WELCOME
Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council
P.O. Box 127, Snowmass, Colorado 81654
* 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization *
Top speak with Holly McLain RFVHC Communication Chair - 970-948-2151
Contact us: rfvhc.colorado@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/keephorsesontrails/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rfvhc/
Candid/GuideStar's mission is to revolutionize philanthropy by providing information that advances transparency,
enables users to make better decisions, and encourages charitable giving.
Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council
P.O. Box 127, Snowmass, Colorado 81654
* 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization *
Top speak with Holly McLain RFVHC Communication Chair - 970-948-2151
Contact us: rfvhc.colorado@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/keephorsesontrails/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rfvhc/
Candid/GuideStar's mission is to revolutionize philanthropy by providing information that advances transparency,
enables users to make better decisions, and encourages charitable giving.
ASPEN'S FOURTH OF JULY REGISTRATION FORM: CLICK HERE or CONTACT US AT RFVHC.COLORADO@GMAIL.COM
A NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY: The One -Year $100.00 RFVHC Equestrian Association Membership features use of our proprietary artworks, listing your equine groups on the RFVHC Equine Business Directory on our website www.rfvhorsecouncil.org and as soon as we launch our new RFVHC Club Express Members Forum platform and calendar, members of this new membership category can start blogs, and write in forums to review subjects among themselves.
In addition, what the RFVHC writes in our newsletters and on Facebook can also be used by our Equestrian Association Members for trail matters elsewhere. Remember, if the author of a piece is listed and named on our FB stories, we ask that other users also please give credit to that author.
In conclusion, once trail signs are used on trails, parking lots, trail heads, t-shirts, playing cards, flyers, or made into stickers by groups, the Equestrian Associations will also be invited to use the Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) Power Point for Meetings and Summits. contact the RFVHC with your meeting dates at Rfvhc.colorado@gmail.com
In addition, what the RFVHC writes in our newsletters and on Facebook can also be used by our Equestrian Association Members for trail matters elsewhere. Remember, if the author of a piece is listed and named on our FB stories, we ask that other users also please give credit to that author.
In conclusion, once trail signs are used on trails, parking lots, trail heads, t-shirts, playing cards, flyers, or made into stickers by groups, the Equestrian Associations will also be invited to use the Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) Power Point for Meetings and Summits. contact the RFVHC with your meeting dates at Rfvhc.colorado@gmail.com
HOT BUTTON ISSUES:
Here is some context for your understanding of how the RFVHC became involved. At the February RFVHC Board Members meeting, we determined we should become involved in reviewing the plans for the Rodeo Grounds construction, starting in August 2022. In early March, we were asked to present to POSTR our 2021-22 Survey Monkey Report for Hikers and Horseback riders.
You are invited to read about our concerns, here is the Revised 5.25.22 RFVHC Revised Rodeo Safety Report. We believe the plans for the Town Park/Rodeo Grounds now in front of the TOSV Planning Commission are not properly designed for the spectator, contestant & equine safety.
- ENHANCING TOSV TRAILS 2022 RFVHC RECOMMENDATIONS TO TOSV & COMMUNITY
- SNOWMASS RODEO - Snowmass Rodeo - The oldest rodeo in the State of Colorado future improvement's on the Snowmass Village Town Park Master Plan RFVHC needs Community Support.
Here is some context for your understanding of how the RFVHC became involved. At the February RFVHC Board Members meeting, we determined we should become involved in reviewing the plans for the Rodeo Grounds construction, starting in August 2022. In early March, we were asked to present to POSTR our 2021-22 Survey Monkey Report for Hikers and Horseback riders.
- The Board members of the RFVHC were invited to present to TOSV our trail and parking recommendations to the POSTR Board on 4.13.22. At that meeting we discussed a few of the shortcomings that we noticed about the Rodeo Grounds and the new Town Plan when laying out the case for the importance of creating a staging grounds and place for the TOSV Trail Rides by the Snowmass Outfitters. The Rodeo Parking lot is the trailhead for this fantastic trail ride.
