The 2017 ODS retreat was well attended and I was excited to see a lot of new faces. I made the theme “change is in the air” . This became particularly relevant after our treasurer Dolores outlined the budget this year and showed that without changes we would be in the red. Not included was any potential income from the ODS Championship Show, the League Finals and the Fall Festival. This really drove home the point of how much ODS is depending on income from these shows to provide the programs and benefits our members enjoy. The budget presented provided that we could break even if we did not produce the roster. The members attending the meeting felt that we really need to produce one and Karen Cheeke offered to bring the need to the Mid Valley Chapter and ask if they would provide the needed funds. I am pleased to announce that Mid Valley Chapter has agreed to fund the roster this year.
We discussed the need to innovate and help relieve the load of work that Corinne does in the office by having new technology that works for us (i.e. online membership cards, roster, etc). One system Corinne explored had a huge plus of having a system which has automatic credit card processing that would deposit into our checking account two to four times per month. This is not only for membership, but also for event registration. So when we offer an L-program, instructor-trainer, Fall Festival, and Youth camp. The registration will all be able to be done via the website, not managed separately using different types of systems. We might be able to also add horse show registration through the system. Imagine how easy that would make entering shows?
Last year the board had voted to discontinue the omnibus for multiple reasons, but the production of the omnibus was becoming more time consuming, less popular with show management, more expensive to print/mail and by the time it was produced, out of date. We felt that the ODS calendar would be able to provide the same information. So please check out the ODS calendar for your shows and information on other ODS programs. There are also several volunteers who have been busy creating Facebook event pages for shows and events that will be a hub of information for anyone interested (and these pages provide a place for competitors, volunteers, management and friends to interact, RSVP, ask questions, etc.).
Until next month,
Gaye
Office Notes:
Attention High School Dressage Seniors!
Scholarship application deadline is April 1. If you are a graduating Senior, involved in the High School Dressage program and will be attending college next year, you may apply for the ODS College Scholarship. The application and guidelines are posted on the ODS Website’s High School page. If you need any assistance please feel free to contact Gaye McCabe at J-G.McCabe@Juno.com or call her at (503) 378-0309
ODS Office Winter Hours:
Office hours are still Tuesday and Thursday from 9 – 1 or by appointment. Our office will be closed from March 24 – April 1 for NW Horse Fair/Expo and Spring Break; please plan accordingly. Watch the website for changes to office hours which may happen for spring term. If you have an urgent situation and cannot reach our part-time staff person, please contact an ODS Officer or Director as listed here in Flying Changes or on the ODS Website.
Help Wanted: Volunteers! The ODS Office has a webpage for volunteer opportunities. It is http://www.oregondressage.com/volunteer.html. In addition to volunteer requests on this page, our office is seeking helpers for various projects which could be done in person at our office in Hillsboro or remotely; keeping webpages updated, merchandise coordination, organizing mailings and more. We are also seeking a chair and several committee members. Please call the ODS Office at (503) 681-2337 for info.
ODS Licensed and League Shows: Please remember to check the ODS calendar often for changes. Many shows have chosen to apply for ODS Approval late this year. Contact the ODS Office if you have questions about a particular show.
Fort Vancouver Chapter – ODS:
VOLUNTEER FOR SCH. SHOW AND WIN PRIZES!!!
This year all volunteers at the schooling shows will be given raffle tickets for the hours that they work. You will be able to enter them into drawing at the end of the season for the prizes of your choice! Right now we have Lessons, discounts on clinic and a free horse sheet of your color!!!! Anyone with more prizes to donate please contact Jennifer Allen – globetrekkerjen@gmail.com
We are collecting inexpensive stuff – $5.00 -to put into the volunteer gift box at the shows. You can drop off the stuff at Summerfield Farm or bring to the next meeting.
REPEATING SAME OLD STUFF:.
Future Activities: Carol Ramsey said her barn was available to host an obstacle ride to be held sometime in July, August or September. The fields will be dry enough to park trailers.
Nancy Connolly offered to give a talk on confirmation. Chris Malone offered to demonstrate braiding. Have someone put together a working equitation clinic. A chapter trail ride at Whipple Creek and movie night were mentioned.
The Horse Expo is March 3, 4, 5 at the Clark County Fairgrounds.
