Trail Symposium speakers need our help. Please read. (Long)

["Sally Aungier" <saungier@mindspring.com>]

Ridecampers, with Steph's blessing I'm going to ask that you read this
rather lengthy post before deleting.  Those of you who have been on the list
for a while will remember that in 1998 that we ran a pledge drive to fund
sending several representatives to the Clemson Symposium.  I can't remember
who started it, but I do recall that it was well received and we were able
to really make a difference and at the same time demonstrate that we can
help take care of our "Ridecamp Family."

I would like to do the same thing to help support Brian and Candace Bourne,
part of the team that will be going to the National Trails Symposium in
Redding, CA to represent OUR interests.  They are trying to raise the money
to finance the trip and we need to try to help them.  My understanding is
that the AERC is going to assist with their registration expenses but maybe
we can help them with some of other expenses, which are considerable.  I'm
attaching the document that Candace prepared for me to send out so that you
can read it for yourself.  I came to know Brian and Candace through the
planning committee for SETC and they are two of most dedicated individuals I
have met (you will see for yourself on their Bio's).  I know they will do a
good job and deserve our support.  This is a big out of pocket expense for
them.

Truman has agreed to be the collector of any donations received from
Ridecamp.  They can be mailed to SERA c/o Truman Prevatt, 5393 Pony Path,
Brooksville, FL 34602.  $5, $10  or more - whatever you think this is worth
after reading the message below.  If you have questions or comments that you
would like to address directly to Candace, her email is
jeffeca@vetmed.auburn.edu

Thanks for giving this issue some thought,
Sally Aungier, Representing the SETC Planning Team (and a host of other
trails organizations and committees.)

Proposal for funding a presentation on trail conservation at the National
Trails Symposium

The National Trails Symposium is being held in Redding, CA, September 21-24,
2000.  American Trails is the Symposium host and the theme this year is
“Trails and the American Spirit: 2000 and Beyond”.  This symposium will be
a premier opportunity for trail advocates, managers, planners, and users, as
well as environmental, tourism, and business interests, to come together and
experience an inspirational, and educational conference. It will explore
both the future and the past so that we build a strong foundation of
knowledge and skills related to trails. We, Brian and Candace Bourne, are
honored to have been asked to present a paper for the  session on
*Conservation Principles for Equestrians* moderated by Dr. Gene Wood. With
our
experience in both distance riding and the development and conservation of
trails, we feel that this is an excellent opportunity for us to show  other
trail user groups that equestrians are concerned and will do their part
towards trail preservation and conservation.

Our presentation, “Conservation Principles for Competitive Trail Riders”, is
a topic of  concern to equestrians as well as other trail users. We feel it
is important for us, as equestrians, to develop these principles  in order
to assure our continued access to trails, which in turn will  assure the
continuation of competition on those trails. By articulating these
principles to other trail user groups  and then putting those principles
into practice, we can ensure our acceptance into the trail conservation
arena. Rightly or wrongly, we are not generally thought of as trail
conservationists, so it is  up to us to to take positive steps to
demonstrate that  we are willing to contribute to trail conservation.
Denying the fact that horses may negatively affect trails is not a solution.
On the contrary, admitting to that impact while demonstrating our
willingness to do our part towards conservation of trails, even if it means
some changes on our part, would be the more advantageous solution.

Our goal at this conference will be  three-fold. (1) We will  set down
specific conservation principles for equestrians who compete on trails. In
doing that, we would, (2) earn the respect and possibly gain the alliance of
other trail users and land managers who have in the past judged us as a
negative influence on the condition of the trails.  The ultimate and most
important goal is one that may take longer to achieve but would certainly be
the best way to guarantee  the continuation of our sports on public lands.
With 1 and 2 in place we  will have begun the dialogue that will enable (3)
a partnership between land managers and competitive equine trail users
whereby we would be solely responsible for returning the trails to
pre-competition condition at the conclusion of the event or making the
pre-event decision for route-modification or rescheduling. In all cases,
trail conservation must be the deciding factor.

