Friday, April 17, 2009
Spring, where are't though?
I think spring finally showed up this past week. Just in time for Easter. It seems like the 08-9 winter was long. Really long. Really, really long. Really snowy. Really cloudy. Really windy. Really long. The horses must have thought so too because the outdoor boys are girls sported some really intense winter coats this year. Every time I thought, "here comes spring!" Wham, more snow. Get your hopes up and the door came slamming shut. Spring? "Ha ha ha! You shall be doomed to another blizzard!" That is why I am not getting too confident that this week of nice weather is the potential start of spring. What a pessimist I am being. That glass is sure half empty. April showers bring May flowers, but all that March and April snow has brought April mud. Muddy ruts, muddy dogs, muddy boots, muddy garages, muddy entry ways, muddy clothes, muddy horses, muddy stirrups, muddy trailer, muddy truck (inside and out) surround me. Some of the normally simplest tasks have become dreaded chores. Filling the mineral feeder. Normally, throw two bags of mineral on the 4-wheeler and ride on out to the feeder and fill it. Pretty simple. Not so the other day. Load the bags on the 4-wheeler. Get the 4-wheeler half way to the feeder driving on what looked like muddy but would work ground only to sink the 4-wheeler in over half way. Now, not only do you have to fill a mineral feeder yet, you also have to try to get the 4-wheeler out. Get off 4-wheeler, pick up bag of mineral and try to walk to feeder without losing your high rubber boots to the quagmire. Don't forget there are two mineral bags. The more you carry the deeper you sink. You have to make two 4-wheeler to mineral feeder trips. Feeder full. You still have both your boots, even though you are breathing like a winded defensive lineman. You can take a breather on the stuck 4-wheeler. It does not seem to be sinking yet as you throw yourself across the seat. It is at this point, rather than set out on my own journey for the tractor, I phone for help. After all it is going to take two people to unstuck the 4-wheeler. Son brings tractor to edge of lot. Son throws chain. Chain lands half way between tractor and 4-wheeler. Son points out you are already covered in mud. You walk and get chain. Carry chain back to 4-wheeler. You dig in mud, and you dig in more mud, and you dig in even more mud to finally uncover a place to hook the chain. You sit on 4-wheeler as it digs its way out of the lot like a spatula in chocolate cake batter. Okay, that is just bad imagery and I don't think I can bring myself to bake a chocolate cake until it dries up a bit outside. You wash mud off of 4-wheeler. Only one hour has passed and you have completed a normally 5 minute task. Don't forget that after it dries up some you will still have that awful rut you just created to level off. So much for a quick chore and then going to ride. Where did I think I was going to ride anyway? Happy Spring!
Congratulations Dr. RM Christensen!
If you weren't at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds on Friday, April 10th, you missed a wonderful surprise celebration of Dr. RM Christensen's 40 years (give or take a year- since 1968- a personal favorite year of my own) of hosting of the Sioux Falls Quarter Horse Shows. Following the completion of Friday's halter classes, Doc and his wife Linda were lured to the arena, under false pretenses I am told, to receive his award. Doc was presented with a beautiful plaque commemorating his years of dedication. SDQHA would like to thank Doc for all his work and dedication in making the Sioux Falls April shows a success. Following the award presentation everyone enjoyed cake in Doc and Linda's honor. Thank you Dr. RM Christensen!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Poudest Moments
If you are a parent you probably can relate that your proudest moments involve your children. Things your children do greatly out shadow anything you may have done in your glory days, like throwing the winning touch down, placing at the AJQHA (American Junior Quarter Horse Association- the name AQHYA used to be called, I still have the coat with the old acronym) World Show, going to the National High School Rodeo. None of these things can compare to the pride that wells inside us from the actions of our children. It isn’t that their feats are so much greater than ours, but viewed through the rose colored glasses of parenthood, nothing can compare to what they do. The proud parents’ buttons burst at the first steps, the first words, the first games, the first prom, the first grandchild. Our hearts swell in pride at the smallest things our children do. On the flip side, yes, our children do embarrass us too and when they become teenagers we suddenly embarrass them beyond belief, and our intelligence greatly decreases, but that is another story.
