by Carolann Sharpe, Trail Stewardship Committee Chair (first published in the November 2022 Equiery)
Maryland Horse Council, Trail Riders of Today and League of Maryland Horsemen all sponsored and attended the 2022 Friends of Patapsco Valley Cocktails for Trails event on September 15 at the Elkridge Furnace Inn. This event was sold out in a matter of days. While it was predominantly mountain bike businesses and riders in attendance, the conversations among horse riders and bike riders were eerily similar. Such topics included our care for the trails, some frustrations at how long it takes to address concerns, and creative ways we can all get out there and do good for our trails. If you were to turn the sound off, watching a group of bike riders speaking to each other, hands recreating a turn, a jump and near miss, comparing equipment and sources of things to make our rides more fun, there was no difference from watching our equine stories being shared. We were welcomed warmly. I look forward to attending more events like this as we strive to improve our relationship and communication with all trail users and the Department of Natural Resources.