Love Valley, NC

              Love Valley, Cowboy Capital Of North Carolina

                                                      By Leesa T Wright

  The cowboy capital of North Carolina is a real place. Its a real small old west style town built outside of Statesville, NC. Its a trail riders dream. A place where you can only ride your horse or walk on Main Street. Dusty streets, blacksmith shop, hitching rails, saloons, wooden sidewalks and even a general store.

  Back History

  Love Valley was founded by Andy and Ellenora Barker back in 1954. Andy had a dream of an old western town and Love Valley became his reality.

Andy and Ellenora wanted a place away from the busy city life of Charlotte, NC. So they moved their family into a one room shack and started working on a dream. Andy used his crew from JA Construction Company, he jointly owned with his father to help build the town. Andy being a Christian man, made the Love Valley Presbyterian Church his first building. Then he went to work on the Love Valley Arena, then after that he set out to build the rest of the town, he even built a post office. When Andy first starting building the town he built it around the arena. Then in 1963 he moved it to the location you see today on top of the hill over looking the arena.

A Look at today

 These days Love Valley's looks haven't changed a lot on Main Street. You can drive your car up to the main gate of town park and walk down the dusty street. Most would rather live that cowboy / cowgirl dream and ride their horse down the street to one of the saloons, Shelby's Place, Silver Spur Saloon or who could forget the Chicken Coop. You can even ride up to the General Store or Moonshine Gifts. Just tie your horse up at one of the many hitching post that line the streets. You can also ride down to the Love Valley Arena and see a show or rodeo. Lots of events are planned all through the year.

The Valley as some folks call it, is open all year round but some of the stores are closed till the weekends. As for staying at Love Valley, you have your choice of what to do. You can get a room at Miss Kitty's place, park your trailer in Jolly's field, or stay at one of the many campgrounds like Caruso Farms with trailer hook ups and water. One think to always remember , Love Valley is a horse riding town NOT a 5 star hotel. Lol!

Trails

 Love Valley has many miles of trails that loop around the town and surrounding areas. Trails go from easy to moderate. I would say use shoes or boots but you know your horse better than me. If you need a set of shoes for your horse or to replace a missing shoe you can always head over to Blacksmith Cove or go over to Caruso Farms and see Jake Boyd. Some of the trail names are  Tower Trail, Ice House Trail, Creek Trail, Pinto Bean Trail and the Ridge Trail and of course there is always riding in and around town. These trails are leased and maintained by the Love Valley Horseman Association. They work hard to keep the trails clean and clear for everyone. They always ask that if you pack it in then please pack it out. Please respect any trail you ride on. 

  Love Valley may not be for everyone but I like it and many others do too. Some folks even call it 'their home away from home". Lot's of folks just to meet up with friends. Me  myself started going to Love Valley when I was about 14 years old. Yes that was a long time ago. Lol! I guess I'm just hooked now. I love the people and the town. Andy had a great dream and I'm glad we getting to live it even if its only for a few days a year.

 There is a little something for everyone, from shows and rodeos at the arena, to ride on the many horse trails, find the rope swing or hangout with friends on the power lines or just go up town to Main Street sit on one of the benches and watch riders coming into town. If that's not enough for you you can always go into one of the saloons , play a game of pool, have a cold drink or dance the night away.

Yeah there is just something special about a man's dream becoming a reality.

Happy Trails y'all!!

Stoneman's Raid

                                Stoneman's Raid History

                                                             by: Leesa T Wright

  On March 25,1865 Union General George Stoneman led 6,000 cavalryman from Tennessee into western North Carolina and southwestern Virginia to disrupt the Confederate supply lines, destroy mines and ironworks and to free prisoners at Salisbury, NC.

   Stoneman struck first at Boone on March 29 1865, then they went into Virginia. On the morning of April 12, 1865 the people of Salisbury, NC awoke at first light to the distant sounds of exploding artillery shells that announced Stoneman's dreaded raiders had at last reached their doorsteps. This is just days after Robert E Lee's surrender at Appomattox, but due to lack of communication this went unknown.

   Stoneman entered Salisbury, NC, burning public buildings and the deserted prison camp. As artillery and rifle fire filled the air, in the distance could be heard trains heading west and south. Stoman was not going to be denied another escaping train. Stoneman ordered troops to stop the fleeing train.

  Right now you are wondering what this has to do with horses?? Well... everything!! Think about it. Stoneman's troops could have never run that train down with out a horse. The Civil War as a whole would have been a whole lot different if it was not for the horse.

  In the time of the Civil War the Calvary and the Artillery were dependent upon their horses in battle. The Calvary rode their horses and the field artillery used them to pull the cannons. Horses were as much a target as the soldiers. Both soldiers and horses were subject to disease. There was also a lack of food and very poor living conditions. There was also very little if  any medical care.

  Horses today have a very different life. People have horses for recreation, show, racing, traditional work, rodeos and some even do  Civil War reenactments.

  What's a Civil War reenactment?

  A Civil War reenactment is an effort to recreate the appearance of a particular battle or other event associated with the Civil War by reenactors or living historians.

