Equestrian Committee

Meeting Minutes May 18, 2006

Cattaraugus County Equestrian Advisory Committee

Prepared by Becky Smith and Scott Miller

In Attendance:

Advisory Committee:

Allan Gerstung, Charlene Aronson, Lenny Brainard, Tony Orsini, Bob Pfohl, Leah Leising, Jim Toner, Jim Leising, Annie Widger, Veronica Weber, Tom Livak, JoAnne Young.

General Attendance:

Scott Miller, Lynn Telaak, Mary Beth Jenchtrach, Janet Pfohl, Judy Dalton, Becky Smith, Steven Lord, Terry Martin, Ainsley Smith.

Al mentioned that he had a point of information that must be clarified and that is that the Advisory Committee was appointed by the County Legislature and that only these appointed members are able to vote on motions. This is a public meeting and we encourage input from attendants.

Review & Prioritize Subcommittee Recommendations

Trail Committee:

Trail Committee priority list reconfigured. See attached.

Clarification was requested from the trails committee on mandatory club membership for all using trails. It was suggested that it is one mechanism to get people used to the 'rules of the road'. It would be good to have some sort of registration for New York State for riders in the state.

A private landowner in Randolph has liability issues. Barney Weber stated that 'general obligation' covers this and suggested we get a copy of this law for the landowner in Randolph.

Teri Parker mentioned they have one private landowner on their insurance but suggested we could secure trail easements.

Jim Toner mentioned that New York State Snowmobilers have one insurance policy to cover all private landowners. He also said non-snowmobile club members' cause the most trail damage (lack of education)

Mrs. Pfohl stated that club membership helps to educate members on current issues.

Steve Lord mentioned he wanted to do some work in the Golden Hill area. There was discussion about Vick Anderson with DEC and bike paths in the Golden Hill area. Someone mentioned getting NYS Horse council to help.

Toni Orsini mentioned that there was a natural connector from Jackson State & Golden Hill and his group would 'love to take that on'. He and Steve will get together to review trails and how to proceed. Tony also mentioned that a trail in Franklinville was just approved.

Terry Martin suggested that all equine trails should be secured with easements and right-of-ways. Plus we should be looking at connector trails.

Al Gerstung summarized to the group that there is trail building activity around the county, but we must get trails on state land approved.

Competition/Events/Education Committee:

Competition/Events/Education Committee priority list reconfigured. See attached.

Charlene would like to continue to promote the equestrian center concept within the county.

Al mentioned the Draft Horse show had been discontinued by the Cattaraugus County Fair and that Franklinville was going to take it over. It will be scheduled for Sunday, July 30 and will include driving and in-hand classes. They had 20 teams at their Plow Days.

Teri Parker mentioned that the Little Valley Riders outdoor arena would be completed in the first week in July. They will begin with an outdoor arena in the location of the indoor arena on the equestrian center plans.

Mary Beth Trencher mentioned the facilities at the fair grounds could be better. Space and infrastructure there but needs to be improved.

Lynn Telaak suggested we work with the 4-H group because of their mailing list. Scott to secure copy of Equine Enlightenment.

Marketing/Tourism/Website/Brochure Committee:

Marketing/Tourism/Website/Brochure Committee priority list reconfigured. See attached.

Annie Widger wondered if the committee logo was finalized, and that she would help with brochure.

Teri Parker liked the suggestion of defining target markets. They (Little Valley Riders) are working on an ad for Western Horseman, a full-page 'vacation with your horse' ad to promote Little Valley as an equestrian community.

Franklinville had an ad in the January/February issue of American Cowboy Magazine. Al G. said the ad was successful.

Bob Pfohl stated that Trail Rider magazine is another good magazine to advertise in. Especially since such a wide and diverse audience views it.

General discussion on national advertising. Multiple ads work best. It was mentioned that Trail Rider Magazine is always looking for articles.

Len Brainard mentioned the event schedule in the American Cowboy Magazine.

Judy Dalton mentioned the Equine Enlightenment has an event schedule.

Bob Pfohl said they could distribute our brochure at Empire State Farm Days, August 8-10. Mrs. Pfohl added they would help distribute brochures at events.

Tom Livak said our department would pick up costs for the brochure.

