Horseback Riding - Dude for a Day! - Sat, Sep 22 2012

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. This is a paid event with payment managed through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.



Horseback Riding - Dude for a Day!


The Basics:
Event Type:Horse
Event Location: Blanche Manor - Copperhill, TN   Horse: Horseback Riding - Dude for a Day!  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Sep 22 2012  9:00 am >> Sat, Sep 22 2012 3:00 pm
Registration Opens: Fri, Aug 17 2012 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Mon, Sep 17 2012 7:00 pm
Event Duration:6 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate (Exploratory)
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Allston
Dianne
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:$133.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:8
Number Registered So Far: 7 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

Okay Atlanta City Slickers- who wants to be a "Dude for a Day?"  Join us as we return to Blanche Manor for a fun new experience.  In the morning our group will get to do some in-ring "rodeo" type activities, followed by a friendly competition for a belt buckle and bragging rights.

We will then head to a local restaurant for a delicious lunch (included in the price). Finally, we'll enjoy a one-hour guided horseback ride along beautiful trails that forge streams and lead to a panoramic view of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

The price includes all of our horseback activities for the day, plus lunch and a souvenir t-shirt for each person.  Both the morning activities and our 1 hour trail ride are appropriate for riders of all levels of experience, including beginners.

Yurts! For those who don't want to get up at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning to drive up, we can rent one or more Yurts on the property for Friday night. Each Yurt sleeps up to six people (four is more comfortable) and they cost $85/night. They are very nice and cozy with porches and efficiency kitchens. Your trip leaders are thinking of doing this, which is why there is no carpool listed.  For more information and photos of the Yurts, visit: http://www.blanchemanor.com/yurts.html

This will be our third trip to Blanche Manor, which is situated on 350 acres and home to a variety of wildlife that includes white-tailed deer, turkey, wild boar, black bear, red fox, coyotes and bobcats.

Professional guides will give complete safety instructions before each portion of our activities. You must ride alone on a horse and there is a weight limit of 220 pounds. No pregnant riders, please!  A helmet will be provided. NOTE: please bring a gratuity of 15 percent per person in order to tip the guide. We are working with the outfitter to have it included in the cost, but this is a backup, just in case.

Payment must be received by September 10th, or you will be dropped from the trip. No exceptions. Cancel on or before Payment date and you will receive a full refund less a $5 administrative fee. No refunds will be provided after September 10th unless someone from the wait list replaces you and pays in full, and then you will be eligible for a refund less the $5 administrative fee. There will be no partial refund for partial attendance, and no refunds for no-shows.

IMPORTANT: If you want to stay Friday night in a Yurt, please add $21.25 to your total and email the Trip Leader to confirm. If we have more than four people per Yurt, you will receive a partial refund.

The event will take place rain or shine. It will be postponed if lightning or some other unforseen weather emergency takes place.

More information about Blanche Manor can be found at their website: http://www.blanchemanor.com.

Following our horseback ride, some or all of us may decide to head into nearby Blue Ridge, GA for shopping or snacks.


Required Items to Bring:

-Please wear long pants -No sandals or flip-flops. Closed toe shoes only! -No water bottle, cell phones or anything loose that could fall on the trail. -If you bring a camera, be sure it can fit in a pocket. It cannot be loose and you do not want it banging against your chest while you ride. Trust us!

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

-Sunscreen -Sunglasses -Camera (see above) -A fun spirit/attitude :) -Food and drink for one dinner and one breakfast if staying Friday night in a Yurt (we could also eat dinner out Friday night as an option)


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Take I-75 North to I-575 North. I-575 turns into 515 North around Canton. Continue North on 515 into Blue Ridge, GA. Then turn left onto Highway 5 North at the McDonalds in Blue Ridge. Go 10.2 miles. Turn left at first stoplight, Tennessee Avenue. Go 3.2 miles (this turns into Mobile road). Turn right on Bethel Church Road, go 0.4 miles. Turn left onto Mount Harmony Church Road, go 1 mile. Turn right onto Deal Hollow. Go 0.2 miles. Turn left at Blanche mailbox and follow signs to barn.


Notes:

We will email or call all event participants about the status of the event in case there is a chance of severe weather


Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

     - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

     - Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.

     - Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.

     - No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

     - Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$133.00/Person
Cost Includes:

The cost includes a horse to ride and riding gear, lunch, a t-shirt, expert guide, helmet, taxes & tip for the guide. Note: Per above, if you want to stay Friday night in a Yurt, please add $21.25 to your total and notify the Trip Leaders immediately by email to confirm.

Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Mon, Sep 17 2012.
Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

Note: If you cancel on or before September 10th, receive a full refund less $5 administrative fee. No refund after September 10th unless someone from the waitlist replaces you, and pays in full, and then you are eligible for refund less $5 administrative fee. There will be no partial refund for partial attendance, and no refunds for no-shows. This event will happen even if it rains, but will be postponed & rescheduled if there is lightning.  In that case, those who cannot make it on the rescheduled date will be eligible for a full refund minus the $5 administrative fee.