L Jay on Cougar

President

I was a rodeo cowboy in high school and college. Loved it! Thought there couldn't be anything better than sitting astride a wild horse that was determined to get me off it's back. I wasn't good a roping. Never cared for the bulls. But I couldn't get enough of the horses! I have to tell you though, sitting on a good saddle horse at the top of a mountain ridge, fording a stream in the backcountry, gliding silently through an aspen grove in full color or riding a narrow trail on a steep mountain side on a horse that you know you can trust, those are the experiences that bond the human soul to the soul of the horse. I still can't get enough of the horses, I just prefer they don't buck theses days.

Vice President & 

Chairman of the Board

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. 

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."

I grew up in Oklahoma. For many years my husband and I vacationed in the Pagosa Springs area and we fell in love with Colorado. We moved here 16 years ago.

Dollar is my aged QH gelding who is now 19 and doesn't see much hard riding anymore. He has carried me over some rocky and treacherous trails and has earned his light duty riding and retirement. I am blessed to have two other horses from which to choose. Sam, a Paint cropout gelding and Cougar, our first Mustang.

I wholeheartedly believe in the mission of our organization and I agree that we need to preserve and protect the trails so we, as well as our kids and grandkids, can enjoy them. Jay and I have practiced LNT all our riding lives. We have packed out other people's discarded items on many occasions. Each year I look forward to getting out to repair, rebuild, reroute and construct new trails as necessary following the September 2013 floods in this area. I enjoy just going for a nice ride in the mountains with friends. 

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.