There was also discussion of having equine committee members distribute our brochures to be at out of town events.

Advocacy Committee:

Advocacy Committee priority list reconfigured. See Attached.

Bob Pfohl said insurance/liability should be on the top of our priority list. The County is doing a great job and the General Obligation law protects us fairly well.

Terry Martin mentioned a serious issue:

manure imports grass seeds that will spread and clog trails. This was followed up with a short discussion on horse manure, what to do with it?

Trail etiquette was mentioned as high priority.

Al put the Advocacy Committee priorities to a vote on our # 1 priority. Inherent Risk will remain # 1.

Mrs. Pfohl mentioned that the Farm Bureau has Inherent Risk concerns on their priority list.

Discuss direct and indirect economic impact of equestrian activities in Cattaraugus County:

Terry Martin brought up the economic impact of the equestrian lifestyle. The Equestrian Lifestyle has direct economic impact from investments and/or events: and the indirect impact from buying i.e.: food, gas, hotel usage, supplies, etc. The committee will need to define the actual economic impact from equestrian activities. He brought up the fact that each event will generate good data that could be used for loans or grants.

There was general discussion on good data and good multipliers, and these are extremely important and should be major goals.

Terry mentioned Appendix I in Guidebook #8 Growing the Equestrian Economy in Cattaraugus County, New York. He also suggested we read the article Equestrian Costs Add Up from the same guidebook. He also suggested we read Appendix 9 in A New Vision for Outdoor Trails in Cattaraugus County, New York. We should consider inviting the writer to come out.

Terry Martin also mentioned Sam Cole from UB. He and his students did a survey for the Creekside Roundup. Terry suggested contacting Mr. Cole to see if he would assist us again. There may be more equine economic impact in county they we are aware of.

General discussion on revenue/multiplier/mortgage approval and quality data.

Teri Parker suggested we develop a standardized form for data collection.

The NYS Equine survey will be able to help us once it is finished.

Jim Toner suggested we hire an outsider for evaluation. Develop a 3-year plan similar to snowmobiles.

Terry Martin stressed the importance of easements and mentioned the problems north of us. (mainly Erie Co) He suggested we contact some downstate bankers who are experts in equestrian facilities to see what kind of data they insist upon. He promoted maintaining quality data.

Bob Pfohl said he would put out an inquiry looking for a group that finances equine related investments. We could ask them for what type of data they need.

Discussion also took place regarding a countywide equine center. We should investigate other communities that have one and see how successful they are. Inquire whether they are economically viable to there communities.

Tom suggested that we could pick up on some studies and used Broome County Fairgrounds as an example. We've got a lot of work to do. Start with events. He'd like to see immediate impact in the next year. If businesses are reluctant to give up information, we should consider an independent auditor who would only let out what we need to know. All we would need is totals and percent of increase.

What types of Equine businesses are not present in the county:

Al then questioned what equestrian businesses are not present in Cattaraugus County.

Discuss what is needed to qualify as a Bed & Barn:

There was general discussion on what requirements there should be to qualify as a Bed and Barn. Topics included: B&B locations, Promote B&B's to travelers, The 'Horse Health Insurance Program' can be used a guide for potential B&B's

Teri Parker has an existing Bed and Barn business and offers: turn out, or box stalls with food, water and bedding available.

The committee will continue to work on guidelines for Bed & Barns. These guidelines will be the suggested minimum requirements to qualify as a Bed & Barn establishment.

Discuss trail use guidelines and identify trail deficiencies:

This agenda topic was tabled until next time.

Open Discussion:

Al said there was correspondence that needed to be presented:

Gail Hazer submitted her resignation from the committee.

Teri Parker suggested we accept her resignation and recommended Mary Beth Trenchard be appointed because she was from the same area as Gail Hazer.

Terry Martin reminded us that the Cattaraugus County Legislature must appoint the replacement.

Barney Weber motioned that we accept the resignation of Gail Hazer and recommended the appointment of Mary Beth Trenchard.

Teri Parker seconded the motion.

Adjournment:

July 13, 2006 at 7 pm was suggested for the next meeting to take place at Annette Taapken's facility if she is receptive to the idea.

Scott offered guidebooks to anyone who hadn't received them.