President's Message
Tammy grew up in Washington State as the oldest of six kids on a small country farm full of animals. Her grandparents worked at Longacres Racetrack, and she has many fond memories of watching her mom gallop and exercise the beautiful, athletic Thoroughbreds around the track. Tammy’s love of horse riding began at age two with a little black‑and‑white pony named Bojack. By six, she had graduated to a 15‑hand Quarter Horse named Buck, and at nine she began showing her grandparents’ tall bay Thoroughbred, Silky, winning numerous ribbons, trophies, and grand champion titles. She later enjoyed playday gaming events and working cows. After retiring from her career working in the correctional facility industry, Tammy and her husband, Conrad, moved to Hurricane, Utah, carrying with her a lifetime of memories shaped by the horses that taught her and all six of her siblings how to ride. Today, Tammy enjoys riding her big, loveable palomino AQH, Spendy on the beautiful and rugged trails of Southern Utah and the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve with other BCH members and friends. When not in the saddle, Tammy and her husband Conrad can be found cruising the HOV trails in their side-by-side with other HOV friends. Tammy is now passionate about public lands and is committed to protecting trail access for equestrians and all outdoor recreation users.
Light on the Land
Back Country Horsemen of Utah-Southwest Chapter takes the principles of Leave No Trace to heart. We recognize the rare beauty of red rock canyons, fragile desert soils, and remote trails. Because of this, we know it depends on us to avoid stepping on biological
crust as it takes decades to recover. Riding deep into the backcountry offers a rare kind of freedom, but it also carries a responsibility to protect the land for our future riders, hikers, dog walkers, and wildlife. We do this by staying on established trails, packing out all trash, avoiding carving into trees and rock formations, and preserving ancient petroglyphs. We’re preserving Utah’s natural and cultural heritage by leaving things as they are; taking photos, not objects; using weed-free hay to prevent the spread of invasive plants, and respecting wildlife.
Back Country Horsemen are here to help preserve the rugged beauty that makes Southern Utah so extraordinary. Our commitment to be involved with volunteering for jobs like trail cleanup, removing horse manure, packing out trash from our parking lots before you leave, sets a great image with our public and land partners. Our help ensures the desert and the integrity of the landscape remain unspoiled and open for the next generation of Back Country Horsemen.
Thanks for helping preserve our beautiful public lands.
Happy Trails!
Tammy Engeness
President 2026
Back Country Horsemen of Utah – Southwest Chapter
Contact
Please feel free to call me anytime if you have information we need to know about or you want to share your opinion on a topic.
678-361-0999