Ontario Newsletter Dec 2007

February, 2008 Newsletter

OUR MANDATE:

1.  To acknowledge that the American Saddlebred horse is a wonderful breed and has something to offer horse   enthusiasts of all ages and interests.  To recognize and appreciate that it is because of the adaptability of the breed that many people use and enjoy this horse in many disciplines and sometimes just as a fun pleasure horse.

2. To offer an association where members who share a passion and a love for the American Saddlebred horse, can through this common bond, forge a network of family, friends and business partners that will flourish and grow.

3.  To bring together members of all ages;  owners of pure and part Saddlebreds;  into a common Saddlebred family.  Members who will hopefully share their news with other members and even market their horses and tack through our bi-monthly newsletter, "SADDLEBRED TALES"

4.  To provide our junior members with every opportunity to gain knowledge about the American Saddlebred Horse, through educational clinics, riding instruction and through special classes for junior members at our horse shows.  To encourage junior members to become involved in running our association so they may become the directors of the future.

5.  To plan and host together, an awesome horse show, "The Saddlebred Classic" where all levels of exhibitors and their Saddlebreds can compete in an atmosphere of fun and good sportsmanship.

 "The American Saddlebred Association of Ontario Inc. gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation through the Provincial Sport Organization funding Program."

Dear Members, 

As we start 2008 I would like to say that I hope that all of our members and their families had a wonderful, joyous Christmas and a happy New Year. 

We have less than one month to go before our Annual General Meeting, which will be taking place on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel.   You will all have received the mailout featuring the agenda for this years meeting, the minutes of last years meeting and a proxy form.  We hope to see as many members as possible come out for the meeting and stay to enjoy the dinner and dance.  If you have any questions regarding the meeting or the weekend in general please contact any of the directors or myself. 

Just to remind you, we still need items for the silent auction, which will be held on Saturday evening.   Last year we reportedly had the most profitable auction out of all the associations, so don't forget your donation.    Please note that the schedule included with the mailout now has the corrected time for the Ontario AGM - from 9am until 12noon. 

For the information of all our members Dorise Breen is officially retiring this year as the secretary/treasurer of ASHA of Ontario.   We will be honouring Dorie's years of selfless dedication at the banquet on Saturday evening with a token of our appreciation for all of her hard work. 

The date for the National Saddle Seat Committees' clinic with Archie Hurst has been finalised for April 11, 12 and 13th and will again be held at Chestnut Hill Morgans in Uxbridge.   Anyone wishing more information about this clinic can contact Mary Ruth Moore at (905) 263-2689 or Susan Hawkshaw at (905) 983-9888. 

I'm sure that everyone enjoyed the information packed newsletter from Nighswander Equestrian Centre.  It sounds as though the Mitch Clark clinic was a great opportunity for those who were able to attend.   Hopefully Sandra will send a list of her upcoming clinics and dates to Marie to be included in our newsletter so that all of us can save the dates!

See you at the AGM!! 

Rick

Special Presentation

 A Special Presentation will be made to a very special Lady  during the           "Mane Event" evening festivities.  Dorise Breen has been our  association's Secretary/Treasurer for over 30 years, and has been a tremendous support  person and friend as well,  for many of us. Always there on the sidelines to cheer us on, faithfully attending many many shows, gracing us with her cheerful smile and encouraging word!

Lets all come out and wish her well in her retirement!   

Happy New Year!

2007 has now passed, its great to look forward to a brand new year for ASHA of Ontario.

Our upcoming, "Mane Event" on February 29^th/March 1, 2008 is quickly approaching and a sense of excitement is in the air!

With the " Mane Event" comes our Annual Members Meeting for ASHA.  Please Please lets all try to attend, your input is highly valued, lets work together to get ASHA off to the best year ever in its 35 year history. I know we can do it.

I am hoping to see many of you there, and will be collecting 2008 memberships there as usual.

I would like to thank everyone who has shown their appreciation to me with their kind words about the newsletter, it has certainly been a "learning experience" for me.  If you have any suggestions on any changes in the newsletter, please don't hesitate to give me your ideas, step right up, don't be shy!  Its your newsletter!