. The chapter needs a treasurer for next year who should start apprenticing with . Lorraine so she could show them the rope for a year before she resigns.
New Business: Nancy Koski said the 2017 CC Executive Horse Council Directory is now available . She mentioned the Whipple Creek Restoration Committee needs volunteers to help maintain the trails.
Lorraine asked for donations of underwear, personal hygiene products, etc. for homeless teens at the alternative school. You can call Lorraine and she will pick up the donations.
Lower Puget Sound Chapter – ODS:
Year in Review – 2016
During 2016 our chapter held 8 shows at 3 venues in the Kitsap & Pierce County areas in Washington State. One of our venues was new to us -The Kitsap Saddle Club. Well, it was new to the current board and members, but was actually one of our first venues, and possibly our only venue, when our chapter was first founded in 1980. Several of our shows filled to capacity, a few did not, but were full enough.
In addition to our shows, we held a Musical Freestyle Clinic with Cynthia Collins at Starr Valley Farms, and a Ride & Review Clinic following our July Show with Diane Royce ‘R’. We also held a clinic on horse massage with Lola Michelin from Northwest School of Massage at Canterwood Riding Center.
Plans for this year – 2017
Our annual Awards Banquet and Silent Auction will be held at the Inn at Gig Harbor on February 4, 2017. High Point awards will be given to a Youth, Adult Amateur and Open Rider, and 1st-8th place awards will be given out to riders in each of these divisions, Intro – Grand Prix.
On February 24-26th Cynthia Collins will return for a Freestyle Clinic which has already filled.
On April 7th, our chapter will host a Show Season Strategy Workshop with Jennifer Verharen at the Gig Harbor Library. We are also planning a New Member Welcome and Volunteer Clinic to be held later in April.
The first two shows of the season will be held on May 6th and 7th at the Kitsap Saddle Club. Amanda Wilgenburg ‘L’ is our judge for Saturday and Anne Apppleby ‘R’ is our judge for Sunday.
In June we will head to Sawda Equestrian Center for our Jolly June shows on June 10th and 11th. Lisa Boyer ‘L’ is our judge on Saturday and Patricia Morine ‘L’ is our judge on Sunday.
Our Sizzling Summer show will be held on July 9th at Chalice Farms, with Debbie Spence ‘R’. A Ride & Review Clinic will follow on Sunday.
On August 12th and 14th we will be at the Bainbridge Island Saddle Club for Hot August Nights 1 & 2. Kimberly Wiese ‘L’ is our judge on Saturday and Linda Coates-Markel ‘L’ is our judge on Sunday.
Our Final Fall Fling will be held at Lazy K Stables on Sunday, September 3rd with Jennifer Verharen ‘L’.
Members need to ride in 3 of our shows to qualify for year-end awards, and must volunteer a minimum of 6 hours throughout the show season. Two additional shows will count towards our year end awards program. These shows will be held at the Bainbridge Island Saddle Club, on May 6th and October 7th.
In July or August, we will have our 5th annual summer BBQ for our members, hosted by Sandra Schugren and Ric Seymour. This is a great time for our members to come together and enjoy great food, drinks and live music by The Nightmates.
Last, but not least, on October 14th and 15th, our chapter will offer a clinic with Mike Osinski ‘S’. The clinic will be held at Chalice Farms on October and is open to members and non-members. Auditors are welcome.
Twin Rivers Chapter – ODS:
TRC has a few things coming up for February and March. First we have our clinician Heather Oleson joining us again for the weekend of February 25 and 26th, rides are $150 a ride or $15 a day to audit. Lunch and snacks provided. If you would like more information please contact Jaimie Lewellyn at jannelewellyn@gmail.com. We have a tack sale on March 12th from 10-4 at Eskay Equestrians. If you have any tack you’d like to sell please contact Sally (541) 729-0960 or sjt89not@epud.net or Jaimie (541)844-6521 or jannelewellyn@gmail.com Please leave a message, and they’ll return your calls with necessary tack sale info. Lastly we have a schooling show on the 19th from 9-5 located at Silver Tail Farm in Creswell Oregon. All of the information for our upcoming events can be viewed on the Twin Rivers Chaper of ODS facebook page.