Source:  News Release

BCHA Presents New Legacy Award and Double Diamond Award

The Board of Directors of the Back Country Horsemen of America recognizes two members for outstanding achievement.

Ken Ausk, Columbia Falls, Montana, “a founding father” of BCHA and one of the four men responsible for the creation of the organization in 1973, was awarded the first Legacy Award for the foresight, vision and recognition of a need to preserve America’s back country lands and trails. The Legacy Award is acknowledgment of his dedication, leadership and hard work with BCHA to provide a legacy for future generations.

Robbin Schindele, Emmett, Idaho, was presented the Double Diamond award for the creation of two trail safety posters. Both titled “What the Horse Sees”, the posters are targeted to non-equestrian trail users, hikers and mountain bikers specifically. The posters have been, and continue to be, used across the US by equestrian and non-equestrian trail user groups and public land agencies. They are available for use free at:  www.bchi.org

Back Country Horsemen of America is a volunteer service organization dedicated to perpetuating the common sense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s back country and wilderness; working to insure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use; assisting the various government and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said resource; educating, encouraging and soliciting active participation in the wise use of the back country resource by horsemen and the general public commensurate with our heritage; and fostering and encouraging the formation of new state Back Country Horsemen organizations.

BCHA members contribute over $7.5 million dollars in volunteer value annually to the USDA Forest Service (the agency’s largest volunteer contributor) and other public land agencies. For more information please visit: www.backcountryhorse.com 

BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes in regards to the use of horses and stock in the wilderness and public lands. If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website: www.backcountryhorse.com, call 888-893-5161, or write PO Box 1367, Graham, WA 98338-1367. The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!