AQHA is increasing its efforts to give all AQHA members more opportunities to enjoy their horses in the great outdoors.

This week the exuberance of youth has hit Amarillo as the AQHYA Convention and Youth Excellence Seminar is being held June 25-27.

About 200 AQHYA members have convened in Amarillo, and they will be electing their directors and new officer team.

It is always refreshing to be around these young horse enthusiasts and see their excitement for the future of AQHA. YES offers us a great opportunity to train future leaders for this Association. It’s also fun to meet the young people that are essential to AQHA’s growth. As I look at these AQHYA members, I wonder which ones will follow in Peter Cofrancesco’s footsteps and one day be a part of the AQHA Executive Committee.

Warmer weather gives us more opportunities to hit the trails and enjoy our horses. We’ve ramped up our efforts to give all AQHA members more opportunities to enjoy their horses in the great outdoors.

AQHA is working to preserve trails for AQHA members and their horses.

Stephanie McCommon, AQHA manager of affiliates and recreational riding, is working to bring attention to the STEP program. Formerly known as Trail Trotters, the program was launched in November 2004 by the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource in partnership with the National Forest Foundation. STEP’s goal is to build a program that increases participation in trail stewardship among equine enthusiasts while casting a positive light on horseback riders to land managers and other trail users. The new STEP program helps educate equestrians so they will be effective advocates for trail stewardship in the horse community.

We have recently launched a new Web site for STEP, and Corporate Partner Tractor Supply Company has stepped up to support these conservation efforts. Check out the new Web site. The site will be evolving and improving in the coming weeks, but there is already a lot of information there.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of AQHA Corporate Partner Tractor Supply Company funding is available for a variety of trail activities. Applications must be received by AQHA on or before August 1 of each year to be considered for funding.

To further support our conservation efforts, we have signed an alliance with Tread Lightly. Through our partnership, we want to improve trail sharing experiences and protect access to lands for the enjoyment of responsible outdoor recreation enthusiasts. AQHA and Tread Lightly value open access to public lands for recreational use, and we want to work together to protect these great places.

Read more about our partnership.

AQHA is working with the American Horse Council to preserve the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program. If Congress does not take action this year, this program could no longer be available to recreational riders.

The Recreational Trails Program provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses. It was created in 1991 as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and was last reauthorized in 2005 as part of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users; however, this law is about to expire. The RTP will have to be reauthorized in the next national surface transportation program bill if it is to continue.

Since its inception, the RTP has provided approximately $677 million for thousands of state and local trail projects across the country, including many that benefit equestrians. RTP projects consist of construction, maintenance and restoration of trails and trail-related facilities as well as the acquisition of easements or property for trails.

Although each state manages its own program, 30 percent of RTP funds must be spent on nonmotorized projects like equestrian trails, 30 percent on motorized and 40 percent on multiuse projects. In the coming months, Congress is expected to begin work on the next five-year highway bill. The AHC, in conjunction with a broad coalition of recreational trail users, is requesting that Congress reauthorize and also increase funding for the program to $555 million to be spent during the five years of the bill.

Please contact your members of Congress to voice support for this program. Contact information for your representatives and senators can be found at www.house.gov/ and www.senate.gov/.

Our Ride Program continues to be very popular with rides being offered around the globe. AQHA’s Ride Program began in 1997 and annually hosts more than 100 rides. This program opens the door for anyone with a horse to enjoy the great scenery from horseback. A portion of the proceeds benefit the American Quarter Horse Foundation and a local charity selected by the host affiliates. We appreciate B&W Hitches for sponsoring the trail rides and helping people connect with their horses on the trail. Find a trail ride near you.

Happy trails,

Don Treadway Jr.
AQHA Executive Vice President

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