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| VCMHC Newsletter August 2009 |
LATEST NEWS |
| Sunday, July '09 I have come to cherish an occasional rainy day. First, our crops and flowers need it – that is if you are local to the Piedmont of NC! Second, it gives me a chance to “catch My sister in-law and her husband call it a “Book Day” where they take a break from their restoration – antique business and just enjoy a day off with a favorite book in an easy chair. I think more of us busy horse people should do this! I reflect that we are really in the midst of an INFORMATION FLOOD! Someone called it the Info “Age” but there is so much at one’s fingertips via unsolicited sources as well as resources, such as Google if you want to search for it, that I find myself sidetracked and even forget what I was searching for at times. My friend and your Club Secretary Betsy Buchanan and I ran an Internet development business for a number of years when I first retired from the corporate “world” – at that time we were, dare I say, “ahead” of the” wave” and full of ourselves with the knowledge of HTML a step up from dos and entering the Bill Gate’s world of Windows platforms! It was a tough sell “back then” as many folks did not see a “need” for a web site much less Internet conductivity! Today I’ve heard people say you can steal my car but don’t mess with my Internet service provider (ISP)! I have to admit that iPod’s and Blackberry’s have passed me by – I do not have to be plugged into “music” constantly – quite frankly I feel this adds to motor vehicle accidents – JMHO of course! I would, of course, be lost without my cell phone – have even upgraded to one that is easier to use for texting – however, not while driving! All of this discussion leads me to the Morgan Horse – specifically the American Morgan Horse (AMHA) and its many associations who are in one form or another promoting our wonderful breed! I consider myself a “bottom line” type fellow which may not always be good – however, I dislike wading through the minutia of detail to come to a conclusion – the information age has helped vastly in this area. I got into the habit early on of “Book marking” Internet sites that provided information I thought I might want or need at some future time. Much of this has since been deleted or updated but nonetheless it was there… We many times talk about the VALUE of something, more specifically the VALUE OF BELONGING to something, to some organization. I can think of a few other than equine: AARP, USG, Political Org’s., Frequent Flyer programs, Car Rentals, Insurance plans etc. - ad infinitum. I always marvel at horse folks who will spend a fortune on some – IMHO – frivolous item and then balk at the yearly fee for a convention or year end club dinner or AMHA membership! I have gained so much useful information not just for the horse business but for life in general – that I would never dream of giving up many of my memberships. Admittedly much information is not useful to me (again a bottom line type) but after scanning “stuff” I’ve still got enough memory (;> to be able to “go back” to the source if necessary. AMHA for example has been sending out weekly summaries of events affecting AMHA, its members and the goings on in the Morgan world! I find this a very useful tool, more so than waiting for the monthly magazine. Most recently I’ve been made aware that AMHA has an “AMHA YOU Tube” site on line. It is, BTW, located at: http://www.morganhorse.com/activities_and_recreation/videos/ There are many interesting videos – a wide range and variety of items that would be of interest to any equestrian. I met a fellow horseman at an AMHA convention some years ago in Atlanta - another added value to membership! He is Doug Emerson who was a great speaker and a promoter of the horse industry – more specifically he runs a business called the “Profitable Horseman” – I did join his organization for the VALUE! One on going nugget is his Newsletter which offers information on “how to lose less money raising horses’ (;> Most recently, he commented about how much of a “visual” society we have become. His own 13 year old son was doing a school project and when Doug suggested he read some books on the subject his son responded by saying “No” its much easier to just go to You Tube to watch a video that was applicable – yes it has arrived! Not that books or libraries are extinct or becoming so – I do not believe that – but for us “bottom line” folks please do not disconnect me from my ISP!!! You may not like PC’s or MAC’s or email or Twitter or Facebook or any of the other more personal Internet “interfaces” but they are here to stay and will most likely morph into more amazing things that others are dreaming about today but will be in place and in use very soon – we live in an exponential technological age! Do visit your local club (www.vcmhc.org) and AMHA (www.morganhorse.com) on line… and JOIN if you have not already! So much for my rainy day! Pete 919-618-1234 |
