May 2006 Meeting Minutes

by Michael Bernier

The meeting on May 4^th was called to order at 7:15p.m. by President Roger Dougan. Guests and members introduced themselves to the group.

Minutes from the previous meeting, submitted by Donna Franus, were approved as read by Mike Bernier. The treasurer’s report was approved as presented by Jenni Dougan.

Committee Reports:

· Scholarship – Kathy Bagnell presented the report in Sandra Shiver’s absence. Highlights included:

• The recipient of the 2006 Scholarship was determined by the selection committee members on April 25^th, and will be announced and scholarship awarded at the annual Youth Clinic on May 6^th.
• Total applications were three times the number received for the previous year, and included applicants from two states, four counties, and eleven schools, both public and private. The extra effort in promoting the program produced excellent results.
• Plans for 2007 include ideas for improvements to the application form and documenting guidelines used by the committee, and a goal to increase the scholarship amount and/or award two scholarships.
• Thanks expressed to HAT members, sponsors, and everyone involved in fund raising events over the past year, with special recognition of Dr. Katie Hayes for her contribution to the scholarship fund. Additional gratitude to Gerry Snipes, Sheila Johnson, and Kathy Bagnell for their combined efforts to select this year’s recipient.

· Show Committee – Sally Thomason commented on the excellent turnout for the April 15^th show and how everything ran very smoothly. Having the 4-H running the concessions was very helpful, allowing our staff to concentrate on the show; Sally will contact Donna Franus (who could not attend this meeting) to see if the 4-H can run the concessions at the June 17^th show as well. The reconfigured gates to separate incoming and outgoing classes was another big plus.

• Issue: There were lots of people using the outdoor Sheriff’s Posse Arena for warming up and casual riding, but we did not have permission to use it and no one was checking to see if all the horses there had Coggins papers. After some discussion, three things were decided: a) Paul Johnson volunteered to check on whether we can use the Sheriff’s Posse arena for our June 17^th show; b) Jenni Dougan would check with our insurance company to see if our policy would cover the use of both arenas on the same day; and c) a motion was passed stating that if the arena could be used, a $10 fee would be charged and a separate release form including a Coggins check would be required from each rider wishing to use it.

Old Business:

· Youth Clinic: Everything is ready to go. Gerry Snipes has her program ready; Mike Bernier has the registration forms printed and showed a sample of the certificates that participants would receive. Roger Dougan would arrange to have enough cones and timbers available to set up training patterns, and the P.A. system was picked up from Joyce White in the Extension office during the meeting.

· Membership Trail Ride: Start time set at 9am – Mike Bernier will update the web site. The pavilion at the lake has been reserved, and the park will have extra staff on hand to help with morning check-in. Additional note: anyone wishing to camp out at the lake can rent sites for $12/night.

New Business:

· Silent Auction – Sally Thomason suggested the idea of collecting donations of used tack and show clothing, cleaning it up, and offering it as part of a silent auction during our shows; the savings to some folks could really be of help, and the group could make a little extra money at the same time. Debby Van Nurden noted that she has some English tack already donated that can be used to start from, and agreed to look into how to organize this activity.

· Extension Office Liaison – Discussion was to have involved selecting a member to represent HAT and develop coordinated programs on equine education, etc. with the incoming Grayson County Ag agent, but due to what was later found to be a misunderstanding in communication, this topic was tabled until the June meeting.

Program:

· Trail Riding Etiquette and Safety, presented by Paul and Sheila Johnson in preparation for the upcoming Membership Trail Ride. Topics included first aid (for people and horses), problem horses (kickers, etc.), respect for the property (pack out what you pack in, etc.), and courtesy to others out on the trail. A very well-received presentation enjoyed by all!

The meeting was adjourned and HAT Chats were passed out for distribution.