Association/Trail Riders News

BRIGHTON TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION

As we approach the end of 2021, we are reflecting on what this year has brought us. Things were a little bit better than 2020 in that we were able to partially return to our normal lives, but we have had to still deal with many restrictions and accommodations relating to Covid. We have to accept the fact that a “new normal” may replace the “old normal.” How has this affected the activities relating to the Brighton Trail Riders? Well, the good news is that we were able to hold a few outdoor events this year, topped off by our annual Poker Ride. It was a big success and we had a big turnout. We did have to make some changes on our picnic planning, but were able to live with the new arrangements. The Brighton staging area, trails and campground got a lot of business, and for that we are grateful. Even now, we expect that hardy riders will still be visiting well into the cold weather, but of course the DNR has closed the campground for the year. We are taking a serious look at the upcoming year and expect to have a full schedule of outdoor activities. Having said that, what is really occupying our thoughts is our annual banquet, co-hosted with the Pinckney Trail Riders. Several years ago, we transitioned from a holiday party to an event held in the spring, aptly named the “Spring Fling.” Covid brought a halt to that, but we are hoping to hold it again in the spring of 2022. We will keep everyone posted on that. In the meantime, we hope that the holiday season is enjoyable and safe for all Saddle Up! readers and look forward to hitting the trails with you next year. Don’t forget to ‘Log Your Ride’ on our website when you ride in the park!

Happy Trails & Happy Holidays!

This has been a year of change for us. We chose a new President, revamped our Versatility Program, redid our bylaws, adopted a new logo and morphed into the Michigan Foxtrotting Horse Association. We plan to file for 501(c)3 status as soon as we can. We are looking forward to doing more effective promotion and offering more varied activities next year. With the help of our great members, we can do this! If you would like to join and help with ideas and contribute without manpower, please print off the membership form from the website (www. MFHA.com) and send your check (made out to MFHA) to the address on the form. We are welcoming everyone of all ages with a Fox Trotter or interested in them to join us. You don’t even have to live in Michigan to join. Our motto is “To ride one is to own one!” Try one and you will find that out! We are the Region 8 Michigan affiliate of the MFTHBA. Our affiliate offers a yearly National Trail Ride, various clinics, ride meet-ups, monthly meetings, newsletters, interesting articles in Saddle Up! Magazine and the Equine Times and breeding opportunities.

In the Versatility Challenge last month, Amanda Kellogg reached the 1,000 mile mark while trail riding in Indiana, Carrie Carpenter rode in Kentucky and Tennessee then topped that off by riding along the Lake Michigan shoreline, Georgi Carlton camped in various campgrounds in Michigan and Ohio, Susan Bombard has been riding and camping in-state, Kelly Clevenger has been riding and camping in Tennessee. They all had memorable rides. The third quarter Versatility winners are Susan Bombard (Most Unique Activity), Carrie Carpenter (Most Unique Photo), Georgi Carlton (Last to Post in 3rd quarter). Keep doing things to accumulate more points. And remember to report them!

Mark Delaney, BTRA President

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MAYBURY STATE PARK TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION (MSPTRA)

Greetings, trail riders! Our annual meeting that was originally scheduled for November 10, 2021, had to be cancelled and rescheduled. We will update Facebook and our website with the date, time and location information as soon as it has been determined. We will be looking for some board positions to be filled, so if you are interested, please join us! Everyone is welcome to attend.

Check out all the new updates to the website at: https://mayburytrailriders.org/ Continue to follow us on Facebook for updates on the trails, events and general news going on in the park. Feel free to post pictures from your rides!

Mary Nader

MICHIGAN FOXTROTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION

Our members shine in the show ring...and on the trail: Congratulations goes out to Jodi Myers and Raders Top Secret Spy for being recognized for Basic Level Champion (Level 1) 1 Champion award in the US National Dressage Classic for the 2021 Region 4 Championships in Western Dressage Gaited Division. Kelly Clevenger and Preacher earned Reserve High Percentage for Western Dressage Basic in GLASS-ED showing. Well done!

