By Dom Turner
The final weekend of September brought riders from across the region to Horseshoe Bend in Frenchtown, NJ for the “Fingers Crossed” NACMO ride. Warm weather, colorful foliage, and a spirited turnout made for an unforgettable close to the month.
Horseshoe Bend is one of our most versatile parks. While familiar to many local riders, it is full of surprises when seen through the creative eye of a CMO ride manager. This year’s event gave everyone the chance to camp overnight, and by Friday afternoon the field was alive with the sound of laughter, happy dogs, and a crackling fire.
Saturday offered relaxed riding and plenty of social time. The evening campfire drew a lively crowd swapping ride stories and ghostly tales. It was one of those quintessential NACMO nights with shared food, shared jokes, and that easy camaraderie that keeps riders coming back year after year.
Sunday morning dawned clear and cool, perfect riding weather. Teams set out in staggered waves, tackling a beautifully designed course that balanced challenge with fun. Trails wound through fields and forest, leading riders to cleverly placed clues that required attention to detail and teamwork.
The terrain was classic Horseshoe Bend: open fields for long canters mixed with wooded switchbacks and rocky stream crossings. The clues were creative but fair, and many teams commented afterward that it was one of the best-laid courses of the season.
By early afternoon, the final teams came in to cheers from the pavilion. Horses cooled out under autumn sun while riders swapped stories of close calls, missed turns, and satisfying finds. And the food was to die for!
As always, the ride reminded us why we do this: not for ribbons or scores, but for the shared adventure of following a map and compass together. Whether it’s a plate hidden behind a tree or whimsical picture of kittens, every discovery brought us great joy.
A huge thank-you to our ride manager, Dodie, who keeps NACMO going strong in our region. “Fingers Crossed” was a wonderful close to September, and we’re already looking forward to seeing everyone next time!