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Date: 5/2/2025
Subject: FETA Spring Newsletter 2025 - RSVP Inside!
From: FETA President

preserving the legacy trails of the Carolina Foothills hunting country

FETA Newsletter

Spring 2025

President's Message

Larry Roselle

Hello FETA Friends!

I think one thing that all FETA members share (other than horses) is the love of nature. Despite the ravages of Hurricane Helene, spring has arrived with all of its beauty and glory. It seems this year, the flowers are more colorful, and the greens are more vibrant, and certainly the pollen more plentiful. Maybe nature is, in its own way, giving back what the storm took away.

Spring is also when we have our member picnic to welcome our new members and say thank you to our existing members and trail owners. It will be held on Thursday, May 8th at 6:00 at FENCE.

This year, we will be providing a box lunchinstead of potluck so we will have more time for socializing and getting to know each other better. Please remember to RSVP so we will know how much food to buy. I look forward to meeting all of you there.

With everyone’s help (financially, physically and emotionally), our trail system is very close to being fully restored. With the generosity of some Trail Owners, we even have a few new trails! A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to all of our volunteers who have dedicated countless hours of physical labor on the trail cleanup and to all of you who have supported this process with your patience and understanding and your financial contributions.

If you encounter a trail issue while riding, please take a picture of it and note its location and email it to trailmaster@fetatrails.org. We depend on you to be our eyes and ears on the trails.

Happy Trails!

Larry Roselle, President

Email Trail Master for Trail Issues

Save the Date - Spring Welcome Picnic!

Don't forget about the Spring Welcome Picnic on Thursday, May 8 at 6:00 PM! It will be catered, so no need to bring anything other than yourself!

A few notes for the picnic -

If you haven't already, you can pick up your 2025-26 FETA tags at the picnic - look for the milk crate near the FENCE building to grab your tags
Meals will be provided this year, so just bring your appetite
Please RSVP using the button below so that we can have an accurate headcount!
- You will have to be logged in to your account in order to RSVP

RSVP for Spring Picnic Here

FETA’s Finances

Jean Wright

This has been an unusual and challenging year dealing with the devastating damage to the FETA trail system from Hurricane Helene. We are grateful for the support of our trail owners, riding members’ acceptance of the special Trail Assessment and generous donations that are enabling restoration or re-routing of most FETA trails.

In a normal year, FETA’s operating budget is about $75 thousand. Income is generated through membership dues (about 85%), donations (about 10%) and a small amount of earned income. FETA’s largest expenses are insurance (about 45%) and trail maintenance (about 40%). Membership administration, including our new on-line system, represents about 8% of typical expenses. The remaining expenses cover administrative, professional services and community/social events, including credit card processing fees. This year, Trail Expense is anticipated to be about tw0 and a half times what we spend in a normal year. We are grateful that the Trail Assessment and generous donations are boosting income.

A Heartfelt Thank You from Your FETA Board

Your FETA board is deeply grateful for the time, effort, and resources that have been so generously given by our volunteers and Trail Owners. The aftermath of Helene brought unprecedented damage to our trail system, and the response from our community has been nothing short of inspiring.

So many of you stepped up — whether by clearing debris on your own, repairing sections of trail, or participating in our organized work days. Your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in restoring access to large portions of the trail system. We are thrilled to report that, thanks to your efforts, not only have many of our existing trails reopened, but we've also been able to add a few new trails to explore.

It’s important to remember that all of our trails are located on private land, generously made available by our Trail Owners. Without their continued support, FETA simply could not exist. The partnership between our members and Trail Owners is the foundation of everything we do, and it’s what allows us to enjoy such a unique and beautiful network of trails.

To every volunteer and every Trail Owner who has pitched in — you have our deepest thanks. Your support and generosity are what keep FETA strong, and we look forward to riding with you on the trails for many seasons to come.

Help Your New Neighbors Understand FETA

Are you noticing the influx of new residents to our area? I regularly get questions from both horse and non-horse newcomers regarding the FETA trail system. FETA members can help spread the word to new neighbors. Here is what we want them to know:

Non-horse owners: The FETA trails are all on private property. The only agreement FETA has with trail owners is that FETA members - mounted on a horse - may ride on the trail. There is no walking, hiking, dog walking or biking allowed on any of the trails and FETA cannot grant permission to do so. You might also tell them they are likely to encounter horses on the roads in Polk County. Ask them to pass wide and slow.

Horse owners: Residents of Polk County or those with a Landrum or Campobello address are eligible to join FETA. All the trails are on private property and to ride on any FETA trail - including FENCE - without joining as a member is trespassing. Members are expected to follow all the rules and to check the open/close status of the trails before every ride. The rules include no hiking, no dog walking, and no leading or ponying horses on the trails. Remind folks that FETA is the only local trail system open to people that don’t own a portion of the trail.

FETA Quick Reference

Foothills Equestrian Trails Association

Trails are on PRIVATE property and open to current FETA members only.
Check trail status on the FETA Facebook group or call 828-859-0133 before you ride to confirm trail status. Stay off trails when they are closed.
Members are required to wear an approved helmet while riding the FETA and FENCE trails.
Current tags need to be displayed on the left side of your saddle.
Maximum 6 riders in a group.
Stay on marked trails, obey all signs.
Walk when approaching other riders, around fence lines and on poor footing. Stay to the edge of fields.
When passing through gates, leave them as you found them.
Mounted riding only; no ponying, no dogs, no hikers, no biking.
Do not eat, drink alcoholic beverages, litter or smoke on the trails.
Membership year is from May 1st until April 30th unless you have recently moved to the area.
Members may bring personal guests. A properly executed Guest Release must be submitted BEFORE the ride.
Local resident guests may ride once per month as a guest. Guests must carry a guest tag and current Coggins.
The FETA parking decal should be displayed on the driver’s side rear window. Guests parking should place a dated parking tag on the dash of their tow vehicle.
FETA membership of an out of area rider expires when your horse is no longer boarded in the FETA area.