By Tamar V.D McKee, PH.D.
President, BCHA
On a day so perfect you could literally watch the wildflowers grow, 14 heartbeats (7 human, 7 equine) joined together at the Beech Pavilion trailhead in northern Boulder County for the first BCHA trail ride of 2019. As newly appointed president, I was up on my 10 year old Foxtrotter, Oscar, who for all his Hollywood-flash — let’s just say his flaxen mane would’ve given Lana Turner a run for her money – acted as though he were in an action-thriller movie starring a small herd of Hereford cows as bad guys!
But when not confirming that the upcoming BCHA Cow Clinic on July 13th was his destiny, I along with my fellow riders enjoyed a communal ride that could not have been more picturesque and fellowship-building. Even the prairie dogs and cyclists were “well-behaved”! Truly, though: every cyclist we encountered could not have been nicer and more respectful — if not a bit unsure as to what to do when encountering equestrians on the trail. So as nigh-perfect as the day was, it was not without its important lessons. SAFETY was the biggest one.
While no one had too much trouble with their horses (despite Oscar’s…well, Oscar worthy performance of riding with the bovine-enemy) we learned that trail dynamics are KEY to a safe and thus enjoyable ride. Amongst riders, we learned communication and riding only as fast as the slowest horse in the group was critical to avoiding any stampede mentality on the part of our horses. And when encountering cyclists, we put on our Ambassador hats and were polite and instructive in negotiating right-of-way and holding low-key space as horses passed by. We gave positivity and got it in return.
The takeaway from on-the-trail is that BCHA can always be doing more to clarify and strengthen our stance — physically and politically — on the trails we horse people prefer and love. That’s why we are sending out a “Membership-and-then some” survey to get your feedback on what we can be doing better and stronger for the equine community of Boulder County.
PLEASE BE THE FUTURE OF BCHA. Click here to fill out the following survey to keep Horse culture alive in BoCo!
Once off the trail, untacked, and rubbed down our horses took to dozing in the cloud-speckled sunshine. We riders convened under the shade of the Beech Pavilion and broke out a potluck that featured salads, wraps, dips, chips, veggies, fruit, and cool beverages that were much welcome. Everyone got BCHA t-shirts and the conversation ambled as convivially as the ride had been. The hottest topic? Where to ride next.
Postscript: thank you Linda Parks, new Vice President of BCHA, for spearheading this wonderful event!
