Re: SAVE OUR TRAILS

["JanetB" <jlbenke@uswest.net>]

Something you may want to consider is contacting yourturn@npr.org with the
idea of an NPR focus on trail access for equine events.  NPR does solicit
ideas for the public, so this is an opportunity for all of us, distance
riders, backcountry horsemen, and casual trail riders, to express an
interest and radio story.

And yes, it is helpful to know what is being considered for trails.  Each
state has a web page - find it and locate the rules changes section.
Anytime state land is under review for change in status may be an
opportunity for equestrians to step up to the water trough and express our
needs, concerns, financial support to the state nationally we are a billion
+ industry), and political activity.

Stay in touch with AERC and its trails' committee too.   If we want to ride,
we have to acknowledge our open space.  A letter now and then to a Forest
Service permit program thanking it for the permits in the past would not be
a bad idea.  If you have ridden in an area you particularly enjoy, let the
permitting agency know how much access means to you.  It could be BLM,
Forest Service, private, or state land.  A 33 cent stamp and a few words
doesn't cost much in time or money, but is an investment in our future.

ride on, ride long, ride thankfully

janet benke (pner region), along with handsome, china, and someday, spike -
ears forward, nostrils flaring, and eyes wide open
-----Original Message-----
From: JoAnne Gernant <jgernant@netexpress.net>
To: ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 5:43 PM
Subject: RC: SAVE OUR TRAILS


> “ Trail riding on horseback is an American cultural heritage acted out
>in the setting of a natural heritage.  Conservation of the natural
>heritage setting is a prerequisite  to the preservation of the trail
>riding tradition”
>
>This quote was made by  Dr. Gene Wood, professor of forest, wildlife,
>ecology at Clemson University ,South Carolina, during a networking
>session at the Ohio Valley Equestrian Trails symposium at Louisville,
>Kentucky  This conversational remark triggered a nerve, reemphasizing to
>
>me  how much  our trails are worth and the need to take time and energy
>to preserve these trails
>      As a avid distance rider, I want to be out on the trails, not
>setting in meetings,
>workshops, & sessions  listening to people talk.  BUT trails across the
>U S are  being threaten and horses seem to be the first to be
>eliminated  . Size of animal, hoof  prints in the soil, manure left,
>trail erosion, you name it, --- any number of reasons to eliminate trial
>
>riding.,  Basic  lack of organization between equestrian  groups and
>pull together tactics seem to lose  our trails  We are riding while the
>green advocacy groups and other anti horse groups are writing,
>protesting that horses upset ecology.  This becomes a political  issue
>and the trails are closed .  With egg on our face we wonder why, what
>happened.?  GET INVOLVE and become aware  of the horse groups are in
>your state .  Check in your area what parks, what  trails, what
>representatives in your legislature like and dislike  trail riding , and
>
>what is happening.
>       You say nothing is wrong.  Look how the trail management has
>changed in our life time/ Rules have changed at Palmyra, Wisconsin
>horseman camp ground, and with trail closures and trail fees.   Not all
>bad changes, but changes.  Jubilee Park, Kickapoo, Illinois  has opened
>the horse trails to mountain bikes,  Shawnee National Forest  -- now
>that’s a real confusing mess.   Yes, things are changing.  Do you have a
>
>Horse Council in your state,?? Do you have active horse supporters in
>your state government,?? Do you even know or care ? Yes you care because
>
>you love to ride .  Even if your an arena rider, you care because the
>future depends on  now.  In my life time I have notice once a rule is
>made its very hard to rescind.
>     I got   regenerated at the  Ohio Valley Equestrian Trails Symposium
>
>in Feb.  when I listened to representatives from the  Backwood Horseman
>of America, Virginia Horse Council,  Heartwoods  ( tree huggers)  Rails
>to Trails , Blue Ribbon Coalition , Indiana horse Council, and
>Economics of Trail Riding,  These speakers were from  states throughout
>the US .  Trails are being used by many,  We are loving our parks to
>death . We Can and Will Share, but need the chance to prove that horses
>can still use the trails .
>  There were representatives from California, Alabama, South Carolina,
>Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, New York and Michigan.  An
>impressive showing of people who care.  I was pleased  that  about 10
>per cent of the attendees where distance riders.
>    JoAnne Gernant
>
>
>
>
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