February 2008 Meeting Minutes

by Michele Beard

 

President Sandra Shiver called the February 7th meeting to order. Guests and members introduced themselves to the group.

 

Program:

David Johnson, volunteer fireman, was our guest speaker. His many firefighting undertakings were used as part of his intro. He got into fire fighting due to necessity and knew he was to stay in it after making a lifesaving rescue on his first call. These items were related to us with interesting accounts of his experiences as a volunteer fireman. He gave the following suggestions to be aware of if there is ever a need to combat fire on your property or adjoining properties and some things you can do to reduce your risk of fire:

 

·                     Give clear directions and information to firefighters arriving on the scene and be prepared to help if needed

·                     Extinguish the head of the fire and work your way back

·                     Reward the firemen with sweets (this is very important)

·                     Advise of property layout and helpful information (creeks, bridges, buildings, areas of flammable content)

·                     Be aware that fences may need to be cut

·                     Make firefighters aware of utilities, gas lines, propane tanks, etc.

·                     Know that most fires in the country are not an accident and are sometimes caused by cigarettes thrown out windows

·                     Fires can be caused by leaving chargers plugged in when not in use

·                     Know your neighbors and be aware of their burning activities

·                     Welding can ignite a fire – keep water available to extinguish it

·                     Human life is their number one priority

·                     Turn out your animals if there is no other option

·                     Foam on trucks will maximum firefighting except on windy days

·                     Have a plan to release livestock from containment such as barns and stalls

·                     Prepare an escape plan for your livestock and approach neighbors with the possibility of turning into their property

·                     Have an escape plan for you and your family

·                     Put a sprinkler system in your barn

·                     Keep chemical and hay storage away from and out of buildings where livestock is kept

·                     Bind electrical wires in conduit

·                     Keep grass low and out of the fence line

·                     Have a tractor available to move hay

·                     Only way to put out a round bale of  hay is to unroll it

·                     Leave large gaps between rows of hay round bales

·                     Cedar trees are extremely flammable and when dry can explode before fire gets to it

·                     Some causes of fire are power lines, farm equipment, trees in power lines

·                     Keep fire extinguishers handy

·                     You can’t stomp out a fire

 

Announcements:

·                     March 1 - Showmanship Clinic, Crossfire Ranch Arena, Calera, OK: spots are already being filled

·                     April 12 – Saddlebound 4-H Show, Loy Lake Arena

·                     April 12 - Deadline for HAT Youth Scholarship Applications: any graduating senior with or without a horse can submit an essay on how horses have affected their life

·                     April 19 – HAT Spring Open Horse Show, Crossfire Ranch Arena, Calera, OK

·                     May 10 – HAT/Saddlebound Youth Clinic – Loy Lake Arena

·                     June 14 – HAT Summer Open Horse Show, Crossfire Ranch Arena, Calera, OK

·                     February 22-24 – Clinton Anderson 3 day clinic – Choctaw Arena: Tickets from Donna Franus to be ordered tonight

·                     Kelsea Bauer update: She is doing well and was back in school 1 week after accident. Still not sure about her resuming riding

 

Choctaw Nation Impromptu Meeting: Sandra and Robin attended. Discussed how sponsorships need to be acquired before events to ensure a profitable show. Construction has made it impossible for them to host our November 1st Open Show and Futurity. Crossfire Ranch Arena is available on October 18th as a substitute location/date. Will be good for Futurity as colts will not have their winter coats.

 

 

Cloud 9: Discussed as a possibility to help run our show events to free up members that may wish to be participants. They use 3 people to do registration, announcer, ring steward and gatekeeper. Their fee is 10%. They are not available for our April 19 or June 14 shows due to prior bookings.

 

Reading of Minutes left to individuals for the sake of time.

 

Treasurers Report - $76 deposit was mentioned in lieu of no report prepared.

 

Scholarship Report – Cotton and Carol Waldron of Whitesboro will be reading essays and choosing 2008 recipient.

 

Old Business:

·                     Showmanship Clinic Details: no new details.

·                     Futurity change: Now October 18th at Crossfire Ranch Arena, Calera, OK instead of November 1st at Choctaw Arena due to construction.

·                     April Show volunteer signup list: You call or Robin Chouteau will!!

