It is time to renew! We know this is a hard time to ask for money, but we can't pay the postage without your help! Remember that the annual rate is now $15. There is a yellow dot on your mailing label if we have no record that you have paid us (please call ASAP if there's a mistake!). The March issue will be mailed only to those who have paid 2002 dues!
Newsletter by email? We are checking out ways to send the newsletter by email to as many members as possible. If you would like to be included, let me know your e-dress and be sure to tell me if it changes! Also if you want your email listing kept private, we can do that and still send you a newsletter.

Next meeting will be on the first Tuesday, February 5 at 7:30 pm in Room 118A at the UT Vet School. Dr Laura Higgins of Mountain View Farm in Sevierville will tell us about llamas: their traits and personalities, how to pack with them, proper etiquette when horses and llamas meet on the trail and lots more. It should be fascinating!

Last meeting The Recreation Committee met before the regular meeting and planned the rides from Feb2002 through January2003; they are included in the enclosed brochure. We also reviewed all our committees and their membership. The committee chairmen are as follows: Recreation: Judy Mitchell; Program: Joanne Grimes; Newsletter: Lucy Scanlon; Fund-raising: Linda Bettner; Political: Joanne Grimes; Nominating: Ann Hall. We discussed hunting and the two horses that were injured by target-practicing (see below). The treasurer reported that all of the accounts are in one bank, AmSouth: Triathlon account: $889.12; Legal account: $897.85; Checking/saving account: $4137.09. It was reported that the campgrounds and stalls for our fall weekend at Big South Fork have been reserved.
Our speaker for the evening was Randy DeBord, who told us about Natural Trim Hoofcare. He showed us part of a video "Equine Hooftalk" by Lyle Bergeleen who has been teaching this technique in Washington state. The basic concept is that the horse's foot should be trimmed in line with his way of going: so that his sole is perpendicular to his leg-bones not just flat on the ground. If done correctly, the hairline at the coronet will be smooth without bumps or odd angles. It is important to allow the frog to contact the ground and support the bone column. Randy will offer another clinic in the spring which will give specific advice on dealing with the hoof abnormalities like pigeon-toed or cow-hocked.

Check out our website! www.blueridgetrailriders.com We REALLY need a WEBMASTER!! If you're familiar with our Club and with computers, please volunteer to give us a hand. There is a webmaster course available to help you get started; we need someone who can devote a few hours to keeping the site up-to-date.
BRTR Logo stuff: Cindi Zurhellen is now the keeper of the T-shirts and bumper stickers. Give her a call at 865-995-2134 or via e-mail: czurhellen@aol.com. We have found the sweatshirts: $22 each for L,XL,XXL. We also have a few sherpas in M and XL for $26.

Last Month's Trail- ride was at Haw Ridge where 21 riders enjoyed a leisurely two hours mostly on the bike race loop. They trotted a couple of hills and galloped up the powerline. They could see evidence of the hard work done by the trail-clearing party.
Next Month's Trail-ride will be at Baker's Creek on Saturday Feb.9. Paul and Bonnie Hibberd (423-253-3772) will be the leaders; please give them a call the evening before if you are planning to go on this ride. The plan is to be ready to ride at HIGH NOON and plan on a couple of hours of riding. This area is a mix of fields and woodland with many trails looping through it - perhaps ten miles if you explore all the possibilities. Directions: Take I-75South to the Lenoir City exit. Turn east on HWY 321 toward Maryville and go over the dam. After 3-4 miles, turn right on HWY 95 toward Greenback. After another four miles (you will see signs for Foothill Pointe), turn right on National Campground Road. You will go uphill one mile to a T intersection and then turn left on East Tellico Parkway (no road sign). After 4-5 miles, just after a concrete bridge, turn right on Morganton Cemetery Road and drive 1/10th mile to the boat ramp parking on the right.

LOCAL NEWS

Baker's Creek: Read the attached article, Mazon and me. Mazon's health continues to improve, aided no doubt by the fact that he is a conditioned athlete. Recently both Tykey and Joanne have had conversations with David Whitehead, TWRA district manager. He said that target practice is never allowed in any TWRA area and that he will have a signup prior to the 2002 hunting season stating that target practice isn't allowed, ride/walk at your own risk and who to call if there is a problem.
To be safe while trail-riding - the goal for all of us - requires us to take a few precautions at all times and some special ones during hunting season. 1) Ride with a buddy; 2) carry a cell phone if possible; 3) Know where the nearest vet and what their weekend/holiday hours are; also know the UT Vet School number (865-974-5702) for backup; 4) wear orange as a general rule from September thru December (for trailwork and hiking as well as horseback riding).
Tellico Regional Development Assoc is the group that owns Baker's Creek (officially known as Wear's Bend) and is trying to sell it for industrial development. FMI on the property go to http://www.tellico.com and navigate to the Morganton Peninsula Waterfront Industrial Site.
Another shooting took place in a pasture in Corryton where BRTR member Tonia Shepard's horse was shot in the thigh with a target arrow. Again the thought is that illegal target practice was the cause and the wound is still draining.

