Volunteer Recognition Awards

Michigan Horse Trails Association would like to recognize outstanding service and volunteerism on our horse trails. We have our public horse trails because volunteers throughout the years have been willing to advocate and form partnerships with public land managers to designate, maintain and improve the trails. Please read below for more information on our nominated awards program as well as our cumulative volunteers hours recognition program. You must be a family or individual member with MHTA to join the cumulative hours program and please submit the Registration Form first. Then you will use the cumulative volunteer hours form for all hourly submissions after that. The ceremony for all awards will be during the annual MHTA banquet held in late winter.

*If you are a paid member of a trail association that belongs to MHTA, you can get a half-off discounted single or family membership with MHTA.

2025 Awards Ceremony

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Nominated Awards

Submit Nominations

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Wayne Mears Lifetime Achievement Award

Wayne Mears is credited with widely promoting the importance of forming trail organizations to represent the equestrian trails around the state of Michigan. Many of our organizations formed directly because of his efforts. We have Wayne and these pioneering volunteers to thank for protecting our trail systems. With this award, we seek to recognize outstanding service to the equestrian trails over a volunteers lifetime.

Awarded for a lifetime of exceptional service, advocacy, and leadership in support of Michigan’s equestrian trails, embodying the dedication and legacy of Wayne Mears.

2025 Recipients: Kenneth Vandervest, Marsha Putnam, Steve Keim, Chad Simpson, Raymond Balzer, Cindy Kesler

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Outstanding Trail Association Award

Let’s recognize trail associations who have put forth extra, super human efforts. This could include efforts that have have increased usage, supported other groups, created new programs to reach out to riders, improvements to trail or camp, or anything else that shows an association who has gone the extra mile.

In recognition of exceptional leadership, dedicated stewardship, and unwavering commitment to protecting, maintaining, and enhancing Michigan’s horse trail systems. 

2025 Recipients: Ortonville Recreation Equestrian Association, Waterloo Horsemen’s Association

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Friend of the Trails Award

Do you work with an exceptionally supportive public or private land steward who has been an exceptional friend to our horse trails? Let’s hear about them and all they’ve done to promote, protect and improve the equestrian trails and campgrounds in Michigan.

In recognition of your outstanding dedication, service, and unwavering commitment to preserving, improving, and promoting Michigan’s horse trails. Your efforts have made a lasting impact on the trails for the equestrian community.

2025 Recipients: Matthew Schweda, Kenneth Whittaker, Sage Hegdal

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Trail Hero Award

Nominations for this can be for someone who’s efforts or advocacy made an incredible difference for our equestrian trails and camps. Or it could be someone who showed up in a time of great need. Nominate those who have shown Herculean efforts for our trails, riders and maybe even our equines.

Advocacy: For going above and beyond in support of our riding community. Your countless hours, unwavering enthusiasm, and love for Michigan’s trails make a lasting difference for all who ride them. With deepest gratitude, we honor your trailblazing spirit.

2025 Recipients: Amanda Still, Jennifer Shooshanian, Michele Jones, Scott Vorachek, Barbara Kurti, Melissa DeWitt, Jenny Cook, Amy Scharmen

Emergency: For exceptional courage, quick thinking, and dedication during an emergency on the trail. “True heroes rise when the trail gets tough.“

2025 Recipient: Kenneth Whittaker

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Youth Achievement Award

Nominate youth who have taken an interest and put forth efforts towards our equestrian trails and camps. All those who are 19 years or younger at the time of their efforts.

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Volunteer Hours Program – Cumulative

REGISTER for the Cumulative Volunteer Hours Program – ONE TIME ONLY

Submit Cumulative Volunteer Hours Annually

Join MHTA as an individual or family member – 1/2 off membership for volunteers who are paid members of MHTA trail association members

Volunteer Hour Tracker Information

Goals

Our goal with this program are to increase volunteerism and awareness of the efforts our volunteers put forth on behalf of the equestrian trails and camps in Michigan. We aim to encourage involvement and to recognize the efforts of those who do get involved. Volunteers will be recognized for their efforts on this webpage.