Dear BCHA Members,

I can't believe the holiday season is upon us, what a busy year and it went by incredibly fast. I want to take this opportunity to personally thank all the BCHA volunteers; boots on the ground, National Directors, Executive Committee and all the officers of the states and chapters for your dedication and endless hard work, I know it is not easy but you are all doing an incredible job.

I also want you to know how much I enjoy working with each and every one of you! Your phone calls, emails, nice notes, stories of projects, overwhelming support of BCHA and cards that show up in the mail is a reminder to me of why I love my position with BCHA, it is because of all of you and I thank you for this amazing past 5 and 1/2 years.

I am here to help you in any way I can so just let me know what I can do for you.

Enjoy your holidays and be safe,

Michelle Wade-Albro

BCHA Executive Administrator

BIG SOUTH FORK BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN VOLUNTEERS IMPROVE

"STATION CAMP" CAMPGROUND

Oneida, Tennessee: The National Park Service and the Back Country Horsemen of Big South Fork have partnered to replace ten existing metal horse tie-stalls with pipe panel horse corrals at Station Camp Campground in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. The new horse corrals that being installed are similar to a prototype corral installed in 2024 in Station Camp. The corrals are installed to enhance the safety and functionality of equestrian facilities.

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

SADDLE UP AMERICA

On this Episode of SADDLE UP AMERICA…

Welcome Back Country Horsemen of America’s Chairman Craig Ferdig!

The Government Shutdown continues and BCHA’s Volunteers step up in greater numbers to help keep our trails open. Learn how you can help!

USFS MUSEUM - BCHA

WATCH THIS INCREDIBLE 3D VIDEO OF THE MUSEUM

We would like to thank all the donors who are making this museum project possible, you have all been overwhelming generous and we are almost to the finish line. We need approximately $5,000 to reach the goal of $15,000. BCHA sincerely appreciates all your help.

Museum Sponsor Fundraiser Donate Here

Back Country Horsemen of America has been given an incredible opportunity to forever be part of the National Forest Museum. BCHA has been approached to donate $15,000 to the museum, and in return BCHA will have an interactive exhibit in this museum with an expected 50,000 visitors per year. This has enormous potential to show people who we are and what we do for decades to come, benefitting our members and organization nationwide. National membership, interactive exhibits, exposure – the benefits are amazing. Please help BCHA raise funds to accomplish this incredible goal and to get us on our way to losing the best kept secret title! Campaign ends December 31, 2025. READ MORE....

YOUTH GRANTS ARE OPEN

2025 YOUTH GRANT

The 2025 Youth Grant applications are now open.

Get your application in soon!!

YOUTH GRANT APPLICATION HERE

The Fundraising Committee has been working hard to implement new programs. We are looking for members who have experience in Grant Writing and Fundraising.



If you are interested in discussing these possibilities further, please reach out to Latifia "Tif" Rodriguez at lrodri0202@gmail.com.

WHAT IS BCHA’S LEGACY FUND?

BCHA started the Legacy Fund to assure a solid financial foundation for BCHA’s future. It is being reinvigorated and will help provide a strong financial foundation so BCHA can continue to work to ensure safe and sustainable equestrian access to public lands and the backcountry. This investment in our future also supports our commitment in keeping public lands in public hands, preserving our wilderness areas and assisting our agencies with these most important resources. 

Starting in 2018, the Legacy Fund was our first step toward building long-term financial support for BCHA. The Legacy Fund has a different objective from general operating and committee fundraising.

There are two phases to the Legacy Fund project: 1) building the fund balance to eventually convert it to a true endowment fund, and then 2) using endowment income to facilitate future BCHA operations and projects.

What is key for all prospective donors to know is that the principal of the Legacy Fund cannot be withdrawn for any reason, until the initial fund investment reaches $500,000, as per resolution passed in 2018 by the BCHA National Board of Directors. As of September 30, 2025, the fund investment was at about $226,000. 

Our Legacy Fund is currently being managed by a professional financial advisor, with the intent to grow the principal and generate interest and dividends.

Anyone and any business can donate to the Legacy Fund at any time. There are many tax-deductible ways to give and contribute.

Note: Consult your tax professional for legal help

Note: All donations should indicate: “For the BCHA Legacy Fund.”



For questions or more information, please reach out to BCHA Vice Chairman and Fundraising lead,

Tif Rodriguez, any time. Thank you for all you do for BCHA.

CLICK HERE FOR PDF.

UPDATED VOLUNTEER HOURS FORM IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT

https://www.bcha.org/new-forms-and-documents-page/

IT IS OFFICIAL!!!!

The 2026 & 2027 National Board Meeting will be held in Kansas City, MO

April 12 -15, 2026

MORE INFORMATION COMING THIS FALL

What do you call a running turkey?

Fast food

What do you call a turkey on the day after Thanksgiving?

Lucky

Do you have a joke or a riddle, that is family friendly? Send them my way at michellewade@bcha.org

BCHA PROMOTIONAL ITEMS HERE

Check out T-Shirts, Safety color long sleeve shirts, and more.

Also, new hats are on the way, keep checking back.

TRAILER STICKERS ARE BACK

24″ × 15.46″ rectangle stickers

CLEAR STICKERS AND PINS ARE HERE!

MOBILE INCIDENT REPORTING FORMS

You might have seen the request to submit “incident report forms” for e-bike interactions and horse camps occupied by non stock users, to help provide record of the issue. Of course it is always great to talk to people directly if you can do so safely, however submitting a report can demonstrate a pattern of issues to help change rules or encourage enforcement.

Did you know that you can add these forms to the home screen of your smartphone? Instructions on the website here https://www.bcha.org/incidentreportingform/

ADVERTISERS

ADVERTISING SPACE - Click here if you would like to advertise

REMINDER: ALL Coverage expires December 31st, 2025

We will provide an update here when the 2026 applications are open.

2025 Applications Are Available Online

CLICK HERE FOR FAQ



CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION

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.

2025-2026 BCHA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE