer Society – using the pledge sheet and/
or online. Prizes will be awarded to the top collectors. Tuck $5 in your pocket for a complete
steak dinner after the ride, as well as some extra money/chequebook for the terrific silent
auction items. For your comfort, bring your lawn chair and, if possible, a folding table.
In 2011 ATRA was nominated for a National Philanthropy Award for being the longest running,
independent fundraising group for the Cdn Cancer Society’s Edmonton Unit. In 2014 ATRA
received the Community Champion Award at a provincial Celebration of Impact Ceremony in
Calgary. To date ATRA has raised $1,229,755 for the CCS. Our hard work keeps adding up.
The Cancer Ride Committee can always use extra help. Many hands make light work – and
then everyone can enjoy some free time around base camp.
If you do not receive a rider package, go to www.atra.ca to print one, or call the Cancer Society at 780 437-8421 to have one mailed out. Feel free to photocopy someone else’s forms.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Vicki at [email protected] or 780
922-2227. We hope to see you there. If you can’t ride and bring in pledges, please make a
donation to someone who is. Non riders may also use the pledge sheet to collect donations.
“Every donation is an expression of trust. Every donation
is one step closer to preventing cancer, detecting it earlier, improving treatments and helping Canadians live
longer, healthier lives. This is our commitment to you.
Please join us to chart a new course in cancer philanthropy. The Canadian Cancer Society has been a leading
force in increasing the survival rate to over 60%, from
25% in the 1940’s. Now, we’re poised for bigger change.
Together, we can change cancer forever.”
Please thank our sponsors when shopping
at G&E Pharmacy & Welsh’s Saddlery.
Page 3
Invitation to Attend Special Trails Committee Meeting June 1, 7-9pm
The ATRA board has decided to host a Special Trails committee with open attendance to existing
members and anyone interested/knowledgeable of trails in the backcountry. We welcome your
opinions on other riding locations. The committee has been providing input to the board, government and other equestrian groups for many years. It also spearheaded re-opening old trials
and regularly assists in maintaining existing trails. We will be looking to identify a person to
chair this committee and be a member on the board. Please RSVP to SHIRLEY 780-662-4747 or
[email protected]. South Cooking Lake Hall, Mon June 1, 7-9pm, refreshments will be served.
Directions: Hwy 14 East to South Cooking Lake turnoff (between RR 222 & 221), turn left, travel to the
top of hill, turn left at liquor store, turn right at community hall signs, turn right at the bottom of hill.
The Beaver Hills Initiative is asking for your support, by way of your
signature, to have the Beaver Hills moraine designated a UNESCO
Biosphere. (UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization) This area is very unique: boreal forest nestled
in aspen parkland; hills and lakes created by the glaciers retreating;
and a huge diversity of animal and plant life. Becoming a UNESCO
Biosphere is about balancing conservation of the region’s biodiversity with sustainable development; ensuring people live and work in harmony with nature. It does not carry any legislative or regulatory powers. Success in this initiative depends on demonstrating to UNESCO that
we have community support – by way of people’s signatures. Please show your support for this
important initiative by adding your name on our website: www.beaverhills.ca click on Support
our UNESCO nomination. We must collect all signatures by Monday May 5. THANK YOU!
Past Events
March 19 General Meeting with Margo Pybus. 50 members came out to learn
about the predators in the Blackfoot area we ride in and what the club is doing.
March 15 we had 8 members enjoy the
trails at Eric Quintal’s, near Calahoo. He
even dozed us some new trails and it
was warm enough that the old trails
weren’t too slippery. Eric BBQ’d hot
dogs for us after the ride. (pic above)
Page 4
April 2015 Newsletter
Classifieds
Trailer Decals
$10 white background
CORRAL CLEANING AVAILABLE
$30 clear background
Coffee Mug—$15
Purchase at meeting
or contact Cindy at
[email protected]
or 780-962-2690 to
bring to a clinic/ride.
After the sudden passing of
her horse, Logan in February,
ATRA member, Jerrilynn sent
me this info to share with
members. It’s good to know
of this local option to cremate
our horses at the end. It costs
$100+$1/lb. Pick up is $1/km
each way. She got a cross & a
heart with his ashes in them.
It comes with an urn and she
also got a plastic tote with the
remainder the ashes that she
can bury on her ranch in BC.
