By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

It takes a lot of work to ensure an organized and safe trail ride. Pictured above (from left) are Debbie Beck, director; Vernon Leuschner, head scout; Novella Heffington, trail boss; Carolyn McKee, director; and Sheri Wise, assistant trail boss. — Staff photo by Taylor

April 4, 2006 - It may be an “old-fashioned” way to get to the fair and rodeo, but the 2nd Annual Texas Star Trail Ride to start off the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo was a huge success, according to Honorary Trail Boss Jack Borchers of New Braunfels, and Trail Boss Novella Heffington of Austin.

This year’s event started on March 3 in Kovar, with riders going through Smithville, Bastrop, Rockne, and Elgin and finally into the “Manor Ghost Town” and on to the fair and rodeo grounds on March 11. Rodeo Austin just completed a run from March 11 to March 25.

At the height of the ride, there were around 60 riders and seven wagons involved in the final day of the trail ride, noted Heffington. The riders rode over 14 miles a day, on average, with great weather for the entire ride. (The ride goes on, rain or shine!)

Honorary Trail Boss Jack Borchers readies his ride for the day’s journey. — Courtesy photo

Something unusual to most trail rides was the fact that both the Trail Boss and Assistant Trail Boss, Sheri Wise, were women. Heffington explained that she’s ridden all of her life, and this was her second time as a Trail Boss. This meant she was responsible for picking out the route, mail outs to riders, purchasing flags and other materials necessary for the ride, and many other detailed tasks. The hardest part was planning the route, Heffington shared.

Each morning, the riders drove their vehicles to the next site and were taken back to their horses/wagons in a van, so everything would be in place, once the day’s ride was completed. There, they were treated to a catered, chuckwagon dinner, along with lunches, each day of the trip.

Heffington expressed her gratitude for the great support the group has received since their formation, last year. By the end of the ride, the non-profit organization was able to give back to the youth of the livestock show by participating as a buyer, due to the financial support for the ride.  

Borchers, who has been a trail boss on various rides, is planning a trip to ride in Germany with a friend who has ridden with him in New Braunfels rides. It will be interesting, he noted, to see how German trail rides compare to Texas events; and he’s looking forward to many more rides during the year.

Many of the riders come from various parts of Texas for the trail rides, and say it’s really a “type of recreation.” They get to visit with friends they only see a few times a year.  Brothers Roger and Robert Pryor of the Waco area said they have been enjoying the rides for years, but if the government decides to implement the proposed Premises Identification regulations, they may have to quit. (But, that’s a completely different story that may affect many trail riders in the future.)