Howdy trail riders,

Our window for fall riding is quickly coming to a close with just a couple rides remaining in November before horses and trailers are retired for the winter months. Keep in mind that Hunting Season is in full force and therefore riding horses Monday - Saturday is not a good idea. Thank you to all of this years ride sponsors. What few rides I was able to attend they were great.

In an effort to provide our membership with a new an exciting ride for next year Ray Mercier and I struck out Sunday morning on the railroad bed in Buckfield to scope out some nice trails. After making it to our destination, and finding our way back to the RR bed, we took a moment to look back in time becoming a part of something you would only find on the Dukes of Hazard.

From around the corner up ahead came a pickup truck loaded with young men, pedal floored splashing through huge puddles, water and mud everywhere. Our first reaction was boy these guys are having a good time. Next around the corner was a Oxford County Sheriff's car, blue lights flashing and sirens blaring, and there was Ray and I walking down the center of the trail leaving those poor boys running from the law with no place to go....

Please mark your calendars for November 16 to be in attendance at the Annual Meeting. This is the largest meeting of the year as we will be voting in new officers and directors of MTRA. Please come so your vote counts.

See you on the trails.
Missy

Leesa is doing a wonderful job of putting the site together and keeping it updated. Every time I go in there is something new to look at. Please forward any items of interest, photos, ride information, etc to her at Leesa@LoveItSimple.com She can also be reached at 737-4090 PO Box 175, Richmond, Maine 04357

The Annual meeting is here and the nominating committee is hard at work finding willing members to take on positions of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer as well as 3 Board of Directors Positions.

Last year we had a fun little competition to get memberships paid prior to the Christmas Party in December. Well the membership asked if we could do the same thing this year and so we agreed. Enclosed in this issue is the membership application for 2003. If your membership dues are paid by December 11, 2002 then your name will be put in the drawing to receive your 2003 membership for free. The enclosed form must be completed and accompanied with a payment. Dues received the night of the Christmas part will not qualify.

With the Annual Awards Banquet just 2 months away it is time to begin thinking of this years nominations for the Sportsmanship Award. This award goes to a member or members of the club who have put in countless hours helping out at various club activities and has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Remember that members having received this award in the past 5 years are not eligible.

Past Members
1979 - Eugene Hubert
1980 - Armond Pelletier
1981 - Dana Lary
1982 - Sylvia Tourcotte
1983 - Albert Coffin
1984 - Bertha Pelletier
1985 - Robert Lane
1986 - Lary Felt
1987 - Mary Heald
1988 - Nancy Banks
1989 - Stan Wentworth / Audrey Hobbs
1992 - Dot Saunders
1993 - Ann Chaloux
1994 - Cathy Small
1995 - Missy Haskins
1996 - Earl Brown
1997 - Tom Davis
1998 - Sandy Craig / Sherry Marshall
1999 - Ann Roy
2000 - Dennis Shores
2001 - Marie Butler
2002 ?????????

If you would like to nominate someone for this award, please send your typed or hand written nomination letter to Rob Bourgoin, 825 Church Hill Road, Leeds, Maine 04263.

There will be a Trail Committee Meeting beginning at 5:00 at the club house to discuss the awards for the Annual Banquet a little further as well as the catering and DJ. Notice to Ride Sponsors: if you sponsored a ride this year you will be receiving a special award. Please contact Cathy Small to let her know the size halter your horse wears. Cathy can be reached at 582-2093

The juniors will be meeting at 6:00 on November 16, 2002 to take the Junior test. Scores from this test will be added to riding time, fundraising hours, etc to come up with your participation time for year end. Please come prepared with pen in hand.

Information found under the Tip of the Month may be on the Junior Test at the end of the year.

A rider controls the horse with a bit, the part of the bridle that goes into the horse's mouth