The boundaries of the historic Chisholm Trail are a little blurred these days, but parts of the trail did run through southwestern Cooke County and riders have a chance to get a taste of the Chisholm Trail experience during the Era Masonic Lodge holds its 2008 Bi-Annual Benefit Trail Ride Oct. 18 at the G-C Ranch.
The ride is a family-oriented event which takes riders through twelve to thirteen miles of rural Cooke County.
Lodge Member Tim Bullard said trail riders range in age from young, school-aged children to older adults.
There are also some die-hard riders who take the trail every year.
“We have regulars, kind of a core group that’s been with us all four or five years, but every year there are some new faces,” Bullard noted.
The lodge puts on the event twice each year.
“In the spring, we try to catch the wildflowers in bloom, and in the fall, the changing colors of the leaves,” he said.
Riders can also see at least two highlights along the way — a historic log structure and an American Indian Cemetery.
Registration is scheduled at 8 a.m. at the G-C Ranch.
The ride begins at about 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 18 and continues until 3:30 or 4 p.m., he said.
A large group of riders usually attend the event.
“Last spring, we had our largest turnout, 75 to 80 riders,” he said. “We’ve been doing (the trail ride) four or five years. It has been growing which is, of course, our objective.”
The ride takes place on the G-Bar-C Ranch which is located three miles west and two miles south of Era.
“Take FM 922 West off of I-35 at Valley View or off FM 51 at Era, follow 922 West about three miles to County Rd 398, turn south and travel two miles to the parking area. Signage will be posted at the intersection of FM 922 and County Rd 398,” said Bullard.
Once again, the lodge plans to prepare hamburgers for the participants. Drinks will be furnished.
“We usually eat under a big live oak tree,” Donnie Offord, another Era lodge member said in a previous interview.
Bullard said, “Actually we just say that, it’s really an elm tree but live oak sounds better.”
Donations are accepted for the meal and proceeds from the registration fees help support three main lodge efforts.
“We donate part of the proceeds for scholarships to graduating seniors at Era High School, usually it’s three or four. We also try to donate every year to Scottish Rite Hospital in Fort Worth, and we do use some for our building’s utilities,” Bullard noted.
Organizers for the ride also offer a few suggestions — that horses be shod, for example, and that riders of horses who tend to kick attach a red warning ribbon to their animal’s tail.
Negative coggins tests are a requirement.
In case of rain, the trail ride will be held Oct 25 — a situation that has never come up, Bullard said.
“We’ve had some times when it rained just before the ride and times when it drizzled a little during the ride, but we’ve never had to postpone the event,” Bullard said.
According to a press release from the lodge, safety is a priority for the riders. Organizers ask participants not to engage in rowdy behavior, not to race their horses and not to ride too close to one another.
All minors must have a legal guardian present during the ride.
Bullard said the trail isn’t particularly difficult, but riders should have some riding experience.
“It’s a fairly easy ride. There aren’t any tall hills or rocky cliffs, but you’re not on the road all the time either,” he said.
Riders can expect a mid-morning break to water their horses and rest a bit, a lunch break and another brief break in the afternoon.
Registration is $20 per adult rider, $10 for students and free for individuals under 12.
For information on the trail ride contact Donnie Offord at (940) 727-8280, Al Smith at (940) 668-2426 or Tim Bullard at (940) 768-2392.
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