Happy trails on poker ride

Nearly 200 riders turned out Saturday for the 19th Annual Glenn County Sheriff’s Posse’s Poker Ride in Elk Creek.

Beautiful weather and the scenery of the Eames Ranch drew participants from throughout Northern California to the three-hour adventure that took them over hills, streams and rugged trails - prior to stopping at four checkpoints to pick their  cards.  After they returned to the final checkpoint, their card poker hands were tallied after they picked a fifth card.

Following the ride, participants then gathered for a tri-tip lunch in one of the barns before the winners were announced.

Lindsey and Mike Murdock won the silver belt buckles for their full house at the ride, said ride manager Bruce Billings. Teams of two riders signed up.

The ride kicked off about 10:30 a.m. after an injured rider, Debra Peters, 51, of Hayward, was taken to the hospital by helicopter. No other information on her condition was available.

 This ride included horses of many breeds and colors as quarter horses, Arabians, Appaloosas, paints, Icelandic ponies, draft horses and mules were used. There were palominos, buckskins, bays, blacks, greys and more trekking through the hills.

Marcie Ramirez and Dale Hendrickson came from Woodland to ride in the event for the third year. On their first ride, they won the winning hand and the belt buckles, they said.

The beauty of the ranch and hills is quite different from their regular trails near Woodland, Ramirez said.

“You only ride around ditches,” she said. “You see the same tomato plants.”

Their mounts were “Earl,” a 13-year-old sorrel quarter horse gelding and “Pinky,” a 13-year-old paint mare who are old pros at trail rides, the couple said.

Barbara Schuyler and Cindy Gibson traveled from Vacaville and Woodland with their mules, “Kit” and “Toby.”

 “It’s well organized,” Schuyler said. “We’ve

never won anything, but it is a nice ride with good people.”

Jason Davis of Orland brought his mule, “Irene,” to the event for her first time on the ride. He has come for about seven years, Davis said.

“The horses and mules see everything,” he said. “Water crossings, hills, up and down. It’s a great ride.”

In the meantime, Posse member Bart Leeman tended the tri-tips cooking in metal barrels.

The lunch also included keil basa, garlic bread, homemade chili beans and a salad. “They don’t have any choice on the food,” Leeman said. “We don’t have a menu. It’s just what they get.”

However, fellow cook Dale Rash said “Bart does a good job.” The diners had no complaints.

Money raised from the ride is used for $2,000 in scholarships given to high school students at Orland, Wilows, Elk Creek and Hamilton High schools, said Posse secretary Marian Barron. The students receive $500 each.

The posse also donates to the Sober Grad committees, the buyers’ club at the Glenn County fair and more, she said. It also is trying to build a clubhouse at its rodeo grounds on County Road 21 in Orland.

“We are actively looking for new members, children to adults,” Barron said.

The Posse has 43 members now. Besides the fundraising, the posse also assists the sheriff’s search and rescue unit, does traffic control and more, she said.