It had been an intense weekend of ACTHA competition at the Von Holten Ranch in Mora, Missouri, earlier in the summer, bringing friends together once again. We were all very excited about the upcoming Great American Trail Horse Festival and wanted to show our support and represent the Midwest by forming a club to compete for the Spirit Award and the High Point Club Award.
We had been discussing names but nothing had been agreed upon until it was brought to our attention that we were not Over the Hill, but simply At the Top of the Ridge. The name instantly became our Club Name. As we began planning our strategy for winning the Club Awards we had tee shirts and sweatshirts made. Glenda McCoy decided we needed a banner and so one was made! The Wizard of Oz theme was readily embraced by our group as everyone knows that "Dorothy, you are no longer in Kansas". We were well represented by the wicked witch, Glenda the good witch, cowardly lion, tin man, scarecrow, set director and of course Dorothy to complete the Wizard of Oz setting. The gang also supported the other themes by dressing accordingly. It is amazing how creative we can be when it comes to costumes. It was so exciting to plan and see all of the different ideas that everyone showed up with regarding the themes. It certainly proved that our equine partners were very tolerant of us.
ACTHA is the one common thread among us. We represent several breeds ranging from gaited to non gaited, registered, grade and rescue horses. Each of them having a place in their respective owner's hearts. Our rider's backgrounds are also very diverse, from stable owner, barrel racers, Parelli instructor, western dressage, ranch pleasure and trail riders. ACTHA competition has provided a venue to improve our horsemanship and team building skills with our equine partners, while giving us the added bonus of riding on awesome trails while building lasting friendships along the way. The Von Holten Ranch in Mora, Missouri has offered us a great experience each time we complete there, making it a great place for us to see our old friends and continuously make new ones along our ACTHA journey.
After a hard day of competition the Gang usually has a group gathering for the evening meal. This is one of the highlights of the day, as we have many excellent cooks in our group who readily share their awesome culinary delights. Gathering around the campfire to try a new wine or cocktail beverage while catching up on what has happened since we last saw each other is another favorite activity.
The Gang sends a big thank you to ACTHA for providing the events which have lead us to making such lasting friendships throughout our years of competition. We look forward to many more years of competitions and hopefully another big Fall Festival in Mora! More >>
"The Top of the Ridge Gang captured the high point award for our placing's at the Great American Trail Horse Festival enabling us to donate our winnings to therapeutic riding center (Ozarks Equine Therapy Center) and Douglas County Trail Riders whose furnace quit earlier this year."
Nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains beside a roaring fire, under a moonlit sky, the Top of the Ridge Gang was borne.
By Jana Berry Moore
GREAT AMERICAN TRAIL HORSE FESTIVAL
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