Area riders back in the saddle again for Hershberger Benefit Ride
Whoopi-ty-aye-oh
Rockin’ to and fro
Back in the saddle again
Whoopi-ty-aye-yay
I go my way
Back in the saddle again
The lyrics of Gene Autry’s famous cowboy song Back In the Saddle Again would be a perfect introduction to what took place on Saturday, Sept. 17 in southern Wayne County.
Any tourists traveling along Hogback Road around 9 a.m. may have had an unexpected holdover, but the majesty and wonder of an impressive line of horses and riders would certainly have made for a wonderful and grand memory.
A total of 350 riders on horseback saddled up and traversed over several roadways, and through the woods and fields of southern Wayne County for the 13th annual Andy Hershberger Benefit Trail Ride.
The riders gathered for a prayer at around 8:45 a.m., and then found their way to their horses as they prepared to take on the three-hour journey in the farmland and woodlands surrounding Hogback Road near Maysville.
Traffic was then stopped as the horses and riders began following leader and event organizer Eli Miller as the caravan crossed Hogback Road, venturing along the fence line and eventually disappearing into a gap in the woods on the other side of the road. The ride took on the appearance of a large parade consisting of only horse and rider, as the proceedings took close to 30 minutes for all of the riders to actually get out on the course.
It was little wonder that the entourage had a number of interested bystanders, as well as those who waited for the line-up to move along past Hogback Road.
The benefit ride was created 12 years ago to benefit Andy Hershberger, an avid rider. Over the years the ride has helped to pay for a portion of Hershberger’s growing medical bills. According to Miller, while the ride continues to support Hershberger, who experienced a fall 12 years ago and was paralyzed and is now in a wheelchair, a portion of the money this year will also go toward providing financial support for the Mark R. Yoder family, who are also experiencing medical hardship.
Once across Hogback Road, the ride headed north through several pastures and wooded areas, circling past Mauer Road, through more woods and across Harrison Road, before circling back through Hogback. The event is open to everyone who shares the love of riding horseback, and takes around three hours. There are also plenty of fun activities following the ride.
The benefit ride may have ended after the three hour long journey, but the joy on horseback didn’t stop there. Upon returning to the Miller farm and eating, there were a number of exciting contests to continue the day. The afternoon activities included an Extreme Cowboy Race, where horseback riders showcased their riding skills through an obstacle course of challenges, barrel races, pole bending, jumping and jousting contests that challenged the riders’ accuracy and steady hand while riding on horseback, as well as plenty of challenging games for the kids.
There was also a local horseback drill team which performed for the crowd on hand.
Funds for the event are raised through sponsorships secured by those who participate in the ride, and this year, the top sponsored rider received a new intricate, handmade saddle created by Jr. Miller of Charm. “Jr. is a very talented craftsman, and it’s a beautiful saddle,” said Miller. “It’s very unique, and we have lots of people who really go out and try to secure sponsors just to have a chance to win that saddle.”
Miller said that while it takes a lot of hard work to put it together, everyone always has a good time. From the most avid riders to novices and kids on ponies, the ride continues to be a staple for those who love to ride, and who have compassion in supporting those around them, like Andy Hershberger, who have fallen on unfortunate circumstances and need the support of others.
“We’ve gotten great support from everyone over the past years, and this is always a special day for those of us who have been involved,” said Miller. “There’s a lot of responsibility any time you get this many horses and riders together, but it really is an enjoyable day for all of us in so many ways.”
On this perfect day, with sunny skies and cool temperatures, it was an excellent way for the riders to fulfill Autry’s words, as he used to sing, “I’m back in the saddle again. Out where a friend is a friend.”
Rockin’ to and fro
Back in the saddle again
Whoopi-ty-aye-yay
I go my way
Back in the saddle again
The lyrics of Gene Autry’s famous cowboy song Back In the Saddle Again would be a perfect introduction to what took place on Saturday, Sept. 17 in southern Wayne County.
Any tourists traveling along Hogback Road around 9 a.m. may have had an unexpected holdover, but the majesty and wonder of an impressive line of horses and riders would certainly have made for a wonderful and grand memory.
A total of 350 riders on horseback saddled up and traversed over several roadways, and through the woods and fields of southern Wayne County for the 13th annual Andy Hershberger Benefit Trail Ride.
The riders gathered for a prayer at around 8:45 a.m., and then found their way to their horses as they prepared to take on the three-hour journey in the farmland and woodlands surrounding Hogback Road near Maysville.
Traffic was then stopped as the horses and riders began following leader and event organizer Eli Miller as the caravan crossed Hogback Road, venturing along the fence line and eventually disappearing into a gap in the woods on the other side of the road. The ride took on the appearance of a large parade consisting of only horse and rider, as the proceedings took close to 30 minutes for all of the riders to actually get out on the course.
It was little wonder that the entourage had a number of interested bystanders, as well as those who waited for the line-up to move along past Hogback Road.
The benefit ride was created 12 years ago to benefit Andy Hershberger, an avid rider. Over the years the ride has helped to pay for a portion of Hershberger’s growing medical bills. According to Miller, while the ride continues to support Hershberger, who experienced a fall 12 years ago and was paralyzed and is now in a wheelchair, a portion of the money this year will also go toward providing financial support for the Mark R. Yoder family, who are also experiencing medical hardship.
Once across Hogback Road, the ride headed north through several pastures and wooded areas, circling past Mauer Road, through more woods and across Harrison Road, before circling back through Hogback. The event is open to everyone who shares the love of riding horseback, and takes around three hours. There are also plenty of fun activities following the ride.
The benefit ride may have ended after the three hour long journey, but the joy on horseback didn’t stop there. Upon returning to the Miller farm and eating, there were a number of exciting contests to continue the day. The afternoon activities included an Extreme Cowboy Race, where horseback riders showcased their riding skills through an obstacle course of challenges, barrel races, pole bending, jumping and jousting contests that challenged the riders’ accuracy and steady hand while riding on horseback, as well as plenty of challenging games for the kids.
There was also a local horseback drill team which performed for the crowd on hand.
Funds for the event are raised through sponsorships secured by those who participate in the ride, and this year, the top sponsored rider received a new intricate, handmade saddle created by Jr. Miller of Charm. “Jr. is a very talented craftsman, and it’s a beautiful saddle,” said Miller. “It’s very unique, and we have lots of people who really go out and try to secure sponsors just to have a chance to win that saddle.”
Miller said that while it takes a lot of hard work to put it together, everyone always has a good time. From the most avid riders to novices and kids on ponies, the ride continues to be a staple for those who love to ride, and who have compassion in supporting those around them, like Andy Hershberger, who have fallen on unfortunate circumstances and need the support of others.
“We’ve gotten great support from everyone over the past years, and this is always a special day for those of us who have been involved,” said Miller. “There’s a lot of responsibility any time you get this many horses and riders together, but it really is an enjoyable day for all of us in so many ways.”
On this perfect day, with sunny skies and cool temperatures, it was an excellent way for the riders to fulfill Autry’s words, as he used to sing, “I’m back in the saddle again. Out where a friend is a friend.”
Published: September 22, 2011
