50 years and still rolling

June 17 - 19, 2022 were the dates set for the Annual Summer Ride and 50th trail ride with the Circle Trail Riders, Inc.

Young and old alike were busy setting up camp the evening of June 16 at the Hendrickson Park rodeo grounds, one mile west of downtown Sheyenne, N.D. in rural Eddy County.

Teams, wagons, horses, riders, campers and tents were soon assembled, looking like an old frontier settlement. Maybe Daniel Boone would come walking out of the woods?

At 10:20 a.m. on Friday morning, four wagons with teamsters Brent Helseth, Cory Jorgensen, Bill Ziegler and Dale Rosenberg, wagon riders, horseback riders, young and old alike, numbering near 50, were ready to roll on down the trail. Camp was abandoned for a 13 mile ride. Sun was high in the sky. Roadside grass was waving in the breeze as the outfit clopped along. Due to the recent rains and wet conditions, trails were on the soft roads. Still seeing cattle in pastures and uncut hay, moving like waves of the sea.

With 13 miles behind them, they pulled back into camp near 3:30 p.m. A good day with trail boss, Brent Helseth, leading the way. Horses were taken care of and watered. Riders freshened up. Found some shade, shot the breeze and enjoyed a cold beverage. Dusk came and so did the mosquitoes.

Next thing, it's Saturday morning and 75 degrees early. Mother Nature promised a hot, humid day, and she kept her promise. The determined riders hitched up, saddled up and rolled out of camp around 10 a.m.; returning to camp, red faced and sweating, but smiling at about 2:30 p.m.

The riders started with 400 gallons of water for the horses. The Sheyenne Fire Department brought out water and as of Saturday evening over 800 gallons were consumed.

All laid low, waiting for the supper bell to ring. And suddenly, it seemed the riders and food appeared out of thin air and assembled to - once again - enjoy a Circle Trail Riders potluck.

Here, I might add, Rob and Margie Lies never disappointed us. They set up a shade and proceeded to entertain the riders and guests with their country tunes. Always relaxing to hear music floating in the country air.

Following chow, Brent Helseth was presented with a cooler and refreshments on ice as a thank you for being trail boss on this ride. And Ken Reis was given the prestigious Horses Rear Award for 2021. If you want to hear the rest of the story, Ken can fill you in.

Throughout the evening, kids and adults signed up or purchased chances for camp prizes and the annual raffle. President, Cory Jorgensen and wife, Katie, with the help of Secretary, Charlotte Koepplin, emceed the camp prize and kids' prize drawings. Prizes ranged from halters to horse treats to camp chairs to saddle bags and curry brushes and bandannas, only to mention a few.

Then came the drawing for Circle Trail Riders, Inc. annual fundraiser raffle. Finding the happy winners to be: Portable fire pit - Jay Cudworth of Sheyenne, N.D.; Henry .22 rifle - Gayle Dodds of New Rockford, N.D.; Weber Q grill - Kasey Anderson of Carrington, N.D.; Handmade quilt - Joey Wobbema of New Rockford; and Weaver horse tack - Cindy Martin of Martin, N.D.

The tack was donated to Circle Trail Riders, Inc. to be used as a raffle prize. The prize was a beautiful, matching leather bridle and breast collar from the Weaver Company of Mount Hope, Okla., through the Runnings store of Carrington, N.D.

Saturday evening faded into dusk and the mosquitoes swarmed in to say hello, along with rising humidity. See what the morning brings?

Sunny, Sunday morning. Happy Father's Day. Air was heavy with humidity and the temp was rising by the minute. It was unanimously decided to cancel today's ride, for the safety of both man and beast. Camp was folded up through sweat, tears, and goodbyes. Getting home and out of the heat and humidity couldn't come soon enough.

As part of the Circle Trail Riders, Inc. celebrating fifty years in existence, plans were made to assemble wagons and riders in the 4th of July parades in New Rockford and Sheyenne. They got lots of "oohs" and "ahhs" and looked pretty sharp. The city of Sheyenne gave Circle Trail Riders, Inc. a $50 cash prize as the first place winner.

The Circle Trail Riders, Inc. are proud of a half a century in existence. Not missing a year, as the riders promote and carry on the history of pioneer trails in North Dakota for younger generations and have organized trail rides for the enjoyment of its members and guests.

In the beginning and throughout the years, the club continued to grow with new members yearly ever since the first ride in 1973 and its incorporation on April 16, 1975, being registered with the state of North Dakota as a non-profit organization.

We bet our founder and first President, Bart Ludwig, would be proud to know his brain child is still going strong. Some of the youngsters way back when, have married and reared families that are becoming members again, bringing grandkids on rides.

To commemorate this 50th ride, the Circle Trail Riders, Inc. had caps with the trail ride emblem made at Central City Concepts of Carrington and t-shirts, specially ordered from Positive Vibes of New Rockford. We still have caps, if you are interested, call Secretary Charlotte Koepplin at (701) 947-2986.

Happy trails.