40 NEBRASKAland • OCTOBER 2018
And after 20 years, many of these riders have become
regulars, returning year after year – some coming back with
growing families.
"There's at least one lady who comes every year, ever
since she was a 4-H youth in summer camp," said Dewey
Teel, 4-H Trail Ride co-chair.
And those who don't ride, the delicious Saturday night
steak dinner and live and silent auctions are enough to
convince many locals to enter the forest.
"Whether or not a person comes to ride, most like to see
that their money is going to something that is local to the
Sandhills region," said Teel.
With large stands of forest and seemingly endless, wide
open spaces, 4-H trail ride guides have access to about 30 miles
of trails within 10-12 sections. Morning rides on Saturday and
Sunday are considered short at approximately 4-6 miles, while
the Saturday afternoon ride ranges between 10-12 miles.
"You can see for miles and miles in the Sandhills areas.
But when you get into the forest – even if you're messing
around for only a minute or two – you can't see very far and
you can get lost," said Bruce Treffer, a
4-H Camp Trail Ride
charter committee member.
Additionally, if scheduling allows, riding clinics are
available in some years, taught by horse experts who want to
share their skills and knowledge. They may include exercises
such as opening and closing gates, learning how to ride over
natural obstacles and desensitizing activities.
Trail leaders recommend that first timers practice riding
out with others before coming to the trail ride, which can be
overwhelming to some horses.
"There's an impact in seeing so many horses going out
that first time," said Teel. But once here, to ride as part of a
