The 26th Annual ODS Championship Show is this weekend. The Championship Show, Banquet, Special Awards and Silent Auction Committees have all been hard at work to prepare a really fun and exciting weekend. Tentative ride times and the stabling chart have been posted at www.odschampionshipshow.com. Later this week we will be posting a link to the live scores to that website as well. There are still a few spots open for volunteers - if you can lend a hand, please check in with the Volunteer Coordinators in the Volunteer stall, which is located across from the show office in the stabling area.

The ODS Championship Show is hosting our 5th annual Food Drive for the Oregon Food Bank. Admission to the show is a non-perishable food donation or a $5.00 donation to the Oregon Food Bank. We are hoping to improve upon our previous record of 800 pounds of food donated in 2005. The OFB reports that the most needed foods include proteins such as nuts, oats, canned meats (tuna, chicken, etc), peanut butter, pasta/rice/cereal, canned fruits, canned/boxed meals (chili, mac and cheese, soup/stew). For every dollar donated, the OFB is able to collect and distribute 6 pounds of food through its food distribution programs. Read more at oregonfoodbank.org.

Saturday night’s banquet still has some tickets available for purchase - however, at this point, you cannot make your purchase online. Tickets will be available for sale on Friday and Saturday from the ODS Logowear Tent in Vendor Row; alternatively, you can come directly to the banquet and purchase your ticket at the door (subject to availability - if we sell out early, we will post that fact on the www.odschampionshipshow.com website).

The Silent Auction is going to be exciting — here is a partial list of the donations that will be available at the auction, which is held during the Banquet:

* Toklat  - Orideon riding breeches, shirt, jacket and ear warmer/headband ($265)
* Equine Addictions - $150 gift certificate
* Equine Video Productions - 10 showtape transfers VHS to DVD and $50 off video taping
* The Black Walnut Inn - $300 gift certificate (bed & breakfast in the wine country)
* County Saddlery - 1 custom saddle fitting and 1 County Dressage Girth ($270)
* Gallops Saddlery - Gift Certificate for 1 pair of Fits Breeches ($120)
* Dover Saddlery - 1 Leather Halter and 1 crystal browband ($150)
* Glisan St. Saddlery - Hand painted antique box ($65)
* Platinum Performance - 1 bucket Platinum Performance vits/min supps. ($145)
* SmartPak - 2 $25 gift certificates
* Indigo Creations - 1 custom Embroidery (any size, on any product) ($40)
* Sport Horse Shoeing - 1 pair Easy Boots ($75)
* Dr. Joe Lally - 1 equine chiropractic adjustment ($95)
* Dressage Training Online - 3 free subscriptions ($120)
* Regina Agren - 2 45 minute private lessons
* Brooke Voldbaek - 1 45 minute private lesson (does not include $10 haul in fee) ($55)
* Teri Emrich - 1 45 minute private lesson ($55)
* Janice Dill - 2 45 minute private lessons ($110)
* Jennifer Schrader - 3 day training package (3 private lessons and stabling) ($250)
* Beijo Bags - 1 large handbag ($65)
* Riding Couture - 1 gorgeous Stock Tie ($95)
* Nana B’s Boutique - 1 handbag ($50)
* The Unique - Horse pendant necklace ($100)
* Linda Kuhlmann (author) - 1 autographed “Keonigs Wonder” book ($35)
* Cowboy Magic / AJ’s Stafford Feed 3 large Cowboy Magic shampoo/conditioner ($130)
* Photoart by Marti - 1 large framed lithograph w/certificate of authenticity ($200)
* Ardith Hall - 1 large hand sewn wall hanging (priceless)
* Rose Newman - 1 hand knitted by Rose baby blanket (priceless)
* Pacific Meadows Equestrian Center - Spa basket ($120)
* Jeremy Steinberg - 2 day training package (2 private lessons and stabling)

In addition, there will be doorprizes awarded Sunday in Vendor Row and ODS will have logowear available for sale all weekend.

We hope to see you sometime this weekend at the Championships or at the Banquet!