Ideally, our role at this prestigious symposium will be to represent all
competitive equine activity on trails and therefore our presentation will
directly benefit your sport’s organization. With that in mind, we are asking
for your financial support. We also request  any advice and/or suggestions
for the content of our presentation . Please find enclosed an estimate of
expenses for the 4-day conference. We appreciate any contribution that your
organization can make toward the cost of this representative effort. In
return for your generous contribution, we will be happy to send you a copy
of our presentation and a detailed report on the conference for use in your
organizational newsletter or publication. We are more than willing to donate
our time and lose a few days’ income, but will need your monetary support to
make the goals we have set a reality. Help us take this first step towards
those goals. The future of our competitions depend on it.

Estimated expenses* for the  15th National Trails Symposium
Registration fee:    $375  X  2  $750
Airfare:      650   X  2   1300
Lodging:        89  X  5   445
Ground Transportation:      39  X  5   195
Meals:        90  X  5   450
        _____
         $3140
* Expenses are for 2 people staying 5 nights.

BIOGRAPHIES
Brian Bourne
Brian has been involved in endurance riding and a member of the American
Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) since 1986. He was co-manager of the War
Eagle Endurance Ride near Auburn, AL for 10 years (1986-1996). He is a
co-founder of the War Eagle Trail Association and charter member of the
Southeast Endurance Riders Association (SERA). As a USFS volunteer, he has
logged over 3000 hours of volunteer service since 1986. He is almost solely
responsible  for the layout and construction of the Bold Destiny Bedford V
Cash Memorial Horse Trail, a 14 mile trail in the Tuskegee National Forest
in Alabama. This trail is 100% maintained by volunteers who are members of
the War Eagle Trail Association. In 1997, he was the recipient of the W,
Kelly Mosely Environmental Award - one of the highest awards in Alabama for
volunteer service. He has also received recognition from  Mike Dombeck, US
Forest Service Chief, for distinguished volunteer service on National
Forests (1997) and a Certificate of Appreciation from the USDA National
Forests in Alabama for outstanding work on the horse trail at the Tuskegee
Ranger District (1996). As part of the War Eagle Trail Association, he
shared in the recognition given that organization by National Forests in
Alabama for Outstanding Contributions in the maintenance of the Bold Destiny
Bedford V Cash Memorial Horse Trail (1997-1998).  He has completed the SCA
Wilderness Trail-building Skills Course at Mt. Rogers, VA. Honored by the
American Hiking Society in 1998 for  Outstanding Partnership Building as a
part of the National Trails Day in Alabama State Committee, he served as one
of the equine representatives to that committee for 2 years (1997-1998).
Sponsored by the USFS, Brian attended the National Symposium on Horse Trails
held at Clemson University in October 1998. He was on the Planning Committee
of the Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference (SETC) 2000 held at Clemson
University May, 2000 and was a  member of the Alabama panel at SETC
presenting a view of Alabama horse trails from the volunteer perspective. An
avid hiker, he has hiked trails all over the U.S. His most ambitious trek to
date is  thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail -Georgia to Maine- April 15 to
September 7, 1986.

Candace Bourne
Candace became involved in endurance riding in 1988 and is a member of AERC
and SERA, serving as President of SERA in 1993 and Vice President in  1994.
She played an integral part in the  10 year run of the War Eagle Endurance
Ride coming on board as co-manager in 1990. As a member of the War Eagle
Trail Association, she has spent years doing volunteer work at Tuskegee
National Forest on the Bold Destiny Horse Trail and as part of that
organization shared in the recognition given them by  the National Forests
in Alabama for Outstanding Contributions in the maintenance of the trail.
She served on the National Trails Day in Alabama Committee as an equine
representative for 2 years (1997-1998) and received recognition from the
American Hiking Society for Outstanding Partnership Building as a part of
that committee in 1998. As a representative of SERA, Candace attended the
National Symposium on Horse Trails  held at Clemson University in October,
1998. Since that time she has been very active in horse trail issues in
Alabama, as well as the Southeast region, contributing articles to many
publications on the importance of trail conservation and preservation and
the necessity for equestrians to become involved in those issues. As a
member of the SETC Planning Committee and moderator and organizer of the
Alabama panel to SETC, she played a vital role in the success of that
conference. Candace is a vocal proponent for a national equestrian trail
advocacy association.