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Date: 4/2/2026
Subject: FETA Spring Newsletter 2026
From: FETA President

preserving the legacy trails of the Carolina Foothills hunting country

FETA Newsletter

Spring 2026

President's Message

Larry Roselle

Hello FETA friends!

As we get back on the trails, let’s remember to thank our trail owners for their generosity in allowing us to ride across their property. Without them, we would not have our beautiful and unique trail system. Please remember to follow our rules and respect our owners and their property. Also, remember that an owner has every right to do as they please on their own property such as walking their dogs, making noise, riding when trails are closed, etc. Please be kind, give them a wave or a big smile, and let them know how much they are appreciated.

Membership renewals are now underway. Last year, thanks to the inclusion of the hurricane recovery assessment during renewals and the generous donations from our community, we were able to repair the trails following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. In total, more than $60,000 was invested in this effort, and we’re pleased to report that all trails are now fully rideable again.

Our typical annual trail budget is around $20,000. As we look ahead, we kindly ask that those who are able consider making an additional voluntary donation when renewing their membership to help strengthen the trail fund. Weather events are unpredictable, and having extra resources available will better prepare us for future storms.

Happy Trails!

Larry Roselle, President

Email FETA President

Your 2026 FETA Board

Larry Roselle

President, Trail Easements

Steve Herbert

Vice President, Nominations + Committees

Chris Simonetti

Trail Master

John Hirsch

Treasurer

Tracey Evans

Secretary

Lynne Driscoll

Membership Chair

Shell Brodnax

Events Coordinator

Bergen Jorgenson Price

Communications

Pavlina Byma

Insurance

Natalie Willard (Fite)

Trail Mapping

Tara Boyce

Trail Status

Welcoming New Board Members

The FETA Board welcomes four new board members for the 2026 year -

Pavlina, John, Natalie, and Tara!

Pavlina Byma, Insurance

Pavlina Byma was born and raised in the Czech Republic. She moved to NC with her husband Patrick, cat, and dogs from CA in 2019. Her passion has always been horses and nature. Her dream of owning and working with horses was fulfilled when they built their farm in Tryon with access to FETA trails. Pavlina enjoys all disciplines of riding including Eventing and Working Equitation with her 2 horses – Quietinha and Onyx. Besides riding on and exploring our beautiful FETA trails, she enjoys traveling with her husband and being surrounded by family, nature and animals.

John Hirsh, Treasurer

John and his wife, Jo Cahill, live on a mini-farm along Hooper Creek Trail with their two horses, Win and Duke, two Shelties, a cat, and a flock of chickens. John is the chief stableboy, reporting to Jo. Duke is their newest family member and John’s horse. Win and Jo are active in TROT. A retired clinical pharmacist, John worked at teaching
hospitals and in pharmaceutical medical affairs departments, where he held various leadership roles. Win, Jo, and John greatly appreciate what the FETA trail system provides for them personally and for the community. John is grateful for the opportunity to serve as treasurer of the FETA organization.

Natalie Willard (Fite), Trail Mapping

Natalie Willard (Fite) is an Accounting and Finance Executive Recruiter. She started her career in accounting at Arthur Andersen and Grant Thornton. Natalie grew up in Wilkes County, NC. Trail riding at Moses Cone and Leatherwood were childhood favorites. She barrel raced with the SRA, later played Intercollegiate Polo at the University of Oklahoma. Natalie and her husband Scott live on the Peniel Trails with their 2 wonderful Black/White Tennessee Walkers, Trooper and Pip. Natalie’s goal is to ride every FETA trail by year end 2026.

Tara Boyce, Trail Status

Tara grew up in Connecticut and started her horse life at a local hack stable, the BZ Ranch in East Haven, CT, with a few other young horse crazy girls. First they gave pony rides, then they graduated to leading trail rides.

In college, Tara rode on the University of Connecticut’s Intercollegiate Horse Show Team, and competed on their Intercollegiate Horse Judging Team.

Her favorite riding has always been trail riding, and how lucky she feels to be living in Tryon these past 12 years. Tara and her husband are happy to have recently added their own trails into the FETA system.

Tara's riding horse is a little QH gelding, Flashy Badge, aka Flash. She also has a retired Arabian endurance gelding, Jubilee.

Saying Farewell to Retiring Board Members

We also want to say farewell to two retiring board members, Rhonda and Jean

Rhonda King, Events Coordinator

Rhonda has given so much of herself to the FETA community over the years, serving in multiple roles on the Board—from Member Relations to Events Coordinator. In every position, she brought thoughtfulness, energy, and a deep love for our trail system.

Her commitment extends far beyond her years of service. Through putting Pony Track under conservation easement, Rhonda and her husband have demonstrated extraordinary stewardship, ensuring that this special farm and its trails will be protected for generations to come. That lasting legacy is a true reflection of her care for both the land and this community.

Rhonda will be deeply missed by the Board. Her impact will continue to be felt on every trail she helped preserve. We are incredibly grateful for all she has given and wish her all the very best in the years ahead.

Jean Wright, Treasurer

Jean will be greatly missed on the Board. During her time as Treasurer, she proved to be an exceptional steward of FETA’s finances, bringing diligence, precision, and unwavering care to the role. Her thoughtful oversight helped ensure the organization’s continued strength and success.

Beyond her expertise, Jean’s steady presence and commitment meant so much to the Board and the broader community. We are deeply grateful for all she has contributed.

As she steps away from her role, we hope she enjoys more time doing the things she loves most—knowing she leaves behind a lasting and meaningful impact.

