The ITRA Annual meeting was held at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds on March 20th, 2010.  It was called to order at 2:45 PM by Greg Hersberger, President.

Greg called for nominations from the floor for the election.
Two people were nominated from the floor:  Ron McCoy and Steve Auth.
Ballots were given to the committee to be counted.

Country Haven --  There was an open house in November which was well attended.  The camp was full.  ITRA got a lot of exposure.  DNR had hoped to have it open by January 1st  2010 but that didn't happen.  They have now decided not to hire a manager but have taken applications from vendors instead.

VIP rides. --  ITRA will be having some mini VIP rides across the state.  We are not allowed to lobby but we do want to show the legislators what our parks have to offer the horsemen Read More »

April 9-10-11, 2010 • Indiana State Fairgrounds •Indianapolis, Indiana
Join us for the 2010 Hoosier Horse Fair & Expo!

• Six-Horse Hitch Competition
• Breed Demonstration
• Clinics (partial listing!)

                   Sterling Graburn - Driving
        & Read More »

Thank you to the following members who have stepped up to the plate to run for officer or director positions.

Please Note!!!

You will receive your official ballot in the March newsletter in late February. You will be responsible for mailing that ballot in or bringing it with you to the annual meeting in March.  This format is completely different than what we have had in past.  You must be a member for 1 year to run as an officer.

Greg Hersberger, President - Running for President
      I would like to run for another term as President of ITRA.  I've been a director for quite a few years and the past year served as President.  Time flies when you are having fun.  I have met so many great people and had so many wonderful experiences from being in the ITRA and on the board.  There is Read More »

Northwest Indiana Trail Happenings
By Lawrence Turnquist

     There was a notice in Trail Rider magazine that Equestrian Land Conservation Resource, specifically Cynthia Higgs, Equestrian Partners Coordinator, has done a report on “models for equine-based use of State Fish and wildlife Lands”.  This is a 33 page report which is extremely relevant to our situation in Northwest Indiana. These areas represent a huge untapped resource for equestrian trails and it would be a shame if we didn’t do our best to gain access to them. This report gives examples of several other states that have given access to these areas. It also provides sound factual information to defeat the reasons we have traditionally been given, for not permitting equestrians access to these areas.
     November 21st 2009 Maureen and I attended an eight-hour school put on by Read More »

   Well, SR 135 South, between Trails End store and Orchard Road, looks GREAT, thanks to a big bunch of volunteers.   We finished in record time this year; a little over an hour and we were done!   Appreciation goes to: Cherri Cronen, Lea Erwood, Ann and Mitch Popcheff, Marchetta, Ron and Kyla Crouch, Anna Zupancic, Susan Alturn, Michelle Smith, Betty Fagenbush, Dennis Hall and Sonia Novak.   The state highway guys were there mowing the east side of the road, so except for where they got stuck in the side ditch, the road looks spotless.  A big THANKS to you all!!

Chris Eickleberry

     So much to do so little time
     I hope everybody had a great fall riding.  Ours was busy. We don’t get to ride as much away as we used to.  With me starting a new job three years ago and Diana starting a new job after her factory was closed means no vacation time anymore.  We tend to ride close to home now.  My 4 year old foxtrotter we started this spring is doing great so we try to ride almost every weekend to keep him going.
     One of the important things coming up next year will be the election.  I hope you will investigate the candidates running in your districts and support those that support trail riding and trails.  We need to see the candidates and ask those questions to be sure they will support our trails and trail riding.
     We do have one member Read More »

      What a great week to take vacation and go to Brown County to work on trails.  Most of the camp was full by Wednesday evening and there were only a couple of empty sites that I saw by Friday morning. There were quite a few out in the primitive area for the weekend as well. 
     Most of the chainsaw crew left on Monday before Thanksgiving to go down and get started clearing trees from the trails.  Hillary and I went down Monday morning with Rheba Montgomery, Chris and Stacy Lowe, Bob Montgomery and Norma Heistand, Bob McPheeters and Debbie Fisher, and Rob Brunnemer.  We had plenty of trees to get off the trails.  We started Monday and everybody worked every day but Thursday when we had our turkey day.  Later in the week the rest of the guys showed up and we were able to get three hazardous trees off the trails with the ropes to be sure they went whe Read More »

March 20, 2010
Noblesville, Indiana
ITRA Annual Meeting     
Hamilton County 4H Fairgrounds
It’s time to round up all the kinfolk,
load them on the wagons and horses and
head on over to Noblesville, Indiana.
Gathering time will be noon, with
dinner at 1 p.m.  ITRA will furnish the
meat and eating utensils as well as the
drinks.  Bring your favorite dish:

A-M should bring salads and casseroles,
N-Z should bring desserts.
 
There will be a silent auction.
All board directors are asked to bring
an item for the auction and everyone
else is welcome to bring items for the
auction as well.  Immediately following
Read More »

April 9-11, 2010
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Hoosier Horse Fair
This event attracts Indiana's finest
horses, ponies, mules and donkeys. 
Contact the Indiana Horse Council at
317-692-7115 for more information. 
NEW LOCATION - South Pavillion
booth number 308 and 309.

April 24-25, 2010
Brown County State Park
Annual Spring Cleanup
Join us for the annual spring cleanup at
BCSP.  Work day is Saturday. 
Contact Greg Hersberger at
260-729-1208
greghersberger@intrailriders.org and get
your name on the list for the free night
of camping.  There will be a carry-in
supper Saturday evening.  ITRA will
provide the main dish.