Pie Ride draws over 100 horses and riders

Prairie du Chien — Over one hundred horses and riders turned out for the 31st annual CR Quarter Horses Pie Ride on Oct. 16 near Prairie du Chien.

Under a blue Autumn sky filled with laughter and conversation, riders hit the trails in the hills high above the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. Horse riders came from five states — Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Texas — for the riding and fellowship.

Among these riders were 17 mounted on CR Quarter Horses. Rodney and I always enjoy seeing AQHA horses that we have bred, raised, trained and sent to new homes, and best of all, when the owners come back for an equine reunion.

I have no idea why I started the apple pie rides many  years ago, but we ended up pairing the fresh pie with ice cream after the ride. It has certainly proved to be a fun event after all these years. However, after peeling two bushels of apples on the night prior to the ride, my good friend Sharon and I questioned our motives around midnight. When we finished we had over 30 pies and 7 apple crisps made.

Despite everyone eating their fill at the potluck before the ride, the pies and crisps were eaten with great enthusiasm afterward. One young man even told me that he came for the pie and not the ride. He ate four pieces so I had to believe him!

Until our trails cross again.