NEBRASKA HORSE COUNCIL
Trails Committee Meeting
January 19, 2005
NEBRASKA HORSE COUNCIL TRAILS COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes - January 19, 2005
The January 2005 meeting of the NHTC was called to order at 7:30 by Kathy Newberg, with the following members and guests in attendance: Rich and Kathy Newberg, Mike Anderson, Pattianne Belitz, Jamie and Vickie Sich, Mike and Sheila Ladd, Duane Umland, Vicki Fraser, Gayle Taylor, Jud and Jacob Buescher, and John, Tammy, Case, and McCain Vasa.
OLD BUSINESS
Rock Creek Station State Park/Rock Glen Wildlife Management Area
Kathy has not yet sent a letter to Daylan Figg, Nebraska Game and Parks, regarding trail planning in the Rock Glen Wildlife Management Area. Kathy will be sending this letter.
Mary Hanson, Nebraska Parks Service, contacted Kathy to let her know she left a message asking Brad Seitz, manager at Rock Glen WMA to call. As of this meeting, Mary had not received a response from Brad Seitz. Kathy had a phone conversation with Wayne, manager at Rock Creek Station State Park. Wayne is very excited about working with the NHTC and the proposal of corrals in the equestrian camp at the park. Wayne wished everyone at the NHTC a Merry Christmas. Further discussion and planning for corrals at Rock Creek Station planned following the March 2005 Expo.
Indian Cave State Park
The signs to be donated and posted in the equestrian camping area at Indian Cave State Park were completed and mailed to the park. Kathy will confirm final payment has been sent to the sign company.
A recent article appeared in the Star City Sports and Lincoln Journal detailing and recognizing the NHC and NHTC donation of the horse corrals installed at Indian Cave State Park November 2004.
Oak Creek Trail
Tammy reported a fence and gate were put up across the trail by a neighboring farmer. Kathy contacted Dan Schulz, NRD, regarding the fence and gate. Tammy and Kathy also discussed the increased use of ATVs on the equestrian trail, and possible options to discourage the ATV riders, however, most options discussed interfere with mowing. Members suspect the ATV riders were the neighboring farmers traveling the trail to Valparaiso for coffee! As long as encounters with the ATV riders continue to be respectful, the ATVs do help keep the grass and small trees down.
Seldon Lake Holdrege
Jamie Sich spoke with John Thorberg, NRD, and also the Holdrege City Council regarding the possibility of equestrian trails on the west side of the lake. Because of the small size of the area (15 acres), an obstacle type trail course was proposed for this area, to be used for trail training exercises. This project is currently on hold, reviewing the need for barriers to prevent a potential runaway horse from getting into nearby railroad tracks or highway.
NEW BUSINESS
T-Shirts
Tammy will send e-mails of products available and pricing. We would like to have ordered/received in time for Expo.
Expo March 11 through 13 at Lancaster Event Center
The NHTC will have a booth in the vendor barn this year, rather than the horse barn, as in past years. Mike Anderson and Pattianne Belitz will co-chair the NHTC booth. Please contact Mike or Pattianne (reply to this e-mail!), if you are interested in volunteering your time at the booth! Jamie and Vicki Sich volunteered for all day Saturday (thank you Jamie and Vicki!). Of course, volunteers will still be needed to fill in Saturday, to allow Jamie and Vicki to have an occasional break.
The proposed theme for the Expo is ? We’ve come a long way baby?, in celebration of the many recent accomplishments of the NHTC. Pictures of various accomplishments were donated by Newberg’s and Sich?s. Tammy Vasa also has pictures from Take Pride in America clean up and August NHTC ride,
both held at Rock Creek Station. Thank you all for your pictures!!
David Anderson will create a donation jar, to be used at Expo to collect donations for trail and equestrian campground improvements. Each $5 donation will be eligible for an entry in the grand prize drawing, a maximum of five entries per person. A drawing will be held at the end of the Expo for a grand prize of a weekend of camping and trail riding for two at Big Canyon, donated by Edith and Roger Wentworth. The weekend will include camping and corrals for two, hookups, bathrooms, and showers. Big Canyon
informational flyers will be available at the NHTC Expo booth. Case and McCain Vasa will create box for drawing entries.
Nebraskaland Magazine Pictures and Interviews
Mike Anderson mentioned a representative of Nebraskaland Magazine took pictures and interviewed volunteers during the Take Pride in America clean up day at Rock Creek Station. Mike recently discussed with Nebraskaland Magazine the possibility of including improvements at Indian Cave and Rock Creek Station, in a future edition. Kathy will contact Nebraskaland Magazine.
Oak Creek Trail Clean-up Continues
The next trail clean up is scheduled Saturday, April 16. Meet at Loma at 9:30 a.m. A chili lunch will be provided by the NHTC, lunch will be held at Sich’s trailer. Volunteers are asked to bring hand tools, chain saws, nippers, gloves; a bobcat would be very helpful. One long mile of trail remains to be completed, the goal of the April 16 clean up is to finish the trail.
NHTC Sponsorship of State 4H Show Events
Vicki Sich motioned the NHTC sponsor Trail Class at the State 4H Horse Show in July, and donate trophies for the Champion and Reserve winners. Trophies cost approximately $50 each. Rich N. seconded the motion, motion approved.
Fund Raiser for Improvements at Rock Creek Station State Park Equestrian Camp
The NHTC will sponsor a Fun Day/Game Day for all ages at 3V Stables on April 30. 3V Stables will donate the facility. Concessions will be available, provided by 3V. Tammy and Gayle will co-chair the event. The possibility of a Fall Fun Day/Game day in the Grand Island area was discussed, issue
tabled for further discussion following Expo.
Nebraskahorsecouncil.org
Thank you to current web mistress, Tammy Vasa, for her efforts on the NHC website. Thanks, Tammy!
Pigeon Jones NRD Area
Information was presented regarding the possibility of equestrian camping and trails at a proposed NRD site near Walt Hill Nebraska. Pattianne will continue to keep the NHTC informed regarding this issue.
Mo-Pac Trail Springfield to Louisville
Vicki presented concerns regarding recently imposed riding restrictions on this trail, questioning the options available. Mike offered to assist if a presentation to the NRD is required.
Halsey Trails Commission
Jamie reported information regarding the HTC, a pro multi-use group (website halseytrails.com). HTC has a trail assessment and trail repair weekend planned for April 15 and 16. The Spring Creek Saddle Club has partnered with the HTC, in the past, for campground and trail improvements and Natuck and White Tail.
Wilson Creek Wildlife Management Area
Mike and the Ladds reported information regarding Wilson Creek, a Wildlife Management Area south of Plattsmouth, which is approximately 800 acres, providing three to four hours of riding in dense timber. The possibility of trail clean up at this WMA was discussed. Discussion regarding clean up at this WMA area will be table until trails are finished at Rock Glen WMA. In the meantime, Mike Ladd will check with the WMA manager for permission to clear or clean up trails in this MWA.
Motion to adjourn the meeting, motion seconded at 9:30 p.m. Date and location for the next meeting will be distributed via e-mail.
Your Nebraska Horse Council Trails Committee
Chairperson: Kathy Newberg of Walton, NE
Vice Chairperson: Mike Anderson of Blair, NE
Secretary: Pattianne Belitz of Omaha, NE
Treasurer: Vicki Sich of Grand Island, NE