On Tuesday, February 2, the second meeting of the newly formed Island Trail Riding Club was held on Orcas at the home of Catherine Ascher.

Club founders Rik Karon and Tess Simendinger took the ferry over from Friday Harbor with member Mary McCulloch. They were joined by Ruthie Thompson-Klein from Lopez, Monique Maas from Center Island and an enthusiastic group of 10 new members from Orcas.

The meeting was a rollicking exchange of ideas for the club and events to come. Karon and Simendinger restated the mission of the club being 1. Trail Advocacy for horses; 2. New trail riding friends for on or off island trail rides and events. Support for Back Country Horsemen and a possible island chapter was discussed. Also discussed were local island rides organized for all.

The next meeting will be held at Rik Karon’s on March 16 at 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. All equestrians are invited. Bring cookies, sweets or something to drink.

On the agenda are plans for a Spring Ride and a no-host cook on San Juan Island. Rik’s phone: 360-378-5921, address: 2628 West Valley Road, Friday Harbor. Email Rik for directions: rkaron@centurytel.net

The Club will arrange to meet the ferry for those who don’t want to drive. Call or email Tess before the date, 360-378-8332, Cowgirltns@rockisland.com.