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Minutes of STRIDE Dressage Board Meeting, October 5, 2012At Hellena Smejda’s HomeSubmitted by Secretary Margaret Mayer – Approved by email vote of Board2012 Board Attended: Hellena Smejda, Margaret Mayer, Judy Downer, Vickie Rollack, Karen Kim and BarbaraBrown. Hellena called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.We are very excited to announce that Lisa Walsh hasvolunteered to become our new Equipment Manager.This position will greatly enhance our show and cliniclogistics by keeping all of our equipment organized,clean, and documented. There is an equipment list (seeattachment A) and also a wish list of items we need. Ifany of you have any of these and wish to donate themto the club, do not be shy! Lisa will drive the trailer toand from each show and receive one $20 voucher foreach show. Lisa will look into registration and insurancefor the trailer. We are also asking Lisa to purchase twogazebo tents (perhaps now on sale?).We are continuing our research for a sound system.Different systems have beensuggested and pricing isbeing researched. We are also looking into thepossibility of renting different systems and seeing whichwill best fit ourneeds. Judy had the fun idea of exploringPawn Shops!! Out of the woodwork, you closet PawnStars, let’s go!Karen Kim our new treasurer has been working hardand transferring our spreadsheet data to a quickendocument. Go Karen, show us the money! Shesubmitted a copy of the bank statement for the archives.It looks like we will end calendar year 2012 ahead ofbudget, thanks to our schooling show entries. Anyoneinterested in the details may request a PDF of the yearto-dateprofit & loss statement from Karen.Judy Downer has processed 118 members for 2013. Ifyou have not renewed your membership, get going. Youdon’t want to miss out on the great discounts at the tackstores and all the e-mails from us!Judy also suggested having a paypal account set up tofacilitate renewals. Karen will look into this.We are so pleased: 14 drivers attended a STRIDEsponsored Driving Clinic taught by Audrey Hartnett.Everyone gained knowledge from the event, since shecovered hitching properly, adjusting your harnesscorrectly, the ins and outs of driving a successful conescourse, and of course Driven Dressage test. I believewe all left hoping to do more of these clinics in thefuture.Karen Kennedy still has 4 slots open for the DressageClinic on November 17 th & 18 th at Longwood Farmfeaturing Bill Woods. We also have some slots in theRide-a-Test with Judge Cheryl Holekamp on Sunday.We will send out another e-mail blast on this to remindpeople now that the date is closer.The slate of 2013 officer nominees was submitted byCharlotte at the September general membershipmeeting, as required by our Bylaws. You may stillcontact her if you want to be a write-in candidate. Votingwill be at the December 15 annual banquet.OK, now for a recap of our Sept. show and discussionon improvement of shows tocome. First a bigcongratulations to Barbara Brown who was our showmanager.Her constant vigilance of all details paid off ina fun day for all who came. She has some very goodsuggestions for us to implement.1. The runners where exhausted. We need to come upwith a solution. There should be an app for this,we just need to find it. Any ideas?2. Ring stewards need to have contact with the officeand judges booths for scratches and schedulingupdates. They should not be looking for ridersthat are not there. Maybe texting by cell phonesbetween the judges’ booths and office?3. Volunteer organization needs improvement.4. Directional parking signs at the Horse Park entrance:drivers to the left and riders to the right.5. For the setup volunteers, a dressage-by-the-lettersdiagram (including a count of where the lettersappear by counting the arena planks) to make itas easy as possible.6. Map diagramming where drivers can warm up awayfrom arena. This will be inserted in the showenvelopes for each competitor.7. Show program should not be printed till after the finalday sheets are submitted Thursday morningbefore the show. Nevertheless the showbulleting board will reflect day-of changes.8. Classes should be scheduled so that riders have theopportunity to ride before both judges, formaximum feedback.

9. Consider having a driver who would be capable andwilling to judge the driving classes.Our October show manager will be Judy Downer whowill bring her group of elves (aka CF Equine Studiesstudents)! Everyone be sure and be pleasant to thesenice girls who are coming to make our show runsmoothly! We may still need volunteers for the Octobershow. Please check the website for the listings of jobsand times available and see where you may fit in. Orjust call or e-mail Judy who will handle all volunteerscheduling.We need to put together an Omnibus Committee to planfor next year. Also a Year-End Awards committee tocollect info from Dibbie and figure out final awards.Contact Hellena if you want to participate.Hellena, Margaret, and Karen Kennedy are meetingwith Longwood Farm on Sunday evening to discuss apossible STRIDE recognized show, and an alternate tothe Horse Park, should there be a need in the future tochange venue.We have several resumes for the new show secretary.We are waiting on one more and then we will reviewand make a decision.The End of Year Award standings for the first fourshows need to be revised forposting to the website.Irene needs help with decorations and door prizes forthe Awards Banquet. Do not be shy! It’s your party socome on and get involved.The End of Year Awards will be a saddle pad for ridersand number holders for drivers. Western idea to come.Karen made the motion. Barbara seconded it. Passedunanimously.The USDF National Convention is in New Orleans. Weare pleased that Lorretta Lucas has volunteered to goand represent us as our GMO (General MembershipOrganization) delegate. STRIDE will cover herconvention fee and hotel room (to be shared with otherSTRIDE members attending). She is asked to submit awritten report. A big Thank You to Lorretta for this, it is abig commitment of time and personal expense on herpart. Hellena motioned it and Judy seconded it. Passedunanimously.Hellena motioned to donate $100.00 to theIntercollegiate Dressage Club. Margaret seconded it.Passed unanimously.For 2013, only one member has requested (and paid$25) to receive the newsletter in the mail. All STRIDEcommunications are now via email, website(www.STRIDEdressage.org), and group facebook page(https://www.facebook.com/pages/STRIDE-Dressageof-Ocala-FL/).Hellena made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Judyseconded the motion. Accepted unanimously.END