Greetings!

Our trail crew has been busy.  Trails have been re-routed on Little Mountain, repairs have been made at Rondo Ridge and  Cartwright's Trace.  Underpass Trail is also re-opened.  Kudos to the trail crew for their hard work to keep us riding safely!

David Smith retired from the board recently.  We owe a debt of gratitude to Dave for his hard work as Trail Chairman.  Dave logged many miles to put the trails on GPS.  The GPS map is an important safety measure that makes access by EMS quicker and easier.  As webmaster, Dave maintained the FETA website.  Dave's  skills and dedication are appreciated and we have all learned a great deal from him.  Thanks for your contribution to FETA Dave.

With the growth of our trail system, the Trail Chair has become more challenging.  It is a big responsibility that is better managed with two persons.  This position is now divided between Anne Swift, who is on the Hunting Country side of Red Fox Road (west), and Ric Rondel, who is on the Little Mountain side of Red Fox Road (east). If you come across trees down or other trail problems anywhere on the system, please call Ric at 828-817-1878 or email.
  

Mike Frye is new to the board.  Mike brings his extensive legal background and good nature (always a great asset!) to us. Mike and his wife Ginny live in Hunting Country near FENCE. Welcome aboard, Mike!  

Bob Lesowitz joins our maintenance crew on the Little Mountain side of the system.  Bob is a volunteer with a big heart!  He will be joining Carol Propest to keep our trails safe.  Thanks Bob!

One of our Kawasaki Mules used for trail maintenance is aging and may not be usable much longer. We are keeping a lookout for another used utility vehicle to replace "Pete".  If you know of a replacement at a reasonable price or donation, please let me know.

Finally, if you haven't "liked" Foothills Equestrian Trail Association on Facebook, please do so.  We will post notices about trails, link our website, and announce news, comments from members, requests for riding buddies, etc.  Remember, trail status is ONLY available on the phone recording at 828-894-0496. Ric will try to have the trail status posted by 8am, but that is not always possible with overnight rain assessment. Please be patient as we do our best to balance your riding enjoyment with the landowners' needs.

Ride Safe and Friendly

Judith

As FETA approaches its 20th Anniversary in 2013, our goal is to secure our trails through permanent easements.  Trail easements provide continuity of the trails while protecting the landowners' interests.  

After all riding landowners have had an opportunity to decide if they are willing to protect their trails, the next step will be to assess what "direction" the system will follow in the future.  With limited resources and constantly increasing expenses, FETA has to carefully balance priorities to ensure that future major investments in our trails are not lost if the trails are closed. The protected trail areas will have the highest priority for investment and expansion in coming years.

As we continue this process, we will identify trails connecting the protected trails owned by non-riding landowners and ask them to protect their trails.   As riders, you create the relationships with landowners which will determine whether landowners are willing to protect their trails. 

We have found that how riders treat the landowners is the biggest factor in landowners' decisions. This is what you can do to make it more likely that landowners will agree to protect their trails:

• As FETA's Shining Star Natalie Wassong always used to say "Ride Friendly".  Nothing irritates a landowner like waving to a passing rider who ignores him.  Even worse is a rider who tells the landowner that the landowner's kids, dog, ATV, mountain bike or deer stand is "not allowed" on FETA trails -- which actually happens!  Trust me, you would not want to be on the receiving end of a phone call from one of these folks after that.

• Remember that every foot of trail is on private property that neither you nor FETA owns.    FETA "rules" are the conditions that the landowners have collectively set for your use.  They are not optional no matter how you may dislike them.  Violating the rules shows disrespect for the landowners.  There are landowners each year who are ready to close their trails permanently because of rider abuse.  This wastes goodwill and board time and makes it less likely that a landowner will protect the trail.

• Leave Fido Home!!  This is one of the biggest landowner complaints because no matter how much your dog loves the run, if he chases the cat, runs the cows, fights with another dog or wanders off the trails into the birthday party, it is always a big, BIG problem.  Even if he is perfect, landowners still hate it because it shows your disrespect for their wishes.

• Don't take beginner or incompetent riders as guests on the trails.  When landowners see riders who cannot ride or control their horses on their land it gets them really upset.  Liability risk is the main landowner concern, so please don't give them any more cause to be nervous.  Riding is dangerous enough without asking for problems.  Keep the novice riders and out of control horses on your own property.

If you use some common sense and follow the "golden rule", our chances of continued access to the trails will be a whole lot better.  One bad experience with a rider can sour a landowner permanently and risk loss of the trail.    Remember this is the only public access trail system in this area and a legacy of many committed people.  Let's help each other remember to Ride Friendly and protect our priceless system for the future.

Since March we have been hard at work on the trails: 

• Cartwright's Trace has been graded, new gravel added, and thorny overgrowth cut back. 
• Skip's trail and the Powerline trail leading to the creek crossing at FENCE were both graded with enlarged water run offs added to slow down erosion.
• The culvert on Rhondo Ridge was repaired, graded, and gravel added. 

Jonathan Rowe has done this grading and gravel work, if you see him please say thanks.  He is very generous to FETA. 
 
Carol has put in many hours keeping all the new growth cut back, adding and replacing signage as needed, and removing the numerous trees that fall each month.  She too does a great job for FETA.  If you see her when you are out riding be sure to say hi. 
 
Keep sending in any trail blockage emails and report areas that need work.  It is easier to stay
on top of maintenance issues when riders let us know where problems are.  We try to get most reports done within a week or so.  Thanks for your patience when it takes longer . . . it's a big system!

Anne Swift

• Members must obtain a properly executed Guest Release Agreement and return it to FETA by mail, fax, or place it in the parking lot mailboxes PRIOR to trail use. 
• Members may only bring personal guests who have not directly or indirectly paid for their recreational use.  No commercial use of any type is permitted. 
• Members are legally responsible for their guest(s), including any liability or damages resulting from any accident, injury, loss or damage, including death. 
• Local residents may only ride once per month as any member's guest. 
• Employees and trainers who use the Property more than once per month in total must have their own FETA membership. 
• Members must accompany their guests at all times, and are responsible for their compliance with the Rules. 
• A guest must carry a guest tag and current Coggins test. Guests that haul in must have a guest parking tag easily visible on the dashboard of their tow vehicle.