Big Sky Fox Trotter Association

Minutes for the August 4, 2007 meeting (draft version)

Jokers Wild Restaurant, Missoula, MT

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Donna Goss reported that the current balance is $4,339.14. 

The Helena show balance is $1,512.44, and Jerry Christison and Mary Greene brought in $1,500 in sponsorship money--quite an accomplishment!

The 13th annual point show at Sapphire Event Center balance is $889.83 so far.  We still need to pay Rocky Mountain Supply for the silver belt buckles and Gail Hansen will track down that bill.  There are championship sponsors plaques that still need to be ordered also.  Reasons for a dip in the Sapphire Event Center show income are a smaller number of participants, higher cost for the show programs and the raffle income is not included in the budget. 

Donna reported that the club shirts cost $923, we have sold $546 so far, and that leaves a deficit of $377.  Let her know if you want to buy a denim or polo-style shirt with the club emblem for $26 (406-961-3119 or mrg1947m@netscape.net).  National Finals Rodeo tickets have raised $201 so far, and and Candace Erickson is the contact person for more tickets (406-544-9238 or candacemont@yahoo.com).  With board approval, we purchased a timer and tripods for timed show events for $466.66.  These worked well at the Sapphire show.  Bill Free moved and Annette Padgett seconded a motion to approve the treasurer’s report.  Motion passed.

Mary Greene reported that the Front Range of the Bob Marshall Wilderness is now closed due to forest fires, and her August 10-11 ride there had to be postponed.  It may be rescheduled for fall if fire conditions change.  Hunting season starts September 15 so if the ride is scheduled after that, riders need to wear orange, although Mary said that hunters in that area have not been a problem for riders in the past.  The Fall Gather Ride, hosted by the Big Horn Basin Fox Trotter Association, organized by Gary Becker, and taking place in the Sunlight Basin area of northwestern Wyoming, is a go and a lot of riders have signed up.  Rebecca Cameron asked about organizing more BSFTA rides and Bob stated that if it is a BSFTA-sanctioned ride, we have to pay an additional insurance fee.  He encouraged her to organize rides informally, and she agreed to write an article for the newsletter asking for members who are interested in small group trail rides.

Helena Versatility Show at Rae’s Arena (May 10-12): Co-chair Mark Goss reported that judge Joe Ruiz did a consistent and competent job.  He felt the show went well, but it needs more involvement from others to keep it going.  He thanked Jerry and Mary for their excellent job of obtaining sponsors.  Members felt that we should print a program listing the sponsors for next year’s Helena show, in a format similar to the program printed for the annual point show.

2007 Annual Point Show at Sapphire Event Center (July 5-7): Rick Padgett, show chair, reported that the facility was great and we should continue to use it in the future.  He thanked the many people who helped him greatly: Mark and Donna Goss, Annette Padgett, Karen Philips, Leslie Womack and many others.  It was a relaxed and fun atmosphere which was his goal as show chair.  Pete Peterson reiterated what Rick said.  Mary Greene said that the reduced schedule probably helped with the atmosphere because the ranch horse classes were pulled out of the schedule.  Also, model and showmanship classes were held Thursday night.  These changes opened up the schedule greatly.  Bob Womack said the number of competitors was smaller but the level of competition was excellent.  He reported that Utah and Washington competitors have promised to be at our show next year.  We also got very positive comments from Cindy Stefka, co-owner of the Sapphire Event Center.  Rebecca Cameron commented that the requirement for an amateur card for all novice classes is discouraging to new competitors.  Bob said this issue will be discussed and made very clear for next year’s show and its novice competitors.

