news.com

 Montana Hunter Jumper Association - Newsletter
 
Hoof Beats

 

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE MONTANA HUNTER JUMPER ASSOCIATION
April 2008

Hello all - It’s hard to believe that our first show of the season is only a month away as I look out my window at more fresh snow on the ground.  Winter just doesn’t want to give up yet, even with the meadowlarks and robins proclaiming their return to Missoula.  I am hoping that most of you have your thoughts turning to the upcoming season and are polishing your show boots.

UMW EQUESTRIAN TEAM WINS REGIONAL

John X’s Equestrian team from Dillon won the College Regional Championship.  Good work to all the members involved and good luck going into Nationals.  This follows on the heels of some sad news that Assistant Coach Beth Dixon is leaving the team after this season to return to the East Coast.  We all wish her well in her future endeavors wherever they may take her.

USHJA AFFILIATE EQUITATION PROGRAM

John X also presented some insights into his attending the USHJA meeting and planning committees.  MHJA is currently an affiliate member of USHJA.  USHJA is currently trying to restructure the show tier system to allow for more participation of more riders.
USHJA’s purpose with the Affiliate Equitation Awards Program is to increase the UHJA membership and outreach in the equestrian community by educating individuals who partake in equestrian sports at the unrecognized and local levels.  Its goals are to increase the number of USHJA affiliates, reach out to the grassroots level of the disciplines and to grow the USHJA memberships.  Dr. John said that this could occur by adding the possibility of an additional part of our MHJA membership to include the USHJA on our membership form.  My understanding is that it would be totally voluntary to become a USHJA member.  More information about all this can be found on the website www.ushja.org .   This proposal would have to be presented to the members at the year end meeting and discussed and voted upon.  Please take the time to go to the Website and familiarize yourself with this information before the year end meeting so it can be discussed. 

BOARD POSITIONS

There are 3 board positions up for nominations this year.  Long time board members Gordon Lemons, Kim Davidson, and Barb Pearson are not likely to run again.  All of you members need to be thinking about the possibility of serving on the Board of MHJA.  This includes about 4-5 board meetings per year and a JOB.  Please send your nominations or notify a Board member of your interest before October 1, 2008.  This is a very important part of our organization and without input and new board members, it will cease to exist.  All nominations for new members will be voted on at or before the year end meeting. If you are unable to attend, proxies can be sent with a friend attending the meeting for voting purposes.

SHOW SCHEDULE

There have been two shows on our summer schedule that have cancelled their shows.  The 5VPC show in Missoula in May and the 1 day show in Bozeman in June are no longer on the schedule.  The 5VPC show hopes to return next year and we certainly hope to see him on our schedule.  The current show schedule is always posted on the website www.mhjanews.com  so you can be up to date on the season.

PLEASE NOTE

Canadian members who send a check through a Canadian bank for their dues, there is a $5.00 transaction fee (Canadian bank to US Bank) so you need to add that on to the membership fee. 
If you do it when you send your membership, there is only the one fee.

MEMBER NEWS AND NOTES

 

This is great news from Ashley Wren in Billings!

Rebel Sky Farm is projected to open May 1st, considering good weather decides to continue. We will be a 53 12x12 stall farm, with an indoor arena of 170x200, two 250x300 outdoor arenas, on 158 acres. We will also have 1 (starting off) show barn for hosting shows that will have 20 12x12 stalls and 3 1/2 graveled parking lot. We will be providing boarding, lessons, horse training, and sales of hunter/jumpers. We have added to the facility Buddy Lemaster from North Carolina who specializes in training jumpers, fox hunters, and is an ex -Grand Prix jumper. He is a highly ranked and honored fox hunter also was a houndsman, and worked with well known fox hunt clubs; including Tryon Fox hunt, Greencreek Fox Hunt, etc.

Southern Sapphire gave birth on the day before Thanksgiving to a paint colt, A Myte Southern Legacy.

Zion Elizabeth, Ashley Wren's almost 3 year old daughter got her first horse for Christmas, a 9 1/2 hand pony named Salor Moon. So ya'll will be seeing her leadline this year.

We have had a couple of members badly injured by horse accidents already this spring.  Cec Egley and Mundo took a bad spill in February when Mundo hit some ice while moving cows.  Cec suffered a badly broken ankle and pelvis which required surgery and a month stay in Missoula for recuperation and physical therapy.  Cec is currently back home in Dillon, doing so well that the doctors are amazed at her progress.  She sends along thanks to everyone who sent cards and encouragement during this tough time.  We will be seeing her ready smile on horseback soon, I’m sure.

Wanda Rosatti suffered a broken wrist, collarbone and ribs in a fall from her youngster, Coaster.  She is recuperating in Polson and will be horseback again by summertime, we hope.

From Claudia Thorsrud in Bigfork.  Since I bought my ¼ Irish ¾ TB gelding, Radar, from Nancy Miller last summer, I have been having a lot of fun.  I rode all winter long and attended all the jumping clinics at Jenny Carbonari’s barn; I really enjoyed the kids and clinicians.  I am currently working with Jennifer Omerod for flat schooling and Jenny for jumping.  Radar, soon to have a new show name for 2008, is just a great buddy and a quick learner.  Unfortunately, we both took a spill in the arena on March 30th so Nancy may be at the reins for the first few shows.  I am on crutches and just thankful I didn’t screw up my knee again!  Radar is fine and enjoying his daily dose of bananas and grapes.  Looking forward to seeing you all at the shows.

