EPIC Receives Grant to Expand Breezy Loop Equestrian Trail

By Corey Minnick, AFA CJF

January 31, 2012–Equestrian Partners in Conservation (EPIC) received a $2,000 grant from the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) on January 21, 2012. EPIC website manager Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore accepted the check on behalf of the organization during an awards ceremony at the Maryland Horse World Expo in Timonium, Maryland.

EPIC applied for the grant to expand its existing Breezy Loop trail off Bucklodge Road in Boyds. The new as-yet-unnamed equestrian trail will add approximately 2.5 miles and 45 minutes of riding time to the existing 15 miles of trails, which includes Breezy Loop, Turtle Trail and Little Bucklodge Branch Creek Trail. The trails are located on private land owned by conservationist Mike Rubin and are preserved and protected for public equestrian use.

“We are very excited to be able to expand Breezy Loop,” said EPIC President David Tobin. “This grant allows us to continue EPIC’s mission of preserving land in Montgomery County for equestrian use.”

The new trail is located off Turtle Trail on the northeast side of Breezy Loop, east of Old Bucklodge Lane. It already has been mapped, and markers will be installed in early spring. EPIC will officially open the new trail with a public trail ride. The trailhead for the Breezy Loop trail system is located at the Potomac Pony Club Field at 19301 Bucklodge Road.

EPIC was one of 15 organizations to receive $21,441 in grants out of 52 applications. Projects were evaluated for value to the industry, degree of industry promotion, size and scope of the activity, financial need and quality of the written presentation.