Happy Trails for Wagging Tails set for round two

ALBANY — After the rousing success of this summer’s Happy Trails for Wagging Tails trail ride, event organizers are once again putting together a ride at Chehaw park to benefit the Lee County Animal Shelter.

The fall ride is set for Oct. 8. The brainchild of Kayla Myers, whose father Mike Sistrunk is director of the Lee animal shelter, and Chehaw Director of Public Engagement Morgan Burnette, the ride is as much a labor of love as it is a fundraiser.

“I came up with the idea and wanted to mix something I really enjoy with something that I really love,” said Meyers. “I’ve always been around the animal shelter because my dad runs in. I saw the compassion everyone there has for the animals and I wanted to help.”

And help she has.

Meyers said the inaugural event, which was held in May, helped raise $1,650. The shelter is using those funds to defer the cost of taking care of the animals. Additionally, the shelter was able to place nine animals with good homes at the event, something Sistrunk is hoping will happen again with the second ride.

“We had a lot of supporters,” said Meyers. “We did fantastic. The money we raised allowed us to keep going with low-cost adoptions for quite a while. A lot of animals have found a home.”

Sistrunk said total of nine animals went to new homes on the day of the event.

“Folks adopted four dogs, three cats and two goats,” he said. “We auctioned off the two goats, but the others were adopted. We’ll have about the same number there this time. They’ll all be fixed and have their shots, so families can take them home from the ride.”

The cost to participate in the ride, which will have riders going out into the park’s scenic trails in shifts starting at 9 a.m., is $30. The cost to adopt a cat or dog is $40

“We had 13 riders last time, and we’re anticipating over 30 one this one,” said Sistrunk. “We can accommodate as many that show up. We’re going to stagger the starts depending on the number of riders, so people won’t be crowed on the trail.”

Meyers agreed, saying that many of the riders who participated in the first event have have committed to coming back. And, now that word is out about a trail ride in Albany, she has no doubt even more will come.

“We had a lot of people asking when we’d do it again,” said Meyers. “Almost all of the same ones, plus more, have already agreed to come out. It’s a twice-a-year event now. We just don’t have that many rides in our area that local people can ride in. To be able to bring that close to home, I think, is how we made our success.”

Naturally, having more riders participate equals more funding for the shelter. But organizers say it takes more than just riders to make the event successful.

Because so much of the money that was raised last year came from a silent auction, Sistrunk and Meyers said there will be another one this year. The items for the silent auction are still being collected, but Sistrunk said several businesses and organizations around the community have been willing to help.

So far, Meyers said several entities in the community have lent a hand to volunteer or provide items for the silent auction, such as Deb Haley, Tractor Supply, The Ink Spot, Chattahoochee Horse Archers, The Horse Holster, Ronnie Farr, Kayak Kraze, Kayak Attack Adventures, Dawn Stone, Serene Antiques, the Flint RiverQuarium, Stonehaven Stables and Flint Equipment.

The fall Happy Trails for Wagging Tails will also add a few new wrinkles to the day’s activities, including an obstacle course challenge on which riders can show off their horses’ walking and jumping skills. Additionally, live music will be performed by local artist Anne Cline. Organizers say they hope the festival-like atmosphere will attract visitors who don’t want to do the trail ride.

“I was listening to Anne Cline — I absolutely love her music — and saw she was doing something similar, so I messaged her on Facebook,” said Meyers. “She said she’d love to provide some entertainment. We want to switch things up a little.”

“This way, folks can come out here and have something to do,” added Sistrunk. “Folks will be enjoying themselves throughout the day, and the more people we can get involved, the better. I think it’s a good deal.”

Meyers said there will also be food and other refreshments on site, from Open Roads Smokehouse, which will set up a food truck on site. The cost of lunch is included in the ride entry fee. Those who aren’t riding can purchase food.

“Anybody can come by and have lunch,” said Meyers.

The silent auction, live music, and lunch will start at 11:45 a.m., and the obstacle course challenge will begin at 1 p.m.