Don’t forget to sign up for this popular Versatility program for 2022. Send in your paperwork now and earn points for doing everything equine starting January 1st. Print off the Under Saddle, Not Under Saddle and MFHA Horsemanship Challenge forms found on the MFHA.com website, read the rules and get started! It’s fun! Plus, there are prizes every quarter and at year-end!! We are currently working on the dates for the 2022 rides and clinics. There will be more details to share next month. Have you started your Christmas shopping? If you are looking for a useful gift, we are offering 100% cotton blue short-sleeved Fox Trotter t-shirts with the horse superimposed over the State of Michigan. They are available in unisex adult sizes only, med-XXL

MI FOXTROTTING HORSE ASSOC., cont.

for $30 (includes shipping), XXXL is $35 (including shipping). PayPal is available on our website or make your check out to MFHA and send your order to MFHA, 2333 Hagadorn Road, Mason, MI 48854-9414. Or you can save $5 on shipping by picking it up from the above address. Happy Holidays everyone! Marilyn Mannino

MICHIGAN

WESTERN DRESSAGE ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN

The holiday season is in full bloom and the New Year is just around the corner. This seems like the perfect time to say thank you to our members and to our wonderful sponsors for their support of WDAMI over the past year. WDAMI Board would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May your blessings be many this coming year and remember, it is the small things that can bring cheer. An act of kindness, a smile or two, a few kind words can make a world of difference for someone this holiday season. WDAMI News: Our 2021 Awards banquet will be held February 26, 2022, at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Pleasant. I look forward to the banquet every year. It is a great time to meet new members and visit with old friends and share and celebrate their accomplishments. The WDAMI board is also working on a clinic for 2022. And we will be offering our three virtual horse shows again this year: Dressage at Water Edge, open April 22-May 13, with video submissions due by June 10; the Sunflower Horse Show, open June 10-July 1, with video submissions due by July 15; and, of course, the one and only Battle of the Saddles Showdown from July 15-August 12, with video submissions due by August 26. There will once again be a drawing for door prizes for all three shows. More information about these three shows will be coming as the new year unfolds. National News: The new 2022 Tests will be released soon and for the first time, will be expanded to include set of tests for Level 5. Show managers will have the option of using either the existing 2017 tests or the new 2022 tests until March 1, 2022, but are required to specify which tests they will be using on their prize lists. The 2022 World Show will be held again at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, OK September 27-October 1, 2022. To be eligible to show at the 2022 WDAA Western Dressage World Championship you must either (1) have shown at the 2021 WDAA Western Dressage World Championship Show or (2) show in at least one WDAA recognized show held between January 1, 2022 and September 20, 2022 and earn a 60% or higher on any test in that show. The show can be either a live show or a virtual show, so long as it is WDAA recognized. Tip of the month: Lateral balance refers to weight distribution between the right pair of legs and the left pair of legs. Longitudinal balance refers to the weight distribution between the front legs and hind legs. WDAMI is looking for sponsors for our yearend awards and educational events. If you would like to help by sponsoring or by helping us to find sponsors, please contact us by email at infowdami@gmail.com. If you would like to volunteer or offer other services we need, please contact us. We can always use the help. Please don’t forget to renew your membership for 2022. Thank you for your support. Be safe, have fun, enjoy your equine partner and exercise acts of kindness to all. Until next time – Suzanne Morisse

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WESTERN MI APPALOOSA REGIONAL

Show season is pretty much over for most of us and as I type this, we have had our first measurable snow on the ground. Hard to believe it is already looking like winter! This past summer, we did have a pretty good show season in spite of the WMAR approved Spring Show being cancelled due to the fairgrounds being used for a Covid vaccine facility. The WMAR Red White & Blue show in Mason, the WMAR State Show in Berrien Springs and the Summer Sizzler show all had good turnouts. People were definitely ready to get out and show! WMAR was well represented at the ApHC Nationals and Youth Worlds, as well as the ApHC World show where members garnered some wins and excellent placings. Plans are already underway for our shows for the 2022 season. Show committees have been established, show bills gone over and adjusted, and they will be brought to the general membership at our meeting during the banquet. Speaking of banquet, the joint WMAR and MApHA banquet will be held on January 29, 2022, at the Okemos Convention Center. The agenda and menu are being worked on and further information will be upcoming. We are planning on having the silent auction, so please, while you are out Christmas shopping, maybe pick up some items to be auctioned off to help your favorite fund. WMAR will be offering All-Breed classes again at our shows, and I believe that the Incentive Program will also be back. The BOD have been discussing fund raiser ideas, so if you have an ideas, please let a board member know and they’ll take it under advisement. Year end points have been finalized and are posted on the website along with the WMAR 2021 overall High Point winners. Congratulations to all for a job well done! If you have taken photos over the course of the summer, please feel free to share them to our WMAR Facebook page. Members can keep up with the latest information by visiting our Facebook page, as well as our website at: www.wmarappaloosa.com 'til next month – Sharon Clark