Kim Fincher has a baby boy
He Loves giving kisses



Bob and Carol Wheeler have a
new baby girl.

This beautiful blond is named "Grace"

David and Linda Nistler have one
 too !

Corrie says, "If you scratch mine, I'll scratch yours."

Mark Twain National Forest Wilderness Issue

The Missouri Wilderness Coalition (MWC) has asked the Show-Me Missouri Back
Country Horsemen Association (SMMBCHA) to endorse a bill to add seven more
so-called sensitive areas in the Mark Twain National Forest to be designated
as Wilderness Areas.

On August 10, 2009, at the Douglas County Fox Trotting Horse Breed
Association monthly meeting, I spoke to both DCFTHBA and SMMBCHA Mountain
Riders Chapter members.   

I talked about the meeting that SMMBCHA had with the Missouri Wilderness
Coalition, in which the Chairman of the National Back Country Horsemen of
America Association, Terry Morrison, and policy maker, Dennis Dailey, were
present.

The MWC is asking SMMBCHA to endorse a proposal that we have no idea what
the language will be.  Would we even seriously consider endorsing a proposal
to add more restrictions and more government control over out lives?  I
don’t think so.

I asked for a motion, and there was a unanimous vote from DCFTHBA that I
vote no on the SMMBCHA endorsement of the wilderness proposal.

Chairman Cecil Huff asked that this information be put on the web site.

Sincerely, Bob Voyles

Click Here: Link to comments from BCHA Superintendent Reed Detring

Previous Letter from Bob Voyles dated August 2009
 

As most of you know, I went to the meeting in Rolla and met with the Wilderness Coalition. 
Dennis Dailey from BCHA spoke to the Show-Me Missouri Back Country Horsemen board on
the issue.  He told that there are many organizations tossing their hats in the ring.

After being at the meeting and hearing the things that I did, I think that if we don’t do
something that we will be so isolated from the issue.  W haven’t seen the plans yet that the
coalition has drawn up, but we have been assured that nothing will be decided until we do
and are able to voice our opinions and ideas.  I feel we must secure some sort of working
agreement in this issue with those “non-horse-friendly” environmental groups who have
already committed support. 

Wilderness maintenance issues play little in this issue.  We have been clearing wilderness
with non-mechanized equipment for as long as the Wilderness Act has been in existence. 
 As it stands now the only people allowed in a wilderness area are hikers and horses. 
We need to make sure it stays that way. 

You can only ride ten in a group, but you can have as many groups as you want.  We
don’t  know what it is going to be like in 20 years from now, but we need to do something
to make sure we have a voice in this matter for our kids and grandkids.

I think we need to keep the communication line open and work with the Missouri
Wilderness Coalition until we know the “horse friendly” wording will be included. 
Then maybe we can pledge our support.

We are not going to get the wording if we sit back and do nothing.  We need to be sure
 the  M.W.C. knows where we stand.  Horses belong in the wilderness and we have to
 have wording for that protection.  If they can accept that, then maybe we can work
 with them.

I would like to be put on the agenda of the Douglas County MFTHBA for the next meeting
 to  discuss this issue and get your opinions and input from my fellow trail riders so I can
 represent our Chapter in an ongoing open discussion with the Show-Me Missouri Back
Country Horsemen board. 

Please let me know when and where your next meeting is and if I may speak.

Sincerely, Bob Voyles