February meeting

We had a FULL house for our February 7 chapter meeting at Clover Valley Equestrian Center outside Newberg. The 25 in attendance included several visitors; we hope they decide to join us as members!

Sharon and Patty recapped the ODS retreat for us. One of the things discussed at the retreat was the Linda Acheson Education Fund. Since Linda was an active member of CMC until she died and we put on the first Benefit Shows, we decided to look into putting on a Ride-a-Test benefit for that fund this summer. Michelle is looking into a judge(s) for that, along with dates that will work. We plan to hold it at Clover Valley Equestrian Center, thanks to our generous hostess!

With the Bears Show coming up on March 5th and 6th, that was a primary item of business. The show still has rides available; the closing date is February 22. We are still in need of volunteers; if you haven't signed up to volunteer yet, please email Janis Worrall at will.janis.worrall@gmail.com.

Lastly we discussed upcoming meetings and events (in addition to the Ride-a-Test benefit). Our March meeting will be a celebratory pizza party at Abby's on March 14 at 7:00 p.m. Our April 4 meeting (back on the first Monday night of the month) will feature special guest Cydria Schaefer to discuss the training she does with body awareness and riding. Towards the end of April we are planning a thermography clinic with Miriah Stuart. On June 25 JoAnn Cooke will host a trail course play day at her arena/farm, and on September 25 we'll head back to JoAnn's for our chapter picnic (with trail ride and elections).

In member news, our treasurer Andrea Onstine is sporting a sparkly engagement ring!
The wedding date is September 17; congratulations, Andrea!

In the news

Legislation alert
Senate Bill 262, now under consideration, would impact all horse owners. Click on the name (it's a hot link) and take a look it for yourself.

"As the 2011 Legislative session kicks off, SB 262 creates a new system that requires anyone wanting to become a horse owner in Oregon to submit an application, pay up to $100 and wait for the state to approve ownership. And, if you already own a horse, you will be required to register it with the state and pay the fee anyway. If you want to sell horses, you must register as an "equine trader" by paying another fee up to $100, have a notary stamp the sale document, send monthly reports to the state on your horses' health and the state can enter your property at any time to inspect" — AFP Oregon Newsletter
The bill also mandates that no horse be transported more than 8 hours without a 6 hour break out of the trailer. This may be something you may want to weigh in on....

A new study on unwanted horses reveals the size of the problem
The Journal of Animal Sciences has issued a study on unwanted horses and their outcomes. The researchers investigated the effect of closing equine slaughter facilities in the U.S. in 2007. The tough economy also has contributed to a sharp increase in the number of unwanted horses throughout the United States, with estimates totaling 100,000 horses per year, according to the report.
To read the entire report, click here.

It's a wrap: CMC Christmas Party 2010

On Sunday evening, December 5, a good turn-out of CMC members arrived at Suzi and Jim Ronning's beautifully decorated home for the annual chapter Christmas party.

We visited:

Ate:

Handed out awards:

Drew names for the Powerball prizes:

And opened (and stole) Christmas presents:

High-score award winners were Sharon Knowlton and her horse Wred at Introductory Level; Suzi Ronning and Luke Flynn at Training Level, and Suzi and Felino at First Level. (Laura Ritacco and Falcor were the high-score winners at Intermediare I, but that information was not available at party time.) Sylvia Kantas, Andrea Onstine and Suzi Ronning were acknowledged for all their contributions to our chapter; Chris Brown received the "Most Improved Rider" award; and a "Good Samaritan" award was given to both Suzi Ronning and Ashley Bertell for their help with Wred when Sharon broke her wrist.

The Powerball winners of $25 gift certificates to Gallops were Suzi, Sylvia, and Jane Baer, with the big prize of a $100 gift certificate going to Marilyn Rodriguez.

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Remember, our January meeting has been moved to the second Monday, January 10, at 7 p.m. Our speaker will be Cydria Schaefer DVM, CVA, who is a certified Yoga and Centered Riding instructor, and has started studies in the Feldenkrais Method of Awareness Through Movement. Cydria will be explaining the biodynamics of the human body and how our movement affects our horses, and how she helps riders work more harmoniously with their horses. So mark your calendars for January 10 at Clover Valley Equestrian Center!