- At that meeting on 4.13.22 we were asked by Andy Worline, to prepare a organized list of items about our concerns of the rodeo, and to get the list to TOSV within 2 weeks. The first RFVHC Safety Report was placed on their desks within 10 days, on 4.25.22.
- On the same day, 4.25.22 TOSV submitted Rodeo Grounds/Town Park documents to the Planning Commission. The RFVHC did not have access to those maps or that information.
- On 5.15.22 we we delivered our first Safety report, and then we found the new plans on-line and on 5.24.22 the RFVHC sent a REVISED Rodeo Safety Report to the TOSV Planning Commission to reflect our recommendations and opinions on all this new information.
- On the same day, 5.24.22 Aspen Times reporter Kaya Williams' story came out in the Snowmass Sun, saying Snowmass Rodeo grounds slated to get bigger, not smaller with Town Park Revamp Read Story here
- In our letter to the Planning Commissioners, the TOSV Mayor, Postr, and the Town Park Designers we asked the Planning Commission not to rubber stamp their plans without a line by line item review. Our supporters of the Safety Rodeo Report include the spectators, RFVHC members, rodeo contestants and Rodeo personnel.
- On June 15, 2022 at the TOSV Planning Commission meeting, several RFVHC Board Members were in attendance to speak during the Public Forum. The 2+ hour meeting ended with an extension to the next meeting on 6/22/22. A reminder of the Duties of this TOSV Planning Commission. The Planning Commission advises Town Council on all matters related to growth and development of land in Snowmass Village including: The location, character, and extent of all public facilities, Updates to the town’s Comprehensive Plan, Amendments to the zoning ordinance, Rezoning and special exception applications filed, Approval of final development plans.
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You are invited to read about our concerns, here is the Revised 5.25.22 RFVHC Revised Rodeo Safety Report. We believe the plans for the Town Park/Rodeo Grounds now in front of the TOSV Planning Commission are not properly designed for the spectator, contestant & equine safety.
- Snowmass Rodeo Slideshow - THANK YOU to all our photographers!
https://www.rfvhorsecouncil.org/Snowmass-Rodeo-Slideshow.html - THE CROWN: BLM ASKING THE PUBLIC ABOUT NEW BIKE TRAILS ON THE CROWN, BIKERS ARE ASKING FOR MORE TRAILS The RFVHC 3.22 Comments shared ....More Trails on the Crown PDF
- 2022 RFVHC Survey Monkey about RFV Trails For Equestrians and Hikers - here is a link: Take our Survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JL23DN3
- RFVHC says...Plan on taking a BUS to the Snowmass Rodeo this year - you'll meet lots of new friends and cowpokes!
RFVHC Signage in National News: The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council is proud to have built this sign, now ABA & ADA compliant. We ask for your participation here in the RFV and beyond to share the Trails Safe Passing Plan to help make us all better trail partners. Share with all your friends! PDF LINK TO THE TRAILS SAFE PASSING ACTION PLAN STOP! SPEAK AND STAND BACK The Trails Safe Passing ACTION Plan: Stop, Speak and Stand Back will help both equestrian and other trail users better understand how the horse has evolved to use its extraordinary senses to understand the world around them and how the horses react to perceived threats in their environment. As part of the "Trails are Common Ground Initiative" (TaCG), Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) in Lexington Ky. and Michigan Equine Trail Representative, Jenny Cook, collaborated with the RFVHC on a new educational resource entitled "Trails Safe Passing Plan: Stop, Speak and Stand Back" to help both equestrian and other trail users better understand how the horse has evolved to use its extraordinary senses to understand the world around them and how the horses react to perceived threats in their environment.
TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR SIGN, AND HELP GETTING YOUR AREA TRAIL USERS BETTER EDUCATED, EMAIL US FOR MORE INFORMATION OR BECOME AN EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION MEMBER RIGHT AWAY AT RFVHC.COLORADO@GMAIL.COM
The Trails Safe Passing Plan: Stop, Speak and Stand Back is not about etiquette. The Plan is a guide to the rule of thumb for multiple trail users. If trail users read the Plan, and see our sign – equestrians will be safer - bottom line.
There is not another recreationalist that carries the same amount of risk when out on the trail as equestrians do.
A personal story about a boarder at my horse stable. An older guy and his horse went out for an afternoon trail ride and met a hiking neighbor on the trail. Our neighbor was carrying some equipment and was standing behind a couple trees when my trail rider approached. Instead of speaking up right away and saying hello to the horseback rider, he stayed hidden until the horse suddenly spied him, whirled away, and dumped my guy. The rest of his summer was ruined convalescing, and we had to locate the horse. So, it is stories like these that can be avoided if we are educated. written by Karin Reid Offield
HERE AGAIN IS A PDF LINK TO THE TRAILS SAFE PASSING ACTION PLAN STOP! SPEAK AND STAND BACK
TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR SIGN, AND HELP GETTING YOUR AREA TRAIL USERS BETTER EDUCATED, EMAIL US FOR MORE INFORMATION OR BECOME AN EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION MEMBER RIGHT AWAY AT RFVHC.COLORADO@GMAIL.COM
The Trails Safe Passing Plan: Stop, Speak and Stand Back is not about etiquette. The Plan is a guide to the rule of thumb for multiple trail users. If trail users read the Plan, and see our sign – equestrians will be safer - bottom line.
There is not another recreationalist that carries the same amount of risk when out on the trail as equestrians do.
A personal story about a boarder at my horse stable. An older guy and his horse went out for an afternoon trail ride and met a hiking neighbor on the trail. Our neighbor was carrying some equipment and was standing behind a couple trees when my trail rider approached. Instead of speaking up right away and saying hello to the horseback rider, he stayed hidden until the horse suddenly spied him, whirled away, and dumped my guy. The rest of his summer was ruined convalescing, and we had to locate the horse. So, it is stories like these that can be avoided if we are educated. written by Karin Reid Offield
HERE AGAIN IS A PDF LINK TO THE TRAILS SAFE PASSING ACTION PLAN STOP! SPEAK AND STAND BACK
Click here: 2022 Kentucky Derby Slideshow
HELD IN MAY 2022 - The fundraiser raised money for the RFVHC and partners WindWalkers
HELD IN MAY 2022 - The fundraiser raised money for the RFVHC and partners WindWalkers
TAKE A BUS TO THE SNOWMASS RODEO PLEASE!
OUR YEAR END HOLIDAY NEWSLETTERS - Catch up with our progress
2021 RFVHC Year End News Letter Please click here to view (PDF)
2020 RFVHC Year End News Letter Please click here to view (PDF)
2019 RFVHC Year End News Letter Please click here to view (PDF)
2018 RFVHC Year End News Letter Please click here to view (PDF)
2017 RFVHC Year End News Letter Please Click here to view (PDF)
2021 Summer Trail Work With RFVHC Partners
Below are reports from our work on the Town of Snowmass Village/Sky Mountain Park Upper North Mesa Trail and Sutey Ranch trails. On behalf of the RFVHC Board of Directors, we'd like to thank each organization, each team leader and each member of the crews for making the Roundup Riders of the Rockies to RFVHC Trails Grant use possible for the Summer 2021.
Summer RFVHC/RMYC/BLM Barbed Wire Removal Project on Sutey Ranch (PDF)
Upper North Mesa Trail Improvement (PDF)
Below are reports from our work on the Town of Snowmass Village/Sky Mountain Park Upper North Mesa Trail and Sutey Ranch trails. On behalf of the RFVHC Board of Directors, we'd like to thank each organization, each team leader and each member of the crews for making the Roundup Riders of the Rockies to RFVHC Trails Grant use possible for the Summer 2021.
