Submitted photoTom Seay of RFD TV’s “Best of America by Horseback” goes for a trail ride at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park earlier this month.

LIVE OAK, FLA. —The  Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Fla. was honored the weekend of Jan. 31-Feb. 3 to have RFD TV’s “Best of America By Horseback” host Tom Seay and his TV filming crew visit the SOSMP, along with nearly 200 horse lovers and owners from all over the United States. Many in this large group brought their horses and spent the entire weekend riding all over the SOSMP’s 800 plus acres on the banks of the historic Suwannee River.

Tom Seay’s “Best of America By Horseback” rides have been broadcast on RFD TV since 2006. During this time Seay had ridden 295,976.4 cumulative miles on the show by Jan. 31. The show features top quality shows of Seay and his sidekick, singer, songwriter and poet Del Shields, taking horseback rides all over the U.S. The rides are filmed in trail riders’ scenic locations and incorporates informative and educational information about the locations’ trails, camping and lodging facilities, amenities, history, additional activities to participate in while visiting, as well as featuring quality equine related products. 

Seay has owned horses since he was 5. He has traveled America for decades as a professional outfitter. He, executive producer, host and trail master of the rides, and his wife Pat have been in the TV business for many years. 

“After a lifetime of doing horseback outfitting and being a national trail guide, I cannot think of a place I enjoy more than The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park,” Seay said. “I have been coming to the park for more than 20 years camping and riding horses with friends. When we started our television show on RFD-TV 14 years ago, we came to Spirit of Suwannee Music Park. The interest and turnout for our ride this past weekend was overwhelming. My wife Pat and I feel at home at the park, along the banks of the Suwannee River, especially with such dear friends and the Cornett family. 

 “There is no other place that has more to offer their guests to become one of America’s premier trail riding locations. I will always do anything I can to promote The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park and hope to return in the future for an even larger event.”

This group of relaxed, friendly folks made new friends, rode horses in the cool weather, in rain, attended lectures and seminars put on by event sponsors Seminole Feed of Ocala, visited the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch for lunch, made many new friends, danced and listened to music for three nights in the Music Hall and enjoyed visiting the SOSMP’s Music Hall, where they enjoyed Open Mic Night Feb. 1 as 14 of North Florida’s best country artists took the stage and entertained all evening to long and enthusiastic applause.

This wonderful weekend for Best of America and its many friends who traveled to the SOSMP ended with a huge banquet in the Music Hall Saturday, Feb. 2. Seay spoke at this event and shared the stage with Seminole Feed folks who made the event possible. He then signed autographs, posed for photos and visited with many in the audience.

After the banquet the crowd was then treated to an evening of wonderful music as outlaw country artist Bryan James took the stage with Al Enzian where they entertained a much appreciative audience, opening for famous actress, singer, songwriter, performer Karley Scott Collins. Karley debuted her dynamic band to accolades from all with a terrific performance with music from many genres, including one of the most popular that night, “Dead Man Walkin.” 

Among those lecturing was John Dalziel, an Irish/Scottish former military police officer in England. Dalziel spoke at a Bits and Bridle lecture where he mentioned he had been part of the horse soldiers who protect the Queen of England. He also calls Prince Charles a cousin. Dalziel has made a career of law enforcement and teaching police and others how to best use and treat their horses not only for work but in everyday life. Dalziel currently resides in the U.S. During this special weekend Dalziel spoke about bits and bridles to a large  crowd of horse riders, displaying those bits in the Rogue Gallery he said are inhumane to use. He also explained carefully to a grateful audience how to use the bits and bridles he suggests riders use to treat their faithful horses humanely. 

It was a great weekend with much anticipation to do it all over again soon. To learn when this weekend’s Best of America By Horseback ride will be featured on RFD TV, go to www.bestofamericabyhorseback.com/tv-schedule.

If you would like to rent one of the beautiful cabins, a spot to park your RV/camper or primitive camp for one of the many other exciting events at the SOSMP such as Suwannee Spring Reunion March 21-14, or if you just need additional info, please call the SOSMP at (386) 364-1683, email spirit@musicliveshere.com or go to www.musicliveshere.com. The SOSMP is located 4.5 miles south of Interstate 75 and 4.5 miles north of Interstate 10 at the beautiful Suwannee River off US 129 at 3076 95th Drive in Live Oak, Fla.