A BIG THANKYOU to our advertisers for 2007, and now is the time to renew your business card ad for 2008.  Lets all get the word out to promote the business card ads, at $25.00 per year, a steal in the advertisement world!  Just think how great it would be if our newsletter could totally support itself.

Best of Luck in the New Year, May all your rides be safe ones!

Marie Papple

Editor

ZONE 2 NEWS

     Once again this year Zone 2 members are looking forward to representing the association at the exciting " Can-Am" event, held this coming March 14-16^th 2008.  This is a highly attended equine extravaganza and the Saddlebred booth is a big attraction for many people.  The booth area last year was a combined effort with the GASHA of Ontario members and was a great success.

Daily under saddle demonstrations with commentary, give the visitors to the event a little taste of how great these horses are!

Please try to attend, helpers are needed in the booth area, if only for an hour or two.  Why not make a day of it and come on down, it's a great event, great clinics, great shopping.

I have attached a copy of the events for the 3 days , for your convenience.

*** Please Note:  We are wanting to create an album filled with pictures from Saddlebred horses in Ontario.  This will be kept for promotional purposes.  Pictures of your horses being used in unusual  ways,( down on the farm type pics, sleigh riding, trail, jumping etc.), as well as nice show pics.  4in.X6in would be great.  Any help in this area that you could contribute, would be gratefully appreciated, Thankyou.

Send your pictures via e-mail:  mariepapple@sympatico.ca  or mail to...

Marie Papple

158 3^rd Conc. Rd.,

Princeton, Ont.

N0J 1V0

Message from Awards Committee:

Many thanks to all ASHA of Ontario members who have sent in their points. This has been a tremendous help in compiling data for awards. Looking forward to seeing the membership at our AGM on Saturday, March 1st beginning at 9 AM. The high point awards will be presented immediately following our AGM on Saturday morning. Our junior exhibitor awards will be presented on Saturday evening during the Mane Event Banquet.

See you at the "MANE EVENT".

Brenda McKibbin

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED!

Once again at the "Mane Event" banquet, we will be holding a silent auction, Each Association will have their own tables in the banquet hall.  Last year, our association had the largest amount of $$$$$ brought in.  Lets keep up the excellent record!

Please come prepared to donate and don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase some very unique items!

If you can not attend, please send along your donations with a ASHA friend.

This is a fantastic fund raiser for us.......

Can we count on YOU???

All proceeds from the silent auction go to ASHA of Ontario Inc.

Ideas?

New tack, framed pictures, gift baskets, gift certificates, household decorating items,

Unique articles of equine art, anything horsey at all!!

_____________________________________________________________________________

***Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away***

ASHA Ontario Zone 3

ZONE 3 NEWS Submitted by Marilyn Buller September 22 saw the 3rd annual running of the Canter for PalCare Charity Trail Ride through the York Regional Forest in Aurora Ontario. One of our barn members is involved in this charity, and so even though we were not out of our show season yet, we had three riders enter. The day dawned clear and sunny, we couldn't have asked for better weather! We loaded up Eagle (High Class Property), Steele (Winsdown Crucible Steele) and Love (Unforgettable Love) none of whom have ever been on a ride like this before and hoped for the best. In true Saddlebred fashion they were absolutely perfect! The organization had many volunteers ready to hold horses, fetch this and that, hand out lunch and drinks. Everyone we came across was very interested in our bred and all had questions about them. The comment "you don't see Saddlebreds on the trails" was often mentioned. It occurred to me that these events are a perfect way to 1) enjoy your horse and get out of the barn, 2) contribute to a great cause - whatever it may be, 3) promote the versatility of our breed. The best way to encourage the ownership of a Saddlebred is for people to see them. Not only in the show ring where people may feel intimidated by their action but also in less intense activity to show that these horses are a versatile breed that enjoy all aspects of riding! As we came through the forest to an open field and the end of our ride, we were greeted with waves and cheers by all. "Here come the Fancy Horses" they said. Everyone was so thrilled that we joined the ride and wanted to be sure we had fun. After four hours of trail riding, getting turned around once or twice, we were tired but exuberant and positive that we would be back next year! I urge everyone to look for an event to support. The enjoyment you will get from the day, the funds you can help raise and the promotion of our wonderful breed is well worth your time.