Association/Trail Riders News

BRIGHTON TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION

Summer is here and everyone is happy. The weather has been great and the mixed bag of erratic temperatures this spring is behind us. Oh, wait. The summer weather has also brought a bunch of bugs – the kind that like to harass our horses and us. When we venture out on the trails, we want to bring fly swatters (many of us favor riding crops), bug spray, and horse hoodies. Having said that, there are days and times when the bugs take pity on us and leave us alone. Nevertheless, the trails are in good shape and we even have some new signage at our trail heads, stating that bicycles are not allowed. The signs have been provided and erected by the local DNR and we continue to be grateful for our good relations with them. Of course, our trails have always been reserved for equestrian use only but some bicycle riders – due either to their ignorance or disregard for the rules – have ridden on the trails. Let's hope these new signs will eliminate this problem. We still welcome those who just want to stroll along the trails and also dog walkers, as long as their dogs are leashed. As always, any and all trail riders and equestrian campers are welcome at Brighton. Anyone who plans to camp can reserve their site through the DNR reservation website: www.midnrreservations. com. You can also visit our website at www.brightontrailriders.net. Mark Delaney, BTRA President

We held our annual meeting in May and all our Board members were re-elected to ongoing terms in office. For us, the process was painless and efficient – democracy BTRA style! Although we had planned to hold the meeting on the deck and adjoining yard of one of our Board members, the weather on that late May evening was more like late March. So, we moved inside and after the meeting enjoyed pizza, beverages, and dessert. When these words are read, we will have held our first official outdoor event since 2019. The Open Ride, Picnic and Campout event in June has been a BTRA tradition for years. Last year, it was not held due to the Covid pandemic but this year, things are considerably brighter. What makes it even better is that the DNR requirements for group events have largely been lifted. We'll be able to enjoy a picnic, socialize at distances less than six feet, and see each others’ (maskless) smiling faces.

Fort Custer Horse Friends Association

FORT CUSTER HORSE FRIENDS ASSOCIATION

Hello Trail Riders! Summer's upon us, bugs are flyin', hay going in our barns and riding plans continue! Our trails are gorgeous as usual, with grooming and tree limb removal, mostly done by Ken. If the Fort Custer Equestrian Campground and trails are something any of you have not checked out yet, please join us this season! We have over 20 plus miles of trails with 6 creek crossing that meander through woods, prairie sections and around lakes. The trailhead parking is easy for any size rig with pull through parking. Seven campsites are located at the trailhead that offer picket poles, picnic tables and fire rings at each site. These sites can be reserved through the DNR website. There is also an outhouse, pavilion, grill, and pitcher pump for horse water on site. FCHFA has worked so very hard and long to make these equestrian amenities a dream come true at our Park. We would welcome all that enjoy our endeavors to join the club and help support the financial responsibility we have taken on to have our trails and the campground. The Annual Meeting is being held at the trailhead this year on July 17, 2021. This will follow the usual format of 3pm social hour, 4pm potluck with pulled pork supplied and 5 pm meeting. All are welcome to attend. Come ride that day or camp and join us to meet old and new friends! September 16-19 is the Annual Fall Equestrian Campout at the Whitford Lake Event Area. This is 4 days and 3 nights you don't want to miss! Always well attended, we will have our famous fundraising auction of donated items, pancake breakfasts, and Saturday supper potluck with pulled pork. The camp is a beautiful grassy, tree lined area that includes picket poles and trees for picket lines. Corrals are permissible also. Water for horses will be on site as will be an outhouse and spreader for manure. This is our big fundraiser for 2021 to support the Equestrian Campground and trail system that FCHFA maintains. The campsites will be first come first serve. There is always room for all that wish to attend and make this event another huge success! Discussion to raise the fee for this event has been entertained, as the cost has been kept very low for several years. The fee will be decided on at the next meeting. As always, donations are welcome, as are volunteers for any of the calendar events. Go to our website at www.fchfa.org or call Nancy at 269-967-3613 for more information or if you have questions. See you on the trails! Toni Strong, FCHFA Secretary

IONIA HORSE TRAILS ASSOCIATION

IHTA 2021 Events: Forbidden Trail Ride – June 26 Chili Cook Off – October 2 By the time you see this, our 5th Forbidden Trail Ride will be “in the books.” Hope we had seen you there! There are lots of campsites left for our October Chili Cook Off. Please get your reservation made soon! When reserving online, please remember to click on the “Equestrian” tab on the right side of the page to select our horse camp. Be sure to use a good email address. At the end of the 2021 season, there will be an electronic survey sent to horse campers. The state is looking for your feedback and concerns about camping with horses, and potential interactions with non-horse campers. This is critical to our work to try to keep our horse campgrounds “horse only.” If you register directly at the park, please ask the person working at registration to take down your email address and give it to the park supervisor so you can be included in the upcoming survey.

