In July of 2009 the American Horse Council launched an effort to collect information regarding equestrian access issues on federal lands. This effort was prompted by a growing concern among recreational riders around the country that they were seeing a reduction in the number of trails and trail heads open to equestrians on federal land.

The center piece of this effort has been an AHC online form riders can use to report their personal experiences regarding trails on federal lands that have been closed to them or other access issues. This online form is located at https://www.horsecouncil.org/survey.php.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans use horses and pack stock to enjoy America’s great outdoors each year. However, it is an experience that cannot be enjoyed without access to public land, trail systems, and trailheads.

“The AHC will use this report to illustrate some of the challenges facing recreational riders,” said AHC President Jay Hickey.” “Our federal land mangers work hard to provide recreational opportunities and we need to make sure they have adequate resource and equestrians need to work with them at all levels. However, sometimes there are issues and conflicts that need to documented and brought to there attention. This report is just one part of our efforts to ensure equestrian continue to have recreational opportunities on federal land.

Ken Goodison, long time member of the ApHC, and Arizona Appaloosa Assn, passed away yesterday (Friday) after a valiant battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family is in need of donations to help cover the huge medical expenses they have incurred. Please contact me for more info, I’ll be happy to provide you with Donna’s address.

Husband to Donna Goodison, Ken was a familiar face at our shows. He was our Gate Man Extraodinaire and will be sorely missed by all of us. Please keep Donna in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.

The AAA will be meeting to discuss holding a fundraiser/raffle with proceeds being donated to the family. We will update everyone once those arrangements are in place.

Roseann Sweet
Arizona Appaloosa Assn.

In an ongoing effort to make your Appaloosa Journal the best it can be we invite you take this survey. It’s on-line, it’s easy and your responses are valuable to us. We appreciate your assistance! Copy the link below and get started. Thanks.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/appaloosajournal

Dana Russell
Editor, Appaloosa Journal

This new liability insurance program for ApHC Regional Clubs provides spectator liability coverage for all a regional club’s equine events on an annual basis, with limits of $1 million per Claim with $2 million Aggregate. The Aggregate limit means that a regional club could have two $1 million Claims made against it in any one policy year and still be covered.

The coverage protects your regional club, its officers, board members, directors and volunteers in the event that an individual club member or volunteer should be individually named in a claim or lawsuit. Other individuals or entities, such as the facility owner and the ApHC, can be added as Additional Insured at no additional premium charge. In the event of a lawsuit, the policy pays all legal costs in addition to the $1 million limit per claim.

The annual minimum premium for this coverage is $400, which covers up to five (5) equine event days. Activities such as board and membership meetings, annual banquets and trade booths will be covered at no additional costs. For regional clubs located in Florida, the minimum premium is $500, but will give you up to seven (7) equine event days.

Star H Equine Insurance was started by Butch and Lucinda (McIver) Human and is an insurance agency devoted solely to serving the insurance needs of the equine industry. Star H Equine Insurance has two offices to serve you: North Carolina office, P.O. Box 2250, Advance, NC 27006 (336) 940-5455, toll-free at (877) 827-4480, by fax 336-940-5475 or e-mail info@starhinsurance.com or Texas office at P.O. Box 640, Tioga, TX 76271 (940) 437-9500, toll-free at (877) 437-0300, by fax (940) 437-9504 or e-mail jenifer@starhinsurance.com. Star H Equine Insurance is available on line at www.starhinsurance.com

We’ll follow up with further details (or where to find them), and you can visit the photo album link for more of my weak attempts at photography.

Horseback Magazine has evolved from its origins as Horse Talk, then later as Texas Horse Talk. The publication also has a strong Internet presence at www.horsebackmagazine.com.

The deadline for your membership renewal to ensure eligibility to vote in this year’s director elections (and on bylaw amendments) is March 31st.

The deadline to file as a candidate for the Board of Directors is February 28th (postmarked).

I thought that you’ll might enjoy reading about Lynn Bliss and her Appaloosa “Webster”. She gave me permission to share this story. It is an example of “thinking outside the box” and is an idea that may be of benefit to some of you along the way.

FYI: Lynn is a longtime member of the ApHC and the Arkansas ApHC. She and her family have been in the Appaloosa business for many years. I got to know her several years ago when we attended college together at Arkansas State University and she rode her Appaloosa “Rebel Cry” in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association events. She has served as an officer in the AApHC and has represented Territory 5, Zone A on the ApHC Non Pro Advisory Committee. My wife, Suzi, and I are proud to call Lynn and her husband, David, our friends and friends of the ApHC.

This is Lynn’s email…

Subject: Fundraiser & Webbie!

Dave and I donated a ‘Two Hour Adventure with Webster the Wonder Horse” to a local fund raiser auction that was held last night. Basically — two hours of hand-on interaction at the barn with Webster…. grooming him, interacting with him, learning some basic horsemanship, working with him on some showmanship stuff, getting to ride him a little bit, cleaning stalls, etc…. learning parts of horse, about horses, history of Appaloosas, and you get to take home a horse-shoe worn by Webster in competition and a blue ribbon won by Webster in competition — you had to be at least 10 years of age. Well…. a 40-something woman bought it for $400!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Afterwards the local Boys & Girls Club asked us if we would donate the same thing to their upcoming fundraiser……

Lynn Austin Bliss

Thank you, Donna Miller
Franklin NJ