Important Dates for your diary

Hi guys, well we’ve found our way to Winter {if you haven’t noticed}, the end of our Autumn Series Shows and except for our planned clinic in July to the end of this season.

At the risk of boring you all to tears I will include in this report my Presidents Report for the 2009 -2010 season. I do this now because as many of you know Jacqui and I will be following Darcy and the other eight youth AQHA Youth World Cup Team Members over to the U.S.A for the Youth World Cup in the next couple of weeks. Boy are we getting excited!!!! For that reason please accept this report as my final report.

For those who risked braving the elements for part three of our Autumn Series Shows the weather proved to not be so bad or at least it could have been way worse. For those that were able to compete or take part in the day we had a great day and although overall competitor numbers were down on last month we still had a full day of competition. With plenty of happy, smiling faces whether a Blue Ribbon was involved or not. Kelly Timms made the trip from Seville to Judge for the day and even bought her own Ring Steward with her. They made a very good team in the centre and with once again Terry and Adrian on the gate competition run smoothly – most of the time, remember we are only human! Thank you to those who were able to get early entries in, we understand this is not always possible but certainly does help in the smooth running of the day. As I don’t have the official list with me as I write this report I won’t attempt to name and thank all of our Winter Series Sponsors. Rest assured they will all be properly thanked via the Committee. I do suggest though that when the opportunity is there that we all support those Sponsors that have helped out with this Series of Shows. A full list of Sponsors is on our Web Site. I would like to make special acknowledgment to Bairnsdale Banquet who have really put themselves out to cater for us during this series of shows and for their great coffee, food, fudge etc etc.

Where to for what is left of this season. Well you know what I’m up to. But for the rest of you may I suggest you make the most of the clinic/training day at the Arena on Sunday 11th July.....it doesn’t matter if your horse looks like a Teddy Bear his legs will still work and a day out would be good and DON’T FORGET the E.G.P.Q.H.A. inc A.G.M on 29th July. More information from your Secretary will follow.

YEE HAA for this month. D.P

AS PROMISED.......A LITTLE MORE FOR THE END OF SEASON

 Over the past few weeks I have found myself reflecting on not only mine and my families own personal achievements throughout the life of this Club which will soon be heading into its 6th Year. But also reflecting on the Club as a whole where we have come from and where we are now.

Before I continue let me point out that this report as with every other Presidents Report that I have had the privilege to put together although a report to the Committee and to all Members is MY REPORT and in that reflects what I see and feel as President.

Just for your information and in brief.........

Way back in 2005 a few  like minded horsey people got together with the vision of starting up a brand new Western Riding Club. I’m purposely not including names for fear of embarrassing someone or worse still leaving someone out. But you all know who you are.

The outcome of these early meetings established a small committee who were determined to get this Club up and running.

 Our first CLINIC and INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN RIDING DAY was in October 2005. This would not have come about without the vision and a great deal of work put in by a very keen bunch of members some time before this event even took place. This well attended event was followed up by another clinic and then our very first Improver Show held in December at the Knob Reserve Stratford. {at this point we did not have a home to call our own}

We sought Affiliation and Insurance with the Australian Quarter Horse Association and after a lot of work had both Affiliation and Insurance approved in April 2006.

Our first A.G.M was held in Stratford in July 2006.

We had our very first High Point Awards at Wallaby Rise in 2007.

Certainly one of the highlights for me was the negotiating for and building of our own permanent home grounds at the Bairnsdale Racecourse. After 2 years of begging, borrowing and paying big dollars to use other peoples grounds and arenas in order to professionally but more importantly safely run events we were able to secure the grounds at the Bairnsdale Racecourse and go on to build an arena to rival any other arena in this district.

Since this time as many of you would be aware that we have had many successful events and great times on our own Turf as well as some fun Awards Nights etc etc. Some of you may remember being involved in the Western Demonstration at the opening of the Brackenbush Equestrian Centre and the Shows and Clinics we had there prior to having our own grounds at the Racecourse.

I could go on to recall our Faux Show during the Equine Infuenza when we could not really Show our horses. As well as many other events......but I won’t. It’s really hard to plough a straight line if you keep looking back at where you’ve been!!!!!!!!!!! But I believe it is really important to know how you have gotten to where you are and very importantly thank and respect those who have helped you get there........ In saying that I wish to THANK all those PAST and PRESENT Committee Members as well as those members, friends and sponsors who have put in where able not only over this last season but in all those previous. It is with respect that I acknowledge you all and what you have contributed to this Club.

A special thank you to those who stepped in mid season this year to help keep the Committee on an even keel your commitment and assistance has been appreciated.

This season is my 5th as President of this wonderful Club of ours. Overall I have enjoyed fulfilling my role as President. I have enjoyed seeing many members improve in their skills and abilities. Whether that be to have a good ride at one of our B Shows, to step up to more prestigious Shows and have a good run or simply get a horse to successfully lope for the first time. It doesn’t matter as long as our Club can help our Members to grow and achieve their own personal goals both within and even outside our Club I believe as a Committee are doing our job.

I believe that we all have similar goals and dreams when it comes to our equine activities and where we see our Club progressing. We are not all trainers or instructors but all have varied experience, gifts and talents, whether this be selling raffle tickets, planning events,  attending to the Web site, editing the newsletter, instructing, encouraging, supporting others, dealing with horse manure or being a clinic or show participant, combined we make a phenomenal team.  

During the 2010/2011 Season there will once again be much to do, there will be Club, clinics, training days, shows to organize etc etc etc not to mention a fair amount of administration. I have said it before........ WE ALL have a role to play to ensure our Club continues to be successful.......WE ALL have skills/expertise in different areas. So a reminder as our A.G.M fast approaches do not be afraid to put your hand up for a job or assist where your expertise allows. I promise if you join the Committee your pay rate will be no different to the current Committee. DO NOT ..... NOT DO AND THEN KNOCK SOMEONE WHO IS!!!!!!!!!! It will be a requirement as we enter our next season that all Committee members hold a valid and current working with children’s card. This is required to bring us into line with new legal requirements. This is free for volunteers, but is a requirement. The other point I will make is that being part of this our Clubs Committee does require a serious level of commitment and that all Committee members be prepared to work together for the betterment of the Club and it’s Members.

I will conclude this report. My vision for EGPQHA inc for the coming season is that our Club continue to grow and prosper but even more importantly that all our members be given the opportunity to achieve their own personal goals both within and outside our Club.

A personal THANKYOU to all those who have supported Jacqui, Darcy and myself during this last season. We have appreciated it and more importantly your friendship.

We look forward to sharing some great stories photos etc with our friends on our return from the Youth World Cup. We have been fortunate enough to be invited to stay at a couple of real COWBOY RANCHES and Training facilities while away.

Until then

THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS SEASON

YEE HAA

DALE PORTER

PRESIDENT      E.G.P.Q.H.A inc