| Preserving the legacy trails of the Carolina foothills hunting country |
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FETA Newsletter
Spring 2012 |
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| Greetings! |
It is with mixed feelings that I write my first letter to you as President. We all share a great sadness that our former President, Dan Hecht, is leaving the area. We will miss his wonderful sense of humor and his dedication to the preservation of our trail system. I have been on the board since 2006 and willingly take the reins. I look forward to meeting you at our functions and on the trails. Please feel free to contact me at any time. My home number is 828-859-5456. My cell is 828-553-0202 or email at judithkerns@windstream.net.
My husband and I own GreenGait Farm located on (of course) GreenGait Trail just behind FENCE. You've probably ridden down the trail next to our driveway and noticed the Paso Finos, especially the foals. Do stop in when you ride by and say "hi." In the 6 ½ years we have been here I have truly realized how blessed we are to have this trail system and how important it is to preserve it for generations to come. It is the reason we moved to this area and it is our treasure. And it is clearly the vision of many to protect it and cherish it. As I have said many times, riding is a lot cheaper than therapy!
We have an outstanding board and have just added new board member Jim Troppmann. Jim hails from Cincinnati and recently purchased Fox Knoll Farm (formerly Ed Cochran's property). We will have three additional openings at the end of 2012, so if any of you are interested, please submit your names to our nominating committee. We are always looking for new people to serve on FETA's activities committees in addition to the board as openings arise. If you have any interest in serving, please contact me. Welcome Jim, we look forward to working with you!
Happy Trails!
Judith Kerns |
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Time to Renew Your Membership |
Watch for your 2012-13 membership application via email around April 1.
- Send email changes to Roberta Axelrod at information@fetatrails.org. This will insure delivery of the application to your inbox.
- Check your records now and call your vet to update your Coggins if necessary. Outdated or missing Coggins is a frequent problem.
- Carefully read and fill in all the blanks on your application.
- There are two forms to sign:
1. the Release/Waiver/Helmet Form
2. the FETA Rules Agreement.
By signing, you are accepting the rules and conditions required by FETA landowners.
Thank you ahead of time for being conscientious with your application. Turn around time will be quick if all is in order.
GUESTS MUST SIGN A RELEASE FORM. Guest release forms are included in the membership packet you will receive along with your prized saddle tag. The Guest Release should be submitted to FETA before the ride. Releases may be submitted by any of the following:
- Fax it to Roberta Axelrod at 828-894-0182.
- Email scanned release to information@fetatrails.org.
- Mail to FETA, PO Box 1453, Columbus, NC 28722
- Place in one of the trail-head boxes at FENCE or Peniel Road trailer parking lots.
You may download additional releases at www.fetatrails.org.
My gelding Quinn and I hope to see you on the trails!
Birdie Axelrod
information@fetatrails.org
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Welcome Picnic for New FETA Members |
Thursday, May 31, 2012
6:30pm Fence Main Hall
All FETA Members bring your appetite and a covered dish to give a friendly welcome to our newest members. This is a great opportunity to meet riders from your neighborhood, check out the latest edition of the FETA trail map, and locate new trails. If you want information on our trails, this is THE event. Our trail crew will be there to answer your questions.
Our picnic is potluck. Please bring a dish to share.
Last names beginning A-G please bring a dessert.
Last names beginning H-R please bring an entrée (meat dish).
Last names beginning S-Z please bring a salad or side dish.
FETA will provide soft drinks and bottled water.
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2011 Spending | |
We closed 2011 with the trails in good condition and within budget.
Once again our largest expense was landowner insurance. Insurance cost for 2011 is $25,000 or 53% of our spending.
Trail maintenance is the next largest expense. Maintenance includes grading, signs, gravel, downed tree removal, regular trimming, labor and all equipment expenses. The $16,000 spent on trail maintenance is 34% of the budget.
Membership management is 6% of the budget at $2,600. Included in this category are saddle tags, website costs, FETA phone line, and the annual printing and mailing of membership renewal forms. All other communication is done via email which saves a considerable amount of money.
Our annual meeting and BBQ, along with the welcome picnic and community support, makes up the final 7% of our budget. FETA donates annually to St. Luke's Emergency Room, Polk Rescue and Polk EMT.
We are in a good financial shape going into the new membership year and will continue to be good stewards.
Anne Swift
Treasurer |
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Spring Clean Up |
Saturday, March 31
9am until noon
Rain date April 14, 2012
Meet at the Cotton Patch Arena
300 South River Road
South River Road runs north to south
between River Road and Hunting Country Road
DO NOT GO TO FENCE
The town of Tryon has given us permission to clear a connector trail across the water treatment plant along the North Pacolet River. This trail connects the trail along the river at Cotton Patch to the Scriven Ridge trails. FETA members are needed to help clear the new trails. Bring water and a snack. We plan to finish around noon. Work to be done includes lots of clipping, dragging limbs and branches. Trails are hilly. We will cross several creeks. Appropriate footwear is recommended. Bring gloves, nippers, clippers, long-handled loppers, and any hand tools that will make the task easier.
Please call Faith Jorgenson at 828-817-5412 for more information or directions.