Summer RFVHC/RMYC/BLM Barbed Wire Removal Project on Sutey Ranch (PDF)
Upper North Mesa Trail Improvement (PDF)
The fall, winter & spring version of the 2022 RFVHC Survey Monkey about RFV Trails
For Equestrians and Hikers - here is a link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JL23DN3
YOUR OPINION MATTERS... Please click the link to take our survey: With the release of the 2021 RFVHC sponsored Trails Survey Monkey Questionnaire for hikers and horseback riders, we want to thank the respondents - a cross representation of trail users that are helping the community land managers and saving them time by giving feedback about 12 RFV trail areas. Every single piece of advice in the written comments will be carefully considered to help make our trails, parking. safety and signage better. Trails will become more fun. A critical component is the communities interest is keeping wildlife safe and able to thrive. What are your ideas?
If a trail area doesn't interest you, skip it...go on to the next. It's a easy Survey to take!
Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council's Goal is the Preservation of a
Sustainable, Generational Legacy Equestrian Community.
We want to offer horse people SOLUTIONS to everyday equine needs. Become a RFVHC member and/or join our Business Directory and connect to hundreds of horsemen and women in the valley
THE MISSION of the RFVHC is to provide a unified voice for equine related interests by working to preserve access to trails, promoting charitable involvement in equine related experiences and activities, educating the public on equestrian issues, providing connections and resources for the equine community, and supporting the overall well‐being of horses and horsemanship.
Sustainable, Generational Legacy Equestrian Community.
We want to offer horse people SOLUTIONS to everyday equine needs. Become a RFVHC member and/or join our Business Directory and connect to hundreds of horsemen and women in the valley
THE MISSION of the RFVHC is to provide a unified voice for equine related interests by working to preserve access to trails, promoting charitable involvement in equine related experiences and activities, educating the public on equestrian issues, providing connections and resources for the equine community, and supporting the overall well‐being of horses and horsemanship.
Press Release - Sunday June 13, 2021 Thank you to Aspen Fire leadership and the entire RFV Horse Council membership that donated the funding and their time to making the Leslie Thomas Large Animal Training Program a success. We are continuing to accept donations for this program. We are deeply grateful how this will assist in the large animal rescue of livestock, wildlife and horse rescue.
See Projects Page #1 for more info
See Projects Page #1 for more info
As a member, you will receive Newsletters like the ones linked below, filled with photographs, and more thank you's to our members, supporters and community partners.
Coming soon: Constant Contact Newsletters (2022)
Click here Spring 2020 RFVHC Newsletter
Click here August 29, 2020 RFVHC Newsletter
This photo, below, was taken from near the top of Buckskin Pass. The highest of twin peaks is Hagerman Peak. The mountain to the left is Snowmass Peak. Snowmass lake is nestled below Snowmass Peak. Below the red colored ridge is Willow Lake. Buckskin Pass winds up to the summit, which drops down into the Maroon Creek Basin. We camped in Lost Remuda Basin, a beautiful little area past Snowmass lake. Moon Run Outfitters operated in the Snowmass Maroon Wilderness for over 18 years. Photo by Holly McLain
Our High Country Wilderness awaits you!
Aspen Daily News April 17th and 20th 2020 - Let us not forget our partners, our equine business members and YOU !
We work to protect and restore hikers and horseback riders only trails that offer a safe, predictable and peaceful trail experience through a variety of changing landscapes, including wildflowers, cactus, sage brush, junipers, pinon pines through spruce tree woodlands with breathtaking views. In many places, this two-track trail allows riders to walk side by side for conversation and camaraderie.
Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council
P.O. Box 127, Snowmass, Colorado 81654
* 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization *
rfvhc.colorado@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/keephorsesontrails/
Instagram : www.instagram.com/rfvhc/
P.O. Box 127, Snowmass, Colorado 81654
* 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization *
rfvhc.colorado@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/keephorsesontrails/
Instagram : www.instagram.com/rfvhc/