Monthly Update

January 2025

CHAPTERS


SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN

Recreation, Wilderness, Heritage, and Volunteer Recognition

US Forest Service


A very nice and welcomed recognition from the Forest Service for our 17 years of dedication towards maintaining our National Forest trail systems. Great work Volunteers


READ MORE

Gallatin Valley Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Montana

September 2024


In our ongoing effort to clear and maintain trails in our little part of the world the Gallatin Valley chapter members were able to work with the local Wilderness chapter, “Wild Montana” to address a section of trail crossing private land. The trail leads to Indian Ridge and the Spanish Peaks Wilderness. This section of the Little Hellroaring trail #400 passes through Turner Enterprises lands and curves fairly steep  up through an open meadow. Over the years the trail had become a gully that funneled rain and snow melt downhill causing ongoing erosion and deepening of the gully/trail.


READ MORE... 

Promoting equestrians and outdoor safety & Education in Arkansas

Rhonda Kelly-Duncan

 The Back Country Horsemen of Northwest Arkansas (BCHNWA) continues to demonstrate its dedication to the equestrian community through a series of impactful events and initiatives.

 

National Championship Chuckwagon Races

A team of eight BCHNWA riders and campers proudly represented the organization at the 39th Annual National Championship Chuckwagon Races in Clinton, Arkansas. During the grand entry parade, the team carried the BCH flag and was featured in a live-stream broadcast on the Chuckwagon Channel, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. As one of the largest equine gatherings in the U.S., this event provided an outstanding platform to showcase BCHNWAs mission and values.


READ MORE...

NATIONAL BOARD MEETING - Registration Open

2025 NATIONAL BOARD MEETING


Prescott, Arizona

April 13th - 16th, 2025



Registration Fees: $400, Room Block Rate: $169 plus services and tax


https://www.prescottresort.com/our-resort


Hotel Reservations Call 1-800-967-4637

Call the hotel to make reservations and use "Back Country Horsemen of America" for discounted rooms.


National Board Meeting Registration Here

CHAPTER SUPPORT GRANT APPLICATION OPEN

Chapter Support Grants is now accepting application for 2025

Grant deadline is March 1, 2025


More Information and Application Here

VOLUNTEER HOURS UPDATE


DOUBLE DIAMOND AWARD


Each year at the national BCHA board meeting, this award is presented to BCHA chapters for an exceptional volunteer project and/or educational program completed during the previous year. The efforts eligible for recognition can include, but not limited to, trail maintenance, trail construction, trailhead construction, educational programs, and youth programs.


Applications are accepted from any chapter/unit for a volunteer project or educational program that was completed during the calendar year January 1st to December 31st and must be received before February 20th of the current year by sending an email to: michellewade@bcha.org.



No applications received after February 20th will be considered.

The BCHA Volunteer Hours Committee appointed by the National Chair of BCHA will decide the winner or winners. The award will be presented at the BCHA National Board Annual Banquet. For questions, please call 360-620-2802


CLICK HERE FOR DOUBLE DIAMOND AWARD



VOLUNTEER HOURS DUE JANUARY 31ST, 2025


Hello Members,


BCHA Volunteer Hours Committee has updated the volunteer hours reporting form. The reason for this change is because we feel we are missing out on opportunities through the USFS and other organizations by not providing trail information that you all have volunteered to maintain. By collecting trail names we open the doors for potential grants and other funds paid to BCH states for their time.


The updated form is available by clicking the link below. And please reach out to the volunteer hours committee if you have any questions. volunteer@bcha.org

Volunteer Hours Form, Updated

PUBLIC LANDS

BCHA encourages all members to use the E-Bike Reporting Form and the Horse Camp Incident Form when they see problems.


E-BIKE REPORTING FORM


HORSE CAMP INCIDENT FORM

HURRICANE HELENE

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR DONATIONS!

BCH members, chapters and states have all helped the devasted areas and all funds will be used for needed repairs.

We are grateful for your support!


Special thank you to BCH of San Juan Colorado and BCH Central Arizona

YOUTH GRANTS

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HEY! Chapters and States...

2024 YOUTH GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!

Do you have an event or program to promote youth?

Check out the BCHA Youth Grant Opportunity.

FREE MONEY, SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION ASAP!

APPLY ONLINE HERE

ADVERTISERS


ADVERTISING SPACE - Click here if you would like to advertise

2025 Equisure Equine Insurance


2025 Applications Are Available Online

PRICE CHANGE for 2025!

$1,000,000 Coverage for $30 Individual or $60 for a family.



CLICK HERE FOR FAQ



CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION

Keeping Trails Open for All
BCHA OPERATIONS DONATION HERE
CHAPTER SUPPORT GRANT DONATION

SHARE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

Does your chapter have a trail, project or great story you would like to share? Please send them to michellewade@bcha.org. We will do our best to include them here.



  • Please send as Word doc and pictures as attachments not in the word doc.
  • Provide description: project, place, purpose, etc.
  • Please include the name of person and chapter submitting the pictures.

2024-2025 BCHA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Mark Himmel

Chairman

Craig Ferdig

Vice Chairman

Kathy Young

Treasurer

Sherry Copeland

Past Chairman

Brad Pollman

Director

Jim Allen

Director

Heather Cox

Director

Dana Chambers

Non-Director

Greg Schatz

Non-Director