March 2008 Paddock Paper

Northern New Mexico Horsemen's Association

President’s Message
Spring has sprung. Time to get the horses shod and in shape for what can be a great summer. I have put together some notes on "Trail Riding" with a twist or two. Looking forward to sharing with the group. I have been contacted by the Horseman's Voice to do a full story on the NNMHA history since it is our 60th Anniversary year. I invite anyone that would like to tackle putting together an article from out records etc. to let me know. Could be an interesting project. See all at the meeting.

Eldon

 

Meeting Minutes
Eldon began the meeting shortly after 7pm.

Announcements

  • Eldon started the meeting with a reminder that this is our 60th year; we plan to have a celebration in September, probably the 29th, coupled with a fun day/catered barbecue.
  • Emergency evacuation season is starting up. We offer the NNMHA grounds as a safe haven for evacuees and have developed a reputation of being very efficient. Eldon is going to go to Bernalillo, the East Mountain area and Las Cruces to share with the county services folks in those areas how we structure our emergency response. He will update the phone-call-up list and will also interface with the Posse to be sure that all procedures and contacts are updated
  • Matt Guenther mentioned that he would like to offer a Ridge Ride on March 15th; he will watch the weather and contact us by email if it looks like a “go”. Eldon added that if anyone has a ride to suggest that they call Matt.
  • The NNMHA grounds will be used for a Northern Star 4-H play day on July 19th
  • Susan Stanke announced the upcoming show dates are: June 15, August 24, and October 5 (all Sundays) Susan also requested that anyone interested in helping her organize these shows to please contact her. She’d really appreciate some assistance pulling the shows together, in prep time and actual day-of help. We are grateful that Susan is so willing to manage these activities again this year. THANK YOU SUSAN!!
  • Eldon added dressage dates: June 8 and July 13
  • The Rodeo is slated for June 24 – 29 this year; we need all possible volunteers on hand to help with managing the stalls; before to clean up and prep; during the Rodeo to handle rentals; after to clean up again.
  • Betsy and Eldon announced that the brochures are here! Many thanks to Trish Hug for her great work on this; they look wonderful. And now that the brochures are ready, Betsy reminded everyone that she’ll need some help doing the mailing; probably will happen this weekend. Anyone who has not already offered to help and would like to can call her at 466-1038; she will try to get a date set by Friday.
  • There will be a possible work day set up in May – fixing stalls.
  • Eldon said that he would go through the “History Box” in the office to see what things
    he can find that would help to promote our anniversary. A general discussion ensued about how exciting it would be to find someone who might have been around since the beginning.
  • Eldon mentioned that it would be good to replace the sign on Rodeo Road and is working on that. Lori said that Janet Elder might have a “mule” for us to use during Rodeo season to help as we work at the grounds. Last year we tried it with a lawn mower, but it was w-a-y—t-o-o—s-l-o-w!
  • Betsy reminded the group that we still need a secretary; at the last meeting Lisa had mentioned that it might be doable to have two people do it, alternating months. Anyone interested please contact any current board member.
  • Board Meetings are open to the general membership and are the second Wednesday of the month at the Plaza Southside Cafe.

 

February Speaker
Bob Larison gave us an entertaining talk about mules. He started with some pretty silly jokes and then told us that this is the “year of the mule and the donkey” in New Mexico. He provided us all with a great Las Golondrinas brochure listing lots of fun events throughout 2008. He also brought and set up some wonderful old photos (from Dick Kimberley) showing mules throughout the history of the west; and he gave an astounding description of how to run a 20-mule team through curved mountain roads; we were all very amazed and impressed. Mules rule! Thank you Bob!

 

Calendar of Events
Monthly meetings are held the last Wednesday of the month (excluding September and December) at the Plaza South Side Café, 3011 Cerrillos Rd. at 7 p.m. Speaker begins at 7:30 p.m. Good idea to get there by 6:30 if having dinner. For more info contact Eldon.

March 26 – Eldon Reyer will share his take on “TRAIL RIDING.”

April 30 – Roeliff Annon “Extreme Mustang Makeover Contest: Thrills and Spills" http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/65695 Roeliff won 11th Place out of 100 trainers selected to ‘train’ wild mustangs in 90 days.

May 28 – Greg Gillespie and Rachel Knorr from The Feed Bin will talk about types of feed and what to consider when selecting a feed. Greg is the manager of the Feed Bin. Rachel has her BA in Equine Science and her masters in Agricultural Education and is a Ranch-Way “feed specialist” and will be the main presenter.

October 29 – Doug Thal, DVM – Conformation basics as they relate to function – Dr. Thal will discuss the basics of conformation as it relates to lameness and performance. Many breed characteristics have deviated from what is most functional and compatible with soundness. It is important to recognize the basics of sound conformation.


Other Equine Activities
Be sure to check out the Other Activities Around Town webpage for more fun events to attend.

 

Classifieds
Check out our Classifieds page for boarding opportunities, tack, horses and services.

 

Discussion on Horse Trail Access in NW Quadrant
Back in February, interested equestrians and the Santa Fe Conservation Trust began an email dialogue about trails in the Northwest Quadrant, particularly the city's La Tierra Trails. We share an interest in a trail system that would serve and satisfy all non-motorized users – hikers, cyclists, and equestrians – while helping everyone avoid unhappy encounters with non-equestrian trail users unaware of the danger they can cause to riders and their mounts.

As you'll recall, things were extraordinarily busy here at the Trust in February, and we agreed to get together later. Now that the city election is over and the trails bond measure has passed, my work has slowed to its ordinary frantic pace and I'd love to meet in an informal way with those of you who are available. The goal of this first meeting would be to just get acquainted, discuss our mutual goals, and together sketch out what we'd like to address in a subsequent larger meeting that would include city parks staff and the trails committee of the Santa Fe Conservation Trust.

Earlier indications were that most people would be available for either a weekend or a mid-week evening get-together. For this first meeting, I think someone's living room is the ideal location. If you'd like to decide amongst yourselves how to proceed, I'll make myself available for whatever time you select. I rehearse in a choral group on Monday evenings; I'll be out of town the last weekend in March as well as the weekend of April 12; otherwise available.

I look forward to meeting you and working together.

All the best,

Rici Peterson
Executive Director
Santa Fe Conservation Trust
rici@sfct.org
505/989-7019