The national economy is suffering through a tough year. The stock market is down, unemployment is up, sales are down, and government spending and debt are up. The AERC economy is also suffering. The Board of Directors has responded responsibly by cutting spending and increasing revenue to preserve our sport and our organization.

One of the areas of spending which was reduced by the board is trails activities. The Trails and Land Management Committee of AERC is responsible for:

-- training Trail Masters, who learn how to keep our trails in good rideable condition

-- political access to trails issues that affect our opportunities to ride and compete

-- trails grants which fund trails initiatives and repairs.

Trails grants program

Trails grants are funded by voluntary contributions of AERC members. Each year these grants help pay for building trailhead facilities, access to water for horse and rider, fencing, gates, and trail building and maintenance. The money for these projects comes from you.

Lucy Bagot has, very capably, coordinated the applications for trails grants for several years. Individuals interested in applying for a grant may go to the trails tab on the AERC website. Following the links, they come to a page of questions about the proposed project. Applicants then fill out answers to the questions and submit them to Lucy who assists them in clarification and revision before submitting the form to the Trails Committee.

After screening by the committee, the application goes to the Board of Directors where further evaluation and discussion occurs. The AERC Board of Directors gives final approval to successful applications and the work begins.

Trails grants have been available since 2003 and have funded over $100,000 in projects. These projects are all "sticks and bricks," as former Trails Committee Chair Jerry Fruth likes to say. They mostly fund materials which volunteers install.

Many of the grants support matching fund projects so that we get more bang for our bucks. As a volunteer organization, we are careful with our money. This year we have received more requests for trails grants than ever before -- all good projects, and needed.

Trail Master program

The Trail Master program provides training to AERC members and land managers for building and maintaining sustainable trails for our rides. The training also emphasizes good land manager relationships. Typically, the goal is to train 10 to 12 AERC members and two to four land managers at each course. Monica Chapman is the current coordinator of this program.

Since this program began, AERC has trained more than 120 Trail Masters. If you haven't taken the class, you probably find it difficult to imagine its worth. But the information learned is invaluable. I have never met anyone who took the class and felt it was a waste of time. Trail Masters are rightly proud of the skills they have learned.

Trail Master funding is from the general operating fund of AERC and is set each year by the board. In past years, we have budgeted for six Trail Master classes per year. With current economic difficulties, we budgeted for two classes in 2010.

Political causes

Finally, the Trails and Land Management Committee keeps in touch with political activities that may influence our access to trails. We do this with national memberships and affiliations with the American Horse Council (where we are represented on the Recreational Trails Committee), Back Country Horsemen of America, Equestrian Land Conservation Resource and several local trails organizations such as the Southeastern Trails Coalition (where ride manager Helen Koehler keeps us represented and informed). Funding for these memberships is also from the AERC general operating fund and suffered cuts this year.

Convention and beyond

The theme of our convention next year is "Preserve Our Trails." Prominent figures from around the country will address the membership. Rick Potts of the National Park Service will be our keynote speaker. Jay Hickey of the American Horse Council will address the Board. The Trails and Land Management Committee will have a booth staffed by committee members. Stop by and ask about the various activities and interests that you have regarding trails.

The minimal requirements for our sport are horse and rider, ride manager, veterinarian, and . . . a trail. The activities listed above are not frivolous expenditures of your money. They are responsible investments in our future. The various coordinators, the Trails and Land Management Committee, and the AERC Board of Directors carefully scrutinize every penny spent. Those are your pennies and we all take our responsibility for their management very seriously.

Our trails are a national resource which we must protect and preserve. Without trails, we have no endurance rides.

When you renew your membership and send in your check, don't forget Trails. This holiday season is an excellent time for generosity. You may specify any additional donation you wish to make for any of the trails activities listed above. Or order a copy of Julie Suhr's "Ten Feet Tall, Still" -- each book sold helps support the AERC Trails Fund (see page 37).

Your money will be well spent, and our trails will be protected for future generations of endurance riders.

New members: join online by clicking here or phone the office toll-free, 866-271-2372.

Renewing? Click here, or give the office staff a call at 866-271-2372.

How far will you ride this year? Join AERC and we'll help you count the miles!