The second annual Polly Ann Pony Express ride began at 10 a.m. on June 6th. Riders had the option of choosing five different routes. The most popular was the Hollow Corners Station route of 11 miles. Judge Mike Ledford said, ‘It was hard to pick out the winners because they were all outstanding riders.? Katie Baxter from Columbiaville riding her quarter horse, Lakota, took First Place. Tara Lavallee, Bernadette Jolly from Dryden and Mike Thorman from Lum won Runner Up.
Russ Underwood President of the Friends of the Polly Ann of Dryden, was awarded the Landowners Appreciation Trophy.
Shirley and George Clancy of Addison Township won the 50/50 raffle and donated their winnings back to the Polly Ann Equestrians. The trail ride brought in $1,144 and had around 57 riders and participants. The 50/50 raffle took in $598.00. The money collected will go for gates; horse stalls for the Trailhead and trail improvements
Veteran rider, Randy Davisson of Oxford says, ‘I worked on the Polly Ann railroad when I was fresh out of high school.? Since then he and his horse Eli has covered the North American Continent on horseback and says of the Trail, ‘It’s wonderful and I’d like to see it continue even further!?
Some first time riders on the trail were Coordinator of Oakland Equestrian Coalition, Merle Richmond from Walled Lake, Barbara Archer of Rochester Hills, and Dave and Donna Stark of Brown City.
Stark was most impressed by the Koski Route, which allowed Pony Express riders access through the never-before ridden route off the Polly Ann onto private property, which trekked across rolling hills, tree arched lanes and alongside hay fields. ‘I’m a farmer, too,? said Stark ‘and I know what a sacrifice it is for a farmer who has crops in the field, that no one tramples them.?
The Calvary, Deputy Sheriff Donna Singles and her partner Deputy Judy Byrd of Oakland County protected the riders from the threading Indians, Brett and Kimberly Warstler. However bandit, Frank Cobb, was never apprehended!
? Catherine Brakefield, of Leonard