Adopt a Park or Trail: Have you ever been interested in being a trail steward? We are looking for volunteers to adopt a trail or park in the greater Maryland area.
Responsibility: Report any trail issues on your adopted trail/park to TROT, and when appropriate, to the trail park designated steward. If you have any ideas for improvements for equestrian use, we also want to hear those ideas.
Time Commitment: Variable- low
TROT Support: We can advocate on your behalf. Depending on your commitment level, we can help you figure out who the local steward of that park is, help campaign and fundraise for necessary amenities, and organize trail workdays as needed.
Example: There is an equestrian farm who would like to create an easement across county parkland to connect to a major trail system. We could use trailer parking at xx park. The trail at xx needs water mitigation work- it is always flooding at the xx spot.
If interested, please contact activity@trot-md.org
Review Local Planning Board or County/State Park meetings: Have you ever been interested in how land use decisions are made?
Responsibility: Review agendas and attend meetings that might impact equestrian land or use.
Time Commitment: Variable- Low
TROT Support: We can help research issues you think are important in your county, and create campaigns to get the word out. An action plan could be created based on the specific issue.
Example: The county park department is considering taking an existing park supported equine facility and closing it to make a new visitor center in its place. A new development is being considered that will possibly make existing equestrian easements hard to access. The county is considering new hunting regulations that will impact times for riding at your favorite park.
If interested, please contact activity@trot-md.org
Help out at events: Are you friendly and skilled at greeting members and possible new members at events.
Responsibility: We have a wide variety of events where we need support at tables to give information about TROT, talk about our mission, take money, check off attendees, sell raffle tickets, talk about our trails, at parades we need help on the ground holding horses, etc.
Time Commitment: Variable- Low
TROT Support: We will offer an overview of the event needs, and assist in making sure all of the equipment needed is on site.
Example: Harrisburg Horse Show- greet and represent TROT at the trail booth, Horse Day – greet and represent TROT at the trail booth, clinics- assist in checking people in, give them a run down of the schedule, answer questions, etc.
If interested, please contact activity@trot-md.org
Newsletter: Are you a great writer or photographer? We are always looking to hear about unique horse sports, fun stories, or what is happening in your county or about a great trail you tried.
Responsibility: Write an article and provide images for a story for our newsletter. (We also have ad space)
Time Commitment: Variable- Low
Example: Write about a new trail you tried and what equestrians should know. Include photos. Or write about a clinic you attended and what you learned. Write about your new horse and the training issues you have worked through. Write about something going on in your area.
If interested, please contact Courtney Frye
Host a trail ride: Do you have a trail you love? Invite other members of TROT to come and see it. We all appreciate another horse person showing us a new trail to help navigate.
Responsibility: Create a ride: decide the time, where, how long, and parking options for trailers. You may need to limit the size. You should think of any items that some horses may have issues with you can add to the description ie river or bridge crossings, steep climbs, rocks, etc. You might consider a social bring your own lunch afterwards get together. You will need to keep track of participants and their contact info. You can decide if the ride requires helmets or not. You might consider a rain date? This can be the trail you ride 4 times a week- it does not have to be complicated.
Time Commitment: Variable- Low
TROT Support: We will provide you a helpful short how to and google form to help you figure out the ride specifics. We will advertise it for you. We can help make sure each participant is a member, or point non-members to the member for a day fee for insurance purposes.
If interested, please contact Reena Lentz
Become a trail companion: Do you ride a certain trail all the time and it would be no big deal to show another equestrian or two the trail?
Responsibility: Allow us to promote you are available for tours of a certain trail since you ride it all the time. You might also consider helping younger horses with a steady eddie.
Time Commitment: Variable- Low
Example: I ride Blockhouse Point/Muddy Branch/C and O Trail system 4 times a week- if anyone wants to join me, they can park at my farm and we can go out together.
TROT Support: We will put you and anyone interested in the trail in contact, so you can see if you both have a time you can ride together.
If interested, please contact activity@trot-md.org
Create an event or clinic, or be a speaker or trainer at an event: Are you active in creating events and clinics? Are you a trianer? Do you have an equestrian facility you hold events at? Consider holding one with TROT and our membership.
Responsibility: Bring your idea and proposal to TROT.
Time Commitment: Variable- Med
Example: Put on a bomb proof your horse clinic. Provide your facility for a Pony Swim or Trail Challenge. Hold a beginner mounted archery/ polo/ jousting clinic.
TROT Support: Variable- provide marketing, possibly securing insurance or venue, helping with event details such as ticket sales, set-up and clean-up, day off on the ground support, etc.
If interested, please contact activity@trot-md.org
Design, Photography, or Web Support: Are you good at design, marketing, or website creation.
Responsibility: Help with specialized projects. We have a ton of ideas and not enough bodies.
Time Commitment: Variable- Low
Example: We might need an invite to be created, or want to add a portal on our webpage, or need help with a logo. We might need photos taken at an event.
TROT Support: Recommendations on Linkedin can be provided or if you are job searching, we can add your company logo or your name when we use your creation in our marketing to get your business recognition elevated, etc.
If interested, please contact activity@trot-md.org
Help Write Advocacy Letters, give Testimony, or bring advocacy issues to our attention: Are you good at writing, researching, or work in a law office? Are you a good public speaker, or can wait during the day to give testimony?
Responsibility: We always need help writing letters to advocate to the public, our government, or our parks on particular topics.
Time Commitment: Variable- Low
Example: We might need to write a letter opposing changes to Maryland law regarding liability as it may impact the horse industry in ways the legislature did not anticipate.
TROT Support: We can provide information or resources, help identify the issues, etc.
If interested, please contact activity@trot-md.org
Help Make Equestrian Lists: Are you good at organizing information? Doing research? Do you also like resources?
Responsibility: Send in your lists- known farriers, barns, rescues, horse washing, horse transport services, equine dentists, osteopaths, vets, trainers, etc. in your area. Help call some of these to see if they would mind if we listed them on our website.
Time Commitment: Variable-Low
Example: Where is there a list of all things equine? Should we just start one? We have a website- you have the local knowledge.
TROT Support: Publish on our website.
If interested, please contact activity@trot-md.org
