Perrydale Trails LLC

05/27/2026

It's not easy being the trophy husband of Mrs. Perrydale Trails.

05/25/2026

05/18/2026

May I appeal to you one more time to fight for horse trails? The fate of the Crystal Rilee Park in Newberg, Oregon, shall be decided by June at the latest. This property is owned by the Chehalem Park and Rec District.

Across Oregon, hiker and horse trails are being taken over by mountain bikers. It's a simple concept: speed and greed don't mix with slow-moving trail traffic. Yet, here we are with new board members ignoring a previous agreement that honored a compatible mix of hikers and horsemen. Three of the five members are open to changing this quiet and peaceful park into mountain bike courses.

It's understood that everyone wants a piece of public land to play on. But please, can't we set aside a FEW trails exclusively for hikers and horses? It doesn't seem much to ask, especially when this park is already a proven success story.
For the past three months, hundreds of horsemen and hikers have written board members and/or spoken at the CPRD meetings. We've focused on the obvious reasons: safety, liability, honoring the intent of the land donation, and preservation of this pristine property. Even if you've written before, do it again!

Just remember: if you don't speak up, they don't hear us. Rilee Park may not mean much to you, but someday, somewhere, you will lose a favorite place to ride or hike, or your favorite arena is taken over by a subdivision. We must try!

If you’ve enjoyed the peaceful trails at Rilee Park, write.
If you are a trail rider or hiker who desires safe trails, write.
If your horse has been startled on a trail by a mountain bike rider, write.
If it is wrong to renege on a previously-honored agreement, write.
Can you spare a few sentences to preserve Crystal Rilee Park, please? One email with these addresses: Jim McMaster ; Brandon Slyter ; Jason Fields ; Matthew Smith ; Nick Konen ; Kat Ricker ; Clay Downing

www.saverileepark.org for more information.

05/11/2026

I got a hole in the ground for my Mother's Day.

To be sure, my wonderful children, Lana and Kyle, made certain their Ol Ma felt loved and appreciated on this special day. But my husband, Mike, delivered on a promise made months ago: re-do a ten-year-old water obstacle. This is proof that nagging does work. Eventually.

What is it about procrastinating? Oh, I know this answer [from personal experience]. Challenges are more thrilling if you wait until two weeks before the season opening. Followed by "NEXT time, I'm starting earlier" ...

After we get done, the kindergarten water obstacle will be like before: shallow, long, and wide. A perfect beginner introduction to getting your horse's feet wet! We may overdo our prep work, but we try to design our obstacles for safety, usefulness, and longevity.
After thousands of water crossings over 14 years, this obstacle has reassured a lot of horses. It's earned its renewal!

I'm curious: what's the most unusual Mother's Day present you've received?

05/05/2026

May is when I'm able to first work my outdoor arena. Disking is first to break ground, then rototilling to work up the clods, then two different harrows to smooth and level. Lots and lots of hours of going round and round! It's quite monotonous.

Yesterday was the rototilling stage. I was not in a mood to go a blazing 4 mph. With so many necessary projects ahead, my mind was racing at 90!

It always seems you're lolling around on a winter day because it's too cold, too rainy, too windy to work outside. Then suddenly, it's spring the very next day, arriving with a bulging suitcase of important jobs to do.

After a while, the tractor's steady drone lulls my mind. I started thinking how this arena prep compared to last Saturday's thrilling Kentucky Derby.

During that first hour of working the ground, there seems to be no progress at all. You must go slow, or the implement can't do its job. The dirt is reluctant to part with its natural comfort zone. But the more trips around, we hit the magical mark where progress is noted. The dirt is slowly breaking apart, and the tractor quits working so hard. Each step must be taken though, because soon it's time for the next implement to do its job. All in order, all with a job for a common goal.

I think I will take a page out of Golden Tempo's playbook. It seemed insurmountable odds. To be in last place, to bravely wind through an unpredictable pack of thundering thoroughbreds, and then, in the outside position, give his all for the win!

You may be the last one in the pack, and everyone has ruled you out. It seems impossible. But if you maintain your belief and vision, your goal CAN be reached.

So, when the finish line appears on my project list, I'm gonna give it my all for a brilliant run down the homestretch!

Moral of the day: It doesn't matter if you're going slow or fast. It's how you finish. There are always going to be dirt clods in life that need to be addressed or they'll slow you down forever.

P.S. This article is ALL ME, not A.I.!