Page 5
Report on the Bighorn Backcountry Meeting from Don Scott
The meeting was called to order by Don Livingston at approximately 9:10 am in Rocky Mountain
House. He did a round table of introductions of those in attendance activity/enforcement.
The trail closures motion in the Big Horn Dam area in May-June was passed, however if area
dries sooner trails will be opened sooner, depending on the snow fall and melt in the area.
The program will be the same as last year starting in May by ESRD (parks/trails side) & seasonal
Park Rangers will be focusing on giving some enforcement with the help of 2 more rangers.
Signage- Some lacking of funds, will have summer students for signage. The signs will be in
black and white and trails will be color coded.
The Clearwater County has enforcement in place using people and RCMP.
FOESA – Currently the FOESA are dealing with Alberta Parks on taking over the campgrounds.
They have agreed to let us take over Seven Mile Campground for one year.
FOESA want locks removed off of gates expand Big Horn to the east & install roads/bridges once
approval is done. FOESA have put in high lines and a turnaround at Eagle Creek manure dump.
Don Livingston stated that the government is trying to get support from a large company to
provide some pull offs and rest facilities for the traveling public.
Kendra from ESRD did a power point presentation on: Bridges install on Cross Creek, Obtaining
approvals and consultations, 35 projects for Big Horn in 2015, Volunteer software program, Getting user groups to lead projects and watched by ESRD staff. Map of trail projects is available,
There was a meeting for planning projects on Feb 24 from 7-9pm in Rocky Mountain House.
Clearwater Trails Initiative – formed to manage the foot print of recreation users on Rig Street.
Wagon Trails – To change the trail to get it out of the river and limit crossings to one, also make
trail safer, much better and higher-up above the river. In 2013 (flood year) the 40 Mile Trail became impossible, an equestrian group came to make repairs and found new places to cross,
some were dangerous to get through. Also the wagon trail is very rough and needs work. The
bridge over Timber Creek needs updating to a new and wider bridge.
Fire Burns for 2015 - Fire burns for 2015 are in the Chungo, Blackstone, Wapiabi, Hummingbird, Upper Clearwater and Big Horn Creek and with Banff National Park. These controlled burns
will be dependent on the weather, the snow fall that was in the area and how dry the areas are.
There was also a monitoring camera installed at 40 Mile to check on conditions on a mountain
slope and the meadow, takes a picture once a day. There was also a camera at Spreading Creek
fire for four months after crews and equipment were pulled off, this one took pictures every hour
and was emailed to Duty Officers.
Open Floor time – A person from a sporting bike store in Rocky Mtn House gave a talk about fat
tire bikes, may be in the back country or on snowmobile trails in Twin to Crimson Lakes area.
Report from Tofield RCMP
A horse has had all its long thick tail hair cut off. The trespassers also attempted to take the tail
hair of several donkeys. The location of this incident was several miles outside of Tofield.
Page 6
April 2015 Newsletter
Report on FOESA
I would like to encourage any ATRA member, especially those that have enjoyed the Eastern
Slope campgrounds to participate on any of the work weekends that FOESA has scheduled for
this riding season. We all benefit from their work when we use the FOESA (Friends of the Eastern Slope) campgrounds----- Yaha Tinda , Hummingbird, Cutoff Creek , Panther, and now Seven
Mile Flats. The work Weekends are---Bighorn and Eagle Creek May 23, 2015 ( Yaha Tinda) -Hummingbird July 4, 2015 There is also a fund raising Poker Rally Aug. 8, 2015, that takes place
during the week we are at the Yaha Tinda. Murray Few
Other Non-ATRA Rides of Interest to Members
This year's ride is Aug 7 (Fandango in Ft Macleod) to
August 29-30th (Trail's End at WELCA in Edmonton).
We are riding (more or less) along the Cowboy Trail
from as far south as Waterton Lakes to as far north as
Drayton Valley and then over to Hinton. From there,
we'll follow (more or less) Highway 16 E to Edmonton.