NFR Raffle Tickets Fundraiser: Bob Womack will make arrangements to have young people he knows sell these tickets at the Western Montana Fair, if fair management will allow it.  Donna Goss moved and Jack Womack seconded that we pay 25% of the total ticket sales sold at the Western Montana Fair to the youth ticket sellers. Motion passed.  Mark Goss moved and Jack Womack seconded that BSFTA donate 50 cents per ticket sold at the Ravalli County Fair to the Northern Rodeo Association Crisis Fund.  Motion passed.  Donna, Mark and Rebecca Cameron volunteered to sell tickets there.  Quality Supply in Missoula and Hamilton will allow us to sell tickets at their stores.

Letter to MFTHBA Regarding Canter Rule: Bob Womack reported that the MFTHBA board was scheduled to discuss the letter BSFTA sent to MFTHBA requesting that the rule which prevents excessive pumping of horses in the canter be enforced at the Celebration show.  He has sent the letter to them several times, and he has heard nothing yet but will keep trying.

By-laws: Pete Peterson is head of the by-laws committee, and he will start work on revising them soon.  He will contact members for feedback.

2008 MFTHBA Board Election: Mark Goss is running for MFTHBA board position #1 and asked for BSFTA members’ support and vote.  He has received many positive comments from around the country from members who are tired of the “good old boys” network in Missouri.  Feedback from them has been focused on spending priorities in Ava.  He also recommended John Deutsch, an independent thinker who is running for board position #2.

Annual Banquet: Annette Padgett has booked December 1, 2007, as the date for the banquet which will be held again at the Missoula Country Club.  Annette will organize the event and Bob really wants a lot of members to attend.  Bob appointed Annette and Mark Goss to assist him on the banquet awards committee.  Mark Goss moved and Bill Free seconded that BSFTA allocate $500 for year-end recognition awards at the banquet.  Motion passed.

2007 Regional Versatility Circuit Winners: Congratulations to these fine competitors who qualify for national competition:

Open: Suzanne Nebeker and Jack Womack tied

Amateur: Thea Gervais

Youth: Jessica Peterson

2008 Annual Point Show: The 2008 show is booked for July 10-12 at Sapphire Event Center, and Bob Womack said we need show chairs for this show and the versatility show.  He hopes to have those people determined by the October 6 meeting.

2008 Ranch Horse and Versatility Show: Pete Peterson moved and Mark Goss seconded that we have the Ranch Horse and Versatility Show in Helena in May, provided we get a show chair.  Motion passed.  Mary Greene will try to reserve Rea’s Arena for May 16-17.

2008 BSFTA Election: Ballots need to be ready by October 1, mailed to all members, and returned by members by December 1.  Bob appointed Pete Peterson, Bill Free and Mark Goss to the nominating committee.

Eastern Gaited Horse Association: Randy and Cathy Olson agreed to send our BSFTA information to this group’s newsletter editor.  They will also get information from that group and give that to Annette for the newsletter.

Journal Show Story: Pete Peterson will write a story on the 2007 show at Sapphire and e-mail it to Annette.  Annette will put the story and photos on a CD and mail it to Ava for publication in the Journal.

Going to Ava: So far we know these people are going to the Show & Celebration on Sept. 2-8: Robynn Gabel, Thea Gervais, Mark and Donna Goss, Suzanne Nebeker, Randy and Cathy Olson, Rick and Annette Padgett, Bob Womack, Jack Womack and Jane Zubia.  This is a great turnout from our club!

Utah Grand on July 26-28: BSFTA members competing at that show were Mary Auger, Bill Free, Robynn Gabel, Thea Gervais, Suzanne Nebeker, Bob Womack, Jack Womack and Jane Zubia.  Hopefully we have them all listed, but if you competed at this show and your name is not here, please let Karen Philips know.

Next Meeting: October 6 in Bozeman followed by a gait clinic taught by Bill Free and Jack Womack.  Karen will contact Janis Barrett and Eldo Heinle to see if either one is willing to arrange for a facility for the meeting and clinic.  If that doesn’t work, Mary Greene volunteered her place in Helena for a meeting/trail ride combination.

Meeting was adjourned at 2:20.

Karen Philips, Secretary