05/01/2026

Harley is 10 years old today! All three of my geldings needed to be worked, and it wasn’t Harley’s turn. But for some reason, I had an urgent feeling that he was the one for today’s ride. I didn’t realize it was his birthday until after he was saddled, and I happened to glance at the calendar. It made me smile, because that’s the way we’ve shared these past ten years - we have a “thing” for each other!

I bought Harley as a six-month-old c**t. At the time, I was 63, not a prime age for a horse trainer. But there was something unique about his personality that drew me like a magnet: "You HAVE to buy this roan c**t, he will be your last best horse!"

His ad was on Craiglist. I wasn’t looking or needing another horse, but hey, it’s always fun to peruse the ads. Gosh, here was a bay roan c**t only about five miles away. Let’s go! I talked my husband into accompanying me. “It’s just down the road. It’s a great ad. It won’t hurt to look.” Famous last words spoken by horse people.

Mike agreed to go, but reminded me multiple times, “Beck, you don’t need another horse.” Famous last words spoken by husbands.

The owner called Harley out of a pen of other c**ts, and he willingly left the herd. He stood calmly as she picked up his feet, then was obedient as she led him here and there. He was quiet, friendly, and curious. His conformation was correct. I liked him. A lot.

The owner also had a sweet donkey wandering free around the barn area. He watched us with great interest.

I was a bit on the fence about buying the c**t, remembering Mike’s words. I asked to see the c**t’s dam, so the owner and I walked out to her pasture. Mike stayed by the barn. While checking out the mare, I peeked up the hill to see where Mike was.

He didn't know I was "spying" on him. But there he was, standing between the donkey and the c**t. I knew then it was a done deal -- Mike had one arm draped over the donkey and the other over my new c**t.

That wonderful Sunday, I came home with my last best horse. Good thing I’d already married my last best husband - on a Sunday, too. 52 years now and still going strong!

04/27/2026

Now that the ground is drying, I'm back to riding my horses. Not as regular as I'd like, but enough that my three geldings' minds are returning to “business as usual.” As I've gotten older, I don't have the enthusiasm/diligence to haul to an indoor arena. So, we all get a winter break.

My horses are not stalled; they have fields with sheds to eat and shelter in. They're happy and healthy but in the winter, they revert to herd mentality. This means that with each spring comes “weaning” time. Yep, at ages 10, 11, and 15 …

With these early rides, I remind the boys I am not just the grocery lady. I'm the herd leader, and [usually] their best pal. It doesn't pay to have horse-buddy thoughts, because the Time-Out Tree is waiting for them. Not what they had planned! Oh, they wiggle and whinny, and after a short while, they relax and c**k their hind foot. Ah, patience IS a virtue!

After a long winter, being back in the saddle feels especially good; I’m so grateful. Such a multitude of feelings! Relaxing to the sound of rhythmic hoofbeats. Breathing the rich scents of horse hair and leather. Admiring the new bright green grass and sweet blossoms. Feeling the sun warm your face. Watching the birds flicker about, filled with spring energy. Experiencing unbelievably grateful feelings. Seeing your horse's ears tipped forward enjoying the trail. Relishing the sheer joy of sharing a good ride with your good horse. It feels almost sacred. And all because you're sitting on a horse.

I try to describe these emotions to a non-horse person, and no matter how eloquent, I usually receive the “deer in the headlights” look. They just don't know what we know!

Perhaps there is one word that comes close to describing those special moments with our horses.

“Bliss.”

04/25/2026

It was a full house at last Thursday's Chehalem Park & Rec District meeting. At least 20 were rallying outside the building with "Save Rilee Park for hikers and horsemen" signs. Inside, I joined approximately 15 speakers. There were more hikers and mountain bikers speaking, which was good. They've been mostly absent from prior meetings. All were polite and earnest.

This particular meeting, the board received 204 letters in favor of keeping the park for hikers and horsemen and 26 from mountain bikers.

To me, the mountain biker's arguments were weak. I had to smile at one's remark about how impressive it was that so many horse people have rallied around this park. He wished their group could promote like us. Of course, it's because horsemen have had more experience in fighting for our trails! Others said they wanted the park because it was close by. Now, tell me, how far do you drive with your horse trailer to your favorite trail? Another said they need this park because mountain bike riding was a skill that school kids could carry into their adult life. So is hiking, as pointed out by Ryann Reinhofer in her speech.

Almost all the bikers who spoke expressed remorse for trail users who have been injured/frightened by speedy rogue bikers. And all said they themselves are respectful on the trails.

But -- all it takes for tragedy is ONE person not following the rules.

