Whistlin’ Bit Annual Trail Ride 1948-1989
from the saddle club archives
The 1st Annual Ride took place October 17, 1948 inviting riders from Mason City and Charles City to ride from Pikes Peak to McGregor. With potluck dinner. 60 riders came and 100 with guests enjoyed dinner and ride. The leaves were at their peak.
October 13, 1949 they decided it was time for the 2nd Annual ride, riding from the John Hartwick farm to Beulah Falls this year asking Decorah and Eldora to join. They had potluck and enjoyed the leaves and fellowship.
October 22, 1950 the 3rd Annual ride started at Henry Rekow farm at Luana and had potluck at Old Stone House and rode the scenic trail along the Yellow River.
On it went 1951 through 1960 the second week-end in October. All riders joined the Whistlin’ Bit to see the peak of color Woodbine and Sumac a deep red, Cottonwood, Hackberry and Walnut bright yellow and the glorious Maple in full crimson, Yellow and silver. By this time we are up to 500 riders riding out of National Fair grounds on an ancient dimly visible logging trail to the Mississippi River bringing along a chuck wagon with glorious dinners. There weren’t very many horse trailers, mostly semi’s trucked into the fairgrounds and could house about 200 horses for those coming afar.
In 1962-65 with 511 riders we rode the bluff to look over the Father of Waters. Things are beginning to change. More people are getting trailers and campers, the 4-H is serving lunch at ½ time. One group had their horses sent on a semi and they chartered a bus to bring them.
In 1967 tragedy struck Mrs. Ronnie Brown of Waterloo, was riding down a steep ravine and a puddle was at the bottom with a tree laying on the ground. She attempted to jump the log, the horse panicked and off she went. The ambulance was called and she was toted out on a barn door and taken to Elkader Hospital then onto Waterloo. She had broken vertabra and was paralyzed from the waist down. Later we kept in contact and she began to improve and now is ok.
October 8, 1967 decided a change of scenery. Elkader traveled North to Big Springs. Was cold riding weather. Bad weather hinderd the ride back through Pony Hollow.
In 1968 a record number 1,076 traveled from the National Fairgrounds to Sny Magill Creek Area. The weather and leaves were beautiful.
In 1969 bad weather struck and the ride was cancelled. A semi turned to short into the entrance and tipped with 22 head of horses aboard. All the horses had to be jumped from the truck to the ground before they could pull it out. Rain, snow and sleet.
In 1970 we hoped for a record breaker 706 riders showed. They rode the trail they used in 1962 so was hard to tell where we rode.
In 1971 we set a record again with 941 horses. Boasting we had the largest one day ride in the country. We all worked hard to put on a good ride. Prayed for good weather and the lunches were always great. Enjoyed meeting new faces and enjoyed reminiscing with the old timers.
October 14, 1973 was our 25th Anniversary so we tried to out do ourselves. Having a short ride on Saturday for those who came a long way. Had a dance band, by Country Roads. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church from Garnavillo served the food. Weather was great set a new record of 1,161 horses. We were really proud.