Re-Opening Jackie’s Bottom Trail

Faith Jorgenson

Jackie’s Bottom Trail is a scenic favorite of FETA riders and a vital connector to Cotton Patch, Long Lane, and Many Levels trails. Access was lost after flooding from Hurricane Helene in September 2024. It caused severe damage to the trail and it was a significant loss for trail riders.

A section of the trail was washed into the Pacolet River. A massive tree and rootball blocked another section of the trail. The contractor, who was hired by the Jorgensons to make the repairs to the trail, was booked up with bigger projects related to the hurricane. He was finally able to repair the trail in January 2026.

Approximately four feet of culvert is now exposed from the washout. It runs beneath the trail and sticks out of the river bank. Before the flooding that washed away the trail, the culvert was covered by the trail above it and was not visible. It serves as a reminder as to how much ground was lost.

October 2020 - the river along Jackie's Bottom Trail before

February 2026 - the river along Jackie's Bottom Trail after Hurricane Helene repairs

What's in a Name - How Jackie's Bottom Trail Got its Name

Faith Jorgenson

With the happy re-opening of Jackie’s Bottom Trail after the damage from Hurricane Helene, some may be interested in how this trail got its name.

The trail is named in honor of Jackie (Jacquelyn) Kuhn. She and her husband, Willis Kuhn, purchased The Cotton Patch in 1948. She was the first woman president of TRHC. Jackie was a key figure in bringing the pre-trials for the 1956 Equestrian Olympics to Tryon. She helped design the jump arena in the bottoms and the rock seating on the hillside. Before FENCE, local horse shows were held at The Cotton Patch thanks to her generosity. Jackie regularly hosted the Converse College Equestrian team at Cotton Patch. Upon her death in 1985, Cotton Patch was left to Converse College. Kuhn Hall is named in her honor.

The Cotton Patch bottom-land pasture off of South River Road, before the bridge over the Pacolet River, was Jackie Kuhn’s favorite pasture. Light-hearted stories have been handed down that if someone approached her about buying that piece of property or if there were any proposed changes, she would jokingly come back with a reply something like, “Keep your hands off my bottom” or “No one touches Jackie’s Bottom.” Fencing around the pasture extended out to the tree line above the river on two sides. When the Jorgensons bought Cotton Patch in 2003, the fence was moved in to make room for a trail to go around the outside of the pasture thereby giving riders a view of the river. The trail was then formally named and signed Jackie’s Bottom Trail.

Bottom pastures of Cotton Patch - 1956 Olympic Pre-Trials course

View of the jump course from the house

Photo from 1956 Olympic Pre-Trails; stone stands can be seen in background

Membership Renewals Are Here!

Lynne Driscoll

FETA's membership season runs from May 1 - April 30. Starting in mid March, FETA began sending out a series of reminders to renew, upload a current Coggins, collect payment for fees and donations. It's all online. Please do not renew before you receive notice that renewals are open. Visit FETATRAILS.org to renew now! Don't pay late fees!

The FETA Board is adopting a new approach to getting the tags from us to you. There will be NO in-person pickup at the Membership Chair's home. All renewals will be charged a $5 refundable mailing fee at time of membership-dues payment. Yes, refundable. How does that work? If you (or a friend) attend our Spring picnic, we will give you the tags and $5 red-hot cash for picking up the membership packet during that event. Any membership packets and tags that are not picked up will be mailed directly after the picnic. See? Easy!

FETA wants to continue to grow our membership, and encourage new members to join as soon as they become eligible and are ready to be part of our Happy Trails. Many potential new members are disappointed to learn that there is no prorating of a season, only a $25 discount. There is a concern from the FETA Board about misuse of having prorated fees for members who may snowbird, have second homes, or who don't ride year round and want to only pay the partial year. That scenario could create a substantial financial risk for the FETA budget. Problem solved! (credit goes to Camie Stockhausen for the new policy idea). Starting on January 1 of each riding season, FETA will now accept new memberships into our association, prorate the remainder of that season, AND require payment in full for the following season at time of signup. This is a manual process for membership; however, we believe it encourages new members to get into the fold more quickly and welcomes them earlier than waiting until May 1. New members who join between October - December will only get the $25 discount.

Membership questions? MEMBERSHIP@FETATRAILS.org

Email Membership Chair

Save the Date - Spring Picnic - May 7 @ 5:30pm

The Spring Picnic will be held on Thursday, May 7th at 5:30 PM!

Food and drinks will be provided!

RSVP for Spring Picnic

New FETA Parking Lots

Lynne Driscoll

Mahler Rd Parking

Direct access to Chinquapin and FENCE trails

(This parking area avoids going under I-26 if you park at FENCE)

Enter at south of the crescent turnaround
Pull through and exit
Park on side of Mahler Rd
See Dropped pin
DO NOT PARK IN CRESCENT TURNAROUND

Owner recommends no larger than 2 horse trailers. Do a scouting trip in your car first to understand parking area before using it for the first time with rig.

Thank you Deena Hudson!

Bill Collins Parking

Parking for the newly opened Bill Collins trails provides access to North Peniel trails

Enter at 345 Bill Collins Road
Loop your rig in front of green/cream barn
Park next to fencing

Do a scouting trip in your car first to understand parking area before using it for the first time with rig.

Thank you Elaine Bowne!

FETA Quick Reference

Trails are on PRIVATE property and open to current FETA members only.
Trail Owners may be mowing, landscaping, etc. on their property while riders are out; Members should be courteous as FETA trails are on private property.
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 who are 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.