Judy Bystrom and Dale Johnson lost their good old open jumper mare, Alberti Bey, on March 21- 2 days before her 28th birthday.  She left with all the grace and dignity that she carried through life.  She won the High Point open jumper for a number of years before it was MHJA and it was Intermountain Horse Shows.  That was when Open Jumpers was 4’-4’6”.  She and Dale showed at Spruce Meadows, often placing well in her classes.  Dale and Judy had owned her since she was 2.  Our condolences to them and the herd on the loss of this classy mare.

From Gayl Russell:  In 2000, the APHA began a program for Paints being shown in open shows.  This new program, called Paint Alternative Program, includes many local shows.  One of the categories is Over Fences and in 2006, Whitneys Moon Bandit AKA Buzzard, was Reserve Champion.  In 2007 owner/trainer/rider, Gayl Russell and Buzzard, collected 111 points and won the Championship.  This is the first time this award has been won by a horse in Montana.  Buzzard, a 2002 Buckskin/white paint, will continue to show in 2008.

From Jenny Carbonari and Leg Up Stables:  Jenny and many of her students traveled to HITS Tucson and sunshine from February 9-March 2.  (I heard through the grapevine they also had a competent groom and wonderful tail braider, Judy Bystrom!)
Jill Bentley Lobban and Dream of Diamonds was Champion Level 4 Jumpers in Week 4 with many other wins during the other weeks. Shelby Scoggins and How You Bean-Champion Level 1 jumpers and many placings in the Level 2 and Childrens’ Jumpers. Mackey Bentley Lobban and Beezley finished well in the Childrens jumpers and Level 2 jumpers consistently  Her highlight was where they competed in the Level 3 Mini Prix with just one rail down!  Demi Pederson and Oh Canada were reserve champs in the Low Childrens division and many other placings in her division.   Kayla Seamons and Gemini did very well in the Low and Level 2 jumpers with several ribbons.  Rebecca McDonnal and Mowgli had a great show, ending up with a Level 2 win on the last day. Jenny took many of her horses along for the trip and rode them all to many placings and a good showing for Montana horses and riders.  This was the first trip out of the Flathead Valley for many of these horses and riders.  Just so you know, Level 1 jumpers is 3’, Level 2-3’3”; Level 3-3’6”; Level 4 3’9”; Level 5-4’; Level 6-4’3”. Good work to all!!

Deb Anderson has a new man in her life.  Stately Jack Flash AKA “Jack”, will hopefully showing up at some of the shows this year.  He is an 8 year old TB gelding who raced successfully until last summer.  He is a handsome (if I do say so myself) bay who will take over the work of my faithful mare Burley-shown under Queen of Hearts.  Burley will have a well earned retirement as a trail horse and occasionally moving cows-her passion.  I certainly have my hands full reschooling this boy so my show season will likely be very limited, but I have offered my services to show up and groom for folks just to keep my hand in the show season.

If I have left anyone or anything out, my sincere apologies.  Just keep the info coming and I will do my best to get it in the newsletter.  I hope to see all of you at the shows, and keep in mind the Board of Directors openings coming up.  I can’t stress enough how important it is for any and all of you to become involved in your Montana Hunter Jumper Assn.

CLINICS AND HAPPENINGS

There are currently 2 clinics scheduled for the upcoming season.  The first one is with Gardner Powell, the judge for the MDCTA schooling show, and the second is with Meg Schulman, the judge from the Corvallis show last year. Both of these clinics have contact information listed on the Website.

Gardner Powell will offer a one day clinic in Missoula May 11th.  Gardner is a USEF ‘R’ judge in Hunters, Hunter Breeding, and Equitation.  As a Junior, she won the Governor’s trophy of New York (Equitation Championship) and competed at Harrisburg and Madison Square Garden. Gardner has competed that the Grand Prix level in Show Jumping, and coached Junior riders to numerous Zone and State champions in Hunters, Equitation and Jumpers.  In her early professional career, Gardner trained and competed two Preliminary level event horses.  Her philosophy is to find the right job for each horse and help riders do develop them as athletes through solid and sensible basics.  Horsemanship, Integrity, Fun. Contact Deb Anderson to sign up.  There are still a few spaces left.

Meg Schulman will conduct a Hunter Jumper Clinic at J/S Sporthorses in Dillon MT on June 28-29.  Please contact John X for information.  This is also detailed on the Website. 

Please consider attending one or both of these clinics.  I think you will find that both the clinicians will have a lot to offer and have fun too! 

MEMBERSHIPS ARE DUE THIS MONTH!!!  DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR 2008 MEMBERSHIP IN THE MAIL.  FORM IS INCLUDED IN THIS NEWSLETTER.

SHOW SCHEDULE AS OF APRIL 2008

 

MAY 10                      MDCTA Schooling show-Missoula Equestrian Park

May 31-June 1             Rebecca Farm H/J show-Kalispell

June 6-7-8                   PHA Spring Classic-Missoula Eq Park

June 21-22                   Rebecca Farm H/J Show-Kalispell

July 18-19-20              PHA Summer Show-Missoula Eq Park

August 8-9-10              Great Falls All Breed Horse Show

September 5-6             Rebecca Farm H/J Show-Kalispell

September 12-13-14    UMW Benefit Show-Dillon

 

MHJA BOARD OF DIRECTORS- click here

UPDATED April 6, 2008