Equine Friends of Berrien County Trails

14/04/2024

Over 50 people attended our Tower Hill Equestrian Trail Meet and Greet. What a great day to meet neighbors and form strong local partnerships!
Thanks Equine Ladies for the help & refreshments!

14/04/2024

Worth reposting! And working together on.

Land owners and trail networks---

There’s a section in the movie “Unbranded” where the riders, who are going from Mexico to Canada, come to a locked gate. The distance across the fenced off land is only less than a mile until the trail resumes, but it made them detour more than 25 miles over rough country to get around the forbidden section.

That’s the heart of the fragility of trail networks. One locked gate might just as well be The Great Wall, Of China. Everthing beyond that gate, unless there is a way around it, is no longer accessible to riders.

Have you heard the fable of the frog in hot water (disproven, I think, but the idea is interesting) A frog put in a pan of boiling water will leap out, but if it’s put into cool water that then is brought gradually to a boil, the frog will die.

So you buy a property that has good trails around it. Now one new neighbor buys a property a few miles away, and puts up no trespassing signs. Not too big a deal, there are other trails. But over the next ten years, little by little, more land is blocked, and your ability to ride out shrinks to next to nothing. Houses and roads replace farms---we all know the drill.

If it had been like that originally, you wouldn’t have bought there, but like the gradually increasing temperature that did in the frog, you have begrudgingly accepted the limitations to your riding.

Back when there was land aplenty, the old saying was that it was time to move if you could hear your neighbor’s musket shot. For avid trail riders, maybe it’s when that first no trespassing sign cuts off a vital trail. Sure, economically impossible, I get it. But THAT right there, those newly forbidden trails, are what is killing outdoor riding in so so many places.

10/04/2024

Hope to see you at our Meet and Greet this weekend at Tower Hill!! A reminder that if you are planning on coming please RSVP to 269-426-3881 :D But if it just works out for you to stop by this weekend you are welcome.

07/12/2023

Land owners and trail networks---

There’s a section in the movie “Unbranded” where the riders, who are going from Mexico to Canada, come to a locked gate. The distance across the fenced off land is only less than a mile until the trail resumes, but it made them detour more than 25 miles over rough country to get around the forbidden section.

That’s the heart of the fragility of trail networks. One locked gate might just as well be The Great Wall, Of China. Everthing beyond that gate, unless there is a way around it, is no longer accessible to riders.

Have you heard the fable of the frog in hot water (disproven, I think, but the idea is interesting) A frog put in a pan of boiling water will leap out, but if it’s put into cool water that then is brought gradually to a boil, the frog will die.

So you buy a property that has good trails around it. Now one new neighbor buys a property a few miles away, and puts up no trespassing signs. Not too big a deal, there are other trails. But over the next ten years, little by little, more land is blocked, and your ability to ride out shrinks to next to nothing. Houses and roads replace farms---we all know the drill.

If it had been like that originally, you wouldn’t have bought there, but like the gradually increasing temperature that did in the frog, you have begrudgingly accepted the limitations to your riding.

Back when there was land aplenty, the old saying was that it was time to move if you could hear your neighbor’s musket shot. For avid trail riders, maybe it’s when that first no trespassing sign cuts off a vital trail. Sure, economically impossible, I get it. But THAT right there, those newly forbidden trails, are what is killing outdoor riding in so so many places.

22/10/2023

🐎🧲Meeting REMINDER!
Wednesday Oct 25, 6 pm, host Peggy Lippert 10043 Miller Road
Baroda Mi. Hope to see you there to support public equestrian trails & events in Berrien County. We will Follow up on some opportunities and great ideas from 9/26 for group rides, safe trail passing, and collaborations.

RSVP would be helpful (comment below or msg Peggy Lippert or Diane Traver)

03/10/2023

Next meeting Wednesday Oct 25, 6 pm, host P. Lippert. Supporting public trails & events in Berrien County.

27/09/2023

NOTICE the great reciprocal land sharing this included. AWESOME! Metamora thanks for the model!

Edited: Team #71 wins the Good Citizen Award. They had been posted as the 6th Place winner of the Long Course Optimum Time class. They called to my attention the mistake, I misread the Timer's Record erroneously placing them in the ribbons. Team #68 is the 6th Place Team and the result below have been corrected to reflect that. My apologies to both teams and a big thank you to Team #71.

FALL HUNTER PACE RESULTS

A huge thank you is owed to our 26 landowners who allowed us to traverse their private property for this event. Without their support, this event and our sport would not endure.

In addition to the landowners there were 24 volunteers who planned the course, secured permission from landowners, trimmed the trails, hung the markers and signs, set up registration and sherry stops, served the riders, caught loose horses, timed the runs, took photographs and made sure that the day ran smoothly. A huge thank you to everyone who had their hand in this success.

