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Montana Hunter Jumper Association - Newsletter |
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Montana Hunter Jumper Association - Newsletter |
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Hoof Beats |
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THE NEWSLETTER OF THE MONTANA HUNTER JUMPER ASSOCIATION
The end of the show season has rolled around again, and again I ask, what happened to Summer? Although I can’t be sorry to see this summer go, what with record high temperatures for weeks on end and endless smoky skies. I personally am looking forward to cooler fall days and hopefully some relief from the dry and smoky weather. I was unable to attend many shows this year, but from the reports I received from those of you who were able to attend, the shows seemed to go very well and were well attended. It is always wonderful to go to the shows and see friends from other parts of the state, and this year, the opportunity to meet some new friends and competitors. We are hoping that most of you can attend the Year End Banquet in November. It will be held in Butte again this year, due to financial considerations. When we examined the possibilities of holding it in Missoula, we found a real shortage of venues that would accommodate our needs. Also, the room prices were much more expensive for our members who were traveling. So, we made the decision to return to Butte, America as we were quite pleased with the service and food that we got last year. We hope this agrees with most of the membership. Enclosed with this newsletter is the Banquet form that needs to be completed and returned or at least notify Kim of how many meals you require. Room reservations are the responsibility of the members. We do have a block of rooms reserved for MHJA. Also included are a Best Show award form, a Rule change form and a ballot for Board Members. Rules can be voted on any year, but they must be in force for two years before they are subject to change or amendment. These forms can be mailed to any Board member or brought to the banquet. REVIEWS FALL 2007
EXCITING NEWS! Ursula Wies of Polson, student of Polson trainer Wanda Rosatti, had won the western division of the Dover Youth Challenge. At the Great Falls All Breed Horse Show Ursula earned 80 points out of a possible 100. This was 2 points more than her nearest competitor. This competition included all states west of the Mississippi. The Dover Challenge is a program created to encourage, recognize and reward equitation riders who compete in non-rated shows. Ursula will travel to Maryland to receive her award at the Capital Challenge Horse Show October 5-7. HORSE SHOW REVIEWS Not all shows were attended by this reporter, but we will do our best with regards to the shows attended. May 12: MDCTA, Missoula, Judge Vicki Maikle. Show management added a nice touch with their very elegant brochure which had lots of information and the course designs as well. Turn out and weather were both good. One trainer came all the way from Spokane, and another exhibitor made the haul from Billings to compete over Susan Mayer’s always interesting and challenging courses. May 19-20. 5 Valleys Pony Club H/J Show, Missoula. Bob Chapeski, Judge. June 15-16-17: PHA Spring Show at Tri-H stables in Bozeman. Judge: Shelby French. Although entries were light, the quality of the competition in most of the classes made the riders compete at their highest level to earn ribbons. A heavy downpour Saturday night created problems as all classes were held in the outdoor arenas. After some delay and hand wringing, it was possible to start the show and complete the scheduled classes. June 23-24: Rebecca Farm, Kalispell, Judges:Nina Boney and Eric Noel. This 2 day show provides two rings, one for hunters, and the other for jumpers. This way, riders have the opportunity to earn many points in one weekend. Coupled with nice weather and a very accommodating facility, this show is always a popular event, which explains the healthy turn out for each show of the series. Not only do riders come from all over western Montana, but many riders from Canada and Washington State make the trip as well. August 3-4-5: PHA Summer Classic, Sapphire Stables, Corvallis., Judge Meg Schulman. Although the rocky parking lot is somewhat a hazard, everything else about the facility is very satisfactory. The turn out was exceptional. Trainers from as far away as Billing and Idaho Falls were in attendance with a good showing of their clients.\ Temperatures were on the warm side, but because the show is held indoors, the only place people suffered was in the poorly positioned renta-toilets. August 9-10-11-12: Great Falls All Breed Horse Show, Judge, Jay Arend. Entries were not as numerous as in past years, but the show did never the less have a decent turn out. Footing was better than it had been in previous years, and the warm-up ring seemed to have been enlarged to some extent. The same concession crew was at both Corvallis and Great Falls, and they did a great job of keeping the exhibitors and spectators well nourished. September 14-15-16: UMW Benefit Horse Show, Dillon. Judge: Woody Dykers. This was the final show of the year and course designer Edee Weigel provided courses that truly befitted a year end show. Many of the obstacles and lines asked questions that kept riders on their toes throughout the show. This show had the best turn out yet of any of the previous UMW shows. There were two special attractions. Huntswoman Beth Dixon exhibited her pack of Beagle hounds, and on Friday evening there was a delicious exhibitor’s dinner with live entertainment. Discussions are ongoing as to ways to improve the warm up situation. The area now used is hard footing, and there are holes in the ground that require constant vigilance. Quilt Raffle Please remember the quilt raffle that will be ongoing at the banquet. This is beautiful Amish hand made quilt, big enough for a king size bed. There are pictures on the website, but they truly don’t do the quilt justice. The quilt will be at the banquet for viewing and will be awarded that night. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. That is a bargain for a quilt like this. Tickets are available from any Board member and also at the banquet. Board membership It was decided to expand the Board of Directors to 7 members a couple of years ago. As you will notice on the enclosed Board member election form, we are running low on people who have come forward and expressed an interest in being on the Board. Please remember that this is your organization and it takes some participation to keep it running. We are in need of some new nominations for Board members this year, so if you have interest in that, please either place your name in nomination by letting one of the Board members know, or write your name on the ballot and sent it in. There are generally about 4 Board meeting a year and we try to pick a convenient place for them so the same people don’t end up traveling all the time…although most of us end up driving some. BUT …the road trips are fun and you get to find out all kinds of interesting information about your fellow Board members. Either that, or lots of talk about horses, that’s for sure. Please consider running for the Board. JUST A NOTE IN PASSING If any of you have attended John X’s shows this year, Bozeman, Corvallis and Dillon, you may be familiar with the folks who always man the concession stand and keep us happy and fed. AND have hot coffee early in the morning for those of us who can’t start the day without it. They are Jim and Louise Bruce of Dillon. Louise had a very bad horse accident just before the Dillon show and was released from the hospital during the show. I just wanted to mention this in case they read this, to know they were sorely missed.
MHJA BOARD OF DIRECTORS- click here UPDATED October 10, 2007 |
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