Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference follow-up report
Posted by Ryan Spates in S&S Trails Blog on Aug. 13, 2009 - 3:52 pm
Susan flew back to her home state of Florida from July 9-12 to attend SETC 2009 at the Paramount Plaza Hotel in Gainesville. The invitation to do a presentation came about as a result of meeting conference chair Helen Koehler at the 2008 National Trails Symposium in Little Rock, Arkansas during an equestrian trail user’s summit. When Helen learned of Susan’s psychology and trail building background, she requested a talk focused on those areas with an additional sustainability component as that was central to the 2009 conference theme.
SETC 2009 was a resounding success, with over 200 participants and a packed schedule of presenters and vendors. In addition to the focus on environmental and social sustainability of equestrian trails, the Florida Cracker Horse was also featured prominently as a breed of horse whose heritage and bloodlines are in need of protection. The Florida State Parks System keeps a wild herd of the horses on state land, and uses another string of trained horses to help patrol and do work in the parks. One of these equine “state park employees” was even used during a conference session to help demonstrate what facilities are needed to make equestrian trailheads and parking lots easily accessible to trail users.
Susan also had the opportunity to renew her acquaintances with many friends and colleagues in the equestrian trail community, including Jan Hancock (author of “Guidebook for Equestrian Trailhead Design”), Deb Balliet of the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource, Alex Weiss from Florida Office of Greenways and Trails and United States Pony Club, Bobby and Joanne Mitchell from Southern Appalachian Back Country Horsemen of America, and Stephanie McCommon of the American Quarter Horse Association. Susan also met several new folks representing groups such as the American Horse Council, Pennsylvania Equine Council, and Sustainable Stables.
Overall it was an enjoyable and productive trip. In addition to the opportunities for company marketing and professional development, Susan also had the pleasure of visiting with her parents John and Nancy who drove up from Venice to attend her talk. To learn more about SETC, please visit their website at:
http://www.southeasternequestriantrails.com/