The proudest memories I have of my children did not occur in public events, however. My proudest moments are quiet events that few people know about. These moments are often shared only between a few people, but that doesn’t make them any less memorable, rather they are even more memorable. The proudest moments are not winning rides in the show pen, graceful dance performances, or breathtaking bull rides, even though I must say I have swelled with pride watching my kids do these things. My proudest moments with my children have been watching them interact with others showing the utmost compassion and empathy. Finding out that my college age son took the time to call and visit with a family friend whose father had just died. As he told me, “I didn’t really know what to say, but knew I should call and say something.” Welcome to adulthood. As he learned, it is not what you say, but the fact that you took the time to show you care. Finding out your preteen daughter offered to help someone that looked like they needed help. While it wasn’t building a house for Habitat For Humanity, it was the recognition of a fellow human being in need of a helping hand and doing something about it. It certainly would have been easy to just walk on by, but she took the initiative to see if help was needed. Her heart was certainly in the right place. These are not just isolated examples, but two that really made me proud. Only a handful of people know about these events. Nobody won a belt buckle, a state champion trophy, or a full ride scholarship, but they still top my proudest moments. These are the kind of actions that go unseen most of the time, yet are the source of my greatest pride in my children.
While we should feel proud of our children’s and our own special accomplishments, we should remember that how we interact with each other, whether winning or losing, is what is really important. Twenty years from now very few people will remember who won the class, the state championship, or even the world championship, but people will remember how you treated other people. People will remember the phone call, or the offer of help. That is why I am a proud parent.
The proudest memories I have of my children did not occur in public events, however. My proudest moments are quiet events that few people know about. These moments are often shared only between a few people, but that doesn’t make them any less memorable, rather they are even more memorable. The proudest moments are not winning rides in the show pen, graceful dance performances, or breathtaking bull rides, even though I must say I have swelled with pride watching my kids do these things. My proudest moments with my children have been watching them interact with others showing the utmost compassion and empathy. Finding out that my college age son took the time to call and visit with a family friend whose father had just died. As he told me, “I didn’t really know what to say, but knew I should call and say something.” Welcome to adulthood. As he learned, it is not what you say, but the fact that you took the time to show you care. Finding out your preteen daughter offered to help someone that looked like they needed help. While it wasn’t building a house for Habitat For Humanity, it was the recognition of a fellow human being in need of a helping hand and doing something about it. It certainly would have been easy to just walk on by, but she took the initiative to see if help was needed. Her heart was certainly in the right place. These are not just isolated examples, but two that really made me proud. Only a handful of people know about these events. Nobody won a belt buckle, a state champion trophy, or a full ride scholarship, but they still top my proudest moments. These are the kind of actions that go unseen most of the time, yet are the source of my greatest pride in my children.
