Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
The Forney Trailblazers Wagon Train will arrive in Montgomery on the evening of March 19 as
part of a decade-long tradition leading up to the Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo at
Garrett Coliseum.
What began 53 years ago as a challenge to see if riders could travel to the rodeo on horseback has grown into an annual journey focused on family, fellowship, and the outdoors. Members of the Forney Trailblazers Saddle Club ride together each year, welcoming new friends while continuing a tradition that has been passed down through generations.
The trip once took five days and required horses and mules to travel 30 to 42 miles a day, which proved difficult for the animals.
Today, the ride is spread over 10 days with a layover day halfway through the trip so riders can rest, restock supplies, and give the animals a break. During the layover, participants also hold a cowboy church service for worship and prayer.
“The 10-day trip makes it more enjoyable,” said Todd Hill, vice president of the Forney Trailblazers Saddle Club. “We enjoy some great scenery and spending time outdoors with our family and friends.”
About 20 wagons began the 185-mile journey on March 9 in Centre, Alabama. Riders join and leave along the route, but about 15 wagons are expected to arrive in Montgomery for the SLE rodeo.
The wagon train’s final overnight stop will be on March 18 in the Santuck area at the Billy Wilson Racetrack at 3677 Milam Road in Wetumpka.
If you want to get a glimpse of the wagon train, on March 19, the group will stop for lunch around noon at Mulder Church on Firetower Road before beginning the final leg of the trip.
Once riders reach U.S. Highway 231, a police escort will accompany them to Garrett Coliseum. The wagon train’s arrival is a longstanding part of the festivities surrounding the Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo, which brings rodeo fans and families from across the region to Montgomery each year.
For more information about the wagon train, visit the Forney Trailblazers Saddle Club Facebook
page at https://www.facebook.com/ftbsaddleclub
