Deerfield Valley Trail Rides

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Ruritans Fall Ride Sept 19 - 21, 2008

What You Need to Know

Directions Frequently Asked Questions Rules Application

The fall ride in Deerfield is sponsored by the Deerfield Ruritan Club. Most of the proceeds of the ride will go to maintaining the Community Building which began its life as the Deerfield Elementary School. It currently houses a library station (Augusta County Library), meeting rooms for the Ruritans, VFW and other organizations, a summer children's recreation program and provides space for family reunions and other gatherings in the community.

Camping

Camping will be on the Community Building grounds, the adjoining Community Park. Large rigs may be asked to park in an area that is easier for them to access. Everyone will be asked to limit the size of electric fences. If you are using an electric fence, please leave access to the trees for those using tie lines. There are trees scattered around for tie lines but no horse will be allowed to chew trees. There is plenty of water at the Building as well as flush toilets. There will be horse water in stock tanks located in the field. Showers are available at the Fire House, about 0.5 miles away, on Route 629. Please no open fires on the field. Meals will start with dinner Friday and end with breakfast on Sunday. Saturday dinner at 6:30, breakfasts at 7:30, Saturday lunch delivered on the trail. Veterinary services will be available from Westwood Animal Hospital, 540-337-6200 and a farrier will be on call. There will be a phone for emergency (credit card only) calls out.

Friday

Riders may arrive anytime Friday. Please sign in when you arrive and pick up your name tag, which will be your meal ticket, and other materials. There will be a short, two to three hour marked ride for Friday with an optional longer loop. You may start riding anytime but please sign out so the management knows you're on the trail and make sure you are familiar with the camp and trail rules (found elsewhere on this site). Plan to leave early enough to return to the camp before dark. Dinner will be served from approximately 6 p.m. until a reasonable hour to accommodate late arrivals.

Saturday

Saturday you may leave between 9 and 10 a.m. so that everyone arrives at lunch between 11:30 and 1:30. The marked ride will be across Route 629 on Benson Run trails. Please use extreme caution crossing Route 629. Horses should be conditioned and shod. You may ride at your own pace; if your horse is not accustomed to the terrain, take your time and enjoy the views when you stop for breathers on the uphill portions. All trails will be marked with tape on right, two streamers indicate a turn. Confusing turns will be marked with pie plates. Since the route will retrace itself, there will be markers on both sides. See your map and route sheet

Sunday

Sunday's ride will be two to three hours. Use extreme caution when crossing the road, the surface is extremely slippery for shod horses. Do not go faster than a walk on the hard surface and dismounting would be a good idea. There is no particular check out time. Everyone is asked to thoroughly clean the campsites, putting all manure and hay in the trailers or designated places.

We look forward to seeing you all in Deerfield!