or
What you always wanted to know but didn't know who to ask
How big is the FETA trail system?
What happens if a member violates the rules or a person rides without being a member?
Q: Does FETA own the trails?
All FETA trails are owned by private landowners. Some trails are protected
by equestrian trail easements to FETA but remain privately held.
Landowners have ultimate control over the use of their trails and may
themselves use them as they wish.
Q: How big is the FETA trail
system?
That is the $64,000 question! It is very hard to estimate the total
mileage of the FETA trail system. The trail system encompasses all of Old Hunting Country
(used by the Tryon Hounds from the 1920's to the 1950's) and New Hunting
Country (used for fox hunting until the 1980's) as well as surrounding
areas. It encompasses approximately 15 square miles bounded (for
identification purposes) approximately by Highway 108 to the North,
Highway 14 to
the South, Highway 176 to the West and Highway 9 to the East. The
system is estimated to comprise approximately 100 miles of trails.
Q: What is FETA's role?
FETA was formed by area riders and landowners to protect and preserve the
trails, and establish collective guidelines for equestrian use. Landowners
depend on FETA to ensure that riders have submitted medical information
and release/wavier and rules agreements they need for legal protection,
and to collect the dues that pay the bills for some of the trail
maintenance and insurance. FETA does not sponsor or coordinate trail
riding or other activities on the trails.
Q: Who manages FETA?
FETA's By-Laws establish the broad policy rules concerning the trail
association. FETA is managed by a Board of Directors with 12 members on
staggered three year terms. The Board submits a slate of candidates for
the open positions based on volunteer efforts and interests of
members. Additionally, the Board likes to have good representation
from the larger landowners. Seven of
the twelve Board members must be landowner members. The open Board seats
are voted on by the Landowners at the Annual Meeting, usually held in
early fall.
Q: Who makes the rules?
The Board establishes the rules and reviews them annually for the coming
membership year. Most current rules are the result of landowner complaints
about conduct on their trails. Landowners are not, however, required to
observe FETA rules on their own trails. Landowners may also waive a rule
for their own trail in specific instances. For example, a landowner might
give a neighbor permission to use a gravel lane on his land to access
River Road when the trails are closed or they may permit a neighbor to
bring their dogs on trail rides. The landowner may not want everyone
riding on the wet trails or bringing unfamiliar dogs but may permit a
limited exception. This is their sole right as a landowner.
Exceptions to the rules are not common or encouraged as they make general rules enforcement very difficult. Most such exceptions are between friends and neighbors for limited reasons. Most Landowner Members, particularly out of town and non-riding Landowners, do not want to be asked to waive the rules which have been established for their benefit.
FETA's relationship with landowners depends on
riders obeying the rules. Rules violators jeopardize the entire trail
system, and are treated seriously. Rules violations are dealt with by the
Board of Directors in their discretion, which may include termination of
your FETA membership. If you are not prepared to follow the rules, ride
elsewhere.
Q: Who can join FETA?
Due to the popularity of the FETA trail system, the FETA Board was forced
to introduce membership restrictions beginning in 2001. Currently, only residents, landowners or
persons boarding horses in Polk County, Landrum and Campobello are
eligible to join FETA as riding members. Persons boarding horses in this
area, unless grandfathered as members prior to 2001, lose their membership
eligibility if
they move their horse from the area.
Q: What is FETA's budget?
Annual revenues and expenses are approximately $35,000.
Aoproximately 50% of revenues go to trail maintenance expense, 25% to insurance and
the balance for tags, printing, membership materials, communication
expenses, postage, and the annual meeting.
Q: Who maintains the
trails?
Although FETA and landowners try to keep the trails clear, members ride at
their own risk. Neither FETA nor the Landowners represent that the
trails will be in a safe condition due to weather, man-made or natural
obstruction, surface conditions, neglect or any other reason. The
association and landowners expressly disclaim a duty to maintain the
trails in a safe condition.
Q. Are the trails always open?
No. Trails are closed when weather conditions would make riding
damaging to the trails. Trails are also closed when extreme weather has resulted in
known hazardous conditions which have not been fixed. Members are required
to obey trail status rules. Trail status should be checked by calling the
FETA answering machine at (828) 894-0496 or checking the Trail
Status page on this site.
Q.
What happens if a member violates the rules or a person rides without
being a member?
Persons violating FETA rules are given one warning and put on
probationary status. Additional violations may result in the termination
of membership at the discretion of the Board. In addition, any FETA
landowner may prohibit any member from using his or her property for
cause, which is a matter between the landowner and the member.
Persons riding on the trails without FETA membership or specific landowner permission are trespassers and are subject to criminal trespass charges as well as liability for damages resulting from their trespass.
Q: Is there a map?
No. For privacy and security reasons, large landowner members do not want
maps publicly distributed. If you are a new member or want to explore
unknown trail areas please contact the Trails
Chairperson for information.
Q: Are the trails
permanent?
Many miles of trails are protected by trail use easements to FETA or
conservation organizations, and additional easements are being sought.
FETA also has a "reciprocity rule" which provides that
landowners wishing to ride other people's trails must make their trails
available for riding, and that developers who develop property with
private or FETA trails must make them available to FETA or their buyers
will not be eligible to join FETA.
Q: Can I volunteer?
Absolutely!! We need volunteers for trail liaisons to monitor trails,
trail stewards to help with rules enforcement, newsletter contributors,
hospitality and mailings.
To volunteer, contact the Association President.
This page last updated on
August 26, 2005
© 2005 Foothills Equestrian Trails Association, Columbus, NC