In order to provide a unique benefit to USEF competitions, and help promote the submission of electronic results, USEF has launched the 2007 Computer Hardware Grant Program. In 2007 USEF upgraded all workstations throughout the entire organization, and instead of disposing of these workstations, they are being offered to competitions that may have a use for them. Even though these workstations are three years old they are excellent for running Windows XP, but lack the resources to fully run Windows Vista.Completed applications must be received no later than 10/31/07. Approved applicants will not incur any charges or fees in relation to this grant program, and will be contacted by USEF to determine shipping information. In addition to the hardware, USEF is also offering reimbursement of half the Operating System expense up to $100. The supply is limited, thus applicants are limited to one workstation each.

Go to http://www.usef.org/contentPage2.aspx?id=pcgrant to open the application.

Dear Members,

The ODS board is accepting nominations for the position of ODS director-at-large that is currently held by Siobhan Barker. Siobhan’s three year term will expire in November. Ballots to elect the new director will be sent with the fall membership mailing and the winner will be announced at the November board meeting.

In accordance with ODS by laws and the procedure manual, the board has already solicited nominees from individuals who are currently supporting ODS activities. This email is an effort to be inclusive and encourage participation from other members who may have an interest in serving the organization.

Here are some brief facts regarding the position:

As well as being an advocate for the membership, you are expected to attend the quarterly board meetings and contribute to the effort of the board activities: shows, educational programs, publications, policy and procedure development, etc. The term is for three years. There are incidental costs associated with being a board member. Directors pay their own mileage and retreat costs unless a chapter has volunteered to sponsor them. Meetings are generally held in Eugene, but we’ve recently had some in conjunction with shows in the Willamette Valley.

For further information or to answer specific questions, please email John Craven at John_Craven@ous.edu or Marsha Willams at gotothebarn@bendbroadband.net.

Here is the exact job description as written in the most current ODS Handbook:

Director At Large:

▪ Serves a 3 year term

▪ Sensitive to the thoughts and wishes of the Society membership and represents the interest of all ODS members at Board Meetings.

▪ Attends ODS Board Meetings and votes on issues presented

▪ Discusses issues with ODS members and reports back to the Board or the appropriate committee.

▪ Shall serve as a state officer or board committee member

▪ Submits additions to the agenda to the ODS Office at least three weeks before the meeting.

▪ Obtains a working knowledge of the basics of parliamentary procedure so that board meetings are conducted efficiently.
To submit your name as a candidate:

If you desire to run for the position, the office will need a brief bio to include on the ballot. Please respond to Corinne, at the office with a bio of roughly 250 words that will help the ODS members get a sense of who you are. Here are some main points, with examples, that you might include in your submission:

Who you are: (where you live, what chapter you might belong to, how long you’ve been involved with ODS)

What you do: (compete? manage shows? chapter officer? breeder? judge? instructor?)

Do you have special interests within ODS? (Examples might be: youth dressage, league shows, chapter activities, fundraising etc.)

Be sure to mention any special skills or experience from outside the horse world that would be of value to ODS.

Please submit the bio to Corinne at the office with a brief message of your intent to stand as a candidate for the director-at-large position by 8:00 AM September 10th. Email submissions are encouraged.

Via E-mail:
office@oregondressage.com

Via Fax:
503-681-3873

Via Mail:
Director at Large Nomination
Oregon Dressage Society
880 NE 25th Ave, Ste 2-173
Hillsboro OR 97124

Thank you!

For further information or to answer specific questions, please email John Craven at John_Craven@ous.edu or Marsha Willams at gotothebarn@bendbroadband.net.

###

Dear ODS Members,

The Junior Young Rider show is close and we need to get the operational side of things together.  I am acting as volunteer coordinator.  As you can imagine, I need to put together a practical list of volunteer times.

We are operating 3 arenas this year.  That means, in any given shift, we’ll need 3 scribes, 3 ring stewards/gate people, 3 warm up arena gate people, 3 runners and at least 2-4 people scoring in the office.

THAT’S 16 VOLUNTEERS EVERY SHIFT!!!!!!!!!

Of course, at JYR, competitors are required to lend a hand, and that’s a big help.  But, obviously, we still need you…or the show won’t run.

Please volunteer early and often (if it sounds like I’m begging…well…I am).  Respond to me at horsehaven@earthlink.net and let me know what you can do and when.  Remember, it’s the volunteers that make the show possible.

