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A Bit about BCHA |
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The Boulder County Horse Association promotes, protects and unifies the equestrian community of Boulder County through education, recreation and legislation.
BCHA serves as an umbrella organization for all horse-related interests
in Boulder County. We are a clearinghouse of information and we
present a united voice for all horse enthusiasts. Our members' equine
interests encompass breeding, showing, training, pleasure, ranch
activities, and trail riding for competition as well as recreation.
BCHA has been incorporated since 1971 as a Colorado non-profit corporation.
In 1998 we obtained our 501(c) 3 status from the Internal Revenue
Service, enabling contributions to the organization to be tax-deductible. BCHA's
bi-monthly newsletter, "The Horse's Mouth," educates our members
about horse-related issues. Articles include upcoming events, potential
legislative impacts affecting our interests, trail descriptions,
and useful tidbits about caring for our horses. Seminars and clinics
are presented throughout the year. BCHA initiated a volunteer Mounted
Search and Rescue unit which subsequently came under the supervision
of the Boulder County Sheriff's Department. We offer both organized
and informal trail rides, which are a great way to learn about local
ecology, history and land stewardship.
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BCHA promotes the acquisition of open space and parks, and supports an interconnected
system of multiple-use trails. In 1986 BCHA adopted and built the Doudy
Draw Trail near Eldorado Springs for the City of Boulder Open Space Department,
and we have conducted annual maintenance on this trail ever since. We have
participated in several National Trails Day projects, and our members are
active in State and Federal trail-policy planning forums. We are an organizational
member of the Boulder Area Trails Coalition and the Colorado Horse Council.
BCHA has been deeply involved in working with Boulder County to formulate
a set of horsekeeping guidelines in the Land Use Code which would "work" for most horse owners, yet enable the County to enforce reasonable regulations
should the need arise. We are especially proud of our recent accomplishments
in this arena, and we hope that BCHA will be recognized as a resource for
horse- related expertise in the future. |
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2007 BCHA Accomplishments
EDUCATIONAL
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Ongoing publication of BCHA newsletter, “The Horse's Mouth”
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Ongoing participation in the County & State Animal Response Teams (CART & SART) and Boulder County Sheriff's Department Mounted Search & Rescue
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Sponsored Educational Seminars on:
1. “Equine Acupuncture”, Deb Schultz, Jan. 28 at Rabbit Mountain Equestrian Center
2. “Caring for Your Geriatric Horse”, Dr. Nancy Loving, at Medicine Horse
3. “Managing Your Fears”, Julie Goodnight, May 19-20, at Colorado Horse Rescue
4. BCHA Annual Meeting – “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Equestrian Insurance”, Mike Bagley, Spice of Life Event Center, Feb. 13,
5. “Equine Podiatry: Common problems and treatments of the Equine Foot”, Stacy Bluhm, DVM and Thom Rosen Farrier, June 12, at Altona Grange
6. “Equine Insurance”, Rob Carruth, Goetz Insurors, Sept. 13, at Altona Grange
7. “Horse Behavior”, Dr. Mark Fitch, Nov. 8, at Colorado Horse Rescue
RECREATIONAL
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Hosted weekly trail rides.
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Held 11th Annual Horse Lovers’ Fling fundraiser dinner & silent auction at the CU Stadium Club, Saturday, March 31.
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Held 9thAnnual Public Lands appreciation Day (PLAD), Boulder County Parks & Open Space at Mud Lake and Caribou Range Open Space, Nederland, August 26th.
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Sponsored the largest-yet BCHA Fun Show at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, Oct. 28
LEGISLATIVE
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Advocated for equestrian access, new trails, and horse trailer parking on public lands throughout Boulder County, including Heil Valley Ranch, Niwot Trails, Boulder Feeder Supply Canal, Walker Ranch, Caribou Ranch, and others.
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Ongoing equestrian advocacy regarding City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks (OSMP) Visitor Master Plan, Marshall Mesa/Southern Grasslands and Eldorado Mountain/Doudy Draw Trail Study Areas, and Off-Trail Permits.
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Ongoing equestrian advocacy with State & Federal agencies, including US Forest Service Brainard Lake Management Plan, White River National Forest / Flattops Wilderness trail issues.
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Provided equestrian input to Boulder county Land Use Department re: changes to the Land Use Code pertaining to horsekeeping and agricultural issues.
ORGANIZATIONAL
Maintained & expanded website, www.boulderhorse.org.
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Worked on Heil Ranch work day and Doudy Draw Trail work day.
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Continued Member Incentive Discount Program for BCHA members through local merchants (the “Card Shop” section of the newsletter).
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Sponsored Annual Membership Meeting with keynote speaker Mike Bagley at Spice of Life Event Center, Boulder, February 13.
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Presented Annual Achievement Award to Jacquelene R. Lee, D.P.A.
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Balanced the budget; established sound financial goals for the future.
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Received numerous citations to BCHA and its advocacy in local media.
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Facilitated publication in the media of several articles on equestrian activities to further public awareness of horses in Boulder County.
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Published a BCHA advertisement in the Boulder County Business Report to increase awareness of (and additional membership in)BCHA and other horse organizations
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Initiate plans with City of Longmont and Puma Development to establish a Longmont Horse Park
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Established BCHA Grant Program
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2008 Goals
EDUCATIONAL
- Produce video on BCHA to be used in membership recruitment and to increase awareness of equestrian activities and lifestyle in Boulder County
- Sponsor ongoing educational seminars, including:
1. Common Ocular Abnormalities in Horses, Holly L. Hamilton, DVM, Longmont Public Library, Jan. 22, 2008
2. Recognizing Normal and Abnormal Health Indicators in Horses, TBA, at Colorado Horse Rescue
3. Others to be announced
- Continue publishing BCHA newsletter, “The Horse’s Mouth”
- Reformat and publish “Happy Trails” to increase exposure and sales.
RECREATIONAL
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Annual fundraiser dinner & silent auction, The Horse Lovers’ Fling, at Glenn Miller Ballroom, CU, Saturday April 5, 2008.
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Sponsor BCHA Fun Show, Sunday October 19, Boulder County Fairgrounds.
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Sponsor BCHA Public Lands Appreciation Day.
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Expand the recreational/social part of BCHA’s mission.
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Host weekly trail rides.
LEGISLATIVE
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Work to have BCHA members appointed to various state and local government boards and committees
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Ongoing monitoring of land management issues affecting horsekeeping, equestrian access and horse ownership
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Hold a Public Lands Appreciation Day event for public land managers
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Produce a “State of the Horse in Boulder County” document showing statistics, trends, and economic impacts of the horse community.
ORGANIZATIONAL
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Conduct Annual Meeting, Feb. 6, “Effective Horsekeeping”, Cherry Hill, at Spice of Life Events Center.
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Expand membership building efforts.
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Expand community outreach including other equine associations.
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Continue trail maintenance at Doudy Draw and other trails.
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Inspire members to become more active participants in the organization & community.
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Expand the viability and visibility of the horse community in Boulder County.
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Continue to build on BCHA’s past accomplishments.
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Expand development of Longmont Horse Park.
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Continue BCHA Grant Program
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