Horseback Riding - Dude for a Day!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.