Welcome to the Horse Packing and Wilderness Skills Expo!
We have changed our name to better reflect what we really are, not just a clinic but a large array of vendors and educational seminars for all those-trail riders, packers, hikers, campers, trail bike enthusiasts, and hunters-who enjoy our beautiful network of trails here in the Northwest. Also included are a dinner, talent show, raffles, an auction, and a mule sale. This is a fun three-day event!
We have a theme every year to highlight a different area. This year the theme is Trails ‘R’ Us. We chose this theme to help people understand that the Congressional funding for trail maintenance continues to drop and the Forest Service cannot keep the trails cleared of tree downfall. They are depending on Volunteers to help. Hikers, hunters and horsemen all use the trails for recreation but soon we will have less than half of the trails accessible. You may not be able to reach your favorite lake or get into a favorite hunting area. Please find out how you can help. The Back Country Horsemen motto is to Keep Trails Open for Everyone. We clear trails and help pack tools and camp supplies in for other volunteers, so they can work more efficiently.
Back Country Horsemen of America is a National organization with State and local chapters. Our Seminar program this year includes sessions for hikers, hunters, fishermen, bikers and horsemen. Survival, route planning for a backcountry trip, dealing with altitude, weather and safety in the outdoors, trail clearing skills with different tools along with all the trail riding and horse packing skills are included. This year we have a fly casting clinic and information on choosing the best bicycle for you. The Kid’s Corral will have activities for the young ones with our famous stick ponies they get to decorate and take home and a fishing pond where they can catch a fish and take it home!
This will be the second year of our Talent Show, and we'll be adding an American Idol style competition to add to the excitement. Come show your talent! All types of performance art and skill is welcome.
The Kentucky Derby Party and viewing will take place upstairs on the North Mezzanine.
Our dinner will take be in the Exhibit Hall and will be provided by Melissa’s Country Kitchen. Join us for the wonderful meal she provides. As always, there will be a mule auction. They will perform during the day in the outdoor arena so come see what they can do. Most of all, have an enjoyable time visiting with friends and enjoying the camaraderie, and something you just can’t do without from the vendors and take in some seminars to add to your knowledge. We look forward to seeing you there!
Join the High Desert Trail Riders Back Country Horsemen!
We have a theme every year to highlight a different area. This year the theme is Trails ‘R’ Us. We chose this theme to help people understand that the Congressional funding for trail maintenance continues to drop and the Forest Service cannot keep the trails cleared of tree downfall. They are depending on Volunteers to help. Hikers, hunters and horsemen all use the trails for recreation but soon we will have less than half of the trails accessible. You may not be able to reach your favorite lake or get into a favorite hunting area. Please find out how you can help. The Back Country Horsemen motto is to Keep Trails Open for Everyone. We clear trails and help pack tools and camp supplies in for other volunteers, so they can work more efficiently.
Back Country Horsemen of America is a National organization with State and local chapters. Our Seminar program this year includes sessions for hikers, hunters, fishermen, bikers and horsemen. Survival, route planning for a backcountry trip, dealing with altitude, weather and safety in the outdoors, trail clearing skills with different tools along with all the trail riding and horse packing skills are included. This year we have a fly casting clinic and information on choosing the best bicycle for you. The Kid’s Corral will have activities for the young ones with our famous stick ponies they get to decorate and take home and a fishing pond where they can catch a fish and take it home!
This will be the second year of our Talent Show, and we'll be adding an American Idol style competition to add to the excitement. Come show your talent! All types of performance art and skill is welcome.
The Kentucky Derby Party and viewing will take place upstairs on the North Mezzanine.
Our dinner will take be in the Exhibit Hall and will be provided by Melissa’s Country Kitchen. Join us for the wonderful meal she provides. As always, there will be a mule auction. They will perform during the day in the outdoor arena so come see what they can do. Most of all, have an enjoyable time visiting with friends and enjoying the camaraderie, and something you just can’t do without from the vendors and take in some seminars to add to your knowledge. We look forward to seeing you there!
Join the High Desert Trail Riders Back Country Horsemen!
A Brief History of Back Country Horsemen
The formation of Back Country Horsemen took place in Montana’s Flathead Valley in January of 1973. Since then, BCH progress is a matter of record. BCH members have used their specialized knowledge of stock and the backcountry to bring about changes and modifications of restrictive management. BCH has participated in many agency meetings involving land use planning and regulations, and has become a strong voice for continued, responsible horse use.
This approach has assured us valid consideration regarding regulations and planning and has given us the support of other conservation groups. The growth of the Back Country Horsemen organization continued with the formation of additional chapters in Montana. In 1979, these chapters and one from Salmon, Idaho, formed the Back Country Horsemen of America. The BCH of Washington developed an informal liaison with this group and in 1981 a California organization was formed known as the High Sierra Stock Users. After several years these four groups merged in 1985 as the Back Country Horsemen of America and a constitution was adopted in 1986. Since that time there has been steady growth. By 2018, there were active organizations in 31 states and in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, and in Chili and Argentina, South America.
