Okie-Arkie Cloverleaf Trail Ride Scheduled for Oct. 14

When fall arrives, the fun begins with the Okie-Arkie Trail Ride’s Oct. 14 Cloverleaf Trail Ride near historic Dwight Mission and Marble City.

Glen Dale Woody is the current trail boss. Robert Vinson, assistant trail boss, said Wednesday that the 48th annual, 100-mile event will take horse riders from north of Tahlequah on Highway 10 near Hanging Rock all the way to Fort Smith, Ark., over six days. Once the riders get to Fort Smith they will take part in the Old Fort Days Rodeo parade, Vinson said.

Vinson said the event would not be possible without the landowners who allow riders to travel on their land, especially the late Leland and Jana Choate (below), who were “instrumental” in keeping the event going. The couple passed away in July, Vinson said. “We wouldn’t be able to do this without everyone’s help.”

The late Leland and Jana Choate hand-in-hand 

during one of their many trail rides together.

On Tuesday, Oct. 3, riders and their horses will assemble at the Choate residence, which is 9 miles north of Sallisaw and 3 miles south of Marble City. The ride-out time will be at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14. Riders are asked NOT to camp at the Choate residence before Sunday, Oct. 11.

Breakfast and dinner in camp will be catered by Happy Belly’s BBQ. Lunch and snacks will be available on the trail as well. There will also be a small service honoring the Choates.

A potluck supper will be held Saturday evening, Oct. 17. The Okie-Arkie Trail Ride, Inc., will furnish the meat, beans and vegetable for the meal, and riders are asked to bring breads or desserts. Everyone is asked to bring their own silverware and plate.

The following rules and regulations will be in place:

*No stallions will be permitted on any ride

*No one is allowed to pass the pacesetter without permission from the trail boss. No rough riding and no passing on the trail is permitted without permission. Trail courtesy will be strictly enforced

*The trail boss, Robert Vinson, and camp boss Corky Culbert and their assistants have absolute authority

*Children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult member who will assume responsibility

*No intoxicating liquids on the trail, no littering and no blocking the trail, no ropes and no guns. No dogs or pets of any kind

*The Okie-Arkie Club shall not be responsible for accidents or theft

*All camp areas must be clean before leaving them

*All camp activities will cease by 11 p.m.

*No rider age 18 or younger participating in any Okie-Arkie Trail Ride, Inc., function shall use any hard-and-fast restraint equipment to secure themselves to their equine and/or saddle in any manner

*There will be NO leading of riderless horses on the trail except in the case of an emergency.

For more information or to find out how to become a member, call or write Debbie Dilbeck, (918) 637-4280 or P.O. Box 95, Porter OK 74454. You may also visit the Okie-Arkie Trail Ride, Inc.’s Facebook page.

Laura Brown, KXMX Staff Writer

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