HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS Fort Custer Horse Friends Association
BRIGHTON TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION As we begin the New Year, we're in the middle of winter and of course, we're experiencing cold temperatures and some snow. However, as we view reports from various parts of the country, it looks like we've really dodged the bullet so far. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Have we reached the point where our thoughts can start turning to the upcoming riding season as opposed to last year's? Things have been pretty quiet at the Brighton Recreation Area but our trails are still getting some use. We see posts on the BTRA Facebook page about some hardy riders venturing out, and no one has reported any significant difficulties. When a problem such as a fallen limb across a trail is reported, our Trail Maintenance Committee chair goes right out and takes care of it. We are extremely grateful to Peter Andrews who has served in this capacity for a number of years and has made it a year around job. He is dedicated to this responsibility, has heavy duty equipment that he employs when needed, and has recruited a team of volunteers who help out when needed. We recently held our first BTRA Board of Directors meeting of the year, and it was productive. We finalized our 2022 Schedule of events and are hopeful that we will be able to offer our members a riding season filled with enjoyable activities. We are paying special attention to plans for our annual banquet. As always, we are collaborating with our co-hosts, the Pinckney Trail Riders, and are determined to make this big event a success. We are also aware that the DNR at Brighton has worked on a few projects, despite it being the off-season. We are grateful that the park manager and his staff are so helpful in partnering with us. For hardy riders, the staging area and trails are open, weather permitting. Still, we urge all riders to exercise caution if they climb in the saddle during this winter season. Mark Delaney, BTRA President
FORT CUSTER HORSE FRIENDS ASSOCIATION Hello Trail Riders! Everyone and their horses are hunkered down for the next few weeks of Winter's blast to Michigan. It has affected most of us in various ways. Our January board meeting was cancelled due to bad weather and roads. Nancy and Ken put our calendar of events for 2022 over the phone and it will be posted on our website at www.fchfa.org so riders can plan this years' activities accordingly. Check out the website and Facebook page for updates of FCHFA news. Plans for 2022 include our Annual Camp Outs in May and September. These events will be held at the Whitford Lake event area again. The camp outs have been extremely popular with riders for several years. You can find pictures of the fun, friends, horses, and great times on our website. Be part of it all this year and help support all we do to support the Park, improve the trails, and continue to add to the campground. There will be extended picket areas for more shade for the horses after approval and Spring workdays. Electricity is something in discussion with Park management for in the future as well. Members should be proud of all the hard work the FCHFA board does to work with our Park manager to improve what riders enjoy at Fort Custer Recreation Area. Please consider joining the club and participate in one of the most successful horse clubs in SW Michigan! Come explore the trails even this time of year. The Park is open and strives to have some parking plowed at the trail-head. Enjoy quiet winter riding through fields and prairies, wood lots, around lakes and crossing creeks as you wander 20 plus miles of trails. Riding buddies can be found on the website, also if you don't have a friend to meet. Make a new friend! Thanks to all that made 2021 a great year! Here's to what 2022 will bring to us with hard work and dedication to our Park! Call Nancy at 269-967-3613 for any questions. See you on the trails, Toni Strong, FCHFA Secretary
FEBRUARY 2022 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2022
(18)
HIGHLAND TRAIL RIDERS ASSOC. Greetings from the Highland Trail Riders Association! We hope your year has started well and you are making some fun and exciting plans for the upcoming riding, camping, and equestrian events season. We have a few to put on your calendar! The HTRA board members held a year-end meeting this past December and voted the new board for 2022. We are pleased to have Sally Oberg continue as President, Jacqui McAtee as Vice President, and Roxanne Miller as Secretary. Vickie Banyash steps in as the new Treasurer and Walt Cook is our new Trail Boss. We thank Jim Jurkowski and Dave Snyder for their years of service, hard work and dedication regarding our organization and the equestrian trails at Highland Recreation Area. We also inducted and welcomed new board members Melanie Shipp and Janell Lumbley along with honorary member, Julie Ogg. We are so happy to have them join our team! We set the date for a first of the year goals meeting and the dates for our camping events. The Annual Poker Ride Camp Out is scheduled for May 13-15, ride, lunch, and potluck dinner held on Saturday the 14th. Our Annual Horseshoe ride is scheduled for September 9-11, ride, lunch, and potluck dinner on Saturday the 10th. As always, the campsites fill up quickly. Day riders are always welcome at all our events. Please get your registrations in early. Information is sent to members in March. All others can find registration information on our website at www.highlandtrailriders.com. You can also find information regarding HTRA on our Facebook page at “Highland Trail Riders Association.” Specific questions regarding our camp outs and other events can be answered by emailing Sally Oberg at: highlandtrailridersmi@gmail.com. We have goals to add a few more events this year and will keep them posted here in Saddle Up, on our website, and on our Facebook page. We hope you have a cozy winter, an early spring and a busy fun filled riding season. Stay safe, ride often and join a local trail association. Equestrian trail groups make it WWW.SADDLEUPMAG.COM
