Officers: President – Sally Temple, Co-President – Biagina Lazaroni, Secretary – Lisa Piccioni, Treasurer – Sharon Malmstrom, News Person – Marsha Taylor
This was an amazing year for Twin Rivers Chapter, full of learning, laughter, abundant volunteering and many accomplishments! In our first meeting of the year we came up with lots of wonderful ideas and managed to follow through with almost all of them before the year was through!
Our first event was a Braiding Clinic taught by Biagina Lazaroni at Serendipity Farm. Using several different horse ‘models’, Biagina taught 3 types of braids to a group of about 10 participants and everyone had a chance for hands-on practice.
Our second event was a Ride-a-test held in conjunction with a Derby Day at Kathryn Daniel’s Make-Your-Mark Stables. Biagina Lazaroni judged both USEF dressage and event tests. We had excellent attendance and a great opportunity for Dressage and Event
riders to mingle and learn from each other.
Every year we look forward to the Annual Tack Sale. This year Audrey Staton headed the committee that put it together. Careful organization and many volunteer hours made for a very successful sale. Lots of tack was brought in and – again, despite the cold – sales were healthy.
For our Education Night, Biagina and Sharon Malmstrom put together a Barn Safety seminar held at Sharon’s home farm. There was an ‘obstacle course’ in which participants went through the barn in teams and tried to spot all the unsafe possibilities. Afterwards we came in from the cold to a potluck and a written test on general horse knowledge. There were prizes for the team that got the most correct answers, and fun and learning for all.
Later in March, Audrey Staton organized a Long-Lining Clinic with Susan Atkinson held at Three-Cedars Farm in Eugene, Oregon. Twin Rivers volunteers put together a delicious lunch. There was a good turn-out of auditors. Participants increased their skills and saw excellent improvement in their horses.
Good heavens, by this time we’ve held 5 events and we’re only up to April!!
In April Twin Rivers hosted a 2-day Brent Hicks Clinic organized by Sally Temple and held at Serendipity where all were made to feel welcome by owners Vickie and Wayne. The clinic was full and many auditors also came to learn.
After a breather in May, Twin Rivers held a practice show in June at Poseiden Farms in Goshen. Leslie Chapman judged a full day of rides and, thanks to the efforts of Sally, Biagina and many volunteers, the show ran smoothly.
By July we felt we deserved a party! A potluck barbeque was held on the beautiful lawns of Posiden Farms. Jim Temple and Gary Horkey ‘manned’ the grills and the food was delicious. Afterwards we held a club meeting where we thanked all those who had donated so much time and discussed what was in store for the rest of our year.
In September, Kathleen Furniss organized a trail ride at Elijah Bristow Park…because horses are not just for going around an arena!
Later in September, Twin Rivers hosted our first League Show. Thanks to the eternal patience of Kaye Phanauf, Sally and Biagina were able to organize the show with our new computer program. Twin Rivers has finally joined the 21st Century! Diane Halstrom was our hostess at her beautiful farm on the Mckenzie river. She and her husband went out of their way to make our club and show participants feel at home! Kathy Casey was our judge for a full day of rides. The weather cooperated, the show ran smoothly with the help of many volunteers. Sally Temple and Marsha Taylor were very persuasive at bringing in donations and sponsors. Tired but happy at the end of the day, our club could be proud of a well-run League show!
In October, Sharon Gerl organized a Regina Agren Clinic held at Three Cedars Farm. The clinic was full and ran smoothly. Auditors and riders were well satisfied with all they learned. The unanimous opinion was that we should invite Regina back again soon.
In November Sally Temple, June Horkey, Biagina Lazaroni, Pam Frye and Amalia Boyles attended the Region 6 Mini-convention and ODS Annual Banquet. Sally, June and Biagina attended educational sessions and promised to report back on what they learned at the next club meeting. The banquet was a lively, delicious affair. Sally Temple organized the silent auction this year and everyone agreed it was a huge success!
We wrapped up the year with our annual Christmas bash, graciously hosted this year at the home of Jim and Sally Temple. With a potluck and ornament exchange, the club was able to relax, socialize and enjoy the fruits of our busy, successful 2009.
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Ilene Nessenson then gave a saddle fitting mini- clinic for us on April 11. We learned about the parts of both English & Western saddles, horse back confirmation and saddle evaluation. We had three “model†horses & broke into 3 groups working w/ these horses trying on and evaluating the MANY saddles that Ilene and the participants had brought to the clinic.
