VERMONT QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION, INC
WINTER 2007-2008
NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENTS
LETTER
As we bid farewell to 2007 and welcome in a blustery 2008 I imagine we are all finalizing our New Year's resolution.
Among the most common to lose weight, spend more time with family, work less and finish up projects around the house, I know
our horse community wants to spend more time with their four-legged friends. Maybe your goal is to show more, or show
for the first time, or perhaps you would like to trail ride with friends. Whatever your goals may be for 2008 it is
my hope that VQHA will be able to support all your endeavors. We are broadening our horizons to include more trail riding,
ranch horse versatility, gymkhana's and possibly cowboy mounted shooting. We are trying to appeal to horse owners
of all breeds and interests. Please add VQHA to your resolutions to come out to more events, attend some meetings and
volunteer your time to make 2008 a successful year for everyone. I hope to see you all at the awards banquet and continuation
of the annual meeting. Remember that we cannot make changes unless we have the clubs support, and your presence is necessary
to offer your support.
May warm, healthy, horse-filled wishes carry you through the new year.
-Shannon
2008 Officers
President
Shannon Warden
601
So Middlebrook Road
Vergennes, VT 05491
802-377-9202
Shannon_Warden@hotmail.com
Vice President
Donna Ebel (appointed)
1496 Jersey St
Vergennes, VT 05491
802-475-2993
rickebel@accessvt.com
Secretary
Cecile Howland 2005-2006
77 Pinecrest Road
Rutland, VT 05701
802-747-3405
chowland@together.net
Treasurer
Lucille Evarts
3796 Green Street
Waltham, VT
05491
802-545-2547
EVARTSL@YAHOO.COM
Newsletter Editor
Shannon Warden
Lucille
Evarts
(See info above)
WebMistress
Jody Richards
2248
Stock Farm Rd
Randolph, VT 05060
802-728-4283
docazan@together.net
2008
VQHYA Officers
President Vice President
Secretary Treasurer
Reporter
2008-2009 Directors
Brad
Giroux (appointed to 2008)
238 Place Rd. West
Hinesburg, VT 05461
brad23534@aol.com
Jocelind Bessette 2007-2008
25 Bernier Road
Milton, VT 05468
802-893-6401
joce4133@aol.com
Dawn Carleton Walters 2007-2008
550 Rogers Road
Randolph Center, VT 05061
802-728-4159
DCarleto@vtc.edu
Jim Warden 2007-2008
601 So Middlebrook Rd
Vergennes, VT 05491
(802) 468-5490
Mary Hutchins 2008-2009
27 Drew Road
White River Jct., VT 05001
Hutchins64@aol.com
Sherry Longworth 2008-2009
K9 Stonehedge Drive
So. Burlington,
VT 05403
802-865-9389
charlene.longworth@vtmednet.org
Meredith Longworth 2008-2009
P.O. Box 142
Milton, VT 05468
802-893-1118
mlongwor@bsdvt.org
Directors
Laurie Gawet 2008-2009
P O Box 11
Center Rutland, VT 05736
802-775-2678
lauriegawet@vermontel.net
Point Keeper
Meredith Longworth
P.O. Box 142
Milton, VT 05468
802-893-1118
mlongwor@bsdvt.org
Youth Advisor
Jill
Thomas
4253 Allen Rd
So. Royalton, VT 05068
jjthomas@hughes.net
CO-Youth Advisors
Laurie Gawet
P O Box 11
Center Rutland, VT 05736
802-775-2678
lauriegawet@vermontel.net
Cecile Howland
77 Pinecrest Road
Rutland, VT 05701
802-747-3405
chowland@together.net
Timed Events Chair
Jane Moulton
232 Eldridge
Lane
Fort Ann, NY 12827
518-632-9227
shqhorse@capital.net
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YOUTH RACING EXPERIENCE
(An interview with Leah Thomas)
Each year Bank of America and AQHA sponsor the Youth Racing Experience for AQHYA members. Racing Affiliates may send one
youth from their Regional Experience and other affiliate youth may apply to be ‘at large’ participants. 2007 saw
two Vermont Quarter Horse Youth members be selected to participate as well as one New Hampshire Quarter Horse Youth member.