We are thrilled to be able to use the DevonWood facility this year.  It’s a real treat just to visit the place, much less show there, and we want to be sure we make a good impression.  So, STEP UP, VOLUNTEER, SHOW YOUR ENTHUSIASM…and bail me out of trouble!!!!

Thanking you in advance,

Roger Pike
Volunteer Coordinator
horsehaven@earthlink.net

Dear ODS Members,

The ODS Office will be closed August 18th - 26th.  I will be on a family vacation in the North Cascades of Washington State and will be out of cell range (no computers, either!).

As always, your Board Members and Regional Representatives are available to help you should you have a question or need immediate assistance.  Their contact information is listed on the ODS Website — http://www.oregondressage.com/contact.html.

When I return on the 27th, the ODS Office will be open on an “appointment only” basis through September 3rd as I will be spending that week assisting the Championship Show Committee and ODS Awards Banquet Committee with final preparation.

Please, if you have not already done so, consider volunteering at the Championship Show or at the Awards Banquet.  I hope to see you sometime during the ODS Championship Show weekend!

Warmest Regards,
Corinne Stonier
Office Administrator
Oregon Dressage Society
www.oregondressage.com
PH: 503.681.2337 — FAX: 503.681.3873
880 NE 25th Ave., Suite 2-173
Hillsboro, OR 97124

Hello ODS!

I hope this note finds you enjoying the end of summer as our show season begins to wind down. This is just a reminder that Labor Day is just two weeks away, which means the ODS Open & Championship Shows are just around the corner (Friday 8/31 - Sunday 9/2). As you know, a three-day, three-arena show is a tremendous amount of work and your help in years past has been the guarantee of our success.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE, and if you have a few hours to spare, we would SO appreciate your help as a show volunteer. We currently have openings all days, in all positions, and you needn’t have experience for some things (gate, runner, warm-up, front gate/parking) so come out to enjoy the weekend and we will train you!

Our volunteers will each receive a special thank you gift from ODS. If you think you might have some time, please contact Carol Jackson at jackson4@open.org, or Jennifer Milburn at jennifer.milburn@oregonstate.edu or (541)231-7247 (Verizon mobile).

Thank you SO much for your consideration. We look forward to seeing you at the show.

Jennifer

The ODS Annual Celebration and Awards Banquet will be held Saturday, September 1st at the Holiday Inn in Wilsonville, OR.

This year we celebrate the 36th Anniversary of the Oregon Dressage Society.  The ODS Special Awards Winners will be revealed.  In addition, many of the ODS Chapters are providing fun and overflowing baskets for a silent auction that is sure to be fun!

The hotel has graciously allowed us to push out our ticket order deadline, so we have extended the Pre-Order Ticket Sales Discount to August 26th, 2007. A VERY Limited number of full-price tickets will be on sale after that date at the ODS Vendor Tent at the Championship Show (Friday and Saturday through 10:00 AM).

Costs:

• Banquet Dinners - $35.00 pre-order dinner price includes $5.00 discount for early registration. Full dinner price after 8/26 will be $40.00 per person.
• Reserved VIP Tables – $400 per table, includes dinner for 8 guests, up-front table placement (first come, first reserved) with two bottles of wine, snacks and gifts

Dinner:

• Italian Dinner Buffet with Baked Lasagna, Mediterranean Chicken, Bow-tie Pasta with Pesto, Alfredo and Marinara sauces; Garlic Roasted Vegetables, Rice Pilaf, Tortellini Pasta Salad, Caesar Salad or Tossed Salad with choice of dressings, Antipasto Tray, Seasonal Fruit Tray, Herbed Focaccia Bread and choice of Amaretto Cheesecake or Canneloni

Form:

• Download, print and mail or fax (503-681-3873, fax number) the Banquet Form:  http://www.oregondressage.com/2007-Banquet-Order-Form.pdf
• Or order online from http://www.oregondressage.com/banquet.html

• Do you have questions?
• Are you available to volunteer to set-up, greet guests, help with the silent auction or with checkout at the end of the evening?
• Do you have a contribution for the Silent Auction?
• Would you like to be involved with presenting an award?

If so, please contact Rose Newman at 360-281-6550 or e-mail  rose_newman@yahoo.com.

