David Smith
T
he trail-riding world lost a great guide in David Smith when he was injured in a terrible motorcycle accident two years ago, leaving his leg held together with plates, rods and
screws. Riding was just too painful for him to continue, so he hung up his spurs for good. T is month’s Trail Warrior honoree served for fi ve years as president of the Oklahoma Equestrian Trail Riders Association, Inc. He has led countless trail rides, worked hundreds of hours as a trail volunteer and served as a mentor to up-and-coming trail riders. For the last two years, he has taught Horse Camping 101 Clinics to greenhorns. David recently came back on the board as a director and now serves as vice president. He still plans on camping with the group and will continue to be involved, just not by horseback. His life is taking a new direction since the accident and he and his wife, Linda, are traveling the country as retirees. T ank you, David, for set ing a fi ne example as a leader and trail rider.
PCT and Backcountry Horsemen Partnership Formalized Equestrian groups provide an invaluable
service to the Pacifi c Crest Trail (PCT). Not only do they conduct trail maintenance, but they also provide packing services to back- country trail crews, bringing in tools, food and gear. Without this assistance, trail crews would be unable to maintain remote sections of the PCT. In 2012, PCTA, the Backcountry Horse-
men of California, the US Forest Service and the BLM in California strengthened an exist- ing partnership, culminating with the Febru- ary 4 signing of a Let er of Partnership Intent. T e purpose of this partnership is to pro-
Send your Trail Warrior nominations to
trailsaver@trailblazermagazine.us
tect, preserve and maintain the PCT for safe, enjoyable wilderness experience for hikers and equestrians. T e agreement covers how they do business—everything from open com- munication, safety and volunteer recognition to confl ict resolution, training and mileage reimbursement. Chip Herzig of the Backcountry Horse-
men of California has now been appointed to the PCTA Board of Directors. He brings a unique perspective to the PCTA board and will help nurture their mutual interest protecting and preserving the trail. “I looked at what is on the PCTA web site
Register Online for National Equestrian Trails Conference July 18-20
Sponsored by the South Carolina Horse
Council, the fi rst National Equestrian Trails Conference will be held at the Baxter M. Hood Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina. T e theme for the conference is “Helping the American Trail Rider Understand Conserva- tion Policy.” T e conference registration fee is $200 and includes Friday and Saturday lunch and morning/aſt ernoon breaks and the T ursday night social. Student rate for those 17 and under is $100 per person. Students will also enjoy a Friday night barbecue dinner. One-day conference registration for $80 is also available. Keynote speaker is Mark Rey, Executive in
Residence at the Center for Systems Integra- tion and Sustainability in Washington DC and School of Natural Resources at the University
of Michigan. His topic is “Politics and Policy for the Nation’s Public Trusts—Land and Resources.” His talk will be followed by “T e Future of Designated Wilderness and Its Recreational Use” by Bill Hodge, Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards. Breakout sessions will include a session by the Back Country Horsemen of America explaining who they are and what they do. Other ses- sions address equestrian resources in the American Trails Organization, the American Horse Council, policies aff ecting trails and standards for trail horses and riders. For more information on topics and speakers, visit
NETC2013.com. To
register, go to ht p://
netc2013.com/reg1/ continued next page
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WWW.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US • June 2013 | 95
concerning our partnership and in one word... awesome!” Chip said. “Our partnership is out there on the cut ing edge, but it was needed and is a success.” For more information about the Pacifi c Crest Trail, visit
www.pcta.org
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