In May of 1996, a group of af liate members of BCHA and other interested horsemen met in Hood River, Oregon with the purpose of forming a State BCH organization. In April 1997, the Back Country Horsemen of Oregon was accepted by BCHA. There are 9 chapters today in Burns, Hood River, Bend, Klamath Falls, Salem, Eugene, Medford, Oregon City and a statewide packers chapter.
In May of 1980 the High Desert Trail Riders was formed here in Klamath Falls and was incorporated int he State of Oregon as a group interested in trail riding. Some of the founding members were Peggy Halstead, Nadine Hoy, Alvin Unger, Elma Allen, Lynn Lackowski, Jack Boesch, and Frank Kimball. As the membership grew with interest in day riding and packing, they realized the importance of protecting the heritage and riding opportunities available. This was the major mission of the Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA).
In June of 1994, High Desert Trail Riders joined BCHA and became High Desert Trail Riders Back Country Horsemen (HDTRBCH), and in 1996 helped organize and finance the formation of the state organization Back Country Horsemen of Oregon (BCHO). BCHA is a national organization comprised of 31 State organizations with 13,000 members in 194 chapters.
HDTRBCH annually maintains more than 40 miles of trail for saddle and pack stock use (as well as other recreational trail users) in the Fremont-Winema National Forest. They also donate funds, materials, and labor on many projects that improve the recreational use for equestrians on State, BLM, and Forest Service Lands. HDTRBCH is involved in federal planning and provides input and suggestions to the agencies to protect our heritage and current use of stock on and in public lands.
This approach has assured us valid consideration regarding regulations and planning and has given us the support of other conservation groups. The growth of the Back Country Horsemen organization continued with the formation of additional chapters in Montana. In 1979, these chapters and one from Salmon, Idaho, formed the Back Country Horsemen of America. The BCH of Washington developed an informal liaison with this group and in 1981 a California organization was formed known as the High Sierra Stock Users. After several years these four groups merged in 1985 as the Back Country Horsemen of America and a constitution was adopted in 1986. Since that time there has been steady growth. By 2018, there were active organizations in 31 states and in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, and in Chili and Argentina, South America.
In May of 1996, a group of af liate members of BCHA and other interested horsemen met in Hood River, Oregon with the purpose of forming a State BCH organization. In April 1997, the Back Country Horsemen of Oregon was accepted by BCHA. There are 9 chapters today in Burns, Hood River, Bend, Klamath Falls, Salem, Eugene, Medford, Oregon City and a statewide packers chapter.
In May of 1980 the High Desert Trail Riders was formed here in Klamath Falls and was incorporated int he State of Oregon as a group interested in trail riding. Some of the founding members were Peggy Halstead, Nadine Hoy, Alvin Unger, Elma Allen, Lynn Lackowski, Jack Boesch, and Frank Kimball. As the membership grew with interest in day riding and packing, they realized the importance of protecting the heritage and riding opportunities available. This was the major mission of the Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA).
In June of 1994, High Desert Trail Riders joined BCHA and became High Desert Trail Riders Back Country Horsemen (HDTRBCH), and in 1996 helped organize and finance the formation of the state organization Back Country Horsemen of Oregon (BCHO). BCHA is a national organization comprised of 31 State organizations with 13,000 members in 194 chapters.
HDTRBCH annually maintains more than 40 miles of trail for saddle and pack stock use (as well as other recreational trail users) in the Fremont-Winema National Forest. They also donate funds, materials, and labor on many projects that improve the recreational use for equestrians on State, BLM, and Forest Service Lands. HDTRBCH is involved in federal planning and provides input and suggestions to the agencies to protect our heritage and current use of stock on and in public lands.
A Message to HDTRBCH from the US Forest Service:
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A Special Thank You to the High Desert Trail Riders and the Back Country Horsemen of Oregon for their unwavering support of Wilderness and trails. Volunteers are at the heart of our trails program and by providing pack support for our trail crews, we are able to achieve more. Over the past een years I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside various volunteer groups and the High Desert Trail Riders stand out with the work load they are willing to take on. Passion for the outdoors, companionship, love for their stock and hope for the future are what help drive the High Desert Trail Riders to continue their partner- ship with the Fremont-Winema National Forest.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Fremont-Winema National Forest, in helping clear trails, maintaining campgrounds and promoting responsible recreation on Public Lands, contact me: Anthony Benedetti Recreation Operations Fremont-Winema National Forest Phone: 541-885-3440 Email: abenedetti@fs.fed.us |
