Chapter Reports

We have had a usual year of meetings and riding together. However, there were three incidents that we would not like to repeat. One, with a miraculous outcome of horse and rider falling off of a bridge with neither injured. Then, the same day a rider came up behind her sleeping horse and was just missed, by a hairs breath, by a  flying hoof aside of the head. Then, a member was bucked off her horse, landing the rider in the rocks and eventually, several hours later, requiring a Lifeflight ride to the hospital in a touch and go condition, for awhile.

Our rides and events were as follows:

Annual spring breakfast ride.

3rd annual Mountain Trail Challenge in June

The Arling Trail work project which did not require any work of us. Instead, we followed the youth corp. who did everything accept clear to a riders height. Then later, after the Herd fire went through we went up to survey the damage. Again, we found that the fire fighters had used that trail as the northern boundary of the fire thus had worked it over well.

After a severe microburst, we saw where the lower part of our adopted, Council Mt. Trail, had so much downfall that it will require a logging job this spring. Several of us then drove up the mountain to the Deseret horse camp and found that all was well up there. When we reached the summit of the mountain, we found that again we were not the first to be there. Others had put up new signs and even made new trails. Thank you whoever.

Members participated in the New Meadows Labor Day festivities and parade with a logging theme. Some even drove their carts.

I almost forgot our long awaited acquaintance with northern Idaho and the famous Peewee Creek at the July BOD mtg. Four of us made it into quite a memorable trip.

Again, in the fall, some members challenged the Weiser River Trail for a week. Not exactly a back country ride, but handy and beautiful.

We all had several rides throughout the season in different groups. Geologically we are divided by the Payette Mountains to the east of Council Valley and to the west of Long Valley. We all seemed to get together for our monthly meetings with potlucks, which are always a good draw. You see people at the meetings that you never see on the trail, but they are all dedicated members and do their share. Couldn’t have a chapter without them.

Two of us made it to Grangeville for the BOD mtg. and Convention and had a great time.

Our share of calendar sales went on without a hitch. Maybe we will be brave and try more next time.
The winter has been busy with meetings. First with the FS and the Payette Forest Coalition. It seems that we all must keep on our toes continually to keep access to riding areas.

Also, we worked with the Payette on trail classifications. We await the paper work.

HEARTLAND BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN
YEAR END REPORT 2008

The first meeting of the year was a potluck held January 22 at the Rittersbacher’s home in Council. Life Flight memberships were paid from a compiled list. The proposed Mountain Trail challenge matters were delegated to the MTC Committee. BCH Raffle tickets were available from Linda Hemminger. At the up-coming Director’s Mtg., a vote would be taken as to whether or not to split the Convention/Outdoor show into two mtgs. at different times of the year or keep them together as is. HBCH’s votes were: 2 to split, 6 to stay together and 3 abstaining.

The February Mtg. was cancelled for the MTC Committee would be meeting to formulate plans.

March found us at Linda Davenport’s home in Council. The MTC Committee Report was the most time consuming with details of events. The up-coming Director’s Mtg. was on the agenda as well. Rides for HBCH were a topic. The first ride would be a potluck breakfast ride at VansGrunsven’s in the Council area at 9 AM on April 26. Also discussed, was the Payette National Forest Travel Plan. Al, Anita, and Paul were the HBCH representatives in this matter.

The April Mtg. was the Breakfast ride with a short mtg. between breakfast and the ride. The MTC was discussed as well as the BCHI Website.

May was a breakfast ride with a short meeting before. The website, work party at Becker’s White Tail Arena where the MTC would be held, and MTC were on the agenda.

June found us at Jan Whitney’s home in near McCall. Since the MTC was held June 14, the results were in. Dave would tabulate them for future events. HBCH and White Tail Arena agreed to sponsor a buckle for the Adam’s County Rodeo. On Aug. 17, HBCH would have a concession stand for the Pony Club at White Tail Arena. Rides to be, Sat. July 19, Arling Trail and Aug 1 & 2 overnighter out of Deseret Trail Head. Director’s Mtg. was discussed.

We met at the New Meadow’s Library in July. To our surprise, the Adam’s County Fair was dedicated to HBCH this year. Website was discussed as was the Director’s Mtg. The Concession Stand Committee is in gear. Harvey’s lost horses were a big concern.

Desert delicacies were on for our August Mtg. The stalwart crew on the Deseret Trail Maintenance Ride reported, Harvey’s horses were returned, the crew on the Concession Stand reported, the Arling Trail Ride would be either Sept. 13 or 27, and a lively auction selling goodies from the Concession Stand ended the meeting.

A potluck/mtg. was held at the Revaul home near Tamarack in Sept... Arling Trail Ride was discussed as was the Website, NAIS Committee Report, and the Convention.

Another potluck was on board for October at Jan Whitney’s home. Calendars, Convention, Website, and Christmas Party were discussed.

No November Meeting.

Christmas Party/potluck at VanGrunsven’s is one of the highlights of the year especially the White Elephant Exchange which is full of mirth and hilarity. Items reported on were the Calendar Sales, Director’s Mtg., Election of Officers and next meeting which will be in February.

HBCH OFFICERS/DIRECTORS 2009

President: Paul Kleint, gkleindt@ctcweb.net, 325-8768, PO Box 42 Donnelly, ID 83615
Vice Pres.: Al Becker, ahbecker@frontiernet.net, 347-2346, 3939Cemetery Rd., New Meadows, ID 83654
Secretary: Joy Rittersbacher, llamajoy@ctcweb.net, 253-4851, 2338 Hwy. 95, Council, ID 83612
Treasurer: Jan Whitney, jwhit42485@frontiernet.net, 634-5012, 133864 Williams Rd., McCall, ID 83638
Directors: Linda Hemminger, hemminger.linda@yahoo.com, 630-3824, PO Box 625, New Meadows, ID 83654
Anita VanGrunsven, anitavan@hotmail.com, 253-4456, 2555 Fruitvale Rd., Fruitvale, ID 83612
Olin Balch, obalch@earthlink.net, 315-3898, PO Box 344, Cascade, ID 83611
Bridgett Brest, bridgett@brestranch.com, 256-4543, 2280 Mundy Gulch Rd., Indian Valley, ID 83632
Education Director: Anita VanGrunsven
Foundation Representative: Paul Kleint

Respectfully submitted,

Joy Rittersbacher, Secretary

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