When Debbie Gainey, my photographer, and I are out on a photo shoot we often talk about horses. She has a couple of horses that she adores and I often reminisce about the good old days when I used to do show jumping. So it came as a nice surprise when she called to invite me on a trail ride that was organized by the Lake Butler Riding Club to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. I haven’t been in the saddle for years and making myself take some time off to do this seemed like a great idea.

The field was packed full of horse trailers. Approximately one hundred and two riders from the age of four to seventy were saddled up and horses and ponies ready for the ten mile ride across Avery Roberts Ranch which is between Lake Butler and McClenny. It was a sight right out of a Western movie.

As I had done all my riding in England I had rarely seen a western saddle except on American TV shows, this trail ride was amazing as it was so totally different from what I had seen at home. I was actually sitting in a western saddle, cowboy boots and all!

We rode for several miles past forests of pine trees and farm land and stopped at a rustic hunting lodge for lunch where I could have imagined John Wayne feeling at home. After a cowboy’s meal we saddled up and headed back, by this point I was beginning to feel like the guys in the movie City Slickers with Billy Crystal as I felt every stride back to camp…my legs were killing me! Remember I had not been on a horse in years and a ten mile ride was a very long way for someone that normally sits behind a desk. I must say I was quite proud of myself for finishing but thought I would have to get a crane to remove myself from the horse….I was so stiff!

This was a day I will always remember, I met new friends, had some great food, saw beautiful scenery and it was all for a great cause.

Here are just a few of Good Life Community’s friends that donated to this great cause:

• Kim Arnett, Vicky McCoy, Kris Todd, Dani O’Steen, Kristina Cook and Jamie Todd of High Springs Hair Designs
• Matt Hurley & Family of Waccassassa Plantation, High Springs
• Dr. Michelle Orris of Tioga Dental Associates, Gainesville
• Davis & Judy Rembert
• Austin Gainey of A.G. Builders, LLC, Alachua & Columbia County
• Jeff Mamuzich of The Well Doctor, High Springs
• Ernie Orcutt of Ernie’s Southern Off Road & Performance, High Springs
• Joey Todd of Underground Impressions, High Springs
• Diane Thompson of Feather Your Nest, High Springs
• Great Outdoors Restaurant, High Springs
• Newberry Insurance Group
• David Hall’s Air Conditioning & Heating
• Bennett’s True Value, High Springs
• Sun Country Sports Center, Gainesville
• Dr. Howe of Active Chiropractic