Vickie on Tripper

President 

I founded NCBCH in 2003 because there were no BCHA Chapters in Northern Colorado. I believe so much in the Mission Statement of BCHA. That is why I am so passionate about it.

We need to preserve our packers, guides and outfitters. Their talents need to be taught to our younger generations. We also need to make sure trails stay open to all horse and pack stock use.

I always feel at home when I am on a mountain trail with my horse and dog. It is so much a part of who I am. So I will do all I can to keep our trails open. 

 Vice President

I've been involved with horses since my high school days. Back then, in our Oklahoma community, local farmers often had horses that needed to be ridden, and a couple of my buddies and I were always eager to help. During high school and college, I rodeoed—primarily riding bareback broncs.

After Nancy and I had been married for a couple of years, we acquired our first horse, then another. Now, after 50 wonderful years together, we have four excellent horses and our own place here in Colorado.

Almost 20 years ago, we were introduced to the Back Country Horsemen of America through a chance meeting with an NCBCH member at Jack's Gulch horse camp during a weekend camping trip. That encounter proved to be a pivotal moment in our lives.

I am fully committed to the mission of BCHA because it allows me to serve not only the equestrian community but also everyone who uses and enjoys our public lands.

This quote by Albert Pike perfectly encapsulates my philosophy:
"What we do for ourselves dies with us. But what we do for others and the world remains and is immortal."

I hope this will be my legacy.

Treasurer

I have always had a love of horses, even when I got bucked off and had to walk home. I enjoy working on horsemanship, riding the trails and camping with my wife and horses. I believe in both preserving and keeping  access open to our trails and backcountry. I joined NCBCH in 2008 because of its commitment to our wilderness through service rather than protest. One of my favorite quotes comes from late President Ronald Reagan, "There's nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse."

Volunteer Hours Coordinator

I grew up in Oklahoma, where my dad, a part-time trick rider, let me ride his horse when I was a little girl. My love for horses began early and never faded. After Jay and I married, we acquired our first horse—and then another. Over our 50 years together, we’ve had some great horses, some good horses, and a couple that, well, weren’t so great.

We started visiting Colorado in the 1990s with our horses for week-long rides in the mountains. On our very first trip, we fell in love with this beautiful state. Just a few years later, we made the decision to move here and make Colorado our home.

We were introduced to the Back Country Horsemen of America nearly 20 years ago during a weekend camping trip at Jack’s Gulch equestrian camp. An NCBCH member there for a trail maintenance trip told us about the organization, and that encounter sparked our involvement. Over time, NCBCH, Colorado BCH, and BCHA became a significant part of our lives.

I’ve served as a member of the Board of Directors and as the chapter’s volunteer hours coordinator for many years. I’ve also held a position on the Colorado BCH State Board of Directors and currently serve on the Back Country Horsemen of America’s National Board of Directors.

I share my husband’s passion for the mission of BCHA. 

Although my administrative responsibilities sometimes cut into my saddle time, we make it a priority to spend as many hours on the trail as possible. It’s incredibly rewarding to ride through areas and see trail or trailhead improvements made by our local chapter (NCBCH).

I look forward to continuing this work for many years to come.

I have ridden and packed the trails in Colorado for more than half a century. I have a deep appreciation for wilderness, pack and riding stock and keeping our trails open for our next generation. My love for teaching and passing on my craft keeps me young and on the trail.

My association with the Back Country Horsemen of America is a big part of my life and mission and helping do what little I can is important.

Thanks to BCHA for the opportunity.

Secretary

I grew up in rural Kentucky, where I took riding lessons and showed Saddlebreds at a local farm where I later worked until graduating high school. 

My Quarter Horse, Doc, became my partner when I was just 13, and he was 3. Now 27 years old and still my main mount, Doc and I share a bond forged over years of adventures, even as I enjoy working with and riding other horses.

In 2016, Doc and I relocated to Colorado, and we’ve never looked back. I was introduced to the Back Country Horsemen by my fellow Board Member and friend, Jenifer Nordstrom. I am deeply committed to our mission of maintaining and preserving trails for current and future stock use.

While my showing days are behind me, trail riding and exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Colorado remain my passion. I believe it’s essential for the younger generation to learn from the expert packers, riders, and trainers who have carried on these traditions. 

It’s up to us to ensure these vital skills and our mission endure for future generations of riders, packers, and wildlife enthusiasts.

For me, caring for the trails and land I enjoy is a personal responsibility—a way to give back to the spaces that inspire and challenge me. I’m honored to be part of NCBCH and to play a role in preserving these incredible resources for years to come.