HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS

be doing? Well, I plan to maintain an active role in BTRA. I will continue to write this column for Saddle Up! Magazine, and will continue to serve as Editor for our newsletter. I’ll still be busy, but just a little less busy than before.

January issue of Saddle Up! Magazine, please take note, I was wrong with the fees – Single is $20 and Family is $25. Sorry for any confusion.

See you on the trails!

BRIGHTON TRAIL RIDERS ASSOC.

As this column is being written it’s a sunny day in mid-January, 2023. Sure, it’s not warm but after all, this is the middle of winter. Having said that, this has been a tolerable winter We’ve had some snow but nothing that has stayed very long and no freezing rain that has paralyzed us. Compared to the severe weather that many other parts of the country have experienced, we’ve dodged the bullet. As result, the trails at Brighton are still getting some use and our Facebook has included posts and pictures of hardy riders enjoying their outings.

The BTRA Board of Directors recently held our first meeting of the year and we accomplished quite a bit We worked on our schedule of events for 2023 and it will be published shortly Our newsletter, The Hoofbeats Gazette, will be going out soon and it will include the schedule and our membership renewal form.

We decided that we again want to host a display table at the Michigan Horse Council Expo in March and look forward to holding our annual banquet in April, which we cohost with the Pinckney Trail Riders Association. Our first organized ride and picnic, along with our annual meeting, is scheduled for May

And now, a personal note: I have served as President of the Brighton Trail Riders Association for a number of years, have enjoyed it immensely, and feel that I have been of significant benefit to our organization. However, the time has come for me to “hang up my spurs” and depart from that office At our recent Board meeting, I formally retired and a new President was quickly appointed. Penny Wilson will now be leading BTRA Penny has been a major asset to our organization for years. She has served as our Board Secretary, has helped organize numerous events, has contributed articles to our newsletter, and the list goes on. And, to top all that, she is on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Horse Council and serves as Treasurer. So, she will not only be serving our organization but the state’s equestrian community as well. What will I

If our weather doesn’t turn nasty, the trails at Brighton will continue to welcome you and hey, it’s just a few more months before warm weather returns to Michigan. You’re all welcome to come visit us.

Mark Delaney

Fort Custer Horse FriendsAssociation

Hello Trail Riders! The warm weather we've been lucky to have has brought many winter riders out to the Park. The trails are open year round so come and enjoy everything Fort Custer has to offer! Serene streams, lake views, woods and prairie sections beg for the company of you and your equine friend. The campground is also open, though the water at the Park won't be turned on until April. There is a pitcher pump at the trailhead/campground.

All good things new for 2023 are in the works. A plan for corrals with covers is being decided on for a few sites. Also, funds have been marked for a storage garage at the DNR headquarters for FCHFA to store our growing supply of equipment that is used to maintain the 20+ miles of trails everyone enjoys. Please remember to send your dues to help support our improvements for 2023 and the future.

Our next board meeting will be held at the Scotts Community Center in Scotts, MI. Everyone is welcome to attend and hear about the plans for this season at the Park. We will have our annual fundraisers with the Spring and Fall Equestrian Campouts at the beautiful Whitford Lake Event Area. Please go to our website at https://www.fchfa.org/ for information about the special campouts and the calendar of events for ride/potlucks throughout the riding season. Any other questions can be directed to Nancy at 269967-3613. If you are joining or renewing your membership with the handy form in the

The Indiana Miniature Equine Club offers shows at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville Indiana for miniature horses (both registered and grade) and we welcome you to join us! Our show fees are very reasonable, and the facility is an allweather arena and barn atmosphere. Whether you are a first-time show participant, or a seasoned exhibitor, our show bill has something for you, and we would love for you to join us. We also host an AMHA Hoosier Gold sanctioned show in May and have some of the top miniatures in the country compete at this double-judged AMHA show. For more information on IMEC events for 2023, visit our website at www.imecnews.com or call IMEC President, Joyse Banister at 317-727-5153 or email her at Banfour@yahoo.com

We hope you will join us in 2023!

Ionia Horse Trails Association

Our 2023 Event dates are: www.ioniahorsetrailsassociation.org

Forbidden Trails Ride - Saturday, June 10. Chili Cook Off - Saturday, October 7.

Please Note: We are struggling with new Facebook "Meta" solutions for our page –which is not letting us create events. please go to our website for more information and registration forms.

We are planning a workbee for March or April, depending on how weather plays out. Our goal is to install corrals on two more