When it rains, it pours

On my 79th birthday, I would like to spend the day reading a book, watching CNN and maybe telling boring stories about parks to loved ones. Same thing I did for my 24th birthday…

At the annual City Slicker Endurance Ride on March 16 at the park, one tough guy celebrated his 79th birthday by completing his 10,000th mile on horseback in endurance competition right here at Shelby Farms Park.

At that same race, riders from across the country braved the rain to complete their ride. Unfortunately, when it rains, the trails get soggy. And when the trails get soggy, the effects of regular, everyday park-user pounding are multiplied. Any use of the trails up to a few days after a big rain is damaging. That includes walking, biking, hiking, skipping, crawling and frolicking. So, you can imagine how the hooves of 84+ horsies in the rain can really thump the trails. The Shelby Farms Equestrian Alliance (the host of the City Slicker Endurance Ride) is a valued park user group whose members frequently lead and organize trail maintenance and repair days for the Shelby Farms Volunteer Trail Crew. Several of its members have completed trail training and workshops, and they lend us the benefit of their knowledge when our trails need TLC.

Fortunately, Mother Nature has a way of mending herself. And the Trail Crew has a way of mending what Mama can’t. The Equestrian Alliance has identified several places on the trails that need some attention, and whatever another good rain can’t smooth over, a little elbow grease can.

While we’re on the topic of horses, I went for a trail ride at the park this weekend and had a blast. I giggled the whole way like a little girl on a pony. If you have the chance, visit the Stables at Shelby Farms and go for a ride of your own. May I recommend the last ride of the day? I saw at least a dozen deer, and it was magical. You can call the stables at 1-877-9-SHELBY to get more info.