On The Pegs November 2018 - Volume 3 - Issue 11 | Page 136

On The Pegs
P 138
On The Pegs
Vol. 3 Issue 11 - November 2018
P 139
BACK TO SADDLEBACK EAST
LUCAS CONLEY
By: Stephanie Vetterly
October 20th, 2018
In 1991, 12 individuals joined together and purchased 100 acres of land in Bed-
ford, Kentucky. Initially used for woods riding, Saddleback East Motorcycle Club
quickly grew to host trials events starting in 1992, hare scrambles in 1993, and
has built 3 different motocross tracks hosting numerous events throughout the
year. Since then, the club has grown to 150 members and almost 700 acres. RV
hook-ups, beautiful heated bathroom facilities, and a bike-wash station are just
some of the amenities available on-site.
“The Dixie Cup” is the aptly-named annual trials event hosted at the Saddle-
back East facility and is part of the Trials Incorporated competition series. Started
in 1992, the first Dixie Cup was overseen by trials master Jerry Huddleston, one
of the first members at Saddleback East. Jerry has been heavily involved in the
sport of motorcycle trials since the mid-1970’s and was even inducted into the
Trials Inc Hall of Fame at the 2017 club banquet.
2018 marked the 26th annual Dixie Cup, and Saddleback shows no signs of
ZACHARY POULTON
slowing down. “The attendance each year can be all over the place,” says cur-
rent trials master Brad Baumert. “It has ranged from 120 riders to 50 riders,
depending on weather, economic conditions, and placement in the schedule.
Turn-out does not affect the amount of work to get it ready, so we do not pay
much attention to it. We just work each year so that the riders that attend ride
a quality event and have as much fun as possible.” That is exactly what Saddle-
back East has done.
Saddleback gives riders a varied trials experience. Leading riders through
a beautiful forest on a rather low-difficulty trail, riders compete in a section
formed from the foundation of an old barn, several off-camber/hill sections,
creek sections, and several stadium sections that are a stones-throw away from
the pits. Taking first place on Saturday, and seventh place on Sunday, Kentucky-
based Sportsman rider Zachary Poulton currently stands in second place for the
season championship. Having two event wins over Zachary, Donald Buckley
secured the top podium for the Sportsman championship before advancing to
the Advanced class for the last event of the season. Securing third place in the
Sportsman class is Ohio rider Richard Calendine.