Santa Fe Trail Ride and Wagon Train

Welcome Trail Ride Participants!!

January 29-February 6, 2021

We hope all is well for you and your family during this unusual time. Currently plans for this years' Trail Ride are under way with just a few changes. I have taken the reins as Committee Chairman with Jeff “Bull” Rutledge as my Co-Chairman. Also, this year Alfredo Martinez will be taking the helm as Trail Boss with Jerry Bynum as Assistant Trail Boss/Wagon Master. Please give them your support and respect because as you know this is a demanding job.

This years’ route will have just a few changes with us kicking off at the Copeland Ranch on Knight Canyon Road. The route will be similar but we are currently working out the final details with a “round robin” style ride.

There will be no brochure this year so please watch for updates on the website or on Facebook prior to the ride and as cell service permits.

We want to respect our ranchers wishes so please do not arrive at the ranch until after 12 noon on Friday January 29, 2021.

One of the many suggestions we received last year was to bring back the auction. We listened and the auction will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2021, afternoon with a brisket dinner and all the trimmings to follow. We will try not to run too late since the next day is a longer ride. All proceeds of the auction will benefit the Stock Show Scholarship Fund. It’s a lot of fun. If you have a nice item you would like to donate just let us know at registration.

In response to your suggestion, rig move will be each afternoon following the ride unless announced otherwise. Announcements will be at the evening meal, however we have added a communication board to the chuckwagon.

Breakfast and lunch will be on your own, with dinner being a catered meal. Coffee and snacks will be available each morning at the chuckwagon.

As suggested, we will have more scouts available to ride front, middle, and rear to help you enjoy a safe ride. Timely "comfort" morning stops and lunch breaks are expected.

We try to make our ride as authentic with as much cross-country riding as possible. We know our ride is different from most in that we are trying to do it the way our ancestors did. It’s not for all folks, but as long as these great ranches let us, we will continue to ride the trails. We look forward to seeing each of you. Hope to see you in January.

Continue checking the website or our Facebook page for updates.

May God be with you and keep you safe during your travels.

Until then, Happy Trails!

Tabitha Baker, Chairman

Jeff Rutledge, Co-Chairman

Look for daily details and helpful hint on our Santa Fe Trail Ride and Wagon Train Facebook page and on the daily entries on this link.

Rules & Regulations

• Proof of current negative Coggins required.
• Everyone must be registered and have a Badge that is visible at all times. Meals will not be served without it!
• All animals must be in good general health & good physical condition to be allowed on the trail.
• All riders and wagons must obey direction of the trail boss and scouts.
• NO DRINKING WHILE MOUNTED
• Alcohol will only be allowed at night in camp.
• Riders under 18 must have a sponsor.
• No display of any weapons (illegal knives, handguns, shotguns, rifles, firearms) or uncontrollable horses allowed on the ride.
• Each person must clean up their own campsite, including manure, hay, before leaving a stop to move forward. If the Fort Concho stall is used, you must sign in/out and clean stall the day of the parade.
• In case of an emergency, notify a committee member and/or check the chuckwagon communication board.
• No riding double except for adults with young children.
• Wagons must have breeching harnesses and brakes. If your wagon has a designated scout, they must be properly identified by the trail boss.
• Riders on right side (shoulder) of the pavement, scouts on the left & must stay behind the front wheels of the lead wagon.
• Borium or rubber shoes highly recommended.
• No riding bareback, trick-riding, roping, littering, cursing or fighting.
• Anyone that gets out of hand at any time will be called down and if necessary asked to leave the ride.
• Vehicles are not allowed to follow the ride.
• All pets must be secured at your campsite/on wagon at all times.
• No tying horses to fences during the ride; violators will be responsible for paying for any damages.
• Generators should be muffled and of reasonable noise level.
• Do not play loud music when requested by scouts on the trail or when staying up late at night.
• No illegal drugs.
• Red ribbons will need to be tied on horses that kick.
• Make sure you have appropriate clothing and a place to stay at night.
• Bring water buckets, there are not any watering troughs.
• Park your rig in a manner that will not allow your horse to damage any vehicles or other animals.
• Riders should carry protective rain gear on their saddles at all times.
• Riders must respect each other at all times.

Warning:Under the Texas law (Chapter 87, Civil Practice and Remedies Code), a farm animal professional is not liable for any injury to or the death of a participant in farm animal activities resulting from the inherent risks of farm animal activities.