A Bit about BCHA

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.

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.

2007 BCHA Accomplishments

EDUCATIONAL

• Ongoing publication of BCHA newsletter, “The Horse's Mouth”
• Ongoing participation in the County & State Animal Response Teams (CART & SART) and Boulder County Sheriff's Department Mounted Search & Rescue
• 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

• Hosted weekly trail rides.
• Held 11th Annual Horse Lovers’ Fling fundraiser dinner & silent auction at the CU Stadium Club, Saturday, March 31.
• Held 9thAnnual  Public Lands appreciation Day (PLAD), Boulder County Parks & Open Space at Mud Lake and Caribou Range Open Space, Nederland, August 26th.
• Sponsored the largest-yet BCHA Fun Show at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, Oct. 28
  
  

  
  LEGISLATIVE
  
  
• 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.
• 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.
• Ongoing equestrian advocacy with State & Federal agencies, including US Forest Service Brainard Lake Management Plan, White River National Forest / Flattops Wilderness trail issues.
• 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.
• Worked on Heil Ranch work day and Doudy Draw Trail work day.
• Continued Member Incentive Discount Program for BCHA members through local merchants (the “Card Shop” section of the newsletter).
• Sponsored Annual Membership Meeting with keynote speaker Mike Bagley at Spice of Life Event Center, Boulder,  February 13.
• Presented Annual Achievement Award to Jacquelene R. Lee, D.P.A.
• Balanced the budget; established sound financial goals for the future.
• Received numerous citations to BCHA and its advocacy in local media.
• Facilitated publication in the media of several articles on equestrian activities to further public awareness of horses in Boulder County.
• Published a BCHA advertisement in the Boulder County Business Report to increase awareness of (and additional membership in)BCHA and other horse organizations
• Initiate plans with City of Longmont and Puma Development to establish a Longmont Horse Park
• Established BCHA Grant Program

2008 Goals

EDUCATIONAL

RECREATIONAL

• Annual fundraiser dinner & silent auction, The Horse Lovers’ Fling, at Glenn Miller Ballroom, CU, Saturday April 5, 2008.
• Sponsor BCHA Fun Show, Sunday October 19, Boulder County Fairgrounds.
• Sponsor BCHA Public Lands Appreciation Day.
• Expand the recreational/social part of BCHA’s mission.
• Host weekly trail rides.

LEGISLATIVE

• Work to have BCHA members appointed to various state and local government boards and committees
• Ongoing monitoring of land management issues affecting horsekeeping, equestrian access and horse ownership
• Hold a Public Lands Appreciation Day event for public land managers
• Produce a “State of the Horse in Boulder County” document showing statistics, trends, and economic impacts of the horse community.

ORGANIZATIONAL

• Conduct Annual Meeting, Feb. 6, “Effective Horsekeeping”, Cherry Hill, at Spice of Life Events Center.
• Expand membership building efforts.
• Expand community outreach including other equine associations.
• Continue trail maintenance at Doudy Draw and other trails.
• Inspire members to become more active participants in the organization & community.
• Expand the viability and visibility of the horse community in Boulder County.
• Continue to build on BCHA’s past accomplishments.
• Expand development of Longmont Horse Park.
• Continue BCHA Grant Program

* * * * * *