Rilee Park is small compared to BLM or other massive public areas. There are perhaps 10-12 miles of existing trails with many loops. It's just the right size for slow-moving user groups. If mountain bikers get the park, they will need more challenging trails. This means cutting into the hilly forest lands of this pristine area.

On May 28, the CPRD will vote on allowing mountain bikes. We need a win to preserve this peaceful park for two active user groups who are respectful and compatible. Please, for future SAFE horse/hiker trail use anywhere: keep up the good fight! Submit letters/testimony at saverileepark.org

04/21/2026

I am still involved with the fight to keep Newberg's Rilee Park for hikers and horses. Despite the sensible and passionate pleas from MANY people, it seems the CPRD is still considering allowing mountain bikes on these peaceful trails.

The next meeting is this Thursday, April 23, 6p at 125 S. Elliott Rd., Newberg. Chehalem Parks & Rec District board members say they will make their final decision at the May meeting. Many of us are attending each meeting, so they don't forget about us! If you'd like to know more about this story, go to saverileepark.org There are handy links to contact the board members.

I want to shout from the rooftops, "We must protect our trails!!!" We are losing long-established horse trails every year to multi-use. I realize with the ever-increasing population, sharing is probably necessary. But surely not EVERY SINGLE trail has to be given up.

The important point is, if we don't speak up, they don't hear us. You may have no interest in riding here, but what if the next place mountain bikers/shopping center/golf course want is YOUR favorite place to hike or ride?

I haven't figured out what I'm saying at this meeting. But here's what I said in March:

"The CPRD owns and manages a thousand plus acres. Our Perrydale farm is 80 acres that we've loved for 35 years now. With ownership, comes stewardship. We've learned from the past what works, how to maintain it currently, and that we need to preserve it to keep it at its best.

Rilee Park is a century farm, which in itself proves its success. The property is a successful venue with about 150 acres of peaceful trails and 130 acres of productive farmland. Its current users are hikers, dog walkers, and horsemen. They've proven to be compatible. Everyone gets along. Success for the CPRD and this farm!

I get that having new trails to explore is exciting and challenging. But do mountain bikers have to have this place too? High speed completely alters the dynamic of this park. It dramatically changes how people experience the land and how safe it feels.

Preserving this land for slower, quieter recreation is caring about its future. What an incredibly rich resource for people who live in the city! Rilee Park is an incredible opportunity to slow down and play a bit in the country. Take in the experiences of smelling the rich scents of a forest trail, hearing wild birds sing, seeing wildlife, and watching how the park changes during the seasons. This is real nature - up close and personal!

There's an old saying, “they don't make land anymore.” This property is a true gift, so please don't make Rilee Park into something it's not. Let it remain a sanctuary … and a success."

A special interest group wants to carve up the park with mountain bike tracks and jumps. We want to safeguard this sanctuary.

04/16/2026

It's time to do a bit of shameless advertising for my beloved Perrydale Trails. For our 2026 season, we'll be opening Memorial Day weekend. It may be sooner; it all depends on the weather. No worries, you'll be the first to know!

For the folks who have yet to visit us, here's a bit more background information:

Perrydale Trails in Sheridan, Oregon, is an unusual success story.

Many years ago, I realized there really wasn’t a place for riders to safely practice their horses on natural obstacles. You could travel around to different trails to gain experience, but the settings and especially the safety, often weren’t ideal.

So we decided to create that place ourselves.

As experienced trail riders, we already had obstacles set up on our farm. We kept adding more… and more… and before long, Perrydale Trails became our very own Field of Dreams.

They did come. We’re now in our 14th season, as each year more horsemen discover what we’ve built here.

Across our 80 acres, you’ll find over 200 thoughtfully designed obstacles, ranging from simple to challenging, always with safety in mind. Our unique scenarios help build confidence, skills, and experience – for both horse and rider.

In addition, we offer 50 acres of peaceful, scenic trails to explore. Overnight camping is available if you’d like to stay a little longer to ride, visit, and enjoy our peace and quiet.

No matter your discipline, horses benefit from this kind of experience, and judging by the smiles, riders do too. There’s something special about trying new challenges, riding in beautiful country, and sharing it all with friends.

If you’d like to learn more, visit www.perrydaletrails.com. Better yet, schedule a ride date.

I’m proud to say Perrydale Trails is truly unique… there’s nothing else quite like it!

04/15/2026

Hmm... I think it's gonna rain again ... or sleet ... or blow ... followed by sunshine and blue skies ...

What interesting weather! I don't think we've ever had all four seasons in ONE day!