Multiple Use Trails, 1973: Recently, it was stated by one of the original bicycle committee members, that we did not want to include bicycles in our county committee plans. That is totally untrue; Howard Gilmore who represented the county was adamant from the beginning that we develop multi-use trails that included hikers, bicycles and equestrians.
The opposite, however, was true. In 1973, a couple of bills were introduced in the legislature by representative Ruth Beck to use monies from automobile dealers license plates to build bicycle paths; horses were not included. Some time later Sandra Day O’Conner introduced a similar bill in the senate taking a portion of the automobile tax for bicycle paths. Again horses were excluded, although owners of horses pay the same gas tax, and when considering the gas used to haul horses around the state, they should be considered a priority.
At the time the bill was being considered, I approached Senator O’Conner armed with the responsibilities of both the county and state trail committees that I chaired. With the most endearing tones possible, I requested that she consider horses in her bill. I recall that at the time, she had a cast on her leg, the result of a skiing accident that possibly influenced her reaction. In any event, she flew into a rage and chewed me out in a manner that I thought I was back aboard the carrier in the South Pacific. I was so stunned that I retreated with my eyes and mouth wide open in astonishment. We never did get monies from the legislature for the development of trails. Oh! Well; so much for the rancher’s daughter helping horsemen.
Trail Rider’s Clinic, 1973: One of the ways the association raised money was to put on clinics. One such clinic, called the three-in-one, was conducted at the old Western Saddle Club on Dreamy Draw, March 26. Emery Henderson, who had packed into many of the wilderness areas on horseback, both to hunt and to enjoy the scenery, demonstrated the proper way to pack a horse for such a trip. Tom Thomas, an experienced competitive rider, horse shoer, trainer and long time ASHA worker, demonstrated how to condition and prepare a horse for competitive rides, with emphasis on the care of the horses feet. The third portion of the clinic, pleasure horse management, was conducted by professor Gordon Shillingburg of Scottsdale, an animal nutritionist. The professor gave tips, beneficial to all, including novice trail riders. Cost of the clinic was $1.00 for adults and $.50 cents for youngsters. The proceeds went to the state trail committee; to be used for marking and promoting a state trails system.
The Second National Trails Symposium 1973: I was privileged to represent ASHA, the state and the county trail committees, which I chaired. This national event was held at Colorado Springs, Colorado in June of 1973. I was in the company of Wally Vegors the Assistant Director of State Parks and our good friend, Howard Gilmore, Assistant. Director of County Parks. That was in a time when the parks were eager to work with community organizations.
One of the many highlights of this conference was the speech given by the then Governor of Oregon, the Honorable Tom McCall It had to do with the protection of the environment by horsemen. He stated that horsemen have a duty to the environment, and its care whenever riding on the trail.
Sunburst Trail 1973: Ed Zumach, longtime member of ASHA and at one time editor of the association’s magazine had an extensive article in the September Ninth, Arizona Republic, pertaining to the importance to the state trail system to the Sunburst Trail that runs up 51st Avenue. Ed, representing ASHA and the Sunburst Farms Homeowners Association, cooperated in the project. Ed, as one of the residents of Sunburst Farms, helped the City of Glendale planners to design the 25-foot wide trail. Hallcraft Homes donated 25 foot on the East side of their sub-division to the City of Glendale for a portion of the trail. Other working members of ASHA who lived in Sunburst Farms and contributed were Mrs. Amy Loss and Bill Collier.
Trail System Legislation in 1972-73: The association was busy attempting to get legislation to help fund the state trail system. In a Dottie Gilbert Valley Hoofbeats Gazette article, she chided the legislators for dragging their feet. The association never succeeded in getting the legislature to go along with the plan. Other states cooperated with user groups, but not Arizona.
County Trail Rides-1973-74: ASHA with the help of Howard Gilmore, the Assistant County Park Director, scheduled the following county rides: October 20, Usery Mountain Recreation Area; November 17; Lake Pleasant Regional Park, December 15; McDowell Mountain Regional Park , January 19; Buckeye Hills Recreation Area, February 23; Estrella Mountain Regional Park, March 23. To be announced: April 20-21, Black Canyon Sheep Drive Trail. The trail ride fee was stated to be $2.00 and those requiring horses may rent them from any of six stables cooperating in the program. Dean Fleming of Scottsdale, Chairman of the ASHA County Rides Committee stated that two additional rides would be scheduled: one on the Sun Circle Trail and the other in South Mountain Park. The Sun Circle Trail will cover three days, with each day covering a different part of the trail.
Rides for 1974 will include the Organ Pipe National Monument, Sycamore Canyon, Supai Indian Reservation in the Grand Canyon and Canyon de Chelly National Monument on the Navajo Reservation.
Tribute to Dottie Gilbert: The most outstanding member of ASHA in the last forty years, was undoubtedly Dottie. She championed the Phoenix Mountain Preserve program by inviting several of the important dignitaries in the city to ride in the preserve and enjoy its’ beauty.
I recall a ride over Squaw Peak that several dignitaries were on. I was right behind Mayor Margaret Hantz going over the top, when her provided horse stumbled and went to his knees. I thought she was going to fall off, but fortunately she didn’t. Dottie was also responsible for obtaining the 50 year lease from Salt River for the use of the canal for the Sun Circle Trail.
Dottie was a very gentle soul and hated to see anyone hurt. On one Scottsdale morning ride, a trainer was riding a young gray horse owned by Bob Bohannon, and in a couple of jumps, the trainer found himself on the ground and the horse partly on him. When the dust cleared most of us were off our horses to see if we could help. Dottie in her own motherly way asked the cowboy if he was hurt. He was quick to reply that it was just a usual occurrence to have a horse sit on him right after breakfast.
A big part of Dottie’s success was due to her gentle and gentlemanly husband, “Gil”, who worshiped her and provided her every wish. They were a great couple. Later in the history, we will mention the small park on North Central that Howard Gilmore helped get dedicated to Dottie for her contributions to trails and the preserve. Thanks to Howard who believed in naming monuments after volunteers who made a difference, she won’t be forgotten. She did make a difference.
To be continued
Chapter 4 - 1975 - 1980
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