Why do I like horses? I think I must be mad.
My mother wasn't horsey - And neither was my dad.
But the madness hit me early - And it hit me like a curse.
And I've never gotten better. In fact, I've gotten worse.
I hardly read a paper - but I know who's sold their horse.
And I wouldn't watch the news - Unless Mr. Ed was on, of course.
One eye's always on the heavens - But my washing waves in vain
As I rush to get the horses in - In case it's gonna rain.
I spend up every cent I've got - On horsey stuff for sure
I buy saddles, bridles, fancy boots - And then I buy some more.
I can't sew on a button - I don't even try
But I can back a truck and trailer - In the twinkling of an eye.
It's jeans and boots that I live in night and day
And that smell of sweaty horses just doesn't wash away.
I ache from long forgotten falls. My knees have got no skin.
My toes have gone a funny shape - from being stomped on again and again.
But late at night, when all is still - and I've gone to give them hay,
I touch their velvet softness and my worries float away.
They give a gentle nicker and they nuzzle through my hair
And I know it's where my heart is - more here than anywhere.
Author Unknown...Submitted by Karen Gagliano, FoxTROT Treasurer
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Minutes from the 2011 Winter Board of Director's Meeting
The 2011 Fox TROT Board of Directors met on January 8, 2011 at Uncle Buck's Restaurant in Sevier County. In attendance were Sam Gerhardt (President), Lea Valentine (Vice President), Samm Riggin (Secretary), Donna Maurer (Mid. TN Rep), Heather Webb (East TN Rep) - as well as members Debby Gerhardt and Ray Maurer. Due to the weather, Treasurer, Karen Gagliano was unable to be present.
On the agenda and discussed was the 2011 ride schedule (as listed above on the blogspot). At the Spring Gathering (March 26, 2011 at Catoosa Ridge) a pot luck dinner will be served at 5:30pm at the Catoosa Ridge dining hall. A group ride will be organized for those who want to ride earlier in the day. Some members will come early (Thursday/Friday) and spend the weekend - all are welcome!
The Summer ride at Orchard Cove Stables in Townsend (June 15 - 18, 2011) will be a MFTHBA National Trail Ride sponsored by FoxTROT. Samm Riggin will work with Freda Webb at OCS to redesign/update the T-shirts for the event. Activities for the weekend and possible trail routes were discussed. The possiblitliy of having professional entertainment on Saturday pm was also talked about. FoxTROT board members agreed to pay the $5 fee for the National Trail Ride for current FoxTROT members. *Camping space for this event is filling up FAST. If planning to attend, book early!!
September 28 - October 2, 2011 are the dates for Fox Trotter Affair to be held at East Fork Stables in Jamestown, TN. FoxTROT will be responsible for the trail portion of the event. It was also agreed to spend up to $150 to sponsor the event. Trail rides for Fox Trotter Affair will also be MFTHBA National Trail rides and co-sponsored by FoxTROT and a Georgia MFT affiliate.
The MFTHBA Youth Affiliate has asked FoxTROT to help with a National Trail Ride to be held at East Fork Stables (Jamestown, TN) during Memorial Day weekend (May 28 - 30, 2011). Details to come.
The FoxTROT regional reps are putting together smaller day rides and/or weekend rides to be held in between our larger, scheduled events. These will be announced via email and phone calls as they are scheduled.
Trainer clinics specific to gaited breeds were discussed. Trainer Liz Graves will hold a gaited horse clinic at Orchard Cove Stables in Townsend, TN the last weekend of August (8/27 - 28/2011).
It was discussed to put out a "feeler" with members to see if there is an interest in holding a "Ground Manners" mini-clinic to be held in the Spring.
Membership participation awards to boost member involvement were discussed. Plans are in the works for different awards to be presented for various rides (ie 1st ride, 10th ride, 30th ride, etc). Sam suggested a larger award (ie MFT belt buckle) to be awarded for 30+ rides as an example.
Affiliate membership with the ACTHA (American Competitive Trail Horse Association) is being looked into. What are the "perks" for FoxTROT?
Sam discussed the importance of FoxTROT continuing on as an affiliate with the MFTHBA and the requirement of the board to be current MFTHBA members. This is to help ensure that FoxTROT remain true to it's mission as a Missouri Fox Trotter trail riding group.
Individual officer responsibilities were gone over for the benefit of incoming officers.
Because Karen Gagliano (Treasurer) was not present, there was no treasurer's report presented.
All in all, meeting time was very well spent and everyone left with great excitement for our group and the upcoming year!
On the agenda and discussed was the 2011 ride schedule (as listed above on the blogspot). At the Spring Gathering (March 26, 2011 at Catoosa Ridge) a pot luck dinner will be served at 5:30pm at the Catoosa Ridge dining hall. A group ride will be organized for those who want to ride earlier in the day. Some members will come early (Thursday/Friday) and spend the weekend - all are welcome!
The Summer ride at Orchard Cove Stables in Townsend (June 15 - 18, 2011) will be a MFTHBA National Trail Ride sponsored by FoxTROT. Samm Riggin will work with Freda Webb at OCS to redesign/update the T-shirts for the event. Activities for the weekend and possible trail routes were discussed. The possiblitliy of having professional entertainment on Saturday pm was also talked about. FoxTROT board members agreed to pay the $5 fee for the National Trail Ride for current FoxTROT members. *Camping space for this event is filling up FAST. If planning to attend, book early!!
September 28 - October 2, 2011 are the dates for Fox Trotter Affair to be held at East Fork Stables in Jamestown, TN. FoxTROT will be responsible for the trail portion of the event. It was also agreed to spend up to $150 to sponsor the event. Trail rides for Fox Trotter Affair will also be MFTHBA National Trail rides and co-sponsored by FoxTROT and a Georgia MFT affiliate.
The MFTHBA Youth Affiliate has asked FoxTROT to help with a National Trail Ride to be held at East Fork Stables (Jamestown, TN) during Memorial Day weekend (May 28 - 30, 2011). Details to come.
The FoxTROT regional reps are putting together smaller day rides and/or weekend rides to be held in between our larger, scheduled events. These will be announced via email and phone calls as they are scheduled.
Trainer clinics specific to gaited breeds were discussed. Trainer Liz Graves will hold a gaited horse clinic at Orchard Cove Stables in Townsend, TN the last weekend of August (8/27 - 28/2011).
It was discussed to put out a "feeler" with members to see if there is an interest in holding a "Ground Manners" mini-clinic to be held in the Spring.
Membership participation awards to boost member involvement were discussed. Plans are in the works for different awards to be presented for various rides (ie 1st ride, 10th ride, 30th ride, etc). Sam suggested a larger award (ie MFT belt buckle) to be awarded for 30+ rides as an example.
Affiliate membership with the ACTHA (American Competitive Trail Horse Association) is being looked into. What are the "perks" for FoxTROT?
Sam discussed the importance of FoxTROT continuing on as an affiliate with the MFTHBA and the requirement of the board to be current MFTHBA members. This is to help ensure that FoxTROT remain true to it's mission as a Missouri Fox Trotter trail riding group.
Individual officer responsibilities were gone over for the benefit of incoming officers.
Because Karen Gagliano (Treasurer) was not present, there was no treasurer's report presented.
All in all, meeting time was very well spent and everyone left with great excitement for our group and the upcoming year!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
A New Year - A New FoxTROT
FoxTROT's 2011 BOD (l-r) Samm Riggin - Secretary, Lea Valentine - Vice President, Heather Webb - East TN Rep, Sam Gerhardt - President, Ray Maurer - Member, Donna Maurer - Middle TN Rep
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