Horse 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. 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. 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
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 JULY 2021 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2021 (14)
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. WWW.SADDLEUPMAG.COM
