Flying Eagle saddles up for weekend ride

MANATEE COUNTY — As a resident of Camp Flying Eagle and a Boy Scouts volunteer, Randi Greene has long been an advocate for local scouting.

And while she’s serious about benefiting the East County camp, she’s also wants to make certain there’s time for horsin’ around, too.

Under Greene’s guidance, the Boys Development Association will host a Poker Ride, Obstacle Course and Camp Out April 1-3 at Camp Flying Eagle. The event will raise money for improvements to the camp.

“There’s so few places for riders to go anymore,” Greene said. “I begged and pleaded (with the Southwest Florida Boy Scout Council) and got approval.”

Campers will arrive Friday night and start early April 2 for the first of two poker rides, for which riders will use a map to navigate Camp Flying Eagle’s roughly 185 acres and locate buckets containing poker chips.

The day’s second poker ride will start after lunch. Horse and rider teams who cross one of the camps two wooden bridges will earn a chance to throw out their worst card.

Riders will take on the obstacle course on horseback on April 3, taking on 15 obstacles, including a 12-foot teeter-totter, water hazard, barrel push and more. Each challenge will require the horse and rider to work together and help to create a stronger level of trust between them.

“The bond — that’s everything,” said Greene’s daughter, Jennifer, a Lakewood Ranch High School student who participated in a previous event. “If the horses don’t like you, it’s not happening.”

Randi Greene previously organized two other poker and obstacle course rides at the camp — one in April and a second in October. Both events raised about $1,000, and Greene is hopeful the turnout for the next poker ride will be even better than before.

Prizes such as gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants will be awarded for the best poker hands and best obstacle course scores, Greene said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

Poker Ride, Obstacle Course and Camp Out
WHEN: April 1-3
WHERE: Camp Flying Eagle, 16009 Upper Manatee River Road
COST: Camping: $15 per night per person; Poker ride is $25 per hand and $5 per additional hand. Meals included. Obstacle course is $15 per rider.
REGISTRATION: [email protected] or Randi Greene, 737-5611

SCHEDULE
April 1 — Campers arrive
April 2 — Choice of two poker ride times — morning or afternoon. Open riding. Potluck dinner.
April 3 — Obstacle Course