On Saturday Oct 27 we found all sorts of strange critters at the latest prize ride of the Traildusters chapter of Backcountry Horsemen of Washington at the Pilchuck Tree Farm in Arlington.

Horses and riders became S'Mores, & Lobsters, Bedtime buddies and Airiplanes.

Tia Johnson on her chocolate horse was a yummy S'More. Kristen Rieter was a fisherman who caught a huge lobster. Serafina Orr came with her sleepover buddy complete with stuffed animals. The airplane was piloted by JoAnne Fridley.

Usually the Traildusters are out clearing and repairing trails in the mountains and foothills of the backcountry or in our parks and riding trails in the front-country. One day a year (just before Halloween) they put on a contest for riding families which involves a fun, well marked trail ride through the Pilchuck Tree Farm followed by a costume contest for riders who transform their horses into other creatures. This year 38 people and horses entered the contest, and 300 people rode the trails.

It takes talent, planning and time to make a plain brown horse into a magical mythical species. And it sure takes a special kind of horse to put up with all this fuss.