Cabinet Ridge Riders host poker run

TROUT CREEK – Anyone passing through Trout Creek in the sunny afternoon hours of last Saturday may have caught a glimpse of horses making their way around the edges of town.

The horses and their riders were in town for the annual Poker Run hosted by the Cabinet Ridge Riders.  

In total 65 riders took part in this year’s poker run, an event that has been held in Trout Creek over the past three years.

According to Cabinet Ridge Riders Secretary Alexis Dean, one team who took part in the Poker Run came all the way from Michigan.

Following the completion of the day’s run, a couple of items were up for grabs as part of the group’s fundraiser.

The items included an outdoor fire ring and a saddle.

The event’s organizers said the ride has been able to attract more riders every year.

Participants take part in the poker run by stopping at predetermined points along the designated trail to play a hand of poker, drawing a card at each spot, until they complete their hand at the end of the route.

The event started shortly before 10 a.m. and those taking part in the competition had to have played their final hand by 6 p.m.

The event was centered around the Way Side, where horse trailers  lined the sides of Highway 200 for the event.

Those partaking in the poker run were lucky enough to get some nice weather over the weekend and though the wind blustered around a bit the day was sunny and not too hot.

Last weekend’s poker run passed through three properties in and around Trout Creek including Old Country Road, a main route of travel in the area before the 1910 fires ripped through the region, and the original location of the area’s ranger station.  

The Cabinet Ridge Riders host a variety of other fundraisers throughout the year including an ATV run in early June and a snowmobile poker run during the winter months.

The poker runs have grown in poplarity allowing the ridge riders to raise funds to support a variety of local programs in Sanders County.

To date the ridge riders have given a total of $10,330 to schools, food banks and other charitable organizations in Sanders County.

Money raised by the ridge riders also goes towards scholarships, local sports teams and emergency services around the county.