HAVELOCK – The U.S. Forest Service’s first equestrian trail in the Croatan National Forest could be ready for riding this fall with a bicycle trail soon to follow.

WESTCLIFFE — Their motto is “Every hoofbeat is a heartbeat,” and the establishment of this long-standing fundraiser has enabled an organization to continue to help others.

On the last day of February, just before the snows came, a dozen of mostly fifth graders from St. George’s Independent School, plus volunteers and students from St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis, braved the cold temperatures and chill winds to experience horseback riding at Shelby Farms.