MINUTES of SC4HSHA
Meeting date: January 17, 2013
Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm, the pledges were read.
Clubs in attendance: : All-Star Equestrians, BC Wranglers, Caballeros, Elite Equestrians, Equestrian Challenge, Equus Excellence, Horse Sense, Jr. Leaders, Knight Riders, Lucky Levi’s, Macedonia Pioneers, Mane Attraction, Royal Riders, Rough Riders, Saddle Seekers, Showman’s Corner, Show Stoppers, Trailblazers II.
Clubs not in attendance: Skyriders
The minutes from last month were read and approved. Motioned – Sam Owen Second – Denny Bittaker
Officers' reports:
-Treasurer’s Report: No expenses.
Sales Tax - $522.00
Receipt – Judi Adams 0 $9.00 for mailing judges contracts
Carla Kline motioned to pay bills, Lynn Schott seconded. Motion passed.
-President’s Report –
Extension: Per Brian - Jackie is doing much better, keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Access, sign up and send check.
Committee reports:
Fair (Angie Hawsman and Debbie Hookway) – There was a meeting last week, gymkhana games and point classes were discussed. Shavings will be donated by Ready to Haul, in exchange for a name on the fence. At the meeting, there were 15 committee members, 13 of which voted for the recommended classes (please see draft handout). Discussion of gymkhana classes, including the water gun class which was recommended that Brian receive the water? Sara Justice motioned to approve the gymkhana classes for 2013, Dale Freeland seconded, motion passed.
Discussion on point classes and versatility classes. Carla Kline motioned to approve the suggestions for point and versatility classes made by the fair committee including discussing jump heights with the judge so they are set to the low and appropriate heights, Sam Owen seconded. Discussion for and against point classes.
Rachel Schutte – secretary - reading in absence of Dr. Brad Hillard:
Mr. President, Officers, SCSHA members and guests,
Thank you for taking the time to consider the issue I am about to bring up. I apologize for not attending the recent fair
committee meeting and tonight’s meeting. The flu epidemic kept me away from the committee meeting
and I am currently traveling out of state to a mandatory medical meeting.
The concern I have is over the SCSHA's decision to make a jumping class a point class for high point during fair without offering an alternative such as we currently do with equitation over fences and dressage.
Hopefully we all recognize the risk associated with equestrian sport. Upon review of the literature some authors suggest the risk of hospitalization is .49/1000 hours of horseback riding compared to .14/1000 hours of motorcycle riding. Another author stated it as 1 serious accident per 350 hours of horseback riding compared to 1 serious accident per 7000 hours of motorcycle riding. These studies looked at all forms of riding and activities. I hope we all agree that riding alone is relatively dangerous and jumping adds an increased risk.
Not all horses have the confirmation, athleticism or appropriate mindset to be safe jumping horses. Most people who chose jumping activities do so with appropriate training, supervision and hours of practice.
With our current high point class designation we have created a situation where we encourage an inexperienced rider without appropriate training or horse to attempt a jumping class simply to place higher in the rankings by the end of the week. This significantly increases the risk of an already risky activity. We may expect the participant, advisor and or
parent to prevent this from happening. However, after having witnessed fair for the last few years, holding my breath, watching inexperienced riders attempting to get the wrong horse over a jump, I know that wisdom does not always prevail. ( I have photographic evidence!!)
Knowing youth as we do, we know they do not always make the right or safe decision. There is a wide variety of experience and knowledge in both parents and advisors and we can not depend upon them to be fully knowledgeable in every situation.
I have heard the argument that one does not need to jump in order to get high point. Although this is a true statement there could be a situation where the few points gained, even if last, could affect final ranking. Some have argued we should provide clinics. I think that is a great idea. How can we ensure all the participants will have gone through a clinic before
competing and is one or two clinics enough to improve safety? One study quoted 100 hours of riding was needed to lower risk of injury.
We as a group can solve this problem by simply offering an alternative to the jumping class. I understand there are a few participants who have the appropriate horse, training, and desire to jump their horses. I in no way want to take anything away from them. I simply would like to encourage our children parents and advisors to take the safe or right decision. This will give the participant who may not have the resources or opportunity to adequately prepare, an alternative to jumping, thereby greatly decreasing risk to the individual and the organization.
I would like to go on the record both as a professional and member of this organization to strongly recommend we offer an alternative classto any jumping class offered as a point class. Let the participant decide, as we do with dressage and equitation over fences. This recommendation is in an effort to reduce the risk of injury and potential liability to the SCSHA
and advisors.
We as a group have the ability to make an already risky activity slightly safer.
Respectfully,
Bradley G Hillard DO
Michelle Walters – read letter disagreeing with fair committee decision and how decision was made.
Debbie Hookway – stated suggestions were provided and discussed at meeting.
Carla Kline – shared last years statistics, the overall findings showed that major high point changes would not occur based on stated classes. The rule book states that jumping may be allowed.
Dee Casteel – In attendance at the December meeting, her thought was that trail would be the class that would go along with jumping and therefore trail should be an optional class as well. Clarification on gymkhana wording that it is the state approved keyhole.
Discussion of the minutes of the December Fair Committee Meeting
Judi Adams – question on the jumping classes. The kids have a whole year to plan to prepare at jumping if they don’t feel safe at jumping.
Jackie Sampsel – Jumping can be unsafe, questions about Hunter Hack. Sara Justice clarified: Hunter Hack is a flat class per the state.
Sam Owen – If you are the jumper, that is what you look forward to.
Nonsaddlehorse member discussion - safety is a concern and is what the focus should be on.