  There is a way to see this history first hand and to feel like you are reliving history. On the weekend of August 26-27 2016 I went to the NC Transportation Museum's Civil War weekend in Spencer, NC. That weekend they did a reenactment of Stoneman's Raid through Salisbury. This featured a train you could ride, Civil War music, dresses from that time, soldiers from both sides in uniform, camps you could walk through and of course HORSES!!

  I was able to ride the train with many other people  and a few reenactors. I was able to look out the window and watch the cavalry troops gallop along side the train and exchange gunfire with troops and folks riding the train. People jumped on the train, seen a cannon fire and rifle fire.

  Some people do not get into the but if you do or just want to see something different check out a reenactment. You will be amazed at the training these horses have. Running down a train , full of people and having a gun fired off their back and having a cannon go off, yeah I would say a lot of training goes into these horses and actors.

Life Is Why

                                          Life is Why        By: Leesa T Wright 

                                                       

Me (left) Riding Sonny and Lynda (right)

   We all have a bucket list of rides we want to go to and places we want to ride at. This November I got to check one of those rides off my bucket list. My friends and I went to the 35th Annual American Heart Association Beach Ride in Myrtle Beach, SC.

The American Heart Association

  The American Heart Association is a national, voluntary health organization that was founded in 1924. Building healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke is the mission of the AHA by 20% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases by 20% by 2020.

A beautiful picture I was lucky to take the morning of Veteran's Day

History of the Beach Ride

  Back in 1981 a man by the name of Jack Monroe started the "Ride-A-Thon" or Beach Ride as its called now. That first year there were only 20 riders. That number has now grown over 2,000 participants annually making the Beach Ride the largest trail ride in South Carolina. The Beach Ride has helped fund over $4 million of research and educational projects for the American Heart Association. Mr. Monroe's many years of leadership in the community and for the AHA is now recognized with the Jack Monroe Service Award. Thank you Mr. Jack Monroe for all your hard work.

Lynda Shackelford and her Morgan
horse Spirit.

About the Ride

  This is the only time folks can now ride on Myrtle Beach, SC anymore. The 35th Annual American Heart Association Beach Ride took place November 9-13th at Lakewood Camping Resort. The campground is oceanfront and opens up once a year to horses. The campground has full hook ups and even WiFi! Lol! You get to camp with your horse on your campsite. I would say must people need to get panels to put horses in because some sites do not have trees to high tie too. You can also ride from your campsite right out to the beach.

  This is a fun filled five day event. This year there was a poker run, a parade and costume contest, clinics on the beach, an obstacle challenge, food, vendors, karaoke, nighty entertainment, an auction and on Saturday there is the 20 mile beach ride and awards ceremony that night.

  Riders work hard all year to raise money to go to this ride. Riders must raise a minimum of $150 to attend. My friends and I did stuff like ask family, friends, businesses,  have a bake sale, sell things we make and I did pictures for donations. These are just a few ways to raise money. There are many, many more ways to raise money for this great cause and event.

 My Friends and I

Broke Ass Folks Saddle Club riding down the beach.

  My friends and I made a saddle club for this ride called Broke Ass Folks. Why the crazy name?? Well we are just like most people these days, broke, happy to ride horses but have big hearts willing to give and help when we can.

  In our group we had 3 Superstar Riders, Lynda Shackelford, Mike Stewart, and myself, Leesa Wright. Lynda and I rode in the parade with some of the other Superstar riders. ( Superstar riders are riders who have raised over $1000 in donations. )

From left: Amanda Helmick,
Ericka Tally and Anissa Anderson.

  We had two riders that rode in the poker run.

   Adam Crane and Lynda tried their hand at the obstacle challenge that was set up on the beach. And we all rode on the beach. I even went swimming when my colt Sonny got scared by a wave and unseated me. Sorry, there are no pictures of that. Lol!!

Dwayne Wright (my husband ) and Me

  We also had two very special riders with us. One was Christina Aldridge and her totally blind paint horse Tahoe. Tahoe was at the beach ride two years ago and at that time he had site in one eye. Now totally blind he puts all his faith and trust into his rider Christina. They are an amazing team to watch.

Me and Sonny after I went swimming!!

  And last but not least my husband Dwayne Wright, stroke survivor. Back in 2000 my husband had a stroke way too early in his life. He has worked hard to come this far. So this year was not just a bucket list ride for us. It was a way to say thank you and give back. Without  people like the 1277 riders this year raising money, $315,000 this year, my husband may not be here.

My husband, My life, My why, Dwayne
riding his horse Tucker

   Folks ask why donate?? My husband is why, but the best answer is Life, Life is why. So if you ever get the chance to go, GO! If you can't go, help by donating to a rider going. All this money goes to the American Heart Association. This was not just a ride or a bucket list ride, its a life changing ride. As for me and my friends we are already making plans to go next year. Please feel free to join us!!

For more information please contact

Sara Nelson, director

sara.nelson@heart.org

(843) 282-2911

www.ahabeachride.org

Robin Crane