While we should feel proud of our children’s and our own special accomplishments, we should remember that how we interact with each other, whether winning or losing, is what is really important. Twenty years from now very few people will remember who won the class, the state championship, or even the world championship, but people will remember how you treated other people. People will remember the phone call, or the offer of help. That is why I am a proud parent.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Wind Down
For South Dakota, all of our "regular season" games have come to an end. The kids are back in school, the days are getting shorter, and the broodmares are getting fatter. The pastures are starting to show their wear and the insects are holding out for their last hurrah until the frost will officially shift us into another season. The end of horse show season finds me thankful for the break and yet a bit restless for more. Ready to pack away the show stuff, yet itching to have just one more ride in the show pen. When you take a break from an activity tired, but thirsting for more, you know you have hit the right blend of still loving what you are doing, but being comfortable sitting out some games. Normally I don't pack away the show season quite so soon, but surgery put a little hitch in my plans for this year. Now I have just been searching October, like an addict, for maybe one more show in a neighboring state because I have been given the go ahead to resume riding the middle of October. For me the horse show "post season" is a great time to reflect on the year by identifying the areas of weakness of my riding, my horse, and my training plan, celebrating the accomplishments of the season, and setting my goals for the next year. Fall is also the time where I like to hit the wet saddle blankets the hardest in trying to work on something new like adding a new class or maybe even starting to learn new riding style such as dressage. In the fall it is easier for me to focus on the training. No worries about keeping horsey coats ready for the weekend (folks I have that especially tough showing the nearly white horse), cleaning the chaps, shaping the hat, packing the trailer. With none of those things to worry about I can concentrate on the training and my riding. I love going out to ride in the fall when the air is just starting to become crisp and the insects have gone away. It is only sad that in South Dakota those conditions for riding sometimes don't last very long until the snow falls and we are forced back into our four walled artifically lit riding spaces. I hope everyone at SDQHA enjoys their wind down to fall. Good luck to all the SDQHA members competing in the "post season" events and I hope to see you all at the January annual meeting and banquet.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
New Show Research Committee Report
June 27, 2008
Dear Members, Exhibitors, and potential new exhibitors and members of SDQHA Shows,
The SDQHA Directors take a strong interest in our South Dakota Quarter Horse Shows. As an organization, we want our shows to appeal to our membership, as well as new potential exhibitors and members.
Many members and exhibitors of SDQHA are not aware that South Dakota Quarter Horse Association has only 2 shows that they “own” or have management rights to. These shows are the Huron Show in June, and the Brookings Show, held this year in May. All other South Dakota shows are managed by outside entities, and control their own shows and the management of those shows.
At our March Board of Directors Meeting, our board discussed our current economy and ways that we could keep our two shows strong during difficult economic times. Much discussion took place on the potential advantages of combining the Huron Show and the Brookings Show.
As a result of the discussions, a committee was formed. The purpose of the committee was to look into the possibility of combining the two existing SDQHA shows for the purpose of;
Reducing transportation costs, stalling costs, and bedding costs associated with traveling to multiple shows by holding 1 larger and more lengthy show.
Adding additional cattle classes for the purpose of expanding our current class offering as well as allowing for additional income from the volume of exhibitors that attend these classes.
Opening up opportunities for other organizations (i.e. reining, roping, cutting, working cow, etc.) to become more involved with SDQHA events.
Reducing the costs of holding 2 shows versus 1.
Creating an event that will, at a minimum, break even on expenses, thus protecting the assets of SDQHA.
Creating a fun event that family’s will enjoy attending year after year.
The New Show Research Committee began meeting April 12, 2008 and finalized their research On May 12th, 2008. The committee compared costs of 3 potential sites. These sites included Huron, Sioux Falls, and Brookings.
A committee tracked the positives and negatives of each potential site. After some investigation, and discussion around the sites, Huron was eliminated from the discussion due to several objectives that the committee felt were more suitably offered through the Brookings and Sioux Falls sites.
As discussion continued, the Sioux Falls site was eliminated due to several factors that the committee felt could be potential problems in the future. These items included;
The cost of the Sioux Falls site continues to go up. Along with the cost of the facility, additional set up costs, clean up costs and adhoc costs which make the facility a larger expense for any show.
In working with the facility, and explaining our committee mission, and the length of our potential show, there were no offers to reduce expenses to make the facility option more cost affective or equal in cost to the Brookings site. These offers could have included reduction of expense for stall set up, additional set up or clean up fees that were being charged by the Sioux Falls site. The lack of these offers made this facility a less desirable option due to costs and manpower that would be needed to cover these duties by utilizing our own people in non-paid/volunteer roles.
The future of the site was also in question. Little is being done to improve the site. It continues to not be well maintained. The committee discussed the issue of starting a large show at this site only to have the site become not available for these types of events, thus causing the need to discontinue or move the event after it had been established. This was considered by the board to be a risk to the longevity of the event.
On May 12th, the committee met at the Brookings Show. The committee discussed in depth what they felt it would take to make the potential new show break even in today’s current economy.
