A message from our Front Range Back Country Horsemen President Shawna Jarvis!
August/September, 2026
Hello Members!
It has been an interesting year so far!
We continue to keep Dan and his family in our thoughts. Dan was a valued part of FRBCH and gave countless hours to our Chapter, our trails, and our activities. For those who missed my earlier emails, the Celebration of Life for Dan will be Friday, October 2nd, 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Golden History Museum, 923 10th St. in Golden. There is very limited free parking near the museum, so please check for nearby paid parking before coming. Contact Clare if attending: clare@rockypine.com.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel our fundraiser for this year. We put a lot of time and effort into planning the celebration, and while we were disappointed that it didn’t come together as we had hoped, we are looking ahead and thinking about what we might do differently next year. We appreciate everyone who supported the effort and helped with the planning. As they say, onward and upward!
As you know, the end of the year is coming quickly. We currently have openings on our Chapter Board for members who would like to serve. This i a great opportunity to get more involved, meet other members and help shape the activities and direction of our Chapter. If you are interested in learning more about any of the positions, please let me or any board member know. We would be happy to talke with you about the responsibilities and answer any questions you may have. We would love to have you be a part of the team!
Indian Creek has had its share of downed trees due to the wind and lack of rain. Our team of Jerry Amrhein and Doug Howell have been keeping up with the clearings, and there have been many! Thanks you to Jerry and Doug for their continuous hard work and dedication.
What a fun and productive weekend in September at Huerfano State Wildlife Area/BLM! We worked hard and accomplished a lot - removing over 100 trees, opening a blocked trail, and clearing rocks from the trail out of camp. The weather was perfect, there were plenty of laughs, and it was especially great welcoming new members and getting to know them. I want to thank everyone who volunteered their time and worked so hard. We accomplished a lot and still managed to have plenty of fun along the way!
Get ready to mark your calendars for a special, limited FRBCH members-only ride at Sandstone Ranch Open Space in Douglas County. This will be a guided ride exclusively for FRBCH members and will take us into a special part of Sandstone Ranch that is not open to the public. We have booked Sunday, October 18, for this special event as we kick off the holiday season. Sandstone Range is referred to s a “Living Legacy of Colorado Ranching,” and we are excited to have the opportunity to experience this special place together. Space will be limited, so be sure to view the website for registration information and details.
At this time, we do not have an October member meeting scheduled. We will let everyone know if that changes.
Thank you to everyone who continues to volunteer, participate, and support our Chapter. We truly appreciate everything you do to help keep our trails open, maintained, and enjoyable for all of us. I hope everyone gets a change to enjoy the beautiful fall weather, get out on the trails and take in all the amazing colors from the back of a horse. Onward and upward!
Happy Trails
Shawna Jarvis, President
A message from our Front Range Back Country Horsemen President Shawna Jarvis!
July 4, 2026
Hello Members, As we celebrate Independence Day, I hope you have the opportunity to spend time with family and friends while enjoying the freedoms we cherish as Americans. July is also a reminder of the importance of safety - for ourselves, our families, and our horses. Holiday gatherings, increased trail traffic, and fireworks can create unique challenges, so please take extra precautions to keep your horses comfortable and secure during the festivities.
We are just one month closer to our 30th Anniversary Celebration, and planning is in full swing. If you haven’t already signed up for a day of learning with the infamous Robert Eversole, The TrailMeister, be sure to visit our website and register. We are also seeking vendors who may be interested in participating, so please have them contact a board member. Food truck recommendations are still needed, so if you have a favorite, we’d love to hear from you. In addition, we will be holding an auction featuring a variety of items and experiences. If you have something you would like to donate, please contact a board member. Remember, this celebration is an important fundraiser that helps our Chapter continue its mission of preserving trails, promoting responsible horse use, and supporting our volunteer efforts throughout the year.
