Preserving the legacy trails of the Carolina Foothills Hunting Country
Spring 2010
Heart of Dixie Trail Ride
FETA Newsletter
Spring 2010
Greetings!
If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
 
These thoughts, penned by American poet Anne Bradstreet, are certainly as true today as they were some 250 years ago. And, given the severity of our recently concluded winter, one of the coldest (and wettest) many can recall, the coming spring promises to be especially sweet.

When planning the budget for 2010, we anticipated that the harsh winter would wreak havoc on our trails. For this reason, your finance committee, led by Treasurer Anne Swift, increased budget allocations for trail repairs and maintenance. Our predictions have, unfortunately, not been far off the mark. Trail damage has been widespread, and is severe in certain areas. Our trail crews have been busy making needed repairs, many of which have required substantial cash outlays for materials and outside labor.

Other than insurance, our largest expense is trail repair and maintenance. We are grateful to our members who have gotten into the habit of contributing "a little bit extra" in the space provided on the renewal form for trail repair donations and promise that anything extra our members can spare this coming renewal season will be both well used and greatly appreciated!

Finally, please join me in wishing farewell and offering thanks to both Lillie Brown and Don Lyons, who will be leaving their board positions this year. Both Lillie and Don have given generously of their time and have made positive impacts on FETA far too numerous to mention here. They will be missed!  
                                                                       Happy Trails,
                                                                           Dan Hecht
                                                                            President
In This Issue
Membership Renewal
Potluck Welcome
Spending in 2009
From The Trailmaster
Horse Camping and Trail Ride
Trail Status
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
Membership Renewal 
 
Quinn and Birdie reducedAfter a winter like the one we just had, you're probably more than ready for spring riding.  Kick off the season by renewing your FETA membership! 
 
Our membership year is May 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011.  Membership applications will be sent via e mail in the beginning of April.
Please watch for it!  If your e mail has changed since last year or you have a question, contact me at information@fetatrails.org or ask for Birdie 828-894-5774.  
 
Please remember that the late fee for renewing is effective July 1.  All applications received after July 1 will be charged an additional $50.
 
A word about guests:  Showing your friends around is a great experience but remember, they are your responsibility, not FETA's or the landowners'.  You must explain the risks of trail riding, review the provisions of the Guest Release, have it signed, and return it BEFORE you ride.  You should have your own personal liability policy in case of negligence on your part.  Inside your membership packet will be 6 guest tags and releases.  Local people eligible to join FETA cannot be a guest more than once a month.  Employees, trainers, boarders, and other "regular" users must be FETA Members.
 
Look forward to seeing you on the trail! Watch for me and Quinn, my big half-Clydesdale.  We both love to meet new friends!
Birdie Axelrod
Potluck Welcome
All FETA members please join us at FENCE on Thursday, June 10 at 6pm for our Welcome Picnic. 

The trail maps will be on display. Our trail crew will be there to answer your questions. We are planning a brief "New Member Orientation" with a few surprises.  The orientation is open to all FETA Members who wish to attend.

Our picnic is potluck.  Please bring a dish to share. 
Last names beginning A-J please bring an entree (meat dish). 
Last names beginning K-R please bring a salad or side dish. 
Last names beginning S-Z please bring a dessert.

FETA will provide soft drinks and bottled water.  You may bring a stronger drink for yourself if you prefer.
Your FETA Dollars at Work in 2009
 
 
Heart of Dixie Trail Ride
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The cost to run FETA continues to climb each year.  Increases were absorbed over the past few years thanks to donations above and beyond the dues paid by members.  If you are able to donate any extra dollars or time, it benefits everyone.  Our trail system is one of the best deals anywhere and without our landowners and volunteers it would not be available at any price.
 
The chart above shows where your dues were spent in 2009. Every dollar goes back into FETA. Besides the hundreds of hours contributed by FETA volunteers and landowners to keep the system open, safe and running in 2009, the monetary cost was approximately $43,300.  
 