During the discussion, the committee discussed potential risks of starting this type of a show in today’s economy. Some of those factors include;
forecasted costs of fuel
cost of judges
cost of airline travel for judges
cost of facility
future cost of dirt work for the Brookings arena
stalling capacity/limitations in Brookings may not offer enough income potential or space for a growing show.
The committee proposed dates of the new show to be June 15, 2009 through June 21, 2009.
What’s next? Most of the research is complete, however, the opinions of our membership, exhibitors and potential new members/exhibitors is very important in order to make this change. In order to act quickly, we have set up a link at our website to gain your feedback of this proposal. We appreciate your feedback as your opinion weighs heavily on our decision to move forward.
Here’s how you can provide your feedback…….
SDQHA Members & SDQHYA Members-
Please leave comments on this blog thread. Your comments can be left anonymously or with an email address. This is an open blog so comments posted can be read by anyone. You may also email or call anyone on the committee directly. Their email addresses and phone numbers are at the end of this blog. Things to consider in your comments are the questions below. We also welcome any other comments.
Do you believe that this show is a benefit to you?
Do you see a longer show as a cost savings?
How many days of showing would make this beneficial?
Would you attend?
Why or why not?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neighboring states and friends we also value your input.
We appreciate all of our friends from neighboring states that attend our South Dakota Shows. When it comes to roping events and reining, we have appreciated the fact that your attendance at Dr. Christensen’s Sioux Falls Show in April has made it a great show for everyone trying to gain points. In South Dakota, we would like to offer additional roping events, cattle events and reining events, and this venue offers that possibility. Please leave comments on this blog thread. Your comments can be left anonymously or with an email address. This is an open blog so comments posted can be read by anyone. You may also email or call a committee member directly. Their emails and phone numbers are listed at the end of this post. Things to consider in your comments are the questions below. We also welcome any other comments.
Would this be an event that you would/could support?
How many days of showing would make this show a benefit?
Are there any major events in your area that would conflict with these dates? (June 15, 2009 through June 21, 2009)
If these dates are a conflict, are there other dates that we should consider?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential new exhibitors and members we also value your input. Please leave your comments on this blog thread. Things to consider in your comments are the questions below.
If you have never attended one of our South Dakota Shows or been a member of SDQHA, would this be an event that would bring you our way?
What things do you look for in the shows that you attend?
What would bring you our way?
On behalf of the New Show Research Committee, we appreciate everyone’s speedy input. Your ideas will pave the way for our future SDQHA shows. Please contact any of us with any questions or comments you may have regarding this proposal.
We look forward to getting the feedback by August 1, 2008, so that we can make plans for our 2009 shows.
Sincerely,
The New Show Research Committee
Jim Hootman (605) 368-5826 email- jhoo721874@aol.com
Mike Clites (605)-690-1279 email -weqh@brookings.net
Rhonda Nussbaum (605) 359-9911 email- rhonda.nussbaum@citi.com
Shawn Jaacks (605) 351-8007 email- sjaacks@cedaramerican.com
Misty Schaunaman (605) 226-5927 email- schauncm@nvc.net
Janet Hansen (605) 223-9949 email- jpslider@msn.com
Dean Johnson (605) 456-1176 email- drywellranch@sdplainswb.com
JD Lauing (605) 962-6372 email- lauing@venturecomm.net
Dear Members, Exhibitors, and potential new exhibitors and members of SDQHA Shows,
The SDQHA Directors take a strong interest in our South Dakota Quarter Horse Shows. As an organization, we want our shows to appeal to our membership, as well as new potential exhibitors and members.
Many members and exhibitors of SDQHA are not aware that South Dakota Quarter Horse Association has only 2 shows that they “own” or have management rights to. These shows are the Huron Show in June, and the Brookings Show, held this year in May. All other South Dakota shows are managed by outside entities, and control their own shows and the management of those shows.
