JOHN KEYES Springville, California California Equestrian Trails & Land Coalition
www.calequestriancoalition.com
1. TRAIL SAFETY. Many single-track historic equine and hiking trails are being taken over by “me- chanical transportation.” T ese single track and very curvy trails make an unsafe area for hikers and equine users because of the speed of mechanical transporta- tion. Trails that were designated for hiker and equine only are slowly being given by public agencies to these mechanical transportation groups. T is is a very large concern for the majority of the members involved with the CET&LC.
2. MAINTENANCE. Because of budget problems with State and Federal agencies, many historic trails are in need of repair. T is is due to lack of enforcement because of illegal housing tracts on these trails. For example, T e California Riding and Hiking Trail and the Immigrant Trail are two very historic trails that have been changed and, at places, lost because of illegal zoning practices. T ere are many volun- teers working very hard to help save these and other historic trails. But without funds and help from these strapped agencies, it gets harder and harder to fi x these damaged trails.
3. LOSS OF EQUINE USERS ON OUR PUB- LIC LAND TRAILS. CET&LC believes it has to do with the economy but also it has to do with safety issues on the trails. Equine users are now focusing on round pen or corral competitions and less and less on public land trails. We do hope this trend changes and more people go back to horse packing and just enjoying the trails.
Teri Wyat
TERI WYATT Edmond, Oklahoma Oklahoma Equestrian Trail Riders Association
www.oetra.com
1. LOSING USE OF AN AREA FORMERLY DEDI- CATED TO HORSE TRAILS. It doesn’t seem to be a problem here in Oklahoma. We have been very fortunate to not have many of these issues and have lots of places to ride. Especially in the metro areas, the multiuse aspect is becoming very popular. I think it will be a factor where we are sharing the trails if the other users don’t understand trail etiquet e. People want to get close to nature, even if the world is get ing smaller. We are making more places to swim, ride and walk—and all are at ractive amenities.
2. AGING POPULATION. T e people who started this club in 1974 have disappeared from riding. We are all in our 50s and 60s, so we need to get our next generation involved. Many kids are involved in competitive equestrian sports. I hope we will see them eventually become active in trail riding, trail advocacy and in our association. We are the catalyst for these new riding trails and the maintenance for existing riding trails and we need to continue to recruit new advocates and members.
3. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CITY, STATE AND NATIONAL ENTITIES. If we don’t learn how to be ambas- sadors with a positive at itude, they will fi nd someone else to do it. Someone else will take it over. Be proactive instead of reactive—you can’t wait until something happens. T e only way we can do this is to be a good steward of our riding trails and work within the rules. We do get frustrated and sometimes you have to let things go because of the politics within the systems. You’ve got to pick your bat les. People who go out and cut trails on their own without going through the proper channels ruin it for the rest of us.
John Keys 54 | November 2012 •
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