OVETS Press Release
3/4/2008

PRESS RELEASE:  SHAWNEE FOREST TO BE SITE
FOR OVETS CONFERENCE IN JUNE

     The Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois will be the site for the 2008 Ohio Valley Equestrian Trails Symposium (OVETS) Conference, to be held June 19-22.  Little Lusk Trail Lodge, near Eddyville, IL, locally referred to as the “Trail Riding Capital of the World”, will be the conference location.
     Unlike other conferences, you are encouraged to bring your horse and ride each morning before attending the presentations from 1:00-5:00 p.m.
     For those who come early, there will ... (continued) read more »

NW Trail Happings #2
3/4/2008

     On December 9-11, I attended the Mid America Trails and Greenways Conference at the Renaissance Hotel in the Chicago Loop.  Yvette Rollins was scheduled to be part of the program but was unable to attend due to some rather nasty weather making it just too dangerous to drive in central Indiana.  Sunday the 9^th there were 3 pre-conference field trips.  I went on the cross state connection one that visited several trails on the Illinois/Indiana border.  The last stop was a bike shop on US 30, approximately 7 or 8 miles ... (continued) read more »

NW Trail Happenings #1
3/4/2008

     There was an Indiana Equine Economic Summit put on by the Indiana Horse Council in Indianapolis a few months ago.  On January 16^th there was a mini version of this summit organized by Maureen Fehrs and Peggy Rose of Stable Environments Inc and was held at Reins of Life, Royal Acres Equestrian Center south of Michigan City, Indiana.

     Jamie Price, USDA Agriculture Statistics Service and Bob McCormick “Planning with Power” Purdue University Extension made excellent presentations similar to the ones made in Indianapolis.  Kate Ardissono, park bard president ... (continued) read more »

Hoosier National Forest Fee Increase
3/4/2008

The Hoosier National Forest just increased the user permit fees from $3 to $5 daily and $35 annually up $10 from last year.  We had public input in which 66% of the respondents did not agree with the increase in the fee but they increased it anyway.  There are no cross-country trails unless you are referring to the American Discovery Trail and I would say that if you were crossing the Hoosier on the ADT you would still be required to have the permit if they caught you riding it.  Children 16 and under do ... (continued) read more »

President's Message
3/4/2008

I want to thank everyone for their support & encouragement. The last 3 years have been  wonderful, challenging, frustrating, nerve racking and always worth it. This has been my last year as President but it is not even close to my last year as an active member of the ITRA. I encourage everyone to get involved. It is a rewarding volunteer activity. God Bless and Happy Trails!

Stacy Riggs Lowe