Saddle up to support OREA

By Lisa Paine
VIEW Sports Editor

ORTONVILLE — It is often said that many cannot see the trees for the forest.
For those interested in the sport of Competitive Mounted Orienteering, it’s the innate ability to separate not only the trees, but what lays hidden among them and the shrubs that brings horses and their mounts to the competitive sport.
May 17-18, the Ortonville Recreation Equestrian Association (OREA) will host a CMO event that is similar to a scavenger hunt. Teams of one to six riders are timed as they try to find hidden paper plates scattered along the trail. Each plate is marked with a specific coded message that must be correctly written down and brought back to the finish line. The team that finds the most paper plates in the allotted time wins.
Riders are provided a map of the trail system with the general location of each station marked in a large circle. Horses are not provided, and each rider must bring their own to compete. Typically, two clues to each station are also provided, including compass directions and landmarks.
Steve Keim of OREA explained that Competitive Mounted Orienteering turns some off because it is a timed event. He said the real competition lies within each rider and their ability to master the orienteering or compass part of the event.
“While compass skills are useful in the location of plates, observation skills also are key. Since riders can have a team, not every member needs to know how to use a compass,” Keim explained.
First-timers are encouraged to attend and make use of the on-site training, which includes a walking course to demonstrate how to find the stations (plates) without the distraction of the horses. Once riders become familiar with the course layout and just how hard the stations are to find amid the trees and trail cover, they mount up and compete. Compasses also are available for loan or purchase at the events.
Starting times begin at 8 a.m. with the final groups starting at noon. Adults pay a $15 entry fee, while those under the age of 18 pay $10 per day. All competitors must have a valid Michigan state park permit for their vehicles to participate. Anyone wishing to camp overnight with their steeds also must pay the state park camping fee.
Proceeds from the event will go toward trail improvements at the state park.
Interested parties should visit OREA’s website at www.hadleyhills.com or contact Keim at 810-793-4558.
Upcoming OREA events include a Poker ride May 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Riders are charged a $5 fee to participate. On June 14 the Ride for St. Jude takes place; Aug. 16 is the annual summer ride and the Judged Trail Ride is Sept. 13. To end the season, the Spooktacular mounts up Oct. 18. Some events require riders to sign a liability waiver that is available on OREA’s website.