Each year, the West Virginia Horse Council (WVHC) hosts "Horse Industry Day" at the state capitol in Charleston, West Virginia. Horse owners, breeders, tack and feed stores -- anyone involved with the equine industry in West Virginia -- are invited to participate in this event to make the equine industry visible to our state officials.

As West Virginia residents, we have been disappointed that we must always leave our beautiful state and trails and drive considerable distances to compete in other areas. Although West Virginia hosted endurance rides in years past, the state hasn't hosted a ride since 1998. This is unfortunate, as the mountainous areas have great trails and cool summer temperatures that are perfect for endurance competition. We would like to see several rides return to our state, so, as members of the WVHC and AERC, Kimberly Taylor and I decided to participate in Horse Industry Day with an AERC display.

Not really sure where to begin, Kimberly contacted AERC and we were both totally overwhelmed with the response she received! Working with both the WVHC and AERC, Kimberly explained that we wanted AERC to help us show our legislators (1) how important the equine industry is to our state, and (2) why West Virginia is an excellent state in which to develop ride sites. The WVHC also wanted someone with a national voice to speak to the Economic Development Committee as to the financial loss our state takes due to equestrian enthusiasts leaving our state to compete.

Kimberly first contacted Patti Pizzo, who was of great assistance in hooking us up with Jerry Fruth, chairman of the Trails Advocacy Committee. Kathleen Henkel at the AERC office was extremely helpful and sent us a large AERC banner, Endurance News magazines, and plenty of other endurance literature. Stagg Newman, last year's co-chair of the Education Committee, was very supportive in allowing us to reprint additional educational materials for our display.

Kimberly managed to find a tablecloth and skirt that matched the banner, and we borrowed a nice endurance video from Tom and Rita Swift.

Jerry Fruth was kind enough to agree to drive several hours from Indiana to West Virginia, stay the night in Charleston, and then spend the next day talking to people all day about the state's equine industry.

Once Horse Industry Day arrived, we met early and made the three-and-a-half hour drive to Charleston, carried our goodies two city blocks, and set up our AERC display. Shortly thereafter, Jerry, accompanied by his son, junior rider Ryan, arrived ready for battle! We literally dragged Jerry around from person to person, and we were amazed at how he discussed the issues of our state as they apply to endurance riding and the entire equine industry. Jerry had read the entire WVHC West Virginia Equine Economic Impact Study and had done tons of other research into our state!

That afternoon, at the Economic Development Committee hearing, Bill Bradley, president of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and Jerry were asked to speak to the committee regarding the "leakage" of dollars out of our state due to lack of support of equestrian competition. Jerry did a fabulous, amazing, professional job! He compared our state to surrounding states and the entire U.S. He was also able to explain to the committee how AERC and its supportive membership are able to develop ride sites in rural areas. You could literally see the committee members perk up when they heard that AERC has the ability, knowledge, support, and manpower to develop such sites in our rural, economically depressed areas!

Overall, the day was a huge success. Our AERC display was busy the entire day -- we had many people who were interested in attending the WVHC Introduction to Endurance Riding forum and picnic on June 4. Many were supportive of bringing AERC rides back to our state. In fact, the new Peace Point Equestrian Center in Bethany has a ride scheduled for October 1. We also hope to have an additional ride site in place by the summer of 2006.

What can you do to help?

Attend the ride at Peace Point on October 1. We have visited Peace Point, and I can tell you that the ride manager Betsy Tustin and her management team are preparing an amazing ride! Good attendance at this ride will help us show our state officials that the equine industry is deserving of their legislative support.

Support future rides in West Virginia. The state is filled with beautiful trails but is in drastic need of economic development-developing ride sites in our many rural areas could really help!

Join and be active in your state's horse council. Without the WVHC, our government officials would have no idea that an equine industry existed in our state. The collective voice of horse owners can keep riders from losing their trails and help officials support equestrian interests.

Use the excellent resources that AERC has to offer when you have similar opportunities to share your sport with others. The materials and, most importantly, Jerry, made our day a huge success!