In May, our outing took us to Saddle Up Colorado in Gilcrest. As always, Danna provided valuable education on the importance of proper saddle fit. Thanks to a donation from our Chapter, two members had the opportunity to have their horses professionally fitted. Please support Saddle Up Colorado whenever possible. Danna has been a tremendous supporter of our Chapter, and it’s important that we show our appreciation for our Silver Spur Members.
Over the past year and a half, we have undertaken the significant task of inventorying and consolidating all Chapter equipment into a single location. I am pleased to report that this project has now been completed, with all equipment now housed at Jim and Julie Chaney’s home. Having all equipment in one location will allow it to be maintained, sharpened, tuned, and ready for use during Chapter trail-clearing projects. This has been a significant undertaking, and we appreciate everyone who helped to make it happen.
Recent successful trail-clearing efforts include:
Huerfano State Wildlife Area (June 12-24). This pack-in trip was extremely successful, with six volunteers clearing more than 70 trees from the Cascade Trail near the BLM boundary within the San Isabel National Forest. Special thanks to the BLM representatives who helped make this project possible by providing a UTV.
Indian Creek: Members Jerry & Chris Amrhein and Doug Howell continue to respond to reports from riders by clearing fallen trees throughout this area. Their dedication helps keep these trails safe and accessible for everyone.
Don’t forget to visit our website regularly for the latest event information, volunteer opportunities, trail-clearing updates, and details about our upcoming 30th Anniversary Celebration.
Upcoming Events
July 16-19 - Annual Trail-Clearing at Huerfano State Wildlife Area/BLM. Details and registration are available on the website calendar.
July 25 - Bear Creek Lake Park Sunset Social Ride - Details and registration are available on the website calendar.
Please note that there will be no member meeting in July as we all take time to enjoy the summer season and our horses.
Thank you to everyone who continues to volunteer, participate, and support FRBCH. Your dedication keeps our trails open, our events successful, and our organization strong. Together, we are preserving riding opportunities today while ensuring they remain available for future generations. As you celebrate this Independence Day, take a moment to appreciate the public lands, trails, and freedoms that allow us to enjoy the backcountry with our horses.
Safe travels, happy riding, and thank you for helping protect the places we love.
Happy Trails,
Shawna Jarvis
Front Range Back Country Horsemen
A message from our Front Range Back Country Horsemen President Shawna Jarvis!
April, 2026
Hello Members!
Our 30th Anniversary Celebration is officially underway—and registration is now open! This special event also serves as an important fundraiser for our Chapter, helping support our ongoing projects and mission. Be sure to spread the word and invite your friends. To sign up, click on the 30th Anniversary Event tab on this website and scroll down to access the quick and easy registration form. Don’t forget, early bird pricing is available through June 15, 2026.
As we prepare for this exciting event, we are also looking for a few volunteers to join the planning committee. If you’re interested in helping make this celebration a success, please reach out to a board member—we would love to have your support.
We’re especially excited to welcome TrailMeister to Colorado for this special event! Be sure to follow him on Facebook and check out his website for more information. We are also currently seeking vendors—if you have any suggestions, please reach out to a board member.
I’d also like to extend a sincere thank you to our longtime member, Mr. Jim Chaney, for his excellent presentation on fire prevention at our March meeting. Given the current dry conditions, his insights were both timely and important. We’ve shared the information he provided on this website and Facebook to help everyone stay prepared and safe. Thank you again, Jim—we truly appreciate your knowledge and experience.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to host Danna, owner of Saddle Up Colorado in Gilcrest, for a hands-on saddle fitting demonstration on Saturday, June 6th. Proper saddle fit is essential to your horse’s health and well-being, and this will be a great opportunity to learn from an expert.
For our April meeting, we pleased to welcome Lewis from Legacy Trailers as our guest speaker. He will discuss the importance of annual trailer and truck maintenance, including key safety checks like flooring, hitches, emergency releases and lights. I have personally relied on Legacy for years and highly recommend their services for peace of mind as you travel.
Finally, I will be attending the Back Country Horsemen of America National Meeting on April 12 and look forward to shaing update and insights with you afterward.
Happy Trails,
Shawna Jarvis