We’ve worked hard this year to keep New Mexico’s trails open to equestrians and serve Santa Fe’s horse community with major wins at Thornton Ranch with 16.5 miles of multi-use trails and the “Let’s Make a Western” grant to benefit our horse and film communities. We have also delivered a brand new website and equestrian events calendar, along with breaking news on our Facebook to keep you informed and engaged all year long. Read on and follow the links for full details.
January
– Racing Across Mongolia, an inspiring evening with endurance rider Marcia Hefker co-sponsored with NNMHA. Marcia is a native New Mexican and winner of the Mongol Derby 2016.
– Publicized fundraising efforts for multi-use trails in Galisteo Basin Preserve.
– Assisted Santa Fe County Commissioners to set fair usage rates for the new Stanley Cyclone Center Arena.
February and March
– A major effort of time and funds dedicated to produce and launch Santa Fe Horse Coalition’s new SantaFeHorse.org Website and Equestrian Events Calendar.
April
– Let’s Make a Western grant: created and co-sponsor the grant with New Mexico Film Foundation.
– Represented equestrians championing multi-use trails, horse trailer parking and access gates at a series of Santa Fe National Forest Usage Plan meetings.
June
– SFHC members joined in building parking lot improvements La Tierra Trails.
– Represented equestrians at Santa Fe County planning meeting for proposed Arroyo Hondo Trail.
July
– Santa Fe Horse Coalition officers and members represent equestrians in the User and Alignment Groups in ongoing meetings for the statewide Rio Grand Trail Master Plan.
August
– Consulted by SF County on the Santa Fe Rail Trail, advocating parking area for horse trailers on new segment running from Eldorado to Galisteo Basin Preserve. Upon completion, the Rail Trail will connect from 599 Rail Runner station all the way to Lamy.
September
– Partnered with NNMHA and Fat Tire Society to host a Broncs and Bikes arena night and group ride for equestrians and mountain bikers. Our 2nd Annual Share the Trails ride at La Tierra was rained out and will be rescheduled for Spring 2018.
– Co-sponsored Bonanza Western Night with New Mexico Film Foundation to benefit Let’s Make a Western grant for NM independent filmmakers. We helped raise $5000 that will go toward making a real New Mexican Western: a short feature by New Mexico filmmakers set and filmed in New Mexico – a boost to our local film and horse economies. Many thanks to Clint Mortenson for hosting the event.
October:
– It’s official! Thornton Ranch Master Plan with 16.5 miles of multi-use trails and space for trailer parking was approved by Santa Fe Bureau of County Commissioners. Thornton Ranch was a key project for us in 2017. Prior to our involvement, horse accessible trails were limited to only 7 miles. We called the horse community to action (thank you to those who showed up and wrote emails) and attended many meetings with county staff to amend the plan. We thank Santa Fe County Open Space and Trails Planning for their cooperation and upholding the multi-use standard. Here’s the pdf of the final plan.
– SFHC was there for the Groundbreaking of the El Camino Real Trail. We’ll celebrate with a Coalition hosted ride on Opening Day June 2, 2018.
December:
– Worked with Back Country Horsemen to inform the public and encourage comment on HR 1349 “Bikes in Wilderness” bill.
Coming to our website in 2018: More trail ride destinations, expanded horse health articles, and a new services directory.
Thanks for your support and Happy New Year!
Piar Marks
President
Santa Fe Horse Coalition
Questions or comments? Contact info@santafehorse.org
Join us. Membership is free. Please “like” SantaFeHorse on Facebook then visit our website SantaFeHorse.org to become a member. We send only a few emails a year regarding calls-to-action or c0-sponsored events, and this Year in Review in December.
SFHC VP Trails Advocacy Julie Belt and Rocky at Galisteo Basin Preserve