"The EASTERN SHORE TRAIL RIDE® event is a twice yearly camping and riding weekend by invitation only for good riders and their good horses on private land on the Eastern Shore of Virginia."

100% of the proceeds benefit Company 16 of the Northampton Fire and Rescue Company. The trail wranglers donate all of their time and fuel and equipment costs. Your entire donation goes to the Northampton Fire and Rescue Company 16.

Important

Important

Here is the Trail Ride Information for the upcoming May 22 ride. Please print and keep! Saving the Fire Company some money! 

Thank you for all the requests for dates for this ride in 2022. We are now able to host the Spring ESTR on May 7 weekend.      Here’s the application!          

Spring 2022 app ESTR app

Please find a list of important facts:

 

  •  We humbly thank you for your continued interest and support of this ride. Watch here for updates!
  • Please read the entire site…if you still have questions, contact us.
  • HEADS UP (HEELS DOWN!) I DO NOT KEEP AN EMAIL LIST- YOU MUST WATCH THIS SITE!!

FAQ

Trail Ride Information… FAQ’s

Here’s the trail ride info for the May 2022 ride! Please print and keep….saving money for the Fire Co.

  • Check out the entire site: still got a question? email here
  • If you don’t have a current Coggins, just email it later and always have a copy with your vehicle. DO NOT EMAIL applications-…However, you may email Coggins but I must have them a week before the ride.
  • OUR GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER, ALEX TIETHOF, WILL BE ON THE BEACH . He’ll have his very cool magazine covers ready to make you a star! Have you seen his work? Here’s the link to his website: http://www.aktpics.com/estr
  • Please:  Do not sign apps for other riders unless they are your underage children.
  • CORRALS: All corrals have been purchased~bring your temporary corrals and/or high lines! Life time corrals are owned and repaired etc by the Fire Company, and leased for the lifetime of the ride to the “purchasers” who still pay in full for each ride.
    WHAT: Ride Thur and Friday in the woods, Saturday to the beach and Sunday in the bay, woods and fields.  Primitive camping. Porta-Potties & horse water. Campers welcome Thur after 1p. but before dark but you must notify me in advance that you are arriving on Thur.(See the application) Bring your water… if you run out, we have a shallow well which you can access with buckets or your hose. Potable water. No horse washing! This is primitive camping- no hook-ups, no electric
  • TRAILS: THUR 5 mi FRI: 3 or 10 mile ride (does NOT include the beach) Subject to updates re HUNTING
    SAT: REG Ride 15 Miles… LONG Ride 20 miles
    SUN: “Sunday” 13 Miles or LONG 20 miles
    ***PLEASE NOTE: Saturday- Ride out time is determined by the TIDES and changes for each ride…Please see ride out time on application!!
  • NO:Sorry, no refunds, no transfers-not fair to folks on the wait list nor the Fire Company. Some folks have argued that if they cancel, then we can let somebody else in..well, not everyone is sitting on the edge of their chair waiting for my last minute call. So please work with me on this! We are fortunate that so many people enjoy this ride, but rulz iz rulz… and we thank you for understanding the logistics of putting on an event of this magnitude. And if you are reading this, then you probably are not the people I’m writing to! LOL!
  • Rain or Shine….Sorry, NO alcohol & NO dogs on trails! NO loose dogs in camp! NO ponying, No doubles!
  • Directions:WATCH FOR LARGE “TRAIL RIDE” SIGNS ON HIGHWAYS
  • Directions: From the South: Rt 13 North from Virginia Beach to Machipongo, (about 18 miles North of Ches. Bay Bridge Tunnel) LEFT across Rt 13 at Rt 628(Wilsonia Neck Rd), Immediate RIGHT on Rt 618 (BAYSIDE RD). Stay on BAYSIDE RD for about 5 miles (ignore changes in route #s) LEFT on CEDAR GROVE FARM ROAD,(Rt 695), Right on SECOND dirt road to camp site.
    From the North: Approx 73 miles South of Salisbury MD, just past Mile 99, RIGHT at LIGHT Route #604 BAYSIDE ROAD (becomes Rt 618 immediately. Ignore rt changes), stay on Bayside Road for 7 miles. RIGHT on CEDAR GROVE FARM LANE (Rt 695) Right on SECOND dirt road to camp site.
  • Mapquest: 7169 Cedar Grove Farm Rd, Machipongo VA 23405
  • GPS: N37026.891′ W075054.296′
  • DOGS:ALL DOGS MUST REMAIN ON LEASH IN CAMP-This is strictly enforced and violaters will be told to leave the campground without refund. — Please clean up the poo-I hate finding it under my feet….NO DOGS ON TRAILS!!!!! If your dog barks all the time you are gone or all night… please consider leaving him at home. If your dog challenges people/dogs/horses you MUST leave him at home.
  • WHEN:PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY! See the application NO ADMITTANCE UNLESS PRE-REGISTERED..Thank you for your cooperation. LIMITED TO 250 RIDERS WATCH WEBSITE FOR UPDATES
  • YOUR HORSE:Your horse does not need shoes for this ride, but your horse and YOU must be fit and able to ride. It can be very hot..The land is almost flat, but the trail is 15 miles on Saturday to the beach and back. (long riders go 20+ miles) No riding double, no kid seats, no ponying and no bareback. We must do all we can to be safe, or we may lose the right to use the private lands. Thank you!
    YOUR HEAD:NO RIDERS UNDER 18 WITHOUT HELMETS-STRICTLY ENFORCED (Recommended for ALL riders…)
  • Corral rental fees are non-refundable. Very few rentals available. Bring your elec fencing or high lines.
  • Mailing address for Applications etc: Kathee Gladden PO Box 101 Marionville Va 23408 Make checks payable to NFRC

Registration

Registration

SPRING 2022 TRAIL RIDE IS MAY 7 WEEKEND! APPLICATION HERE!

Spring 2022 app ESTR app

Registration is in advance only. No admittance at the trail head without confirmed registration. Fee covers primitive  camping at our beautiful and private campground.

Please check out our little Google Ads… lots of good resources, and every click helps the Fire Department!

Watch this website for updates and for future ride information. All notices are posted here; we do not email bulk notices. It is your obligation to check this site for updates. Use our email link for specific questions.  This application is chock full of information too- read it all please.

A current (within 12 months) Negative Coggins report is required for all horses. If you don’t know what this refers to, please contact your veterinarian who will advise you on its importance.

Additional Information on Trail Ride FAQ’s Page

Horse water is provided at the campsite, as well as limited potable water. Horse water is provided along the trail from common-use stock tanks.

Open fires are allowed depending on the weather. When fires are allowed, they must be contained in an approved appliance. There are no rocks on the Shore so you cannot construct a fire ring on site.

Directions and GPS coordinates are found in Trail Ride FAQs on the left.

Important!

Riders under age 18 MUST and WILL wear helmets. Helmets are recommended for all riders..it is a no-brainer! (Sorry- can’t resist that) Sorry, no buddy seats allowed due to landowners’ restrictions.

Vet will be on call- You must be prepared to pay the vet at the time of service!

No farrier available unless trail riding farriers wish to work. Horses do not need to be shod.

Disclaimers

This Website is owned and operated by Kathee Gladden  who pays all fees… NO ride funds are used for its operation.

We reserve the right to reject any applicant and deny entry to anyone if we deem it necessary for the comfort and safety of our guests. Unruly horses and/or riders will be evicted without refund. This website is owned and operated by Kathee Gladden and no ride funds are used for its operation.