Back Country Horsemen of Alaska

Working to protect natural land resources. Dedicated to preserving local and back country trails.

Mat-Su April ride & meeting

April 15, 2025

Date: April 26

Time: Ride 2-4 pm (ish). Probably on quiet dirt roads (trails probably won’t be dried enough). 5pm for meeting – join us then if you can’t join us for the ride! 

Location: Colleen & Colin’s place (“Conifer Farms” – get address from listerv email). We have room for a couple of trailers on our driveway, but some will probably have to park on the road. Recommend sharing trailer space if you can!

Appetizer/snack potluck – bring some snacks to share

5pm Meeting Agenda: 

Officer’s reports: 

  • President, including national board meeting
  • Secretary: March meeting minutes
  • Treasurer

Old Business: 

  • Misc trail updates: Morgan Horse, GPRA, and Mat-Su Greenbelt
  • 2025 Trail Trial / CTR updates
  • 4-H updates (Sarah R)

New Business: 

  • Other upcoming events to rep?
  • set May meeting

Mat-Su Trail Trials Save the Dates!

March 14, 2025

Save the dates for this summer’s Trail Trial series! We are once again partnering with 4-H to hold three events this summer.

  • June 7th: in the Schrock area, starting from private property
  • June 14th: in the Butte area, starting from private property
  • August 1-3: short (non-sanctioned) competitive trail ride (CTR) or long Trail Trial, likely starting from Valley Pathways like last year

BCHA or 4-H membership will be required, in addition to negative EIAs. We will likely have a discount again for volunteering (or bringing a volunteer) to one of the events. 

Registration coming soon! 

Mat-Su March meeting

February 27, 2025

Date: March 23, 2025

Time: 6:00 – 7:30pm

Location: Colony High School Library

Description: Education (exact topic TBD) plus monthly meeting!

Draft Meeting Agenda: 

Officer’s reports: 

  • President
  • January meeting minutes
  • Treasurer

Old Business: 

  • Morgan Horse trail construction impact
  • June 1 Stallions of North tabling
  • Open Secretary position
  • 2025 BCHA CTR updates
  • 4-H updates (Sarah R)

New Business: 

  • Set trail work party dates
  • other events to rep at?
  • set April meeting

Mat-Su 2024 Annual Report

January 24, 2025

We had a great year! Check out our 2024 report and consider joining us in 2025. Membership information here.

2024 Mat-Su Annual ReportDownload

Mat-Su February meeting + Packing Education

January 19, 2025

Date: February 19, 2025

Time: 6:00 – 7:30pm

Location: Colony High School Library

Description: Packing education plus monthly meeting! Francine and Colleen will bring example 3-night packing list for 2 people and 3 equines including packed panniers.

Draft Meeting Agenda: 

Officer’s reports: 

  • President
  • January meeting minutes
  • Treasurer

Old Business: 

  • Mileage challenge winners!
  • Open Secretary position
  • 2025 BCHA CTR updates
  • 4-H updates (Sarah R)

New Business: 

  • any?
  • set March meeting

Kenai Peninsula Annual Report

December 29, 2024

The KP Chapter had a lot going on in 2024! Read all about it in the 2024 Annual Report!

2024 Annual Report PRINT 1Download

Mat-Su Mileage Challenge Winners

December 12, 2024

Congratulations to the 2024 Mileage Challenge winners! These miles were earned from May 1 to October 30, 2024. 

1st Place: Stacy Sawyer with 373.3 miles: $50 Riding Warehouse Giftcard

2nd Place: Colleen Fisk with 186.7 miles: $25 Riding Warehouse Giftcard

3rd Place: Allie Schock with 110.6 miles: $25 Riding Warehouse Giftcard

They will each also receive a BCHA baseball cap and sticker. 

Congratulations Stacy, Colleen, and Allie!

Mat-Su January meeting

December 11, 2024

Post-holiday party! Let’s get together for a post-holiday celebration at Sarah Gotschall’s house. Check your email for the specific address.

We will start with a potluck dinner at 6pm followed by a business meeting around 6:30pm. 

Agenda

Officer’s reports: 

  • President
  • November meeting minutes
  • Treasurer

Old Business: 

  • Open Secretary position
  • 2025 CTR
  • Spring trail clearing at Valley Pathways (Colin)
  • Update on membership (Colleen)

New Business: 

  • Support requested for Colleen for attending National Meeting in Prescott in April

Reminder for annual dues

December 1, 2024

Happy December! This is the first reminder to send in your dues for 2025. Dues have been increased by $5 to reflect that increase in the dues we pay for each member to National BCHA.

Mat-Su dues: You can print and mail this form with a check, or pay via Paypal (with $2 fee) and email Francine the form (mailing information is on the form).

Kenai dues: You can pay and submit membership or renew on their website here.

Dues help support trail work, allow us to have insurance for the board, and support the national organization with their education and policy efforts. It also allows us to host events like the Competitive Trail Ride and mileage challenges, along with prizes. Thank you for your support!

Mat-Su November 24 Meeting

November 12, 2024

Let’s get together for a winter meal and catch up after a busy summer and fall! Meeting at Conifer Farms, see email for address.

November 24th. Potluck dinner at 6pm with meeting at 6:30pm

Meeting Agenda:

  • Approve minutes 
  • Presidents report
  • treasurer’s report 

Old Business:

  • CTR report (Colin)
  • Trail Trial report (Sarah G)

New Business:

  • Dues increase
  • Volunteer hours 
  • Next year’s CTR
  • Membership 
  • Donation to nationals