We are a group that formed to promote and maintain equestrian presence in the park and to meet with fellow riders for fun and fellowship. We work with the other groups in the park to maintain trails and bring concerns of the park users to the Park Administration. Our ulitmate goal is to have equestrian camping at Fort Custer but that is a long process. In the meantime we enjoy what we have which are some of the best trails in Michigan!
For some idea of what we do here is the 2008 annual report:
Fort Custer Horse Friends Association Annual Meeting
President’s Report
This past year our club has been like a gypsy, meeting at several different locations hosted by members at their homes. In June we arranged to meet at Lakeside Café in Augusta and continued meeting there for five months until it abruptly closed. Again we began searching for a location that would be central for our diverse membership and it was suggested to contact local libraries. The Galesburg Library graciously accommodated our request for a meeting space. Our first meeting there was February 8th, 2008. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. for socializing and the official meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. The library closes at 8 p.m.
Our last annual meeting was held on March 24, 2007 at Lakeside Café. Since that meeting our club has scheduled nine club rides on either Saturday or Sunday. We logged 214.5 volunteer hours at the park for maintenance and events.
On May 5th, 2007, our Park Manager Tony Trojanowski suffered serious injuries in a bull-riding event. He had reconstructive surgery for facial injuries the next day and then began his recovery in which he suffered the most with his liquid diet. Inside information informed me that he was calling in every day and running the park from his home during that time! Tony was back to work in July.
Our events for the year were:
Club Campout, September 7th through 9th, 2007, the club provided coffee and doughnuts, hot dogs on Friday evening, and potluck Saturday. After all receipts were reimbursed, we cleared $20.25. We definitely need help running a profitable event. The Hunter Pace Event was won by the Divas, Judy Johnson, Sheila Bohanon and Barb Struber. Games on Horseback present by Ellen and Kelly Golda were enjoyed by all, participants and audience. Many thanks to all members who volunteered time to run this event.
Our club assisted the National Association of Competitive Mounted Orienteering to put on an event on October 12th through 14th, 2007. Becky Ruh ran the event and contributed $200.00 to our club.
At the Harvest Festival on October 20th, 2007, we assisted the Fort Custer Recreation Area Event with Face and Pumpkin Painting. We tried to find a team of horses and a wagon to give hayrides, but couldn’t find a team, either too green or out of commission. So Sue Bertch brought her two minis and carts and borrowed a friend’s mini and cart to give free rides for the children. Sue also brought her friends four-month-old baby mini and a burrow for petting. We walked them through the campground for the campers to see and greet.
Michigan Horse Council Stallion Expo on March 7-8-9, 2008, we hosted a tails table to answer questions and handed out the club’s schedule of events for 2008.
Kalamazoo Tack Sale on March 17th, 2008, we rented one table and everyone brought a saddle to sell, well, we had at least five. I don’t think any sold, shoot. Did we make any money on that? Whoa, another loss!
The club purchased a DR Brush Mower on September 9th, 2007, our first major investment in equipment to maintain trails. Our first workday this year is Wednesday, March 26 at 9:30, meet at the trailhead.
This year there are no scheduled dates for Go, Get Outdoors. Tony advised that any event scheduled at the park would be considered a GGO Event.
Philanthropy for the year, we sponsored the 4H State Horse Show for $30 and donated $100 to the Leelanau Horse Rescue.
Trails and Equestrian Meetings attended by the President:
May 2007, Connecting Michigan Trails Conference, East Lansing (with Nancy Simmonds)
June 21-23, Ohio Valley Equestrian Trails Symposium at Midwest Trails Campground, Indiana (with Nancy Simmonds, Sue Bertch, Val Isham, Debra Brown)
July 2007, Greenway Preservation Meeting for Harts Lake Project.
July 18, 2007, Sent comments in response to the DNR Equestrian Survey. I called Jeff Johnson, Johnsonj4@michigan.gov, phone 269-685-6851 ext. 108, for results of the survey, but I haven’t received a reply.
July 27, 2007, I was interviewed by Terri P. Folks of Trail Blazer Magazine because I was nominated by Trisha, secretary at FCRA, as a Trail Warrior.
November 8, 2007, Pigeon river Meeting in East Lansing, (with Nancy Simmonds and Ken Vandervest)
December 13, 2007, Michigan Equine Conference, East Lansing (with Nancy Simmonds) We both had previously been involved in meeting with the Equine Survey Steering Committee on February 7, 2006 to develop survey questions.
January 22, 2008, Michigan Recreation and Parks Trails Forum, Traverse City, MI (with Sharene Kessler, MHC Trails Committee)
March 12, 2008, Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trails Meeting, St. Johns, MI (with Nancy Simmonds)
February 15, 2008, Fort Custer Recreation Area Rezoning Meeting with Stakeholders (with Ken Vandervest and Sue Bertch)
March 13, 2008, Fort Custer Recreation Area Rezoning Meeting, Clarification of positions (with Ken Vandervest and Sue Bertch)
On April 30th through May 3rd, I will be attending the Equestrian Trail Building School in Wisconsin with Trail Design Specialist Mike Riter. Four-day crew leader trails course.
Melva J. Parker, President