Norris Watershed is still having a problem with illegal trail development by bikers. However horses have used one of these informal tracks. Don't do it! Stay on the marked roads and trails and don't wander down something just to see where it goes! You may well find a policeman with a camera where you least expect it! The bikers have made a hazardous trail and when they are caught they will be cited to City Court. Riding on the wrong trail can be considered a felony in some situations rather than a misdemeanor; the bikers were very disrespectful of the City Manager who let them know they were illegal, so this will certainly count against them in court. It pays to share trails courteously and show respect for the land we use!
Haw Ridge: The 2002 Triathlon will be held at Haw Ridge on Sunday April 28. There will probably be plenty of bikers in this location; runners and horses are needed! The plan is to have a 7-mile bike course, probably a 10-k run, and 12-15-mile horse race. The entry form should be ready for the next newsletter. If you would like to compete or help or both, give her a call (693-4308)

19th Annual Horse Management Course will be offered again this year by UT Ag Extension Service. The dates are Feb.18, Feb.25, Mar 4, Mar 11, Mar 28, and Mar23. The first five sessions will be on Mondays from 7-9 pm in Room 212 of the Brehm Animal Science Building. Saturday March 23rd is planned to be a horse field day in Anderson County. Cost is $20 per person; call Dr. Harry Bryan at 865-215-2340 for a registration form.
River Glen Equestrian Park will have regular sessions for team-penning this year. Beginners are encouraged to come try this sport! Linda Bettner is going to give it a try! FMI: 865-475-3502 or 865-556-6522 to find out the schedule and the fees. Generally there are practice sessions on Thursday evenings, weather permitting. On Feb. 16 there will be a Jackpot Progressive Roping at 1 pm.

REGIONAL NEWS

Tennessee Horse Council is making plans for their Volunteer Horse Fair at Murfreesboro on March 23-24. FMI: go to their web-site, www.tnhorsecouncil.com

Cherokee National Forest: The Gee Creek and Starr Mountain area are open, but there is lots of dead pine which is coming down without warning. Steve Biatowas has scheduled a Chainsaw Certification Course for March 2 at 8:30 am. It will be held at the Ocoee/Hiwassee District Office on Hwy 64. FYI 423-263-5486. Those recertifying will not have to stay all day.
Big South Fork: The dead pine trees continue to fall and some trails are blocked by fallen timber; Hatfield Ridge is closed until a crew can clear it.
On February 1st all the park phone numbers in TN will be on the 423 area code! The new number for the visitor center is 423-286-7275 and for the barn , 423-286-7433. Remember that you will need a backcountry permit if you plan to camp somewhere other than one of the regular campgrounds.
The Big South Fork Competitive Trail Ride is going to happen again this year! It is planned for the weekend of April 26-28 which unfortunately is the same date as the Triathlon. Volunteers and competitors are also needed for this event which will be managed by Jim and Vickie Rubeck from Pilot, VA with some Trailmaster help from Lucy Scanlon.FMI or an entry form call Lucy at 865-494-7654.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park: The tunnels on the Newfound Gap Road are being repaired which means that US441 has been totally closed for much of January. Until March 15 it will be open to cars only but with some one-way traffic and long delays. This will continue probably until mid-May. If you plan to go this way, call the hotline 1-888-355-1849 or 865-436-1200 for the latest work schedule.
Many government websites are shut down because of some recent security breaches. This affects all Department of the Interior sites, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuges, and emails to any one employed by these services. We must go back to regular phone or mail to contact these places.

Welcome to our new members!

Mary Pilkington, Jefferson City, TN
Pat Schmitt, Ten Mile, TN
Susan Radford, Lenoir City, TN
Judy Johnston, Kingston, TN
Courtney Orr, Maryville, TN
Leslie Marcone, Philadelphia, TN
Ann Dickie-Eskew, Knoxville, TN

Dates to remember

FMI on long-distance riding go to: www.endurance.net or www.natrc.org

News? Please send to Lucy Scanlon at address below - or call 865-494-7654 - or E-mail: merrymount@naxs.net
Try to get it to me by the 15th of the month. We accept free horse-related classifieds from members.

BRTR Rides 2002-2003

FMI Recreation Chairman Judy Mitchell 865-475-6475
Feb: Baker's Creek, FMI:423-253-3772
Mar: East Fork Stables, camp! FMI: 1-800-97TRAIL
Apr: Harmon Den, NC FMI: Marilyn Spoon 423-587-5924
May: Catoosa, Wartburg, TN FMI: Ann Hall 865-986-7409
Jun: Citico, Cherokee Natl Forest, camp! FMI: Ann Hall 865-986-7409
Jul: Wilkens Creek , new! FMI Judy Mitchell 865-475-6475
Aug: Lovingood Farm, play-day! FMI Marilyn Spoon 423-587-5924
Sep: Cumberland Gap, Ewing,VA FMI: Judy Mitchell FMI: 865-475-6475
Oct: Big South Fork long weekend, Camp! FMI: Joanne Grimes 865-693-4308
Nov: Rich Mountain, Smokies Natl Park, FMI: George McAfee 865-448-2203
Dec: Windrock FMI: Joanne grimes 865-693-4308
Jan: Norris Watershed, FMI Lucy Scanlon, 865-494-7654

Dues: Dues are $10 per person per calendar year until Dec 31, 2001. After that date dues will increase to $15: enjoy a bargain or help the Club by paying $15 for 2002. Make checks payable to BRTR or Blue Ridge Trail Riders and send to: BRTR TREASURER, 1165 West Hwy 11E, New Market, TN 37820.