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Articles: Press Release
Equestrian Land Conservation Resource
Advancing the conservation of land for horse-related activities
COMPETITION VENUES DISAPPEARING NATIONWIDE
Contact:
Constant Contact(R)
www.constantcontact.com
New
Survey Shows Equestrian Competition Land Increasingly Vulnerable
Lexington, KY. November 24, 2008. The
Equestrian Land Conservation Resource has commissioned a survey about the loss
of land used for horse-related competitions, which has generated considerable
interest prompting an extension to the survey deadline through to January 15,
2009. Data has so far been received
from over 100 locations in more than 24 states across the country and focuses
on equine competition sites that have
been lost to development since 1997.
According to the survey results so far, among the
competitions that have disappeared are Barrel Racing, Cutting, Dressage,
Driving, Endurance and Competitive Distance Rides, English Pleasure, Gymkhanas,
Hunter Trials and Hunter Paces, Polo, Reining, Rodeo, Roping, Saddle Seat, Team
Penning, Cow Sorting, Eventing and Western Pleasure. These events have impacted
many breeds and disciplines from Sport Horses to Arabians, Morgans, Quarter Horses
and Saddlebreds.
"We have received an overwhelming and diverse response to our request.
The loss of competition spaces for horses affects all breeds, disciplines and
regions. This information is helpful in raising awareness of the land loss
issue and moving horsemen into action. All land is conserved locally. We need
local equestrians to become active to preserve our passion, our sport and our
heritage. Once equestrians are motivated, the Equestrian Land Conservation
Resource can provide the "how-to" information," said Deb Balliet, CEO,
Equestrian Land Conservation Resource.
In addition to the competitions that have been lost to
development, the survey revealed that a number of other horse related activities
have been compromised including clinics, rallies, youth programs, boarding
stables, riding academies, training facilities, summer camps, schooling,
private farms and ranches.
The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource is calling on all
horsemen and equestrians to respond to these three questions: 1. The name by which
the competition site or farm
was commonly known; 2. City &
State; 3. Type of competition
held there, e.g. reining, dressage, eventing, roping, driving, polo, etc. Deadline
for submissions, to be sent to info@elcr.org,
is January 15, 2009.
The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource is engaged in
farmland conservation, trails access and sustainability, best management
practices for soil and water protection, equine economic development, and
community land use planning and zoning. It currently has 104 Equestrian Partners.
These are dues-paying
organizations such as equine product companies; conservation and equine trail
groups and breed and discipline organizations, which are in need of current
information on topical issues as well as for networking and collaboration
purposes.
About the survey...
The survey was electronically distributed through our
volunteers, dues-paying Equestrian Partners, and the media. The results were collated
by farm name, state and
activity. The
survey questions were:
1. Name by which the competition site or farm was commonly known;
2. City & State;
3. Type of competition held there, e.g. reining, dressage, cross-country, roping, driving, polo.
About the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource
The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource was founded in 1997 by a group of concerned
horse people who recognized that loss of open land is the greatest
threat to the future of all horse sport, recreation, and industry.
In 1996, members of the United States Pony Club's Task Force for the
21st Century identified loss of land and access as the greatest threat
to the future of that organization because its core curriculum
emphasizes riding in the open. Out of that committee came the founders
of the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource. Initially, they worked through The
Conservation Fund, a
highly-respected conservation organization, which designated the Equestrian Land
Conservation Resource as
one of its programs. In January of 1999, the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource
became an independent
501(c)(3) organization with its own office and staff. Since that time, the Equestrian
Land Conservation resource has become the national organization to preserve land
and promote
access for all types of equestrian use. It is governed by a Board of Directors and
greatly assisted by numerous volunteers from across the country who are helping
to further the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource' goals.
Visit us online at:
www.elcr.org
Contact:
Deb Balliet; CEO
dballiet@elcr.org
859-455-8383
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