NEBRASKA HORSE COUNCIL
Nebraska Horse Trails Committee Meeting
Meeting Minutes - April 16, 2005
Kathy Newberg called the April 2005 meeting of the NHTC to order at approximately 2:00 p.m., with the MANY members and guests in attendance, who also participated in the Oak Creek Trail Clearing Day. Thank you to all of these GREAT people who donated their time, muscle and machinery! Below is a list of people who signed the sign up sheet!
Deb Leuty Melanie Veprovsky Sarah Garcia
Michala Kalworf Sandy Milius Cleo Ney
Tammy Godwin Dean Athey The John Vasa Family
The Mike Ries Family Julie & Steve Shurigar David & Robin Nore
Deryle & Nadine Morton Ross Gerding Diane Cobarci
Dick Webb/Kristi Chapman The Schewdhelm Family Tom & Jamie Coffey
Richard & Kathy Newberg Ray Brixius Les Snyder
Donna & Randy Mehlin Duane Umland Ed & Blake Mark
Dwight Hanson Pattianne Belitz Ken Dunlap
Jamie & Vickie Sich
Thank you to the 4H groups, the Thunderstruck Saddle Club and also NECTRA for also participating! Thank you to John Vasa, Dwight Hanson, and Ed Mark for donating their skid loads and time to help clear the trail! Thank you to Jamie & Vickie Sich for the use of their trailer/camper for the day! It provided a great shelter and buffet setting for the lunch! Also thank you to Jamie & Vickie for being in charge of the lunch! Thank you to EVERYONE who brought food to share!! You always know the food is great, when very little is left over!
A few trivia items from the trail clearing day:
Who drove the farthest to participate? Julie & Steve Shurigar of Holstein.
What was the earliest time someone got up this morning? 3:30 a.m.
Youngest participants were Ben and Laraine, both four years old!!!
The most experienced participant is Ross Gerding -- 85 years young!
As a result of the April 16th trail clearing, the trail is complete from Valparaiso to Loma, and many have already had the opportunity to enjoy the trail. Thank you again to all individuals and groups who participated in the trail clearing.
OLD BUSINESS
Expo was a HUGE success for both the NHC and NHTC. Planning is already under way for the 2006 Expo and many volunteers are needed!
No new info on the following projects:
Two Rivers
Wilson Creek
Walt Hill
MoPac Trail
A cost study is under way to implement horse trails along side the existing limestone trail south of Springfield. The MoPac trail is currently accessible for horseback riding: Lincoln to Wabash, 92nd & O and Walton to Eagle.
Seldon Lake at Grand Island
Easements proposed for horse, biking and hiking trails.
NEW BUSINESS
Rock Creek Station State Park/Rock Glen Wildlife Management Area Game Day is scheduled for April 30 at 3V Stables, proceeds from the game day will fund the Corral project at Rock Creek Station. $10 per person to participate in all or as many games as you would like. Many prizes have been donated for the Silent Auction, to be held during the Game Day event. Three sets of four corrals are planned for installation at Rock Creek
Station on May 14 at 4 p.m.. The NHTC was awarded a $1225 National Parks Service grant to be applied towards the expense of the corrals. Thank you to Sundowner Trailers and Purina, who have also donated to this project. Rock Creek Station State Park is open for equestrian use. The Wildlife Management area is open May 15 to May 22, for restricted use, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Riding will be available in the Wildlife Management area through October. The Wildlife management area has undergone many changes. Most of the cedar trees have been removed, in an attempt to return the ground to natural grasslands. Your participation in the NHTC makes a difference! The NHTC has been able to build relationships with horse-friendly Nebraska Game & Parks Commissioners. There are no dollars available for horse trail improvements, the NHTC must provide the labor.
Indian Caves
Five miles of new trails were installed in November, in addition to new horse corrals.
THE NEXT NHTC MEETING WILL BE HELD Saturday, June 11, at Two Rivers State Park. Bring your horse, ride at 1:00 p.m., the meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m.
THE NEXT NHC and Expo planning meeting will be held Thursday, June 9, at 7:00 p.m. at the Breadeaux Pizza in Ashland.
Meeting adjourned
Notes by Pattianne Belitz