On March 1, 1970, a group of very dedicated horsemen and women met a Pete’s Mountain Arena, near West Linn, Oregon. The main reason for this meeting was all the “no horses allowed” signs that were appearing at many public campgrounds and trail heads and to resolve the growing resistant towards equestrians using Oregon public lands.
Under the leadership of Earl Fleck,and a small group of equestrians, Dean Fitzwater, Joanne Shook, Gordon Bailey, Ray Barichello, Vern Weible, John Wagner, Bruce Renhard, Gina Shaw and Dick Woodfin, Oregon Equestrian Trails was formed as a Non-profit to promote trail riding, develop and maintain horse camps and trails through out Oregon. From our humble beginning and throughout our over 50 year history we thank the thousands of proud Oregon Equestrian Trails(OET) members that have worked tirelessly to fulfill the Oregon Equestrian Trails Mission. Back in 1970 there were no Equestrian campgrounds in Oregon, today we now have over 75 campgrounds in Oregon for Equestrian recreation, to ease equestrian access to the many trails on our public lands.
This passionate assembly of horse enthusiasts came together to establish OET, addressing the challenges faced by equestrians on Oregon’s public trails and camps. Today, our mission is to ensure safe equestrian access on public lands harmoniously alongside other user groups through education. Explore the evolution of Oregon Equestrian Trails on our dedicated ‘Our Story’. For an immersive understanding, delve into our OET video that eloquently captures the essence of who we are. Click to watch and become part of our enduring story.
Today our challenge is to maintain safe equestrian access on our public lands, pressures from State and Federal budget cuts are making this task more difficult to manage and maintain the many campgrounds and trails through out the state. Volunteers are taking on increasing roles with State and Federal land manages to ensure our equestrian recreational resources will be available for our future grandchildren. Since our beginning, each year OET members generate over 5000 man-hours of volunteer labor, from building horse camps, maintaining trails, attending state and federal land manager meetings, providing feedback on possible closures to equestrian access and behind the scenes at OET state and chapter functions.
In the video our honorary member, Vern Weible further explains our organization.
Oregon Equestrian Trails continues to foster the positive vision of horsemen and women working together as a united group, dedicated to the protecting not only the rights of riders throughout the state, but also protecting the lands held as public trust for all to enjoy. Today through our vision future generations of equestrians will continue to enjoy Oregon’s many scenic trails and campgrounds.
Oregon Equestrian Trails members foster relationships with federal, state and local forestry and recreational personnel to enlighten agency staff as to our purpose and ideas. We are continuing to make our activities and achievements more visible to the public and to federal, state and local forestry staff. Over the years Oregon Equestrian Trails members have been very active in the construction and maintenance of horse camps throughout Oregon. Each Summer OET plan work parties and events that anyone is welcome to join in on the comradery and fun to come away with a strong sense pride and accomplishment.