Autumn Trails' trail ride to continue

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Ron Stringer of Bryan Mills (east of Naples), enroute to the Autumn Trails trail ride, stopped at several sites along the way to Winnsboro. Also taking a break are friends (below, from left, Barry Griffin of Maud, E.B. Wommack of Dalton, Mr. Griffin (Barry's dad), and Roy Green of Bryan's Mill. This was Stringer's 39th year to ride the trail, and he noted he often works as a 'flagger' for the group. -- Staff photos by Kristy Hemmingsen

October 30, 2003 -- Close to 1,000 riders participated in the 45th Annual Autumn Trails trail ride in Winnsboro over the Oct. 18-19 weekend. And yes, there will be a 46th annual event next year.

"I don't know why that rumor got started, that this was the last year for the ride, but as long as there is an Autumn Trails (celebration), there will be a trail ride," said Mike Banks, Autumn Trails chairman, on Oct. 21.

Banks said this year's event saw over 2,200 people at Winnsboro City Park for the seasonal celebration, and between 900 to 1,000 people rode their horses, mules, or wagons on the 13.7-mile, cloverleaf-shaped trail.

Some of the trail riders travel to the event by horseback and wagon, leaving their homes several days before the ride.

A parade on Friday afternoon, Oct. 17, had over 500 riders participate; and the dance on Saturday night was well attended.

At the trail ride, "we had three little accidents this year, but none were life threatening," Banks said.

Accidents in previous years has led to the deaths of a few trail riders.

"The trail ride has always been the third weekend in October, and it will be again next year," Banks assured.