Congratulations to Krysta Gawet and Leah Thomas from Vermont and Jocelyn Tanner from New Hampshire. The Championship Experience
was held October 31 thru November 3 in Los Alamitos, California in which 17 AQHYA youth competed for $19,000 worth of scholarships!
The initial application had to be completed by August 15. This also included a 500 word essay on why they wanted to participate.
After being selected the youth were sent a workbook that had to be completed and returned to AQHA two weeks before they left
for the trip. This 50 page workbook covered basic horse knowledge and care as well as very racing specific questions. These
questions ranged from construction of a racetrack and its footing, betting, career choices in racing, history and breeding
of AQHA race horses, etc.
Upon arrival in California each participant was assigned to a trainer at the racetrack. Leah’s
trainer was Blane Schvaneveldt who Leah described as an “old guy” but apparently was one of the legends at the
track. He had over 40 horses there out of the 1500 total. The youth reported at 5:30 each morning to their trainer for race
specific hands-on experience. This lasted until 11AM at which time there would be a group activity. These activities included
a trip to Vessels Stallion Farm, a trip to the beach, or a trip to Disney World for dinner always followed by races at the
track at night. While there they also had to complete another workbook. On the next to last day they were given a written
test and a practical test including saddling a race horse and wrapping him for breezing. A dinner party was held that night
at which time the overall scores were announced and scholarships awarded.
Leah finished fourth overall and was awarded
a $2000 scholarship! She said it was a terrific learning experience and she would love to go another year. She recommends
it for anyone in the youth group who would like a hands-on learning experience involving Quarter Horse Racing.
Some of
the benefits of this program include:
Provides a more well rounded experience
Involves the youth in the day to day
care of race horses
Opportunity to interact with industry professionals
Meet top trainers and leaders
By
Law Changes
The annual meeting held on October 14, 2007 did not have a quorum of members for votes to be taken
on the proposed by law changes and point system revisions. The meeting was recessed until 5PM on January 26, 2008 (before
the banquet) for the specific purpose of voting on the by-law changes and the point revisions as proposed.
The following
proposed by-law amendments will be put to a vote at the recessed annual meeting , Proposed changes are in bold italics and
underlined.
Article IV – Officers
.Section 1
All Officers and Directors shall be residents of the State
of Vermont and current adult members of the Association except no more than one Director may be a current adult member from
out of state.
Article V – Directors
Section 9
Add this last sentence to Section 9:
Any person whose
AQHA membership has been suspended will automatically have their VQHA membership suspended
Article VII – Fiscal
Year and Meetings
Section 4
In addition to the Annual Meeting, there will be one general membership meeting held
between March 15 and April 30 each year.
Section 6
Directors meetings will be held monthly except for June, July
and August at a location determined by the President. Additional meetings may be called by the President as necessary. Notice
of the date, time and location of all Directors meetings will be announced in the Association newsletter and posted on VQHA
website….
Proposed amendment to year end point system rules:
Category IV
Barrel Racing Awards:
Rules:
change first sentence to read: This Award will be based on the MOST dollars earned in Barrel Racing Events. (Delete NBHA)
Reining Awards:
Rules:
This award will be based on the MOST dollars earned in Reining Events. (Delete NRHA)
In addition to the above originally warned changes there was discussion that the requirement to attend a meeting and an
event be eliminated and anyone wishing to compete for year end awards register their horse and pay a fee of $10 per horse.
This fee would be budgeted to help offset the cost of the ribbons and awards at year end.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VERMONT QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION
3796 GREEN STREET
VERGENNES, VERMONT 05491
