KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Horse Council held its “Save the Trails, Ride the Roads” Old Toll Road Horseback Poker Run on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Forty-four horseback riders and carriage drivers from all around Lake County as well as Redwood Valley, Ukiah, Navarro, Sebastopol and Santa Cruz County participated in the event, which was held to promote and encourage utilizing the county roads and fire roads within the Highland Springs Recreation Area during the wet season thus preserving the trails.

The participants made their way along a five-mile course stopping in at five different stations to be awarded one poker card at each station.  

In addition, there was an optional “challenge” for both riders and drivers at each station to attempt before moving down the road to the next station.

After the ride, both participants and volunteers met back at the dam parking area to enjoy great food, great entertainment and some great prizes.

Poker hands were turned in and tallied up and raffle tickets were available for a gravel donation from R.B. Peters.

The group would like to thank the following businesses and people for their donations: Konocti Vista Casino, Rainbow Agricultural Services, Guido’s Pizzeria, Live Oak Grill, Lake County Wine Studio, Action Sanitary, Running Creek Casino, Quincy Andrus, Barbara Claiche, Victoria Russell, Bob Barker, Karen Sullivan, Denise Claiche, Bill and Carol Biggs, Carleene Cady and Virginia Vovchuk, with music provided by the Righteous Vibrations.

The tremendous success of this event was secondary to the combined efforts of volunteers from members of the Lake County Horse Council and our surrounding equestrian community.  

For more information about the Lake County Horse Council, visit www.lakecountyhorsecouncil.com or visit the group’s Facebook page.