IONIA HORSE TRAILS ASSOCIATION, continued

The Ionia Confidence Course has been improved with deeper gravel at all obstacles. We hope this makes it a safer and more enjoyable experience for you and your steed. We have plotted out our proposed route for Phase 2. As soon as we have DNR approval for the route, it will be brushed out and riders are welcome to start using the path to go from day staging to the Phase 1 course. The path will pick up from the trail just across the road from day staging, then take the first right (presently it is marked by pink ribbons in sets of two – stay between the ribbons). Our approximately 100x100 arena built with a joint effort of park staff and IHTA volunteers in September 2019, is next to day staging. If you have an anxious horse you want to expose to trail riding, you'll have a safe place to “work out the kinks” before hitting the trails. We'll also be encouraging 4-H groups to hold their practices there, as well as potentially inviting clinicians and outside events in the future. THREE DAY PARKING AREAS: 1 – Normal Day Staging; 2 – Go past the day staging parking lot to the “Barn Lot” on the same side of the road; 3 – There is also a new option to access the west end of the park more easily! It is still signed as the X Country Ski Trail, just before the beach entrance (on the opposite side of the road) when entering the park. Park staff enlarged the parking area to hold four or five horse size rigs, but this is not a parking area suitable for BIG rigs. The drive entry is not wide, and the turn around area is not huge. If your rig is more than 30 feet or you lack backing skills, this may not be a good option. Please park like you expect the lot to be full when you come back. Leave room for others and plan for all rigs to be able to exit safely. If you haven't ridden Ionia yet this season, you'll find a fun new by-pass just past the Overlook where the downhill run trail was so washed out and rocky. We plan to add some gravel to this new section of trail, as well as “bench cut” sections to provide a flat riding surface, to alleviate what could become “ slippery when wet, ” as soon as park manpower is back to full strength. Remember, you can ask questions or report trail issues on our Facebook page at Ionia Horse Trails – IHTA.

MAYBURY STATE PARK TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION (MSPTRA)

Greetings, trail riders! Our Riddle Ride took place on June 6, 2021. We did not have as many riders as we would have liked. The weather was beautiful with no rain, but the temperatures were in the mid-90's. We think most folks that were planning on coming out decided it was just too hot for them and their horses. We had 12 Riddles put up all around the park, so we hope at least the walkers and joggers enjoyed figuring them out! Our winner took home a gift certificate to Grand River Feed. We look forward to trying something like this next year and consider having it a little earlier in the spring. The bridge is complete! It is wider than the previous bridge as well as the railings are a bit taller. A huge thanks goes out to the Intercounty Drain Board, our Eagle Scout Alex Goolsby, Cris Purslow, the DNR and the Maybury staff. Truly a collaborative project! If you have not renewed your Maybury State Park Trail Riders Association Membership yet for 2021, please do so today! We have made it a lot easier and now you can renew or sign up and pay your membership dues via the website under the “Membership” section. You can still renew or sign up by mail as well by printing out the forms and mailing them in. You can support our group in other ways by selecting it as your chosen charity under Amazon Smile. In addition, our association has an account with the Tribute Partners Program, where you can send in proof of purchases on feed bags which in turn translate to funds. Check out the “Support Our Group” section of our website for more information and forms. Every little bit helps! Our website has also added a “Log Your Ride” section. If you go on a ride in the park, simply go in and log it in! We like to know how many of us are enjoying the trails! You can still sign the Registry Book at the Kiosk in the Staging Area. Check out all the new updates to the website at: www.mayburytrailriders.org Continue to follow us on Facebook for updates on the trails, events and general news going on in the park. Feel free to post pictures from your rides! Happy Trails, Mary Nader

MICHIGAN FOX TROTTERS ASSOCIATION

Happy hot July! Join us on the MFTHBA/MFTA National Trail Ride September 17-19 at D bar D Ranch in Chase MI. Make your camping reservations at www.dbardranchmichigan.com now so you can go on a guided trail ride, bring a dessert to pass for the Saturday night Meet & Greet, play Bingo astride and sing around the campfire. Tell D bar D that you are with the Michigan Fox Trotter group. You do not have to be a member to participate. This will be a really fun time! We have a fundraiser going on. We are selling comfortable stonewashed blue 100% cotton t-shirts emblazoned with a black MFT silhouette. Order at www.michiganfox trotters.com to use the PayPal link or send a check for $25, $30 for XXL (made out to MFTA) to: MFTA, 2333 Hagadorn Road, Mason, MI 48854, state size needed and it will be shipped to you. Everyone is encouraged to purchase one. Please help us succeed in this fundraiser so we can continue to offer more activities. Wear one of these t-shirts to show your Fox Trotter pride! Order your medium-xxl sizes soon! Meet new member Bonnie Lane of Brighton, MI. She is the proud owner of a three yearold Texas-bred Dunalino stallion, Future is Gold Dun. He has already sired six foals this year! Bonnie is an avid trail rider who's motto is “Ride 'til you can't!” Welcome to the MFTA, Bonnie! Congratulations go out to Susan Williams (for the Versatility Not Under Saddle division), Mandy Kellogg (Under Saddle) and Jodi Myers (Ultimate Horseman's Challenge) for earning the most points in the first quarter of 2021. Our 22 Versatility Challenge participants have been busy accumulating points and miles camping in the cool

MICHIGAN FOX TROTTERS ASSOC., cont

forests of Michigan and surrounding states, attending cattle, Dressage, and horsemanship clinics, participating in Masterson Method, obstacle, police and possee clinics, doing groundwork, trail maintenance, producing educational videos and showing. MFT’s can do so many different things well! Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Parliament family for the loss of their son, Elon, and to the Williams family with the loss of Susan's mother, Vickie. May they both rest in peace. June was a tough month. If you would like to join our email list, please email me at efrusy@yahoo.com and also remember to like us on Facebook!