Your FETA Dollars At Work (illustrated on the chart above) 
Insurance                  18,000
Trails Labor               11,600
Outside contractors     6,400  (Bobcat work etc)
BBQ/Welcome             2,200
Printing/postage         1,500
Equipment                  1,400
FETA Signs                    800
Saddle tags                    600
 
Administrative               800
Office supplies    200
Phone                 200
Website              200
Legal/easements 200
From the Trailmaster
 
Heart of Dixie Trail RideThe winter snows and rains brought widespread trail damage.  Our work crews have been busy removing downed trees and limbs and repairing badly eroded trails. I rely on FETA riders for reports of damage or obstructions. We have made reporting into a contest with the ROOT report. You can find it on our homepage. A rider who finds a problem and reports it receives points. At the annual BBQ, prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
 
Please re-read your membership rules and guidelines.  These rules have been adopted by landowners and are their conditions for your use of their private property. Most are to prevent accidents. Landowners get very concerned when accidents happen on their land. A landowner recently closed a very important section of trail when a rider fell off and EMS came. Fortunately, the rider was okay, but the trail was lost. A perfect example is riding around obstructions. While no one likes to backtrack on their favorite ride, you are required to avoid going around a downed tree or blocked trail.  If you leave the trail, even a few feet, you can be in barbed wire, rotted tree stumps, or bees' nests.
 
Riding through fields and meadows is equally inviting and equally wrong. When caught, you will be reminded how important it is to follow the same guidelines as the rest of us, whether we are a member or guest.  However, Larry Wassong, the gracious owner of Sheila's Playground and Flip's Field, grants permission to ride freely in these areas but no jumping.  You may also ride the fields at FENCE if there is no event going on.  These are the ONLY fields or meadows where such riding is permissible. Please stay on the trails and out of the fields elsewhere in the system.
 
A few things to remember as you ride: 
  • check the trail status, even on bluebird days, before you ride
  • use good manners when approaching or overtaking other horses. They may not have the training your horse has.
  • smoking or drinking alcohol on the trails is forbidden
  • walk in, or avoid, wet areas
  • no groups larger than 6 riders
  • all guests must be registered before riding and given a review of rules
  • report all problems so we can fix them
  • stay on the trails
 
I can't think of a more enjoyable thing than saddling up Mac and hitting the trails.  We have one of the best trail riding systems in existence and we intend to keep it that way.  Everyone go ride. It is going to be a great summer.  I'll see you out there!
 
Dave 
Horse Camping and Trail Ride at McCulley Farms
 
Carole and Jeep under Spanish MossThe Withlacoochee SpringTrail Ride was held at McCulley Farms in Jasper, Florida March 19-21.  As my pilot husband would describe it: the weather was "severe clear"; gorgeous blue skies in the low 70's. The winter weather Florida is famous for.  It was a change we looked forward to. 
 
My friend Carole went on the ride with me.  She was intrigued by the swamps, wading birds, and Spanish moss. There were about 150 people on the ride and we were reminded it's a small horse world.  Carole ran into folks from her home state of Michigan whom she had ridden with in years past.  They reminisced about friends and trails they knew in common.  Friday evening we were invited to share a campfire with friends we had met earlier in the day.  I quickly connected with the group as we shared stories about the central Florida trails we've ridden. The highlight of our trip was when Carole's dog, Alex, won the "Best Dog Trick" in the dog show.  He took first place with the help of Carole's horse, Jeep. The crowd went crazy when Alex ascended the mounting block and jumped onto Jeep's back to go for a ride.  
 
The trails wind along the black water of the Withlacoochee River and two clear blue springs.  The footing is sand, easily traversed without shoes.  The Spanish moss sways on the giant oak trees as the wind whispers in the tall southern pines along the trail. McCulley Farms is easy to get to off I-75. There is a Spring ride in March and a Fall ride in October in addition to year-round riding and camping on your own. I posted my review on horsetraildirectory.com.
Trail Status
 
828-894-0496 Be sure to check the trail status before riding EVERY TIME YOU RIDE.
828-275-2873 Report trail problems to David Smith or smittyC7@windstream.net
 
Please do not ride when trails are closed.  If you know of anyone who is riding when they should not, let us know.  Riding when trails are closed jeopardizes everyone's use of our treasured trail system.
 
Trail Work Day at Scriven Ridge
Saturday, April 24th at 9am.  Meet at the FETA Parking Lot at F.E.N.C.E.
Please call Dan Hecht at 828-894-2383 for more information.
Faith Jorgenson
Foothills Equestrian Trails Association