EN reader Molly Sherwood sent us an email detailing her efforts to instill a recycling program at Richland Park HT. Recycling is an important way to conserve resources and just makes you feel good! Keep an eye out for recycling containers at Richland and at horse trials throughout the country. Thanks to Molly for writing, and thank you for reading.
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From Molly:
Since 2008, my husband and I have organized and implemented a recycling program for the Richland Park HT. I started the program when my horse was injured in 2007, and while volunteering as jump crew at RP, I noticed the huge number of water bottles in the trash. I am an avid recycler, and through my work, I have access to recycling bins and disposal in Kent County. I approached Bob and Kay Willmarth with the idea, and the program was born.
Recycling should be important to all horse people. Resource conservation and waste management is directly related to land conservation. And we all know how much land we need to enjoy our sport!
Since the recycling program began at Richland, it has gained momentum, with thousands of pounds of plastic, aluminum and glass being collected at the horse trial each year. Competitors have grown accustomed to the blue bins around the barns and grounds. Our biggest supporter is Nigel Casserley, the announcer for Richland Park HT (among many other events). Nigel has encouraged me to spread my knowledge of the recycling program around the country so that other equestrian events could start recycling programs. He told me today that he approached USEA about writing an article, and they declined. So I am instead appealing to you to provide some coverage. After all EN is the first word on all eventing news!
I will be at Richland all weekend, tooling around the ground on my light blue scooter. I can also be spotted pulling recyclables out of trash cans and policing the recycling bins.
Hope to see you out there!
