3/4/2008      OVETS Press Release

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 »

3/4/2008      NW Trail Happings #2

     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 »

3/4/2008      NW Trail Happenings #1

     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 »

3/4/2008      President's Message

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

3/4/2008      Hoosier National Forest Fee Increase

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 »

2/22/2008      Winter Roundup Cancelled

We've received notice that the Winter Roundup for 2008 has been cancelled.

Look to http://www.winterroundup.com/ for more details.

11/29/2007      Indiana Trails

This article contains a map and links to public Indiana parks with trail-riding facilities.

11/28/2007      Making Reservations to camp in a DNR Facility

Call 866-6CAMPIN (866-622-6746) Monday thru Friday, 12 noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. or reserve online at the

DNR Reservation Site

Reservations are not required but are encouraged.

11/28/2007      Clark State Forest Land Purchase

We received this request from Walt Zach, Property Manager at Clark State Forest, about 160 acres the state is trying to buy.

Clark is trying to buy 160 acres at Bowen Lake. The horse trail turns out to be on private property where it goes up the hill at the gun range. The 160 acres has been logged and is up for sale. To make the purchase go faster we are trying to use matching funds, and so far we are getting $20,000 from Turkey Unlimited and $3-5000 from the Endurance riders.

The ITRA ... (continued) read more »

11/28/2007      Interesting Horse Statistics

1. The Indiana horse industry produces goods and services valued at $779 million.
2. The national industry has $1.3 billion impact on the Indiana economy when the multiplier effect of spending by industry suppliers and employees is taken into account. Accounting for off-site spending of spectators would result in an even higher figure.
3. 90,000 Indianans are involved in the industry as horse owners, service providers, employees, and volunteers. Even more participate as spectators.
4. The Indiana horse industry directly provides 8,400 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. Spending by suppliers and employees (in Indiana and other states) generates additional jobs in Indiana for ... (continued) read more »