[RC] California Trails Conference - Jeannie Gillen
With "poop patrol"..."continued access" to public
lands (i.e. horses being left out of federal trail grants, because some
bureaucrats don't consider them transportation)... "sharing trails" with
other uses, specifically bicyclists, etc.... I thought this would be a good
time to remind you all that the California State Trails Conference is scheduled
for March 25-28 in historic Folsom California. We have scheduled it there this
year specifically to accommodate horses, there are 30 miles of MULTI-USE trails
for you to enjoy. In the past, these Conferences easily
accommodated bicyclist and hikers but not horses.....As the
Equestrian member of the State Trails Committee, that was my first
request. I think that, coupled with the 3 people that showed up at
last year's Conference in Tahoe WITH HORSES (and no place to put them) has
helped them realize they need to accommodate us......
Sooooo, please send someone from your organization,
club, group or riding community to the Conference to demonstrate our interest
and affect on trails....past, present and future. Go to
I am also on the B.O.D. for The
California Trails and Greenways Foundation. We are granting a $500.00
scholarship for Conference Attendance this year...If you are, or know of, an
equestrian representative that would be an asset to the conference and can't
afford to go.....e-mail me
Also, I will be on an Equestrian-Bicyclist Panel,
and will appreciate your input about sharing trails....I, for one, have
been very impressed with the "odd-even" days policy at several parks where
sharing just hasn't worked....speed, spookey horses, blind curves, steep
terrain....This policy provides that "horses can be on all trails every
day...Bikes can be on trails on the even days of the month, i.e.2,4,6,etc." This
gives people the option of sharing or not sharing....and still meets the
public land use requirement for sharing of resources aka
trails.......
I welcome and value your thoughts and opinions....I
hope some of you will get involved......
