Celebrating 2018 on horseback

When cabin fever sets in, those who live the horseback lifestyle can't wait to get out and ride.

"We've been doing this for years," said equine enthusiast Jason Helvey. "It got so big as far as riders turning out that we had to change our route."

Helvey has led the unofficially named "First Ride of the New Year" nearly every year, inviting riders to join a loop that started and ended at the warm Wayside Bar and Grill in Trout Creek.

"We used to just ride from our place along the highway, but when we had 30 riders come out one year, we had to change the route to something less crowded," Helvey shared, noting that snow banks, highway traffic and skittish horses required a more "backroads" path in order to enjoy the saunter to the local watering hole.

This year, more than a dozen riders attended bringing along a few new faces. Helvey said he likes the laid-back nature of the event. He purposely has not named the event or the group just to keep things simple. The most organized part of the New Year's ride is the destination and the entertainment that greets the riders. Helvey and the Wayside employed Fire Creek Band to get the chilled riders out of the saddle and moving their feet for the rest of the evening while imbibing adult beverages and enjoying good company.

Wayside owner Skip Anders shuffled a pool table to make room for the four-piece band. The musicians presented their takes on old classics and 90's hits-turned-country. The lively crowd filled the dance floor more than once to showoff their country swing moves and celebrate getting horses out of the stables and butts out of easy chairs by the hearth.

"We really enjoy this get-together," said Helvey, "every year the weather is different and there are different obstacles to account for, but it is always a good time."