Tortoise Trail Poker Ride
at River Rise Preserve State Park
Saturday, October 10, 2026
River Rise Preserve Horse Barn,
373 SW US Hwy 27, Ft White, Florida
Take a leisurely ride
through beautiful River Rise Preserve State Park, and play a hand or two of poker for prize money. Cash Prizes for Top 3 Hands, Oldest Rider, Youngest Rider and Oldest Horse ridden!
Meet new friends and catch up with folks you know. Check out items donated by local businesses for drawings to be held on the day of the ride. Drawing tickets will be available the day of the ride only for the suggested donation of $1 each.**
Smokin’ Fatties Food Truck will be onsite with light breakfast & lunch available for purchase.
** No purchase is necessary to enter drawings. You must be present at the time of the drawings to win prizes.
*** Must be present at the time winners are announced to collect Poker Ride prizes.
Day of Ride Schedule
PARK OPENS: 8:00 AM
REGISTRATION: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
FIRST RIDER ON TRAIL: 10:00 AM
LAST RIDER ON TRAIL: 11:00 AM
TICKET DRAWINGS START: 12:30 PM**
WINNERS ANNOUNCED: 2:00 PM***
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Friends of O’Leno & River Rise is required by the FL Division of Recreation & Parks to keep a copy of the current negative Coggins certificate on file for each horse entering River Rise Preserve State Park during this event. Please consider emailing certificates ahead of time to pokerride@friendsofoleno.org
Help us speed up the check-in process.
Under Florida law, an equine activity sponsor or equine professional is not liable for an injury to, or the death of, a participant in equine activities resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities. Florida Statutes §773.01s
Florida law requires participants under the age of 16 years to wear
a helmet while engaging in equestrian activities on public lands.
Participation Options
POKER HAND SCORECARDS
First Poker Hand is $25 per rider on Ride Day. Save $5 by pre-registering online or by mail!
Increase your chances of winning with additional hands for $15 each at all times.
See below for registration options.
Limited Rider Spots available!
Register Soon!
CAMP AT RIVER RISE
Reserve a campsite for your own little piece of River Rise, giving you a comfortable place to park your rig and hang out. Camping at River Rise Preserve is $5/person/night. Call the Ranger Station at (386) 454-1853 to make your camping reservations.†
Stay Friday night and wake up ready to ride, or camp Saturday night to be ready for a possible “Rain Date” ride on Sunday. OR, reserve Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for a River Rise Mini-vacay!
† Day Use Parking is limited, AND River Rise has designated campsites in the camping area with only one rig permitted in each site. Make your camping reservations early!
How to Register
ONLINE
Register online at Tortoise Trail Poker Ride until Wednesday, October 7th at midnight.
You will be able to order your poker ride scorecard(s), and buy a River Rise Preserve T-shirt.
BY MAIL
Register by mail by downloading the Mail-In Registration Form.
Mail-in Registrations must be postmarked no later than 10/2/2026.