01.13.09
Posted in Adventure Tourism, Bluegrass Region, Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen, Kentucky, Volunteerism at 10:38 pm by Thomas
Harrodsburg, KY, January 12, 2009 – A local team of oxen, owned by Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen (Ft. Harrod BCH) member Brian Rogers, will work with trail enthusiasts on February 7-8, 2009 to clean out an old dump site at Eagle’s Nest Equestrian Trails in Harrodsburg. The site primarily contains old tires which work crews will dislodge and load onto a sled pulled by the trained steers.
Rogers’ oxen currently are used for light farm work including pulling a chain drag, pulling logs, moving stones and feed, and more. The two-and-a-half year old pair has been working in yoke for the past two years and travel annually to participate in the Midwest Ox Drover’s Gathering in Scotts Michigan.
“By using oxen to remove the debris we hope to limit the impact on the environment and minimize damage to the vegetation. This is also a great way for us to incorporate the use of draft stock in our trail maintenance efforts,” stated Emily Dennis, President of the Ft. Harrod BCH.
The tires will be removed from the Cornishville Road area of Eagle’s Nest to a proper disposal location. Eagle’s Nest Trail Boss, Dennis Blackburn, is currently working with other Ft. Harrod BCH members and the local community to identify a low cost or no cost recycling or disposal alternative for the tires.
Eagle’s Nest Equestrian Trails is closed for both January and February to reduce impact and erosion to the trails. The scheduled work days are to be conducted on foot and without horses.
Individuals wishing to join the trail clean up efforts will be shuttled from the pavilion at Eagle’s Nest to the clean up site. Clean up efforts begin at 10 a.m. with a midday lunch break featuring potluck chili. Participants are asked to bring prepared chili to mix and heat at the work site or an appropriate side dish and their own non-alcoholic beverages. RSVP to confirm attendance by contacting Dennis Blackburn at 859-613-2665 or hardrockfarm@gmail.com.
For more information or to join the Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen contact Emily Dennis at edennis@fewpb.net or 502-330-8798 or Dennis Blackburn at hardrockfarm@gmail.com or 859-613-2665.
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08.05.08
Posted in Adventure Tourism, Announcement, Kentucky at 10:48 pm by Thomas
Wanted to post some quick information about another organization that I am a founding member of called the Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen. This is a group of horse trail enthusiasts in Central Kentucky that recently formed this non-profit organization as a 501(c)3 corporation. The founding of this organization is largely the brain child of Emily Dennis of Big Red Stables, who is also now our President by unanimous vote. We held our first trail ride/maintenance out at Eagles Nest in Mercer county this past Saturday and had some two dozen members turn out for it. Members of this group have also been involved in GPS mapping of trail areas in Central Kentucky which most likely be part of the trail system across that State that hopefully will be useable in time for the Games. Emily actually testified before the State Legislature on SB 196 (Kentucky Adventure Toruism Initiative) which was the bill that provided the mechanism for the State to negotiate with land owners to create this trail system.
I will provide more information here soon on joining this group, if you want information quicker then that jut drop me an email, thomas at kentuckyworldequestriangames dot org (spam bot shielding).
Thomas
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03.29.08
Posted in Adventure Tourism, Governor Beshear, Kentucky, Legislation at 10:53 pm by Thomas
Kentucky Senate Bill 196 (Kentucky Recreational Trails Authority) passed both houses of the Kentucky Legislature and is headed to Governor Beshear’s desk where he has said he would sign it. This bill was referred to as the “Adventure Tourism Bill” was sponsored by Sen. Brandon Smith (R-Hazard). In simple terms this bill is going to allow the State to enter into agreements with public land owners to provide trails and access points to connect public lands while protecting private land owners from undo liability risk. First Lady Jane Beshear’s idea is to connect all 12o Kentucky counties with horse trails so that you could ride from one end of the state to the other. We of course think this is a great idea and are in total support.
The press release from the Governor’s office on this bill.
On a side-note, I had the honor of meeting Emily Dennis at my CTA class and getting to ride out at her family’s Big Red Stables today. Emily testified in both the House and Senate on behalf of this bill and had significant input in the crafting of the liability portion of this bill. So I give thanks to Emily for her involvement in this bill and for the wonderful ride I had at her place today which I know I will feel in the morning, but that’s a good thing.
Thomas
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