·                     Initial backup complete: Disks to be given to Mike Scully.

·                     Freeze branding clinic: Debby VanNurden said Troy McKinney was at the FW Stock Show and will call back. Intent is to provide the service and not just to make money. Must be a HAT member to participate.

·                     Trail rides – Mike Scully was not in attendance to discuss.

 

New Business:

·                     Class Sponsorship Proposal: A price of $25 per class was determined and classes were grouped along with the benefits to be received by sponsor. Gift certificates should also be solicited to accompany prizes. Finalized “menu” to be given at next meeting.

·                     Stradling Ranches – Joe & Bonnie Stradling were not in attendance to discuss. Debby Van Nurden said she had talked to them and they are willing to do clinics. They are located west of Sherman.

·                     Horsemanship Series w/Mick Clark: He has offered 6 classes of 8 people / no limit on auditing. Safety is the main goal. Participants to bring their own horse and tack. Dates TBD and will probably start after spring and should include a rain date/place. Welsh School Road or possibly the Posse Arena. Debby Van Nurden to check with Bob Schnitker to see when arena will be ready for use as their goal if to have arena ready for Rodeo end of March. Mick Clark graduated University of Nebraska Farrier and School of Horsemanship and instructor. He is the trainer of past HAT youth and adult high point winners. Cost $10/class in the past (with HAT membership). Fee was not paid upfront previously, but may be a good idea if participation is limited.

·                     Vet with minis can do a demo.

·                     Anyone who has a suggestion for the club should be willing to back it up with action on their part.

·                     4-H will be doing a Garage Sale on Saturday 2/9 at 2pm with the proceeds to help a 4-H member with heart condition. Sunday, 2/10 there will be a Trail Ride for St. Judes. Donations are needed. There will be a trail ride with Kings Trail Cowboy Church on March 1st.

·                     A “Bribe the Judge” class was proposed to take place at our October 18th show to coincide with Halloween. Participants may lead at halter, ride a mount or stick horse and all may wear costumes. Money can be raised prior to event for use to bribe the judge. The  proceeds could be held in a fund to benefit a HAT member in crisis or in case of a tragedy.

 

The meeting was adjourned.

 

 

February 19 Show Committee Meeting Notes

 

·                     Class additions and deletions – add Challenged Rider and Walk N Whoa back in, and remove Hunter Hack. Trail In Hand was discussed for next year, or possibly for the Futurity.

·                     Age divisions have been adjusted. They are now 12 & Under, 13-18, and 19 & Over.

·                     Showbill to have the words “Open Horse Show” added below the HAT logo. Liability release has been removed and will be on a separate form based on the HAT/CNHA show document. No changes in fees.

·                     For consistency due to its being divided into age divisions, Showmanship will be counted as a Performance class and points are to be awarded for placing. “At Halter” will be removed from the class title so as not to confuse it with the regular Halter classes.

·                     Challenged Rider - Hannah’s Horseshoes of Hope has been contacted; they are having an event on May 10 at Kueckelhan’s in Bonham. Holly Robinson of Grace Lake Ministries Therapeutic Riding Center needs to be notified. Sandra may know of other such specialized organizations to be contacted.

·                     Daily High Point criteria have not changed – must show in 1 Halter and 3 Performance classes to be eligible. Year-End High Point criteria – must show in at least 3 out of the 4 shows, and must enter enough classes to be eligible for the Daily High Point at each show.

·                     Awards for Daily High Point in each age division. There will be a Year-End and Reserve Year-End High Point in each division. Looking at buckles for Year-End High Point, other prizes discussed for Daily and Reserve Year-End awards, and possibly for placings in each class at each show.

·                     Estimated budget needs determined for financing shows. Looking at obtaining sponsors to help defray costs.

·                     Sponsors – discussed possible sponsors for shows, and proposed sponsorship program for classes and groups of classes. Refined and accepted proposal. Since all shows are being held in Oklahoma this year, we would like to get local sponsors. Could cause a conflict with Choctaw’s sponsors – need to discuss with Shanis Goodson.

·                     Publicity –  newsletter, press releases, flyers. Discussed and began work on improving distribution system for HAT Chat to help get the word out.