It’s hard to believe that the dressage season is almost over. By the time this is published the ODS championships will have wrapped up and the Region 6 championships will be under way in Nampa, Idaho.

I’m pleased to announce that the ODS board has voted to grant Winnie Heiney-Duncan a ODS life membership. This honor is reserved for a select few who have made outstanding contributions to ODS. Winnie joins a small group that includes Dagmar Fancher, the Loomises, Evelyn Molloy, and Cary Evans. Winnie has served on the ODS board for many, many years and her contributions are too numerous to list. Winnie was a familiar face at shows— in the ring as a competitor, or as technical delegate. I wish her well in her retirement.

I’d like to thank several other people for their efforts this year in providing educational events and competitions.

First, I’d like to thank Barb Funk for picking up the reins of the sport horse breeding committee. She’s managed to coordinate two seminars with top-notch trainers; one on sport horse handling, and the other on training horses to free jump. Thank you, Barb, for all your efforts despite your other commitments as the USDF treasurer.

Thanks to Francy Haupt and her helpers, Barb Jordan and Gwynn Daniels; we’ve continued with the instructors’ certification clinics. Francy is planning to coordinate an L, “learner judging”, program series in late 2006. Additionally, Francy served as the manager of the Linda Acheson Benefit show and the CMC Casual Qualifier show last month. I also want to thank the entire Chehalem Mountain Chapter for their efforts with these shows. The silent auction merchandise was great, the atmosphere was relaxed, and the opportunity to ride one day at a league show, and the next day at a recognized show at the same venue was unique.

As usual, Rose Newman is busy managing shows, volunteering, training show management. She managed the two biggest shows in Oregon this year, the ODS Championship Show and the Dressage at Devonwood, as well as implementing a new show management training program last spring and working on the USDF adult clinic.

Gaye McCabe continues to provide leadership for the ODS high school dressage program, the junior team show, and the adult team show. She’s hard at work on a league show championship for next June. Like Barb, Gaye juggles these responsibilities with her Region 6 director position. Thanks, Gaye.

Nancy Buffington-Kelm performs a very important position as the assistant treasurer. Nancy collects all the financial information from the chapters and committees and compiles aggregated reports for tax and bookkeeping purposes. While many of you never deal with Nancy, she has been serving in this critical post for about five years. Thanks, Nancy for your efforts.

These folks, and many others not mentioned, help make all of the ODS programs and events happen. I’d like to remind everyone at shows or events to thank those working for their time. Unlike some areas of the country, we are able to provide a surprising number of opportunities at very reasonable cost thanks to volunteer labor, and donated (or discounted), facilities.

Until next month, enjoy the fall weather.

John