Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Catching Up - February through April 2011
Once again, life has gotten in the way of keeping this site current. With that being said, it is time to bring you all up to date. February through April brought us ice, snow, thunderstorms, tornadoes and hail, but in between all that has been trail riding, Spring flowers and brand new MFT babies! Let me see if I can get this put together for you.
February: Cold, Icy, Snowy...Need I say more? There were a few nice enough days that the "die hards" (Terry, Ray and Donna, Lea, Sam and Debby, as well as a few others) saddled up and ventured out. Show some of us a sunny day above freezing in February and we're going to hit the trail!
March: March brought some better days and opportunities to get out. Donna Maurer and the Central FoxTROT group began day riding together a good bit. The members who maintain places at Big South Fork began to get out more as well. Of course, Deb and I were out on our Smoky Mountain Trails. The 2011 FoxTROT Spring Gathering at Catoosa Ridge Stables in Crossville went well for those who were able to join us. However, we were disappointed that cold nasty weather kept many away who had intended to come. In spite of the weather, the 9 or so of us were able to get in good rides on Friday and Saturday. The pot luck meal on Saturday evening was great as we enjoyed the food, fellowship and drawing for the door prizes. Last year we had The Winter Gathering the end of February and froze, this year we had The Spring Gathering the end of March and nearly froze. I say we set The 2012 Spring Gathering for the end of April! Maybe we won't freeze and, hopefully, we won't get blown away in a tornado!
We want to acknowledge and give special thanks to those who so generously donated the door prizes for The 2011 FoxTROT Spring Gathering. The MFTHBA Promotions Committee (Amber Wilson) sent a nice box of gifts with a value of more than $50.0o. The Horse Emporium (Kathy Kear) in Knoxville gave a ball cap. Heaven's Gait Farm (Jaime Whiteaker) gave a Foxtrotter Affair T-Shirt. The FoxTROT Board gave a 2012 Membership to FoxTROT. True West Campground and Stables (new owners, Shawn and Donna Martin) gave a $100.00 gift certificate. Catoosa Ridge Stables gave two 2011 season passes to day ride. The following Horse Camps gave 2 nights camping with 2 stalls: Catoosa Ridge Stables (CRS gave two 2 nights w/ 2 stalls!), Orchard Cove Stables, Circle E Guest Ranch, The Bolo Club, Big South Fork Lodge, and East Fork Stables. Be sure to support all of these friends this year with your patronage!
April: Many more day rides as the weather began to improve. The Central FoxTROT group was especially active throughout April. Donna and Terry have done very well at getting folks together to ride in Middle Tennessee. As we all know, the end of April brought the tragic weather to many in the Southeast. To my knowledge, no one in FoxTROT had any major damage to person or property. However, the storms did do much damage at The Seven Springs Lodge in Alabama, causing Central FoxTROT to cancel the planned 3 day ride there for the end of April.
Oh! I dare not forget to mention that with springtime comes new "babies"! Congrats to Lea Valentine and Jaime Whiteaker for the new additions to their Fox Trotter families!
Surely, I've left something important out. If so, please forgive me. Enjoy the rest of Spring 2011. Get out, get together and let's Foxtrotting Trail Ride in Tennessee!!
Happy Trails, Sam Gerhardt, President, FoxTROT
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Why Do I like Horses - A Poem
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
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
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
Friday, December 10, 2010
Randolph the Bow Legged Cowboy!
Christmas is a special time of year! It is a time of Family, Friends, Faith and Films (Don't you all enjoy the holiday movies?)! Well, I've been singing a song I learned YEARS ago to my children and now grandchildren (or whoever else's children that will listen!). I have no idea who wrote it or how to give credit. You may find that the children in your life will enjoy it, so I'm sharing with you. Sing this to the tune of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer".
"Randolph the bow legged cowboy
Had a very shiny gun,
And if you ever saw it
You would turn away and run.
All of the other cowboys
Used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Randolph
Join in any horseback games.
Then one snowy Christmas Eve,
The sheriff came to say,
Randolph with your guns so bright,
Won't you lead my posse tonight?
Then how the cowgirls loved him,
And they shouted out with glee,
Randolph the bowlegged cowboy
You'll go down in history!"
Merry Christmas and Happy Trails,
Sam Gerhardt
President, FoxTROT
"Randolph the bow legged cowboy
Had a very shiny gun,
And if you ever saw it
You would turn away and run.
All of the other cowboys
Used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Randolph
Join in any horseback games.
Then one snowy Christmas Eve,
The sheriff came to say,
Randolph with your guns so bright,
Won't you lead my posse tonight?
Then how the cowgirls loved him,
And they shouted out with glee,
Randolph the bowlegged cowboy
You'll go down in history!"
Merry Christmas and Happy Trails,
Sam Gerhardt
President, FoxTROT
Elections and Membership Renewals
Well, here we are at the end of another successful year. From The Winter Gathering on to our first National Trail Ride and then to the Foxtrotter Affair, FoxTROT experienced great participation and reviews in 2010. We anticipate 2011 to be even better! It is now time to cast your ballot for the 2011 officers and to renew your membership. The new candidates are all actively involved in FoxTROT and bring energy and additional ideas to us. Please thoroughly answer the ballot and mail it with your completed membership renewal and dues. Many have already accomplished this. Your input and continued support is what makes FoxTROT viable, motivated and successful. Let me see an envelope from you in my mail box soon!
It is also time to renew membership in the national organization, the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association. There are many benefits to belonging to the MFTHBA (http://www.mfthba.com/), the most important being the right to vote and to provide input to the direction of the organization. It is my personal experience that the leadership of the MFTHBA does have an ear and will respond to communication from the membership. There are many positive changes taking place in the MFTHBA and I like to think that those changes have been influenced by individual members who remain actively engaged. Of course, as I write this I'm aware that most of FoxTROT want to trail ride and have no interest in the affairs of the MFTHBA. This is understandable, believe me! However, the MFTHBA is OUR breed registry. To keep it strong we must be members; to influence it in a better direction we must vote and communicate our desires and concerns. There is strength in numbers. Please consider joining or renewing your membership in the MFTHBA for 2011.
FoxTROT's next full organizational ride will be The Spring Gathering at Catoosa Ridge Stables, Crossville, TN, Saturday, 26 March 2011. Notice this is a "Spring" Gathering. Last year The "Winter" Gathering had a bit too much "winter" so we postponed this event for a month in 2011. Be looking for further information after the new year.
It is also time to renew membership in the national organization, the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association. There are many benefits to belonging to the MFTHBA (http://www.mfthba.com/), the most important being the right to vote and to provide input to the direction of the organization. It is my personal experience that the leadership of the MFTHBA does have an ear and will respond to communication from the membership. There are many positive changes taking place in the MFTHBA and I like to think that those changes have been influenced by individual members who remain actively engaged. Of course, as I write this I'm aware that most of FoxTROT want to trail ride and have no interest in the affairs of the MFTHBA. This is understandable, believe me! However, the MFTHBA is OUR breed registry. To keep it strong we must be members; to influence it in a better direction we must vote and communicate our desires and concerns. There is strength in numbers. Please consider joining or renewing your membership in the MFTHBA for 2011.
FoxTROT's next full organizational ride will be The Spring Gathering at Catoosa Ridge Stables, Crossville, TN, Saturday, 26 March 2011. Notice this is a "Spring" Gathering. Last year The "Winter" Gathering had a bit too much "winter" so we postponed this event for a month in 2011. Be looking for further information after the new year.
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