First annual trail rider conference a success

Parks & Recreation, June, 2005

The inaugural Rocky Mountain Trail Rider Conference debuted in March in Colorado. The idea for a regional horse conference was a collaborative effort between the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service and the Colorado Horse Council. Others involved in the planning of the conference were Colorado State Parks and Colorado State University. The goal of the conference was to provide useful information for recreational horseback riders. To achieve this goal, several of the top names in the equestrian world (such as renowned equine professional Julie Goodnight, horse coach Richard Shrake, wildlife ecology and extension trails specialist Dr. Gene Wood and horse training expert Craig Cameron) were invited to speak. Their topics ranged from how to pack a horse for a trail ride and sharing the trail with other trails users, to how local groups can work together to plan more trails. The Trail Rider conference should return next year in mid-March.

Contact Hugh Osborne at (303) 969-2781 or hugh_osborne@nps.gov for more information.