At our March Board of Directors Meeting, our board discussed our current economy and ways that we could keep our two shows strong during difficult economic times. Much discussion took place on the potential advantages of combining the Huron Show and the Brookings Show.
As a result of the discussions, a committee was formed. The purpose of the committee was to look into the possibility of combining the two existing SDQHA shows for the purpose of;
Reducing transportation costs, stalling costs, and bedding costs associated with traveling to multiple shows by holding 1 larger and more lengthy show.
Adding additional cattle classes for the purpose of expanding our current class offering as well as allowing for additional income from the volume of exhibitors that attend these classes.
Opening up opportunities for other organizations (i.e. reining, roping, cutting, working cow, etc.) to become more involved with SDQHA events.
Reducing the costs of holding 2 shows versus 1.
Creating an event that will, at a minimum, break even on expenses, thus protecting the assets of SDQHA.
Creating a fun event that family’s will enjoy attending year after year.
The New Show Research Committee began meeting April 12, 2008 and finalized their research On May 12th, 2008. The committee compared costs of 3 potential sites. These sites included Huron, Sioux Falls, and Brookings.
A committee tracked the positives and negatives of each potential site. After some investigation, and discussion around the sites, Huron was eliminated from the discussion due to several objectives that the committee felt were more suitably offered through the Brookings and Sioux Falls sites.
As discussion continued, the Sioux Falls site was eliminated due to several factors that the committee felt could be potential problems in the future. These items included;
The cost of the Sioux Falls site continues to go up. Along with the cost of the facility, additional set up costs, clean up costs and adhoc costs which make the facility a larger expense for any show.
In working with the facility, and explaining our committee mission, and the length of our potential show, there were no offers to reduce expenses to make the facility option more cost affective or equal in cost to the Brookings site. These offers could have included reduction of expense for stall set up, additional set up or clean up fees that were being charged by the Sioux Falls site. The lack of these offers made this facility a less desirable option due to costs and manpower that would be needed to cover these duties by utilizing our own people in non-paid/volunteer roles.
The future of the site was also in question. Little is being done to improve the site. It continues to not be well maintained. The committee discussed the issue of starting a large show at this site only to have the site become not available for these types of events, thus causing the need to discontinue or move the event after it had been established. This was considered by the board to be a risk to the longevity of the event.
On May 12th, the committee met at the Brookings Show. The committee discussed in depth what they felt it would take to make the potential new show break even in today’s current economy.
During the discussion, the committee discussed potential risks of starting this type of a show in today’s economy. Some of those factors include;
forecasted costs of fuel
cost of judges
cost of airline travel for judges
cost of facility
future cost of dirt work for the Brookings arena
stalling capacity/limitations in Brookings may not offer enough income potential or space for a growing show.
The committee proposed dates of the new show to be June 15, 2009 through June 21, 2009.
What’s next? Most of the research is complete, however, the opinions of our membership, exhibitors and potential new members/exhibitors is very important in order to make this change. In order to act quickly, we have set up a link at our website to gain your feedback of this proposal. We appreciate your feedback as your opinion weighs heavily on our decision to move forward.
Here’s how you can provide your feedback…….
SDQHA Members & SDQHYA Members-
Please leave comments on this blog thread. Your comments can be left anonymously or with an email address. This is an open blog so comments posted can be read by anyone. You may also email or call anyone on the committee directly. Their email addresses and phone numbers are at the end of this blog. Things to consider in your comments are the questions below. We also welcome any other comments.
Do you believe that this show is a benefit to you?
Do you see a longer show as a cost savings?
How many days of showing would make this beneficial?
Would you attend?
Why or why not?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neighboring states and friends we also value your input.
We appreciate all of our friends from neighboring states that attend our South Dakota Shows. When it comes to roping events and reining, we have appreciated the fact that your attendance at Dr. Christensen’s Sioux Falls Show in April has made it a great show for everyone trying to gain points. In South Dakota, we would like to offer additional roping events, cattle events and reining events, and this venue offers that possibility. Please leave comments on this blog thread. Your comments can be left anonymously or with an email address. This is an open blog so comments posted can be read by anyone. You may also email or call a committee member directly. Their emails and phone numbers are listed at the end of this post. Things to consider in your comments are the questions below. We also welcome any other comments.
