I was unaware of the annual trail ride to benefit the Flint Hill Volunteer Fire Company until asked to take photos this year but it has been held for the past few years on more than 700 spectacular acres in the Virginia Piedmont region. The gracious land owners host the two day trail ride, permit overnight camping and provide food to the participants. Two trails were marked, one 14 miles and the other 7 miles; some riders finished one, ate lunch at the campsite and went back out to ride the other. Whether you normally show, foxhunt or trail ride, this is definitely an event to put on your calendar for next year.
The first part of the trail was through the woods, with stream crossings.
Then it wound up into the mountains before coming back down.
People rode alone
And with friends. But in all directions the scenery was stunning.
I was fascinated by the camp site where people strung up paddocks with a few sticks and twine. These enclosures wouldn’t have contained my dogs, let alone my horses, yet these horses were content to stay put.
I doubt I’ll be taking photos again next year because I fully intend to ride!