The poker rides I went on were okay and used for fundraiser for a local
Sherrif Possee. They were basically long, fairly boring guided trail rides
up at a State Forest. One time we were able to gather all the folks who
wanted to move a bit faster, and get a "guide" who also would trot out, however,
most of the Sherrif Posse members who were leading the groups were horrified
that people might trot or canter the horses on the trial!
What I heard about once from a fellow that sounded like a whole lot of fun
was what he called a "Bandid Chase." It would be held in an area with
definite trails and boundries (which we had), and was run as a fund raiser (you
pay a certain $ to join)....everyone gathers at the trailhead/camp and saddles
up. Then someone announces something like "Two bandits on a brown and
white horse have stolen $$$ from me, go find them!"
Everyone takes off helter skelter looking for the bandits (for a specified
time). Those who know the trails well just take off, those who don't go out with
a leader (who doesn't know either where they went). Anyone sights the
bandits on the trail gets a "reward."
Another thing we did one time with the local 4-H horse group kids, was also
on about a 5 mile loop trail in this forest. We ran a scavenger hunt up there,
got a bunch of cheap stuff that we hung in trees (hoof picks, bandanas, sponges,
snacks, comb, whistles, etc.). Took kids on the loop and they had to look
pretty carefully, though we had stuff hung fairly close to the trail. The
last tree had carrots hung on loops for the horses. AFter the horses were taken
care of, we sat the kids down and asked them about the stuff they found; that
the purpose might be for trail riding or horse care. The kids later said
it was their favorite activity that whole year.
We've incorporated poker rides at a couple of rides - they work well for
loops to make sure people follow the whole course. Use 4 different decks
so they can't take multiple cards at one stop. Put the cards at the half
way part of the loop. They get one more card when they finish and the
highest hand wins a prize. It adds an element of fun to the ride but not
everyone appreciates having to stop his horse and take a card.
As far as scavenger hunts, check out CMO's -
Competitive Mounted Orienteering, where you get clues and with compasses and
teams of 2 to 6 you find hidden paper plates with something written on
them. You write down what you find and go on to the next
target. Most targets in the fastest time wins. Think the website is
NACMO.org.
Maureen