Just the Numbers Please: 26 landowners, 24 volunteers, 13 miles of trails, 33 teams, 101 riders (81 adults and 20 juniors), endless hours of trail trimming, and 3 classes with winners as follows:

Fastest Time – Long Course (11.2 miles)

1st Place – Team #47 (2h 2m 45s): Cody Osborne, Amy Kravutske, Jordan Fuller

2ndPlace – Team #46 (2h 44m 14s): Danielle Waymaster, Teresa Montoya, Maurice Freed

Optimum Time – Long Course (11.3 Miles – 2h 23m 00s)

1st Place – Team #65 (2h 24m 30s): Molly King, Kelsy Eastman, Beth Welling

2nd Place – Team #48 (2h 18m 55s): Emily Fuller, Kayla Eber

3rd Place – Team #55 (2h 29m 25s): Katie Opie, Gianna Loshkreff, Porsche Fischer, Julia Dobiasz

4th Place – Team #61 (2h 32m 30s): Dean Boivin, Nick Farneti, Torrie Jacobs

5th Place – Team #56 (2h 09m 45s): Leslie Morris, Jill Vitale, Michele Wingerter, Brooklyn Smith

6thPlace – Team #68 (2h 37m 35s): Joan Henning, Anna Beyer, Tim Partlo, Grace Danielski

Optimum Time – Short Course (8.1 Miles – 1 h 29m 45s)

1st Place – Team #58 (2h 00m10s): Abby Basner and Pam Colon

2nd Place – Team #74 (2h 17m 25s): Angelina Smith, Molly Baker, Angelina Wong

3rd Place – Team #70 (2h 25m 00s): Breanne Palmerini, Mykal Roth, Linda Grondin, Evelyn Roth

4thPlace – Team #59 (3h 10m 25s): Cathy Smyth, Eryn Smyth

Thank you to all who participated. We hope to see you again next year! Follow us on Face Book or check our website for current and upcoming events.aha

25/09/2023

Hey EQUINE friends of Berrien County Trails. Hope to see your smiling face TUESDAY Sept 26, 6 pm, Historical Courthouse, Berrien Springs. Time to catch up, share info, ideas, & plans. (Please bring your own water/bev)

14/09/2023

EFBCT MTG! Tues, Sept 26, 6-730 pm (note time), Historical Courthouse @ Berrien Springs. 🙂
Please send me any agenda items you'd like to discuss or report on or any assistance you'd like to give. Bring your own NA beverage. A RSVP would be appreciated (please?). Pass the word. It will be great to catch up. Diane Traver

06/09/2023

Hey if you lack a horse, but would like some horsey time, consider volunteering with TEC (Therapeutic Equestrian Center) now near Buchanan/Galien. Many volunteer opportunities for all levels of experiences, a great training program, and a great cause.

13/08/2023

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.michigan.org%2Farticle%2Ftrip-idea%2Fstunning-trails-horseback-riding-michigan%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2Ujqx5uJxgf6QgPMaf0u5iGOBJDweseiscqeitol3h65nVNfNd8PmNEY0_aem_AYw7PoIY7yAbPMbFLi6PaOltKaL1fwB6-XQ2HdQrQVnUTByUW8TO8n2B4Ar7a6kKMPk&h=AT3tE7zazY_mChQ5bpDWKst8qcVVvdWP7HNqyigBj5X9dgU41mZz1H7SfpeksSmcxCAUkmfJHRa7C1GpG0V2mT5AbThqAj7asAjZrCp8lVqyf2imxxDRtHcnon9RTvMfGHyH_jdXljG34ss&s=1

With more than 1,000 miles of state-designated equestrian trails, horseback riding in Michigan is an unforgettable experience.

13/08/2023

Hey EFBCT- have you checked out this site for your horse trips around our state?
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/horseback-riding

The July 31 DNR newsletter has a wealth of info & contacts - free signup to receive.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/3687cd9

Horseback Riding

25/04/2023

Coming from the MiTrails group. This app used by DNR. If you want to learn more about using trail apps, register for this free virtual Avenza User Conference on May 11th.

Enjoy your rides more with the trail apps!

The Avenza User Conference is a free virtual conference for map makers, GIS enthusiasts, and geospatial...

22/04/2023

So SORRY if you missed the cancellation notice for today's 4/22 trail work! Improving the follow-up system to those who RSVP'd is a new goal. Hopefully we will reschedule.

15/04/2023

Thank you Creek Hunt welcoming riders to share your spectacular trails at your open Hunter Pace. What a gorgeous day! Kathy Taylor, Ron & Betti Wielenga, Jenny Cook, SW MI Equine rep.

14/04/2023

Andrews University Trail Work Bee 4/22 & pilot Ride 4/23.
At EFBCT's first brainstorming meeting last May, some trail riding times at Andrews University was an dream idea. Mucho gracias to AU, Bruce J, Stephanie B, and Kathy K for their kindred spirits on the value of trails for all & sharing a shrinking planet.
We'll meet Sat, 4/22, 1 pm, Mt Bike parking lot, (across from BP just off bypass, near driveway to Timber Ridge Manor) for couple hours of trail maintenance and scoping the horse trail route. Bring gloves, loppers, tick spray, sunscreen, beverage. Snacks provided, additions welcome 😉.
RSVP here (greatly appreciated for a head count) or text/call Peggy L (269) 422-1979 or Diane T (989) 944-4507. Pilot ride, Sunday 4/23, 1 pm. Trailer parking area tbd on Sat. Space limited. Priority to work bee volunteers.

21/01/2023

Tired of dealing with mud issues? Here are some potential solutions to minimize the occurrence of mud on your farm.

21/01/2023

Identifying the factors that are contributing to the creation and occurrence of mud on your horse farm may require some “out of the box” thinking and management.