It was held in Gainesville, July 9-12, 2009. There were approximately 173 participants, 67 were from 22 different states. There were 23 presentations with topics ranging from future generations becoming involved in the equestrian lifestyle presented by a US Pony Club member, Simone Faas; to the Chairman of the Back Country Horsemen of America from Utah, Terry Morrison. Wendy Spencer personalized her session on Volunteerism by highlighting 3 dedicated equestrians in the audience (1 was an AERC member!). A favorite presentation was the live demonstration in the hotel parking lot using a Cracker Horse by Randy Brown of the Florida Park Service and then there was the FL Park Service Band that played Friday evening. There were 7 field trips to visit different parks and forests and some enjoyed a carriage ride, pontoon boat trip on the Silver River and an airboat ride in the FL Barge Canal. All the participants were very happy with the presentations and are looking forward to next year‘s SETC, which will be hosted by Georgia; followed by Alabama, then Kentucky. South Eastern Distance Riders (SEDRA) was co-host of the Conference.

A post conference meeting produced a consensus that a na-tional conference was called for with a possible name change. Some suggestions mentioned included: SETC (Sustainable Equestrian Trails Conference), USETC (US Equestrian Trail Conference) or ETC (Equestrian Trail Conference). Mary Han-son from the NPS is assisting with herding up a ―Collaboration of Equestrian Advocates‖ if you will, with assistance from the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.

SETC is the only equestrian trail conference in the nation that receives assistance from the Federal Highway Administration‘s Rec Trails Program.

Presentations are on the web link www.southeasternequestriantrails.com  

Christopher Douwes, Rec Trails and Enhancements Program Manager

Submitted by Helen Koehler (M31874)