Riders gather in Sisters

Saturday, June 7, dawned a perfect early summer day in Sisters Country. The Two Bulls fire wasn't yet on anyone's radar as 50-plus trailers pulled into Sisters Cow Camp. Horses were unloaded and readied for riding, and their riders headed over to register for the Saddle Up for St. Jude's Benefit Trail Ride.

Organizers were delighted that 80 riders decided to do the 10-mile-plus loop, and it all went off without a hitch. The campground was calm, a slight fragrance of woodsmoke in the air from the campfire near the sign-in table. Over $6,500 was raised for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Saddle Up for St. Jude rides take place all across the country and involve other disciplines apart from trail-riding. Horse shows and rodeos have all sported the Saddle Up logo. The Central Oregon chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails has hosted the local event for about 15 years, and Pat Marquis and his wife, Rhonda, took the helm nine years ago.

According to Marquis, there are two main motivators for the couple who, with their team of helpers, put in many hours of work to ensure a successful event.

"Seeing the generosity of people who give to (help) children, and seeing people enjoy the ride," he said.

He added that this ride is very different from others he's seen pictures of.

"In some of the rides in other states, they all head off in a big mass," he said, shaking his head. "That's not for us here."

Riders depart at any time between 9 a.m. and noon and travel at their own pace. It's not unusual to ride the entire loop and not see another soul. You may, however, come across some other forest users - pinecone pickers, mushroom seekers or picnickers who like to go off the beaten path.

Several riders came earlier in the week to camp, enjoying the camaraderie and pleasant weather leading up to the ride. One of those was Gayla Nelson, who brought her Missouri Foxtrotter, Splash, and camped with close friend Pat Melchiori. Nelson, who has supported the St. Jude's ride for many years, had a special reason this year. Her 16-year-old grandson, Jake, died suddenly of meningitis a few months previously, and Nelson collected sponsors and rode to honor him.

"Raising $1,200 and doing the ride made me feel like I was doing something," she said.

As she and two friends rode together, they stopped often to look at the wildflowers, to watch the sun shining through the trees and to enjoy the splendid views from the high point of the loop.

The following day, nearly the same number of riders turned up to do a poker ride, with the approximately $750 raised from that going into a fund to replace the somewhat ... "rustic" ... outhouse at Sisters Cow Camp.

Several of the OET organizers of the ride were involved with the Two Bulls fire, evacuating their horses and themselves, so others stepped in on that day to keep things going.

Marquis said it all went smoothly, with only a few riders missing turns and having to backtrack.

"They all turned up safely back at the campground, so that's what counts," he said.

In all, despite the concerns and drama of the fire, riders who'd committed themselves to a fundraising weekend made a fine effort.