Oregon Equestrian Trails (OET) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We build horse camps and horse trails throughout the State of Oregon.

OET has completed the first horse corral at Camp Wilkerson! (Click HERE for photo gallery. See earlier newspaper report below.)

The Columbia County chapter has been very active with the new horse camp being built at Camp Wilkerson, donating $3975.00 in cash, and scores of volunteer hours on the trails.

Our chapter has adopted the horse trails at Dibblee Point and, partnering with Friends of Dibblee Point (FDP), has worked to keep the trails clean and open for the past 3 years. We also have adopted 2 miles of the Crown Zellerbach Linear Trail.

The Oregon Equestrian Trails Malarkey Family Poker Ride is scheduled for August 11, 2007 at Malarkey Ranch in Scappoose. 

This year we have had a Champagne Tennessee Walking Horse donated to our chapter by Varney Walkers, Toledo, WA with foundation training donated by Course-Walkers, Portland, Oregon. We will be selling raffle tickets for this gorgeous horse at $2.00 each and the drawing will be held at the Poker Ride.

Proceeds from this raffle will remain within Columbia County to help complete the horse camp at Camp Wilkerson. Other equine projects, such as a trail from Scapponia to Wilkerson and the Crown Zellerbach Linear Trail development will also be considered for our budget.

Columbia County OET meets at

7:00 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of each month

at the Warren Moose Lodge

For further information contact:

or our Web site:

www.oregonequestriantrails.org.

Donations sought to aid rescued animals

The Daily News

by Janine Manny

Feb 26, 2007

Members of the Columbia County chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails are asking for donations to care for six horses and a donkey rescued Thursday from a private residence near St. Helens.

Columbia County OET secretary Terri Coffey of Rainier went to see the animals Thursday after their rescue by Columbia County Animal Control. She was not prepare her for their sad state, she said.

"These animals are emaciated, and their feet are in terrible condition," Coffey said.

Coffey said the horses and donkey are now boarded at the fairgrounds in St. Helens.

"Columbia County is not funded for large animal rescue," Coffey said. "Roger Kadell, the Columbia County Animal Control Officer, attempts to work with owners. Removal of the animal is the last resort."

Due to an ongoing investigation, the animals have to stay in the custody of Columbia County, which is very expensive, Coffey said.

"Cash donations are most important to purchase veterinary care and farrier (horseshoe) services," she said. "These animals need to have attention to their teeth, feet, worming, vaccinations, skin (rain rot) -- lots of veterinary care which is going to be expensive."

Coffey said the horses and donkey also need lots of decent grass hay which is very scarce right now, making it more expensive than usual. Those caring for the horses also need buckets, rakes, beet pulp, grain and pitch forks.

OET is the state's largest equestrian volunteer group, and the 80-member Columbia County chapter is one of 16 chapters in the state.

Coffey said that as a nonprofit organization, OET cannot step in and help the rescue efforts financially. Rescue is not part of the group's mission, and using funds to do so could risk its nonprofit status.

"We can, however, as private citizens, do what we need to do. If everyone were able to donate a bale of hay or $10, I know the county, the horses and the beautiful donkey would be deeply grateful," she said. "I know these horses can count on the great people in this county. They are sweet, wonderful, loving horses who did nothing to deserve their circumstances."

Those interested may contact the

Columbia County Animal Control

at

503-397-3935

Cash donations may be sent to:

Columbia County Animal Control

Rescue Horses

2084 Oregon Street

St. Helens OR 97051

Camp Wilkerson trail maintenance, March 12, 2006.

Members (left to right): Chapter Chairman Rory Hammond, Rick Katterman, Kat Herzog, Sue Degerness, Dave Coffey, Cathryn Hammond, Charlotte Degerness, Gloria Rice, Brenda Haggins, Dwight Greiner, Bob Rice, Kathy Conner, Tom Conner, Bob Dieter, Teri Robinson, Alyssa Robinson,

Front: Terri Coffey & Marty Seeley.

Volunteers build horse camp near Rainier

The Daily News

By Janine Manny

Mar 30, 2006

RAINIER -- Members of a local equestrian group have started work on what could become part of one of Oregon's biggest horse recreation areas.

The project at county-owned Camp Wilkerson south of Rainier will include corrals for horses and tent sites for the riders and will eventually connect to 50 miles of existing trails.

The Columbia County chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails started the project this winter and hopes to have the horse camp ready this summer.

OET is the state's largest equestrian volunteer group, and the 80-member Columbia County chapter is one of 16 chapters in the state.

A work party of 18 chapter members put in a day's work at the camp in March, hauling gravel, putting in culverts and building a perimeter loop trail at Camp Wilkerson, which is located about 16 miles up Apiary Road.

"There's still work to be done, and it's still too wet to ride up there," said Terri Coffey of Rainier. The next work day is scheduled for April 15.

"We have a wonderful group of people," said Coffey, the chapter's secretary. "We're not a social group -- but we sure have a good time. Horses are not allowed at work parties. We work hard, then we have a big potluck dinner."

The addition of trails at Camp Wilkerson will connect to the nearly-completed Crown Zellerbach Linear Trail, which runs 23 miles from Chapman Landing to within three miles of Vernonia. That trail may eventually connect to the Banks-Vernonia Linear Trail, providing more than 50 miles of continuous trails. 

In September of 2005, the Columbia County OET donated nearly $2,000 to Columbia County Parks to pay for materials needed for the horse camp. Last month, with the help of the another OET chapter, the club presented Columbia County Commissioner Tony Hyde with another $2,000 check for the project.

"Tony Hyde has been instrumental in promoting equine use in Columbia County through his hard work on the Crown Zellerbach Trail and support of the horse camp at Wilkerson," Coffey said.

The Columbia County OET meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the Moose Lodge in Warren. The chapter has monthly trail rides or campouts scheduled through September. This year’s rides include Dibblee Point, Fort Stevens, Kalama Horse Camp, Frog Lake, Yankton, Capital State Forest and Joe Graham Horse Camp.

Oregon Equestrian Trails is a nonprofit group formed in September, 1970. The group, which has 1,500 members, works to build and maintain horse camps and trails in Oregon.

The local group's annual fund-raiser is The Malarkey Family Poker Ride near Scappoose, organized in partnership with the Columbia County Sheriff's Posse on Aug. 12. Last year's ride brought in over 325 riders.

"We expect to meet or beat that number this year," Coffey said. "And the funds OET raises in Columbia County stay here to support equine use of our parks and county."