DIRECTIONS TO THE COTTON PATCH ARENA
From Columbus
Take Hwy 108 toward Tryon
Left at Kentucky Fried Chicken onto Shuford Road
At Stop sign, U-turn to the left onto Hooker Road
Follow Hooker Road until pavement ends
Left onto River Road (becomes gravel)
4/10's mile, Right onto South River Road
Once over the bridge, Cotton Patch pastures are on the right
Continue on South River Road up the hill
Take driveway at run-in shed with sign "Cotton Patch Arena"
From FENCE
Take Hunting Country Road toward Tryon
Go past Morgan Chapel Road on the right
Pass Fox Covert on the right
Pass Chinquapin Farm on the left
Look for burnt chimney at wide gravel road (South River Road)
Turn right onto South River Road
7th drive on the left with sign "Cotton Patch Arena"
Do not turn onto paved driveway
Do not turn at "Cotton Patch Stable" or "The Cotton Patch" sign
From Landrum
Take Hwy 176 toward Tryon
Look for billboard on the right
Turn right at the billboard onto Greenwood
Immediate left onto Blockhouse Road
Turn right at stop sign onto Hunting Country Road
Go 1 mile. Turn left onto South River Road (gravel road)
7th drive on the left with sign "Cotton Patch Arena"
Do not turn onto paved driveway
Do not turn at "Cotton Patch Stable" sign or "The Cotton Patch" sign |
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North Peniel Trails Closed | |
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Rain date April 8
The North Peniel trails will be closed on Sunday, April 1.
A hunter pace is scheduled for Sunday.
For your safety, trail riding is prohibited during these events.
The North Peniel trails include:
Honey Hill
Thickety Ridge
Fox Knoll Farm (formerly Ed Cochran's)
Smith Dairy Farm |
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River Crossing Danger | 
River and stream crossings are inviting to trail riders. It's fun to let the horses splash and have a good time playing in the water. It's easy to over look the dangers. Crossing any body of water can pose a threat to horse and rider. Even a seemingly harmless mud puddle can cause injury if there is broken glass or debris at the bottom that cannot be seen through the murky water.
A new, designated river crossing was recently opened at The Cotton Patch. The crossing was chosen for the solid footing in the river at that spot and the relative ease of entering and exiting there. Footing is paramount when fording any river or stream. A soft, sandy bottom can cause a horse to sink and quickly become life threatening. The shifting sand bottoms can have undetectable sinkholes or an undertow that can endanger horse and rider. Sandy areas along river banks are often quicksand that will entrap a horse.
Never cross a river or stream if the bottom is not visible. Not being able to see the bottom may indicate that there has been a recent rain so the water is up and muddy. There may be debris flowing beneath the surface that could injure your horse. High, fast-flowing water can easily knock a horse off his feet.
Tie-downs pose a drowning risk to horses. Even a low flowing river like the North Pacolet can become hazardous if a horse with a tie-down gets a foot stuck in the rocks and falls down. The tie-down can prevent him from being able to keep his nose above water. The risk of drowning is greater when crossing deeper water for the same reason.
Our horses look to us for their protection. Use good judgment when crossing any body of water. Cross at designated crossings with solid bottoms and clear, slow flowing water. |
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Thanks Mark! | 
On Tuesday, February 21, a proposal to the Town of Tryon was included on the Council agenda. It was a request to allow trail access across the water treatment property along the Pacolet River. This short connector trail would join Cotton Patch trails to those at Scrivens Ridge, thereby making Scrivens Ridge contiguous to the rest of the trail system.
The proposal was written by Mark Jorgenson, owner of The Cotton Patch. Thanks to Mark's time and effort, the Council voted to allow FETA access through the town property. Even though Mark rides only occasionally, he is a true friend of FETA and trail advocate. Since his ownership of The Cotton Patch, Mark has moved fence lines to allow for trails along the river, added new trails at Scrivens Ridge and Hooker Ridge, and made a safe, designated river crossing. So if you see Mark around town, be sure to say, "Thanks!" |
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Your Pledge to FETA |
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What can you do to preserve our trail system? Following the landowners' conditions for trail use is the most important thing you can do. Following is an abbreviated list of what we agree to each time we renew our FETA membership.
- FETA trails are on private property. Riding is a privilege, not a right
- Members only
- Guests permitted with a signed release before you ride
- Guests limited to 6 rides. After that they must become members
- Members must accompany guests on the trails
- Maximum of 6 riders in a group
- Stay off trails when they are closed
- Trails are for mounted riding or carriage driving; no ponying
- Riders/drivers must wear a helmet
- Practice safe horsemanship; no cantering around pastures or barns
- Be courteous and appreciative to landowners
- No dogs, no smoking, no drinking, no litter
- FETA tag on the left side of your saddle or bridle; gladly show your tag if asked
- Decal on driver's side rear window or lower corner of driver's side front window
- Boarders must be riding members
Please use common sense and be considerate. It is not "just" trail riding. There are lots of uncontrollable risks in riding any horse. Please don't take inexperienced riders as guests; keep them on your own property. Treat other's property as you would your own. Don't spoil things for the rest of the members by doing thoughtless or selfish things. Please use good judgement and help preserve the rare and invaluable asset of our landowners' goodwill and generosity. |
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Questions or comments? Board members are happy to talk to you any time. They are:
Judith Kerns, President Faith Jorgenson, Communications
Dot Moyer, Vice President Roberta Axelrod, Membership
Gail Gardner, Secretary Rhonda King, Member Relations
Anne Swift, Treasurer Bill Beardslee, Finance
Dave Smith, Trails Chair
At large members: Maude Carr, Nancy Mahler, Ric Rondell, Jim Troppman, and Tina Walker
Trail Area Representatives are:
Nancy: Chinquapin Farm Dot: Pretty Bottom, Stonybrook
Rhonda: Pony Track, Hunting Woods Judith: River Rd, Carriage Row
Faith, Bill: Hunting Country Rd to River Rd Roberta, Dave: North Peniel Trails
Ric: Rondo Ridge, River's Edge Maude, Tina: Little Mountain Trails
Anne: FENCE
FETA's Board meets the 4th Tuesday evening of the month at 6:30. All members are welcome to attend, raise questions or issues at the start of the meeting, or just observe. Contact Judith Kerns for location. No July or December meeting. |
Faith Jorgenson
Foothills Equestrian Trails Association
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