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.