Angie Hawsman – Safety is a major concern for both fair chairs as both of their children contest. We decided to educate ourselves and it was not a private meeting. We were entrusted to run a committee but we are being attacked at every turn. We have brought up clinics and extended training at horse camp. We are all about safety. This years suggestion is the exact same as last year, we forgot to put draft on it which was our fault. We are very serious about safety.
Nonmember – At some point, we must let parents make decisions based on their child and their experiences. For example, English and western riders should not be allowed to go around barrels. As advisors, we should communicate safety to our parents.
Mike Farren – It isn’t about choice it is about alternative.
Gwen Morgan – Horses that don’t jump should not be allowed to jump. Give the horse an option to jump that has the ability to jump.
Brad Wokojance – The arena throws off the horses. You must let them come in and practice in this arena.
Joani Hedderick – Jumping – the height of the jumps should be set to the lowest level.
Carla Kline – that has been addressed in the past with judges and made to understand that are jumpers are not advanced jumpers. Therefore, we can ask the judge about the height.
Sara Justice – Discussion of talking with judges but we need to finish this discussion.
Diane Justice – As advisors and parents we should have people come to our club meetings and have someone come in to teach your club jumping. Vote: 17 for and 10 against. Motion passed.
Ad Book (Carla Kline) – Handout which demonstrates the size for the one club ad at $50.00. This year, prizes will be in cash and for Saddlehorse Bucks, but the incentive is for pretty much everything relating to Saddlehorse. It will be done in dollar increments. The first cash price is $100, 2nd is $75.00, 3rd is $50.00. Please see handout. Carla Kline motioned to accept the ad prizes, Brad Wokojance seconded, motion passed. Selling – use business cards and each 4Her should have the goal of selling $300 for the organization because we all want to see things improved. Please make sure everyone is selling ethically, you should not be going to other 4Her’s sponsors and trying to sell their ads.
Jr. Leaders and Horse Camp (Rachel Schutte) – Meetings are scheduled through March. 1/20, 2/17, and 3/10 at 7:00pm at the fairgrounds. Horse camp is shortened by one day.
Horse Bowl (Sara Justice) – There is a meeting on Saturday.
Website (Sara Justice) – There will be more updates.
Ribbons & Trophies (Diane Justice) – Sara – everything we have included we believe the highest amount ribbons should be is $5,554.13. Carla Kline motioned that we pay for the Hodges order up to $5500. Sam Owen seconded. Motion passed. We will still accept trophy donations if possible to use but we believe we will have to place a full order this year. The artwork on the state qualifier signs should probably be looked at before printing this year.
Rules (Sara Justice) – I will bring copies of the rules to the next meeting.
Sunshine Club (Mrs. Lowe) – Sephra Ciranio, 21, was killed in a car accident. A card was sent from SC4HSHA. Discussion about a possible memorial rotating trophy.
Rotating Trophies (Mrs. Lowe) – Mary Ellen Lowe would like to make a motion that the ongoing novice rotating trophy be given to the last young lady who won it. She rescinded motion but please think of suggestions of what to do trophy. Barnstormers would like to donate a highpoint trail trophy, the Justices would like to redonate their trophy. Sara Justice will contact the advisor to figure out a situation. There are also a few other trophies that will be ending this year.
Fair Board (Mrs. Lowe and Chris Wokojance) – Denny Bittaker – Rail sponsorships were voted on at Fair Board and approved, with them receiving 20% and us receiving 80%. They would like $20 for any rail that are given away (traded for services). Fair board approved that SC4HSHA could collect the money and then give Fair Board the 20%. The assumed cost of the rail is $100.00 but regardless of cost/time Fair Board would get 20%. There are no tax money or operating funds given to the Fair Board, there is a debt forgiven but they do not receive physical cash. There are a few people who really keep this place going. It is important we keep this place going for our kids. Every building to these fair grounds belongs to the Agricultural Society. The buildings are ours to use but we do not own them. But we have one of the best places in Ohio because so many people are working very hard.
Project Awards (Chris Wokojance) – The plaque is missing so Chris is trying to figure out pass winners.
PAS (Chris Wokojance) – We are hoping to have Dr. Cionetti come in again to discuss body scores. Reviewing state fair bill and PAS showbill. There are a few time changes but there will be more updates
Scholarship (Judi Adams) – none yet
Judges (Judie Adams) – We are in the middle of judges, and almost all of the slots are filled, contracts are being mailed out.
Finance Committee (Michelle Walters) – Tuesday the finance committee met, we need to look at our belt buckle expenditures. The finance committee would like to suggest that from this year forward, only one belt buckle should be purchased for each 4Her. We are also looking for sponsorships, Brad Hillard is looking into donations including from UH still, for a spread in the ad book, as well as T-shirts. Belt Buckle discussion – suggestions for whether or not to keep purchasing belt buckles. Discussion of entry fees for state qualifiers. Joani pointed out that it costs a little over $200 for each participant to come to fair, but each kid brings in $100.00. Discussion summary – Sell Ads!! Discussion Tabled.
Open Show (Joani Hedderick and Lynn Schott) – The draft is out for the show bill. The committee is looking at some great ideas including Jackpot classes, exhibition classes, etc. The committee still needs to work out some details. Any suggestions on that – do stall feeds need to go up? We are looking forward to the two day shows. Work assignments will be set up accordingly. The duties will be the same. The show bill is solid enough to mail to the judges.
Competitive Trail (Dee Casteel) – none
Maintenance (Denny Bittaker) – April 20th, 10:00 am is stall set up.
Groom and Clean (Denny Bittaker) – none
Volunteer Hours (Mike Farren) – none.
Old Business: none
New business:none
Announcements:
Kelly Norville knows of a really nice seasoned walk trot horse for lease. Please let her know if you have questions.
**The next meeting is February 21, 2013
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:28.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rachel Schutte
Date Approved: