Arizona Fox Trotter Association

5^th ANNUAL NATIONAL TRAIL RIDE
Wickenburg, Arizona
by Judy Kipen

Without a doubt, this was a ton of fun!  Seventy eager riders from all over the country gathered together at the Wickenburg Rodeo grounds in Arizona on Friday, January 13.  The Mattfields clocked up the most miles-all the way from Minnesota for a whopping 2050 miles traveled!  A lot of our regulars joined us from Missouri, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa and yep, even Arizona!  The welcome packets and beautiful Wickenburg t-shirts were handed out along with the “roadmap for the weekend“.  The campers set up camp and were ready for the orientation Friday nite.  

The first ride Saturday was to the Box on the Hassyampa river.  The riders were in awe gazing at the dinosaur and bears in the famous Dina sour Canyon.  Everyone had a great time gaiting in the shallow waters of the Hassyampa.  However, it is said that anyone who drinks this river water is never is able to tell the truth again.  Our famous caterer, Jeff, met us just past the Box with delicious barbeque, beans, chips dessert and soft drinks.  We were back in camp early enough to rest up for the evenings festivities. Danny Ray Poff entertained us and many had enough energy left to do some serious two-stepping around the campfire.  We did get 18 inches or rain-that is 18 inches between rain drops!  Some scurried off to their nice dry campers while the rest of us braved the lite rain and kept dancing until 9:30!  What a great time!  As one camper put it, “Anyone can have a trail ride, but you guys throw one heck of a party!”  

We were all ready and willing for the Sunday ride.  One group opted for a longer ride taking them to the Red Top Mountain ridge trail.  A shorter ride was also offered which included some breathtaking views of Blue Tank Wash.  

Mondays ride was nice and level-perfect for letting those fox trotters show their stuff! What fun! Everyone came back to camp with a huge smile!  What can be better than riding a fine foxtrotter on a beautiful day in Arizona?  It just doesn’t get any better!  Then it was time to say farewell to all, but NOT goodbye!  Lets all do this again next year!