Would this be an event that you would/could support?
How many days of showing would make this show a benefit?
Are there any major events in your area that would conflict with these dates? (June 15, 2009 through June 21, 2009)
If these dates are a conflict, are there other dates that we should consider?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential new exhibitors and members we also value your input. Please leave your comments on this blog thread. Things to consider in your comments are the questions below.
If you have never attended one of our South Dakota Shows or been a member of SDQHA, would this be an event that would bring you our way?
What things do you look for in the shows that you attend?
What would bring you our way?
On behalf of the New Show Research Committee, we appreciate everyone’s speedy input. Your ideas will pave the way for our future SDQHA shows. Please contact any of us with any questions or comments you may have regarding this proposal.
We look forward to getting the feedback by August 1, 2008, so that we can make plans for our 2009 shows.
Sincerely,
The New Show Research Committee
Jim Hootman (605) 368-5826 email- jhoo721874@aol.com
Mike Clites (605)-690-1279 email -weqh@brookings.net
Rhonda Nussbaum (605) 359-9911 email- rhonda.nussbaum@citi.com
Shawn Jaacks (605) 351-8007 email- sjaacks@cedaramerican.com
Misty Schaunaman (605) 226-5927 email- schauncm@nvc.net
Janet Hansen (605) 223-9949 email- jpslider@msn.com
Dean Johnson (605) 456-1176 email- drywellranch@sdplainswb.com
JD Lauing (605) 962-6372 email- lauing@venturecomm.net
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Huron SDQHA Shows
I so enjoyed being at my first South Dakota AQHA show of the year and seeing my old friends and making new friends. I wish I could have taken in the novice show on Thursday, but I did greatly enjoy attending the 2008 Johnny Cavelle Aberdeen Dance Recital and watching my daughter dance. Welcome to all the new and returning members to the SDQHA. I hope you enjoy your ride with the SDQHA.
The Huron shows were blessed with beautiful weekend weather (I did hear that Thursday was a bit wet). The South Dakota State Fair grounds was bursting with activity all weekend. In addition to the SDQHA shows, the fair grounds hosted a dressage show, stock car racing, Wheel Jam, and many music shows. Nobody should have ever found themselves board over the weekend. The novice youth division was the largest division, seeing many classes with double digit entries. It is nice to see such an active SDQHYA group. If anyone has any pictures from shows throughout the season feel free to email them to me (info@sdqha.com) and I will try to post what I can on the website.
Please watch http://www.sdqha.com/ and this blog for more information and discussion to come regarding the future of SDQHA sponsored shows. The SDQHA would like to know what you would like to see in future for 2009 SDQHA sponsored shows.
The Huron shows were blessed with beautiful weekend weather (I did hear that Thursday was a bit wet). The South Dakota State Fair grounds was bursting with activity all weekend. In addition to the SDQHA shows, the fair grounds hosted a dressage show, stock car racing, Wheel Jam, and many music shows. Nobody should have ever found themselves board over the weekend. The novice youth division was the largest division, seeing many classes with double digit entries. It is nice to see such an active SDQHYA group. If anyone has any pictures from shows throughout the season feel free to email them to me (info@sdqha.com) and I will try to post what I can on the website.
Please watch http://www.sdqha.com/ and this blog for more information and discussion to come regarding the future of SDQHA sponsored shows. The SDQHA would like to know what you would like to see in future for 2009 SDQHA sponsored shows.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Hard Decisions II
FYI- Trigger is doing great, and even accompanied me to the SDQHA Huron shows. Sparky is doing great! She has resumed her habit of pawing (with the injured leg) while eating her grain. Both will fully recover with just a slight limp. I now know my hard decisions were the right ones, even though I will be making some monthly payments for them:)
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