HORSE ASSOCIATION & TRAIL RIDERS NEWS

MI FOXTROTTING HORSE ASSOC., CONT.

sponsors (Levi Beechy-reduced clinic fee, Chuck Fanslow-reduced cost breeding fee, Jackson's Western Store-discount and others). More member discounts are always being added.

In the winter, some of our members take their horses and go south to Florida or to Arizona to escape the Michigan snow and cold, but they still stay in contact via Zoom for our monthly meetings. Once a member, no matter where you live, you can attend similarly to learn about MFTs and all that they can do, as well as network with other owners while the weather in Michigan is preventing most of us from riding.

Your MFTHBA membership qualifies you to become an important member voting for officers and the Region 8 representative who brings our concerns to the monthly MFTHBA meetings. You can participate in MFTHBA-sponsored seminars, clinics, programs and events and become qualified for discount pricing at Stateline Tack and other businesses, as well as access to the online Registry Database (a $95 value). You will receive the online MFTHBA Journal each month and the annual printed Celebration catalog too.

Our upcoming clinics are as follows:

March 18 & 19 Obstacle Clinic with Susan Williams at Morning View Farm in Ionia, MI. Beginner Cow Clinic at the Flowers Ranch will be April 1 and the Levi Beechy Horsemanship clinic is set for April 15 & 16 at Morning View Farm in Ionia, MI.

The Great Lakes National Trail Ride is scheduled for July 7-9 at the Horseman's Camp at the Waterloo State Recreation Area in Chelsea,MI.

As more clinics and associated costs are finalized, they will be announced here, on our website and on our Facebook page.

The MFHA 501c3 committee submitted the application in January, which will allow us to become a federal non-profit association. Now we wait for the “yay” or “nay” answer from the Federal Government on whether we qualify.

We are the Michigan affiliate of the Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed Association (mfthba.com) based in Ava, MO.

Our mission is to promote MFTs and to encourage the breeding and training of them, as well as to help their owners learn to enjoy their horses more through educational clinics, trail rides and discussion. Remember the motto: To Ride one is to Own one.

By Marilyn Mannino

For 2023, PtHAO dates and locations are as follows (pending National approval)

March 31-April 2, Spring Fling, Garwood Arena, Columbiana

May 19-22, Summer Warm Up, Fulton County Fairgrounds, Waseon

July 21-23, Lots O’Spots, University of Findlay, Findlay

July 27-28, East Central Pinto Jubilee, Henry County Saddle Club, New Castle, IN

Mi Trail Riders Association

The MTRA Board of directors met in January 2023. Jeff Baltzer president, gave an update on progress of the Cheboygan trail camp. As it will not be ready for the first June ride, that ride will start in Stoney Creek trail camp.

The MDNR has assessed that the Luzerne boardwalk will need replacing It is currently closed to equestrian traffic and an alternate route will be used until repairs are made.

MTRA will be at the Michigan Horse Council Expo in March in the trails area. R. Lee attends the MHC meetings as our representative. Our annual meeting and banquet is set for March in Clare, MI. This will include election of officers.

Options for our spring work bee were discussed, the March meeting will finalize the location. The board agreed to support a mileage incentive program for members. Information will be in the next newsletter and will be available on the website. Also patches will be again given to members who cross exclusively on the blue trail.

Our website has a new face – thanks to member Karma Kruch! Check it out at: https://www.mtra.org/ Rides for this year are available on our website.

Hope to see you on the trail!