Newsletter Committee:
Annual Meeting
The 2006 version of the annual membership meeting will be held on May 10th 7:00 pm (always the second Wednesday of May).
We will be voting on a new executive committee for 2006-7; the annual budget, MFH and any other matters that might come up at the meeting.. Positions that will be voted on in May are MFH, President, and Honorable Secretary and treasurer. Currently Cindy, Carol and Blair have agreed to run again for their respective offices. Laura Jarvis has agreed to run for secretary. Nominations for members of the executive committee will be accepted from the floor The nominating committee is headed up by David Bolen. If you are interested in a job or would like to suggest someone, please call David. He can be reached at 540-463-5574.
If you can not attend, please return this proxy to any member who will be attending (and has the right to vote) or the Honorable Secretary Judy Mundy.
Proxy
I, _____________________________________
give the right to vote for me at the 2006 annual Rockbridge Hunt membership meeting to:
_____________________________________________
Signed:
Mail to: Ms Judy Mundy, 5092 Springwood Rd, Buchanan VA 24066.
Landowners Luncheon
The luncheon has been rescheduled to Sunday, April 30th. If any hunt (non-landowner) members wish to attend, please contact Carol Atwood 463-1000.
Hunter Trials
Our spring version of the hunter trials was quite the success even if a tad under advertised (as admitted by one of the organizers). We had 25 horses participating and those horses did an average of 3 rounds per horse (3 intrepid souls did four rounds with obviously still-fit-from-hunting-season-horses). The entries in the "low" versus the "working" divisions were about equally split although there were a few more "working" divisions. With that many rounds and each round taking approximately 4 minutes the show lasted until approximately 6 pm.
One way to draw in potentially more money would be to have the courses physically divided. Then two judges could preside over the two separate courses. The other option is to start earlier in the day although Sundays are a nice day for this type of show, though, as Saturdays, locally, are usually pretty booked up in a wide variety of local horse shows (hunters, eventers and others).
The equitation classes were the least contested with the pairs classes a close second. One hypothesis concerning the low participation in pairs was the end-of-the-day location on the schedule So this summer find you a partner and practice up on "pairs" in your spare time and clean up next fall. Carol promises she will move the pairs classes to a more prominent place on the schedule. I am going to judiciously refrain from encouraging anyone to practice up on their equitation for the fall version of the hunter trials (that just sounds like no fun to me!).
Volunteers helping with jump construction, running the event, general setting up and food were (and do note that some of these folks are not members!): Carol Atwood, Larry Atwood, Shelby Bingham, Laura Jarvis, Jane Laninga, Mike McGuire, Cindy Morton, Kathy Munie, Genny Neice, Nick Neice, Kaitlin Perkins, Bob Richardson, Susan Richardson, Taylor Richardson, Barbara Rowe, Dick Rowe, Fran Rowe, Ruth Rowe, Alan Tilson, David Tilson, Grace Tilson, Jim Tilson, Rebecca Tilson, Terry Whitmore, and Meg Wilhelm. Our judge for the day was Ariadne Paxton.
Spring Horse Show
Our annual SWVAJA sponsored hunter show will be happening this year due to the energies of Joan Alberti who gets to wear the manager's and course designer's hats for the day. The show again will be held at Hollins College at the riding center on June 3rd. For a bit of history, this show in past years has been held at Fancy Hill, on the hunt grounds, and years ago on private property near Broadview Ranch. The show starts at 8:30 a.m. with schooling permitted between 7 and 8 a.m.
Two classes unique to this show (that is, are not SWVHJA sanctioned) are classes 21 and 22; Owner's Up Under Saddle and Field Hunter over Fences (2' 6").
The judge will be Steven Bickers and the show secretary Drew Perkins. Joan's telephone number is 540-992-1069 if you have any questions.
Joan is in need of some Rockbridge Hunt members to supply food for lunch for the competitors.
Individuals and businesses sponsoring classes and trophies are: Hounds Cry Farm, Tred Step, Kathleen Nowacki-Correia, Ray-Eric Correia, Fox and Folly, Emerald Farm, Rockbridge Farmer's Coop, Wilson and Terry Whitmore, Janet Wynot, Katharine Conner, George Moore, Joan Alberti, Cheryl Haas, Montafon Farm, Louse Golian, Helen Young, the Moskal family, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Farmer.
3/28/06 Summary of the Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee met on March 28, 2006. Members present were: Cindy Morton (MFH), Carol Atwood (Pres), Judy Mundy (Sec), Blair Jones (Treas), Kathy Eichelberger ('09) and Terry Whitmore ('07). Absent were: Sandra Worthy ('09) and Fred Burks ('07). David Conner will be attending the MFHA Biennial Staff Seminar in April. Carol spent several days with an IRS auditor. Everything looks fine. We need a committee to organize the Hunting Season Kick Off Party (date changed to Sept. 17). Ann Layman and Sandy Anderson will organize the Hunt Ball next year. Plans for the Landowner's Luncheon (date changed to April 30), the Hunter Trials, the Hunter Pace, the Horse show and a Gymnastics Clinic were discussed. David Bolen will head up the Nominating Committee.
Judy Mundy, Secretary
Want some fun? Need a challenge? Perhaps try something different?
Try a Gymnastics Clinic with Diane Long!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Rockbridge Hunt Riding RingDiane Long has trained horses for show, pleasure and racing for more than 25 years and has been a member of the Rockbridge Hunt since 1988. During that time, she has introduced numerous horses and riders to the challenges of riding cross country.
Diane will systematically help you and your horse to solve jumping problems using gymnastic exercises. According to your horse's level of experience, she might work with you on lengthening and shortening your horse's frame, or have you ride through combinations such as bounces, and one and 2 stride lines. Diane's gymnastics will build confidence in your horse's abilities using progressive jumping questions. Gymnastics do a wonderful job of helping to teach a horse to jump since the striding is already laid out for them, and in theory all they have to think about is getting over the jumps. It is also a good way to build up useful jumping muscles (a fit horse is a happy, capable horse). Some horse trainers basically do nothing BUT gymnastics for the first year of jumping a horse.
Wear casual attire with a hard hat and hard shoes. Please leave harsh bits at home. Current Negative Coggins within 12 months required. Your ride times will be emailed and available to you the week before the clinic. You should tack up in the parking lot and ride down the hill to the ring. Call the Hunt Line in case of cancellation due to weather. (540) 462-1113 Spectators are welcome!
Price: Rockbridge Hunt members $20 / Non-members $25 . All money will be donated to the hunt
Directions -- From Interstate 81, take Exit 180 (one of the two Natural Bridge exits), go North on Rt. 11. Go about two miles. Turn left on Fox Hunt Rd. (Rt. 739).When the road forks, stay left on Fox Hunt Rd. Take the next right (Harkto Loop) into the parking lot.
Gymnastics Clinic with Diane Long
Sunday May 28, 2006Make checks payable to The Rockbridge Hunt.
Send entry form and fee to : Judy Mundy, 5092 Springwood Rd., Buchanan VA 24066. For more information, call 540-473-3108 or email jmundy@bcps.va.k12.us
Name ______________________________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________________________
Phone and email ______________________________________________________________
Circle the jumping height you prefer - 2', 2'6, 2'9, 3'0+
All participants must register and sign a copy of the waiver of liability which will be available at the clinic. Parent or guardian must sign for entrants under 18 years of age.
See the flyer for the Spring Hunter Pace.