| international saddle seat competition that took place at Cash Lovell Stables in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, August 17-18. Competing against a team from South Africa and an American Saddlebred team, seven riders from each team rode using World Cup rules. Reserve team honors went to the South African team and third went to the Saddlebred team. Gaetana D'Alesio-Spina of Mendon, Massachusetts; Kimberly Forster of Fall City, Washington; Nena Marlin of Brunswick, Maine; Rachel Menard of Walpole, Massachusetts; Sarah Shimmer of Marshall, Michigan; and Emma Ziemer of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. Morgan trainer Sandy Sessink of South Lyon, Michigan, served as the Team's coach, and Jennifer Mason of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, was assistant coach. In addition to the team gold medal, Cusumano was the overall individual gold medal winner and Rachel Menard was the overall bronze medalist. The three- member equitation judging panel was comprised of Betsy Boone, Liz McBride-Jones, and John Whalen. Following Monday's competition, the teams visited Pete and Gael Jaeger's Flintlock Farm in Chapel Hill for dinner. At Pete's Pizza Pavilion, Chef Pete made to order individual pizzas for attendees in his outdoor pizza oven. "AMHA is so appreciative to Cash and Parker Lovell for their generosity and assistance in hosting this event," said AMHA Executive Director, Julie Broadway. “Many thanks to all the Lovell barn ambassadors, parents, and the local community that turned out to cheer on the teams. It was wonderful to have a packed house for both days with over 100 in attendance Tuesday for the finals and the awards ceremony.” Event coordinator, Cindy Mugnier, added, "The Saddle Seat Equitation International event held at Cash Lovell Stables was a huge success. The three competing teams, Team Morgan, Team CLS, and the South African Junior World Cup Team showed the world what horsemanship and sportsmanship are all about. It was an honor to be involved and a joy to witness first hand. "The members of Team Morgan were an amazing group of girls," Mugnier continued. "They were accomplished horsewomen, sportmanslike competitors, and fabulous ambassadors for the Morgan breed and their country." Team Morgan will continue its fundraising efforts for future international equitation competitions. Report from the August edition of the Monthly Mailer for AMHA club by Christina Koliander Communications Specialist/Clubs Liaison American Morgan Horse Association © 2009 American Morgan Horse Association. |
| A Note From Barbara Hewitt Your AMHA Region 10 Director Hello Region 10 Members and Friends, I have recently returned from the productive August Board Meeting in St. Louis, MO. August 2009 AMHA standing committee and Board of directors meeting highlights: The registry committee reviewed YTD registry statistics and held further discussion on reciprocity. The committee anticipates completing and approving the reciprocity agreement and fee structure at the November meeting. Thanks to some recent process changes, staff reported DNA kits can now be sent out electronically. The committee also agreed to evaluate the possibilities of on-line registration with the use of electronic signatures. Having no old business to address, the Bylaws committee began discussion about the potential for online voting in 2011. Staff will work with the committee to evaluate this technology in the coming months. The Information Technology committee reviewed web statistics, which are very favorable, and discussed the pending implementation of the new association database software that is slated to go live in January 2010. The Finance committee focused it's discussion on the 2nd quarter reports which reflected a YTD loss of $91,349 through May 2009 including $31,843 for the pending derivative action suit. June's preliminary financials begin to show the effects of the cost cutting measures implemented in late May and closed at loss of $77,544. Staff continues to make plans to convert AMHA from Dec 1 through Nov 30 fiscal year to a calendar year beginning in 2010. Work has began on the 2010 budget with plans for approval at the November board meeting. The AMHA Board and AMHECT Trustees meetings were held on Saturday August 1, 2009. Key topics discussed included: Plans are underway for the 100-year anniversary celebration including a reception at Grand National show. Approval from the trustees of the Epperson trust to grant the interest income from the trust to the Youth of the Year program Plans to conduct four board meetings in 2010, with the August 2010 board meeting being held via teleconference to keep expenses down. There was discussion to change the information technology committee from a standing committee to a special committee and name the membership committee as a standing committee. An ad hoc committee will evaluate this and make a proposal in November. The regional show committee put forward several changes to regional show criteria for 2010. These were approved and will be communicated by staff in the coming weeks. The group considered a proposal for conducting three judging school in 2010: Southern States, Jubilee, Mass Morgan or UPHA Chapter 14 depending on level of interest. Staff will conduct a survey for members input. The board approved changes to three standard operating procedures based on experiences from 2009 election. SOPS 16,17 and 18 were updated. Cindy Mugnier reported the AMHA/AMHI building committee is holding several fundraisers including events at New England, Mass Morgan, Medallion, and Grand National Sherry Cole presented the proposal by the horse show ratings ad hoc committee that will recognize shows with Morgan classes. Based on specified criteria shows may receive a rating to reflect their offerings and participation in AMHA programs. The trustees of the American Morgan Horse Educational Charitable Trust heard a financial report with included restricted funds of $11,084 and unrestricted funds of $1,353. The trustees granted $500 to AMHA to defray the costs of production of the judging standards booklet. Sara Foy shared plans for the upcoming Team Morgan competition. The complete audio files from the August 2009 AMHA Board of Directors meeting are available on the "Members Only" side of the website. It's the next best thing to being there! If you are looking for more places to show or to socialize and watch Morgans show, we have three USEF recognized horse shows remaining this season here in Region 10: Sept 4th - 6th is the Old Dominion Morgan, Lexington, VA. Sept 16th - 19th is the NC State Championship, Raleigh, NC Oct 19th - 24th is the NC State Fair, Raleigh, NC The Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show will be held October 10 - 17 in Oklahoma City, OK. The website is: www.morgangrandnational.com The AMHA Annual Convention and Meeting of the Members will be held February 17-20th in Lexington, Kentucky. The theme will be, "The Morgan Horse, Kentucky Bluegrass & You!" If you would like to meet fellow Morgan enthusiasts in your Region 10 -- Consisting of Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina & Virginia. Joining one of the AMHA recognized Morgan Clubs is a great way to do so. There are currently three in Region 10: Delmarva Morgan Horse Club Old Dominion Morgan Horse Association Virginia-Carolinas Morgan Horse Club, Inc. In Addition, the Carolina Morgan Horse Club is a new group of Morgan lovers whose focus is trail riding & family activities. This is a relaxed club made of groups scattered across the Carolina's that meet to trail ride together for the fun of it. All are welcome. They have also been active in Morgan Horse Rescue & Placement. For more information, please contact Suzette Boisselle at: harmonymorgans@gmail.com In the upcoming elections, Region 10 will be voting for a Director at Large. As the summer winds up, I hope you are having lots of good times with your Morgans and Morgan friends -- out on the trail, at home, on the farm, on the ranch, showing, and on the road. Please contact me if you have suggestions, concerns, would like to be a member of a committee, or need information. As always, I am happy to hear from you. Happy Trails, Barbara Barbara Duell Hewitt AMHA Region 10 Director Fredericksburg, VA Please email me at: Barbara@morganhorse.com |
| A Note from Pete Jaeger Just a short note to let you know that Flintlock Farm had the pleasure of introducing a number of South African equestrians to THE MORGAN HORSE - many for the first time as they compete with Saddlebreds. There were approximately 60 of us who gathered for a fun afternoon. It was a pleasure to have Julie Broadway, Cindy Munier, Sandy Sessnick, Sara Foy and other AMHA personnel joining us. After some summer rain showers prior to their arrival - we watched Rob, Anne, Jamie Fiocco and others show off our mares and foals and put older horses thru their varied venues. We served "Southern (sweet)" iced tea w/mint sprigs ringside and after the presentations retired to the Pavilion where pizzas and a variety of casseroles prepared by Gael were devoured by both hungry young folks and adults. The group from South Africa (some Afrikaners - some English) were very polite and interesting youngsters - all female save one laddie! We had a great time representing the greater Morgan Community! Pete Right: Anne Ebbert-Marsh sharing with a number of South African Equestrians and their Parents in the Flintlock Farm Barn. Right: Pete introducing members of Flintlock staff and Gael who shared information and comments about the Flintlock Morgans during the horse presentations... |
W H Masai (Nairobi x Lady Ann and shown by Patricia West and Alex Morgan honors at the East Coast Open Horse Show. The event was held on June 20-21 in Williamstown, NC. Pat reports.... I won Morgan High Point at the June 20-21 East Coast Open Show at Williamston. I competed with my Morgan W.H. Masai in dressage and huntseat. My neice, Alex Lewis, rode him in the youth classes for huntseat and I rode in huntseat and dressage. Together we won Morgan High Point for the show and reserve champion in Saddle Pleasure Type horse for the show. I sent the form in that AMHA issues when you win the award. I don't know if they've notified the club...but I was really excited!.....Pat |
| VCMHC Members KUDOS!! |
daughter Rebecca's latest competitive honors... at the Walnut Hill Driving Championship You'll be pleased to hear that Rebecca was 4th overall in the Large Pony division out of 19 entries - she was the only Junior in that division. She won her Scurry Obstacle Class by 5 seconds! She was also the overall AMHA Morgan Horse Champion for the Show. She was awarded honors during the Parade of Champions on Sunday afternoon. She is thrilled but completely exhausted. This compares to the Grand Nationals for Carriage competitions as far as hard work and exhaustion are concerned! We will send photos as soon as they arrive. See all the Walnut Hill results on the Morgan Horse website: http://www.morganhorse.com/ news_events/latest_news/ walnuthill_09/ |
| Rebecca and CL Just A Miracle |
| Let us hear about your good news send reports to Wendy at virginiacarolinas@vcmhc.org |