Cross Timbers - Texas Trail Challenge
May 19th: LBJ Grasslands - Valley View campgrounds
May 20th: In-hand trail challenge
Even if you don't plan to ride, come during part of the weekend to join the fun and / or to volunteer for awhile. All the profits go to CTETA to support our local trails.
Cross Timbers TTC manager: Alanna Sommer
Cell phone: 940-367-2080
Email: trlridn4fun@gmail.com
"I am so proud of the things CTETA did to improve our local trails this past year! Help us make the TTC a success, so we can have the funds to do more great things in 2013! Thanks everyone!" - Alanna
Riders must be a member of TTC. As of 05/13 5PM there are only 2 spaces left. Click 
for full information on the TTC website and on-line registration. There is a $12 deposit to hold a spot, then you can finish the registration on-site.
What is a Texas Trail Challenge?
A TTC is a one day trail riding event 7 to 12 miles long with 10 plus trail obstacles. The course is designed using natural obstacles and situations a rider might encounter on a trail ride. The Riders are divided up into three levels of difficulty and then into age groups. All classes ride the same trail at the same speed. Each Rider competes against other Riders of similar experience. Rider/horse teams are judged strictly on how well they negotiate through an obstacle with an emphasis on calmness and safety. Judges are posted along the trail and in camp to evaluate your execution of obstacles. These scores are marked on your scorecard, which will be compared to other riders in your division. Awards will be given at the end of the ride along with the score card.
What skills should you practice?
Photos from the 2011 TTC.
May 17th - Friday
- 2:00PM: Office opens for check-in.
- 7:00PM at Pavilion: Loaded salad and dessert bar Friday night for $8.
- 7:30PM at Pavilion: Ride briefing.
May 18th - Saturday
- 7:00 AM Registration opens for AM arrivals.
- 8:00AM: In camp obstacles and soundness trot begin.
- 8:15AM: First riders heading out on trail.
- 9:00AM: All riders should be out on trail.
- On arrival to camp: Free lunch at the pavillion.
- 3:30PM: After lunch an equine chiropractor will have a presentation.
- Judges briefing and awards will follow. The goal of the competition is to demonstrate partnership between horse and rider.
- Drawing for raffle winner of Just4Fun Tack fancy browband. Raffle tickets $2 each, 3 for $5. Do NOT need to be present to win.
- 7:00PM: Potluck dinner. CTETA will provide meat option. Riders should bring side dishes and desserts to share.
- 7:30PM: Briefing about Sunday event.
May 19th - Sunday
Stay for Sunday to make a full weekend of fun activities.
$15 fee for 9:00AM morning 'in-hand' lead line challenge with 5 obstacles.
Proof of negative Coggins required. Bring your Coggins papers to check-in.
CAMPING:
Valley View campgrounds is a shady hill top campgrounds with a nice breeze to keep you cool and a beautiful view. There are toilets, a “Texas-sized” charcoal grill, fire rings, lantern posts and a covered 20-by-40-foot group pavilion with picnic tables. Primitive camping only with no hook ups. Primitive camping fee is $10.00 nightly. The campgrounds has plenty of shady sites, as well as open areas for larger rigs. Dogs cannot be loose. Generators will be allowed to run all night. There is no electricity, no running water (no potable water). The site has good cell phone coverage.
Horse facilities: There are no pens for the horses - portable pens or picket lines can be used. Tree savers must be used to high line to trees and horses must be tied so they cannot reach a tree to eat the bark. The wind mill and water tank provides horse water in camp. The trails in this area of the park are sandy, so an unshod horse should get along just fine. There are horse hitching posts.
Other options close to Valley View Camp:Grasslands Bed and Barn is a CTETA sponsor. www.grasslandsbnb.com Cozy B&B with bedrooms and a shared living room. Large horse pens, some are covered. 10 min trailer ride to Valley View.
Polock Pines www.polockpines.com 9 hook ups, hook ups can be shared. Pens for rent also. 5 minutes trailer ride from Valley View. Direct Trail access
Roc-n-W Ranch www.roc-n-w-ranch.com Hook ups and a dump station. Toilet and shower, laundry room. Pens for rent. 5 min. trailer ride from Valley View. Direct Trail access.
Directions to Valley View:
Follow U.S. Hwy 81/287 north of Decatur 11 miles. From Hwy 287 at Alvord exit at FM 1655 North. In .5 miles, turn north at the stop sign onto Wickham St., in 1 mile go straight at the blinking red light. Continue on FM 1655 8.1 miles (cross Montague County Line) and take Roberts Road to your Right. Follow Roberts Road 1.7 miles and turn Left onto CR 2690 for 1 mile. Turn Right onto CR 2675 (Parker Dairy Rd.). Almost immediately (100 yards) take a Left at CR 2777 which will take you directly into the campgrounds.
From Hwy 380 from Decatur turn north on FM 730 for 9.3 miles. Turn Left (West) onto CR 2461 (by Cemetery & Cottonwood Lake signs). At the first "Y" turn Right on CR 2560 and stay right at "Y" to stay on CR 2560. (go past the turn-off for Cottonwood Lake) for 4.7 miles. Turn Right onto CR2675 (Parker Dairy Rd.) and then Right on CR 2777 to go into the campgrounds.
Google Driving Directions Map at Valley View Campgrounds ( N 33° 24.924 W 97° 35.466 )