EQUINE DIDJA KNOW

Horses Go In Virginia

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EQUINE DIDJA KNOW

When your horse follows you without being asked, when he rubs his head on yours, and when you look at him and feel a tingle down your spin...you know you are loved.
...John Lyons

As you all know I have been excited about the American Competitive Trail Horse Association’s (ACTHA) competitive trail competitions (CTC). Well, after participating in two rides and possibly a third I have seen some things I am not very excited about. Just so happens ACTHA is in partnership with Human Society of the United States (HSUS). The CTC to get into the Guinness Record Book is in partnership with HSUS. This bothers me because HSUS is like a corporation, they have their own staff of fund raisers, the only fund .05 of 1% of yearly earnings for rescues of some kind and none to horse rescue. It is my understanding HSUS is not and does not have a horse rescue affiliate to begin with. My sole purpose was to join something that would benefit floundering rescues not fat-cat corporation-types who have a staff and millions of dollars in their accounts to fund lobbyist and lawyer on the HSUS payroll.

Another upsetting thing is the ACTHA advertisements mention prizes for participation…well the prizes are in ACTHA bucks and you have to use them for certain vendors and those vendors do not have what I want to buy. If you don’t use the bucks then they are absorbed back into ACTHA…what kind of prize is that? At least let me donate to the rescue that benefited from that ride. Yes they do have end of the year prizes, but I’m not sticking around for that…I’m cutting my losses and will control my volunteering and contributions so I will know exactly who is getting a piece of it and who is not.

BCHA Recognized as Leading Equestrian Group at Federal Conference

On Behalf Of American Horse Publications
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 7:26 PM
To: AHP Newsgroup
Subject: AHP Newsgroup: BCHA Recognized as Leading Equestrian Group at FederalConference

For Immediate Release: May 5, 2010

Contact: Back Country Horsemen of America, Peg Greiwe 1-888-893-5161

BCHA Recognized as Leading Equestrian Group at Federal Conference

On April 16, 2010, Back Country Horsemen of America was honored to be
one of approximately 200 user groups invited to attend the White House
Conference on America’s Great Outdoors. The goal of this conference
was to bring together leaders from across the country that are working
to protect their outdoor spaces. Participants included working
ranchers and farmers, sportsmen and women, state, tribal, and local
government leaders, conservationists, business and others who view the
outdoors as integral to their communities.

“Being one of the invitees to this conference represented the high
note of 37 years of being the quiet voice of reason,” reported Terry
Morrison, BCHA Chair, during annual meeting of BCHA’s national
directors the following week. “Interior Secretary Salazar stated that
there could have been thousands more groups invited, but that those
who were represented the organizations that would not only take back
the plans from the meeting, but would who help to implement them.”

BCHA’s current implementation plans call for increasing the public’s
awareness of history and role that packers and horseback riders played
in the development of this country, as well as the work they continue
to provide in the protection of wilderness areas.

Developing partnerships with community groups, land managers, other
nonprofits and user groups remains a priority with BCHA, but following
the brainstorming sessions at the White House Conference, Morrison
anticipates BCHA will move forward on more fronts than ever. As a
beginning to these plans, greater emphasis on development of community
based and website youth programs is moving forward rapidly.

President Obama stated during his speech to the conference, “that few
pursuits are more satisfying to the spirit than discovering the
greatness of America’s great outdoors.” At the conference, the
President signed A 21st Century Strategy for America's Great Outdoors,
the text of which can be read on BCHA’s website,
www.backcountryhors e.com.
BCHA encourages everyone to check the website for the Department of the
Interior,
www.doi.gov/ America'sGreatOu tdoors , to learn how you can become
involved.

BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations,
affiliates, and at large members. Their efforts have brought about
positive changes in regards to the use of horses and stock in the
wilderness and public lands. If you want to know more about Back
Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website:
www.backcountryhors e.com, or call 888-893-5161.