You pay $50 to register and then fundraise a minimum
of $100/day to join the ride. Once you've done that,
everything else is covered -- your meals, your horse's
hay & Nutrena SafeChoice, entertainment in the evening and a safe place to camp. Starting this
year, we no longer ride range roads from town to town. We will haul into a town and the local
riding group will take us on a 3-4 hour ride on the best trails in “the hood”. Expect good food,
good company & great trail riding as we "ride breast cancer into the ground". There will be
prizes for the top fundraisers this year too so don't stop at $100/day! www.WildPinkYonder.com
The American Competitive Trail Horse Association is now holding
events in Alberta. So far we have 9 events this year: June 7-Fort Assiniboine, June 13-Onoway, June 20-Carvel, June 27-Blackfoot, Aug 29Jarvie, Sept 5-6-Fort Assiniboine, Sept 19-Onoway, Sept 26-Drayton.
Go to www.actha.ca for info or to www.actha.us to sign up for rides. There is an info booklet
that tells you about the events at www.actha.ca/presentation. Questions or interested in hosting
an ACTHA event, contact Carolyn 780-967-5555/780-242-0127/[email protected].
Brightwood Ranch Ride-A-Thon for Hope Misson Saturday June 6
9 km SE of Entwistle, 1 hr W of Edm. Grand Prizes: Yearling QH filly
or New Saddle! Ride your own horse or call 780-727-3840 to reserve
one of theirs. 3 or 5hr ride or ride in a wagon, followed by supper
and a short camp presentation. All money raised will help under
privileged kids go to camp. To register or donate go to www.hopemission.com/summercamp
Page 7
Upcoming Events Calendar
DATE
April 16
HOST
ATRA
LOCATION
General Meeting, Speaker Diana Brown
DETAILS
Page 1
April 19
ATRA
Greg Czech Clinic at Sturgeon Agriplex
Page 2
April 19
ATRA
Trail Ride — Blackfoot Central Staging Area 11am
April 24-26
Bring a lunch
The Mane Event Horse Expo — Red Deer
May 3
ATRA
Trail Clinic with Schmulands—Sherwood Park
May 9
ATRA
Cancer Ride at Able Ranch, near Lily Lake
May 15-18
CLSC &
ATRA
May 24
DVHC
Drayton Valley Riverside Trails Cancer Ride-Dollard
May 29-31
ATRA
Sundance Canyon Ride with Hugh Ashwell
Page 2
June 1
ATRA
Special Trails Meeting—open to members
Page 4
June 5-7
ATRA
Wheale Ranch weekend camping and trail ride
June 13/14
ATRA
Obstacle Clinic at Courier Park
June 19-27
Ken Z
Hummingbird Mountain Camping or Packing Ride —
Ken Zelt will lead day rides June 20/21 then pack out
Mon –Thurs. Others could stay in camp for day rides.
780-922-3222
July 19-25
ATRA
kawlzelt@
gmail.com
Aug 1-9
ATRA
Cadomin/Drummond Creek Trail Clearing Work
Bee/Mountain Ride—with Ken Zelt 780-922-3222
Yaha Tinda Mountain Trail Ride Contact Lisa
Harrison at [email protected] or 780-237-7587
Aug 7-30
Long Weekend at Horse Creek Ranch, Fort Assiniboine
cheques dated May 1 to CLSC to book contact Barb
$25.20/person/horse/rig/dog/power site for weekend
Wild Pink Yonder Ride for Breast Cancer
Aug 20-27
ATRA
Aug 30-Sep 7
ATRA
Sept 4-7
ATRA
Willmore Pack Trip—rescheduled from 2014.
Ken Komm at [email protected] or 780-922-3004
Hummingbird/Ram Falls Mountain Cleanup Ride
Contact Candace Boger at [email protected]
Drayton Valley Riverside Trails Camping Ride.
Cindy [email protected] or 780-962-2690
March news
Page 3
mbfew@
planet.eon.net
780-434-2000
780-542-1388
Feb news
Page 2
kawlzelt@
gmail.com
March news
Page 7
March news
If you have an event we should know about, call Lisa @ 780 237-7587 or [email protected]
For insurance purposes, each member joining our rides/clinics is required to hold a current AB
Equestrian Federation membership. Renewal forms are available: www.albertaequestrian.com
All riders ride at your own risk. We recommend helmet use for all riders & STRONGLY encourage
it for those under 18 during ATRA events. For the safety of all members, ATRA’s policy on riding
with dogs is: On single day rides or weekend rides with a large group, no dogs are permitted.
On longer overnight trips, dogs may be permitted if all riders in your group are in agreement.