Presidents Message

BCHW is committed to equestrian access on public lands- plain and simple. And BCHW will utilize any and all available tools to accomplish that worthy mission. The tools of a trail advocate today include Pulaski’s and shovels, but out of necessity, must include proactive and rapid response to any law and policy–making that would inhibit or prohibit our right to ride on public lands.

Another tool to include in our kit must be our enduring and reciprocal, collaborative partnerships with land managers, other trail users, community partners, and those public representatives that are our voice in the Capital where laws and policies are formed by the people and for the people.

The next essential tool at our disposal is our reputation for playing well with others; whether that is working alongside hikers and mountain bikers to clear a trail, or partnering with a national forest and the nearby community to develop a viable ‘proof of concept’ forest management model. Equestrians must be well reputed as top-notch wilderness stewards who practice this ethic with many volunteer hours, and by making knowledgeable commentary on issues affecting access, or by addressing barriers that could limit our capacity to partner with public land managers locally.

It has been our happy experience that walking tall with our hats high in the marble halls of the Capital building in Olympia has incurred great good will, and furthered our mission immeasurably. Our political representatives need and want to know us; they welcome the opportunity to sit and talk and perhaps even partner with us on behalf of our mutual cause. Believe me, the relationships with your representatives in the Capital makes a huge difference to the enactment of laws and policies affecting your right to ride.

By teaming with our lobbyists, as another tool in our arsenal, Washington is now the only state with a House Joint Memorial- HJM 4011 that clearly affirms our right to ride on public land. In past years there have been numerous bills and amendments that either directly or indirectly had the potential to affect our right to ride. Policies and rules introduced at lawmaking session can and do have a direct and potentially prohibitive effect upon our abilities to pursue our mission. No volunteer organization can lend the degree of time, attention, and politician savvy required to keep one jump ahead of the fast-paced legislative process. Only by being informed in a timely manner, and by responding quickly and knowledgeably, were we able to trounce, redirect or stall negative rule making.

In addition to an astute lobbying firm as a tool, there is also the critical presence of our members on many of the various Advisory Boards, Grant Review Boards and Land Management Committees, such as USFS, BLM, DNR and WDFW- which allows us the opportunity to ensure that equestrian interests are represented and included. BCHW Chapter members hold educational presentations and host booths at many of the equestrian or sportsmen events around the state and BCHW participates in community events such as Parades and County Fairs.

BCHW is committed to nurturing and educating the next generation of equestrians so that our right to ride will truly be for perpetuity. A means for achieving this goal has been a resolution passed in 2007 that allows us to partner with other Youth Groups such as Pony Club and 4H. It is really all about partnerships whether it is at the local level or at state and federal levels.

As trail stewards we must be willing to use our clout in the form of volunteer hours, political advocacy, like-minded partnerships and collaborative agreements, and any other identified, viable tool or mechanism at our disposal. We are, after all, defending the right to engage in a historical and tradition land use that ties is closely to the ground our forefathers trod and is as critical a part of our heritage now as it was in the days of our pioneering ancestors; With one big difference, nowadays there are a lot more people willing, ready and able to regulate us right off the trail unless we remain vigilant and proactive, using all our tools and capabilities.

If we fail to use any and all tools available to us, then we are negligent in our duties to our members and our mission.

Robert Gish, President

Back Country Horsemen of Washington State

You can contact Bob at:
Email president@bchw.org