"Get a good caterer, one that does it all. Makes the food, collects the money, and feeds the masses." Heidi
RIDE HOST ACCOLADES
Caroline Gilmore
White Horse Photography
Above a Junior Rider crosses an obstacle, below, a group of riders with their ribbons from the day's ride
starts with one who has experienced an AOC or CTC themselves. Being a competitor gives a ride host added insight, a good feel for what riders are looking for and how things work.
Heidi goes out of her way to offer additional recognition to her riders, something that every rider is eligible for, including buddy riders. A $60 Safety Award is awarded to the rider who carries on the trail with them a bottle of drinking water, knife, hoof pick, identification, halter, lead rope and is wearing an approved helmet.
Like all ride hosts Heidi knows that a good support staff is crucial to hosting a successful event. Besides her husband Marvin and John and Cece Daly, Heidi has a long list of devoted volunteers who all make these events possible. With Heidi’s new found confidence she is not only an ACTHA competitor and successful ride host she volunteers for ACTHA behind the scenes as a member of the Steering Committee, as a proofreader of training manuals, and the ever enthusiastic whatever you need me to do volunteer at ACTHA’s Great America’s Trail Horse Festivals.