Do you own a Fox Trotter and would like to join this active affiliate of the MFTHBA? Go to www.michiganfoxtrotters.com for the membership form. We always welcome interested people passionate about Fox Trotters who are willing to promote this versatile breed. Send yours in now! By Marilyn Mannino

PROUD LAKE TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION

Hello Everyone! We are very happy to report that we have added even more obstacles to our obstacle course. Please come out and give it a try! There is absolutley no charge, just enjoy. Proud Lake Trail Riders has been working diligently with the DNR to separate our trails from the bikers. The park is completely committed to doing this and they are presently evaluating options and locations. Once the trails are separated, there will be signs up stating what are horse trails and what are bike trails. We have been working on this for the past several years and we are thrilled that the park is committed to making this happen. As of now, the GPS maps have been submitted and we are moving forward. If you encounter bikers on the trails that are not giving the right of way to horses, please contact the DNR immediately. If you are able to get photos, please try to. Our next event is our ever popular Circle Ride that we coordinate with Kensington Trail Riders. There will be camping at either staging area. The ride consists of starting at either Proud Lake or Kensington and then riding to the other staging area and back again. We are not yet sure if lunch will be served or other details of this ride. Camping reservations will be available approximately one month before the ride.

Stay safe and keep riding!

Summer is in full swing and it's a hot one! July is a busy month for family vacations and summer events so remember to allow extra travel time to your destination to allow for road construction and busy roads. I always carry a few buckets of water with me for the horses in case I get stuck in a traffic jam or have a break down. And don't forget to check your tires, wheel bearings, electric systems, etc. on your trailer and truck. Drive safely and have fun. WDAMI would like to congratulate all of the wonderful competitors who participated in the Sunflower Horse Show. Thank you for supporting WDAMI. Our Big WDAMI Battle of the Saddle Online Horse Show (BOSS) is almost here. Entries will be open from July 31 to August 16 and we have lots of great prizes including door prizes just for entering the show, as well as high point winners for each level and division, overall high point, western high point and English high point winners will each win a free lesson with some awesome instructors. High point versatility for AA, Jr and open. Visit https:// www.sportlighthorseshows.com for more information. BIG NEWS! There will be two USEF/WDAA lite shows in Northern Michigan to be held on September 11 and 12 at Lucky Dog Ranch in Harrisville, Michigan. Go to the Facebook page for Sunrise Equestrian Sports for more details. Also don't forget the USEF/Lite WDAA Shows at Wyn Farm in Williamston, MI. The Wyn shows are MQHA approved as well. There are many schooling shows that offer Western Dressage throughout Michigan. You can find a list of shows on our WDAMI website. WDAMI would like to congratulate all the winners of the first WDAA Western Dressage International Challenge. You are all champions for getting out there and supporting Western Dressage. Please share your stories. WDAA News: WDAA just released the new training scale which they are calling their “training wheel.” The WDAA training wheel diagram depicts the training basics needed to reach the ultimate goal of lightness and thoroughness with harmony and is meant to serve as a guide to help riders evaluate and improve their western dressage training. The hub of the wheel is the ultimate goal. The spokes represent the basic elements of training and connect to the hub. The Rim holds all elements of the training together and represents the rider who is responsible for ensuring that all the spokes of the wheel are developed equally. For more information go the WDAA Website. Also new for the junior member is the Ride a Test program and it's free! Go to: https:// wdaa.memberclicks.net/wdaa-online-ridea-test-program. Don’t forget the Western Dressage World Championship Show is September 29 to Oct 3, 2021. Hope to see you there.

WDAMI is looking for sponsors for our yearend awards and educational events. If you would like to help by sponsoring or by helping us to find sponsors, please contact us by email at: inforwdami@gmail.com. If you would like to volunteer or offer other service's we need, please contact us. We can always use the help. Please don't forget to renew your 2021 membership.

WESTERN DRESSAGE ASSOC. OF MI

Our thought of the month is by Thomas Ritter: “Aids are used for a variety of purposes. They are means of communication our intentions to the horse. They are sensors that feel the horse’s muscle tone and mood. We can use them as probes that follow the pathways of the horse’s bones and muscles to find any stiff, inflexible joints and muscles. And they can be used to frame the horse and create boundaries within which we want the horse to move.”

Thank you for your support. Be safe, have fun, enjoy your equine partner and exercise the act of kindness to all. Until next time. Suzanne Morisse, President of WDAMI