A number of years ago, Indiana endurance rider Jerry Fruth came up with the idea of having an AERC member from each state represent that particular state in regards to trail issues. From that tiny seed the present State Trails Advocate program has grown; a small but dedicated cadre of AERC members are out there working "to develop, use, and preserve trails" (taken from AERC's Mission Statement).

Since we are volunteers, there are no must-do's, though there are three main goals to strive for:

1. Know the land managers within the state. Attend open houses and public meetings when possible . . . let them get to know your face and name . . . make sure they know you are an endurance rider, and that you care about trails.

2. Establish work days for trail preservation, and drag along as many fellow endurance riders as possible! Join your local saddle club, and attend their work days; wear your ride T-shirt and a big smile. (You are most likely the only endurance rider lots of pleasure riders will get to meet, so show them we are regular people, not just those crazy spandex-wearing helmet-heads that they see zooming down the trail!) Be a good ambassador for our sport. Talk with other user groups -- we do have to share lots of our trails.

3. Participate in the planning process when land agencies make long-term plans for trails within a state. The United States Forest Service (USFS) and state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have websites where they often announce proposed changes and ask for public input. Write those letters! Send e-mails to all your friends and get to that meeting!

So, ask yourself: who is your State Trails Advocate? (And, do you care?)

Note the updated list on the AERC website and in the front of this magazine; notice how many states are not listed.

Will you step forward to volunteer to help fill these gaps? If you don't, think about whether your local horse trails will still be there next year for you to ride and enjoy. Without awareness of looming problems, we will be caught unprepared.

Our trails are under increasing pressure from other user groups; we need to show everybody that distance riders care!

My contact information is under the Trails and Land Management Committee on page 2 of every EN issue. Please contact me. Together we can make a difference!

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