WILMINGTON, NC (WECT)- There's nothing like a little line dancing to get you moving and grooving, especially after a long day of riding on horseback.
That's what hundreds of people who are part of the East Coast Trail Riders Association will tell you, since it's what they do every weekend of the trail riding season.
The riders load up their trailers with camping gear and horses and travel to a specific location along the east coast. People all the way from New Jersey to Florida get involved.
Once they arrive, they spend the day on the horses, and at night, the music and dancing takes over.
They know dozens of line dances, and with each stop they pick up a few more. Recently, they've been doing "The Wobble," "Otis," "Some Beach" and "Chuck Baby." Monday on Carolina in the Morning, the dancers showed WECT viewers how to do the dances.
Regina Anderson, who has been riding for 16 years, is also a dance instructor. She makes instructional DVDs for anyone who wants to get started or learn some new routines.
Keeping up with all of the different songs and dances is one of her favorite parts of the job.
"We learn a lot of them from the web sites, friends, some of them we make up," said Anderson. "I have to know them all since I am an instructor. Some other cowgirls and I give lessons, and we love it, it's just a big family affair."
Some gatherings, such as the recent event at Triple K Ranch in Delco, NC, had over 1,000 riders. But even with numbers that big, Anderson says everyone gets along.
"We are all one big family. We all do the same things so we all enjoy it. Dancing is the bond that brings us together."
As soon as the song comes on and the dancers start feeling the beat, there is no stopping them.
"I can't wait til the beat starts so I can move. It's a great way to workout, it's a way to get some exercise in," said Anderson.
Many of the trail rides are done in honor and support of important causes. This past October, everyone wore pink for breast cancer.
There will be a big gala for anyone who wants to try out line dancing in December at Genee's, located at 4903 Market Street.
To learn more about line dancing or trail riding, contact Regina Anderson at (910) 473-2626.
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