This coming weekend is the 4th annual ODS Linda S. Acheson Education Fund Benefit Show!  This year the show is being managed by the ODS Board and secretaried by volunteer Chris Main.  Spectators are welcome and volunteers are appreciated.

The times have been posted - click here to view the Saturday Schooling Show Schedule and click here to view the Sunday ODS League Show Schedule.

Please contact Chris directly if you have any questions about the show.  Thank you.

###

Help Make This The Best Championship Show Ever By Becoming A Sponsor!

There are still some sponsorship opportunities at the ODS Championship Show. Don’t miss out on this great sponsorship opportunity for 2007!

The show offers several different sponsorship options:

• Open Class Sponsorship: $35
• Reserve Champion Sponsor: $100
• Champion Sponsor: $200
• Full Class Sponsor: $300

Vendor booths and program advertising are also available.

Contact Nikki White at dressagesponsor@aol.com or (971) 227-3104 for more information or to sign up.

Jill and I volunteered to be the volunteer coordinators for this Show…so guess what? We REALLY need your help to make this a fun and wonderful show, because without willing volunteers, the show doesn’t go on – so please read on.

If you are use to using EZvolunteer, please feel free to do so, but if you could please email us and let us know that’s what you’re using to volunteer – that would be fabulous.

If you prefer to sign up the “old-fashioned” way, then please, check off  what you’re willing to volunteer to do, which day/s, and what time frames.

Then please email us as-soon-as-possible. Also, please put an “X” in front of the time frame you’re willing to volunteer.

The only volunteer positions that really need prior experience are the scribes. We can train the other positions. We are asking questions below each of the duties so we will know who will need training and who is “ready-to-go”.

---

SCRIBE
What levels are you experienced with?

Friday:              a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Saturday:         a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Sunday a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

---

E-Scribe
Have you E-scribed before?

Friday:              a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Saturday:         a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Sunday a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

---

Warm-Up/Gate (Ring Steward)
Have you done bit-checks and equipment checks before?

Friday:              a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Saturday:         a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Sunday a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

---

Warm-Up Arena
Have you worked the warm-up arena before?

Friday:              a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Saturday:         a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Sunday a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

---

Scorer
Have you calculated scores before?

Friday:              a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Saturday:         a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Sunday a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

---

Runner
Do you have a current/valid driver’s license?  If not, would you be willing to walk tests and other items from the judging stands, etc., to the office, etc?

Friday:              a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Saturday:         a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Sunday a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

---

Warm-Up/Gate (Ring Steward)
Have you done bit-checks and equipment checks before?

Friday:              a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Saturday:         a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Sunday a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

---

Judges’ and Judge’s Booth Hospitality Coordinator/s
(one for each arena) Duties: make sure judges, scribes and e-scribes are in their booths at the right time that they have snacks, drinks, etc., and that they have all the needed equipment, take them on breaks, lunch break, and back to the office when done at the end of the day.

Friday:              a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Saturday:         a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Sunday a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

---

Floater and all around GO-FER
Please list all the volunteer positions you feel comfortable with in case we need to substitute.

Friday:              a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Saturday:         a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Sunday a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

---

Secretary &/or Volunteer Booth Assistants
Duties: checking on things, using walkie-talkie, handing things out, etc.

Friday:              a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Saturday:         a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Sunday a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

---

Parking Manager/s
Duties: Helping people park in the lower field, lower barn lot, and upper barn.  Collecting Food Donations for the Oregon Food Bank.

Friday:              a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Saturday:         a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

Sunday a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

---

Judges’ Valet/s
Pick up judges from the airport. Take judges to hotel. Return judges to the airport.

Please email or call me if this is something you are willing to do.

---

Stall Prep.
Duties: Put stall cards on stalls; put bedding in front of stalls; help with stall charting and mapping –

Wednesday:     a.m.                  p.m.                 all day

---

We are really looking forward to hearing from you and are very excited to be able to work with you in making this a TOTALLY AMAZING and FUN show. If you have any questions, need more information, etc., please feel free to email us at: jackson4@open.org

OR CALL:

Carol – cell: 503-949-0156; work: 503-986-3836; home: 503-393-2786

Jill – cell: 503-949-0893