It’s been a busy, yet productive year for everyone. We have learned a lot, made new friends, and managed to pull off a few more events. This year we did a Kids Fun Learning day, training clinic, and our Fall for Horses expo. Every year I wish we could have pulled off a few more events; however, I’m very thankful for what we did do. More importantly, I am very thankful for you, our members, those that volunteer your time to help out with what WVEA does.
I would like to take a couple paragraphs to stress the importance of the events we put on and how you make a positive impact. Every day people are injured, horses suffer, and worse: people and horses are killed. Many times people get called stupid, cruel, and dangerous. If you know me, contrary to popular belief, I am an optimist. I just happen to see things that can go wrong.
What goes wrong is that people don’t know. What goes wrong is when we have kids around horses that are not taught things like don’t wrap the lead rope around your hand, how to perform an emergency stop, and where not to stand around horses. Other things that go wrong is when people don’t know that horses need to consume up to 2% of their body weight in hay a day, need 1% of their body weight in clean water a day, and need to be attended by a farrier every 6 to 8 weeks. That’s where we come in; that’s where YOU come in.
“Uniting and Educating West Virginia’s Equine Community” – WVEA’s slogan. Each time you help with our events, each time you show your support by attending, and financially helping us by paying your membership dues, you are supporting this cause. I am proud of those that helped put on the events we did this year and in the past. You have been a part of helping people and equines stay safe and happy. You have brought people together to learn and make new friends.
For 2011 we have some exciting things we are working on. First, we want to have another training clinic at the WVU Reedsville arena and continue the Fall for Horses event in New Cumberland. Second, we are looking to expand our events to possibly include a gelding clinic. We are also considering a gelding assistance fund. If we can be successful with these events, we want to continue to offer programs to aid the community. Many state equestrian groups are now offering these types of assistance programs, in addition to hay, veterinary and farrier, and rehoming assistance programs.
The past couple years have taught us all a lot. Most of all, they have taught us to be thankful. Thankful for having a good job and/or the finances needed to keep our horses living a content and healthy life, while enjoying what we do. Unfortunately some haven’t been so lucky, and the result is hardships on honest, hardworking people and their equines. In the future, if we can provide relief, we can make a larger difference.
I encourage those that have ideas for new events to let us know. More importantly, I challenge you to aid a hand. If you can help us find sponsors for a gelding clinic and/or a gelding assistance fund, that would be terrific! If you have ideas for other programs and could get us sponsors and work out the details, we would love to hear from you. If you can lend some of your time, we can use you. Send us a message at info@wvequineassoc.org or call me at 304-782-0446, or talk to any of our officers or directors.
Speaking of officers and directors, I would like to take another paragraph to thank them. Thanks to Rachel Paris (Vice-President), Tish Hemsley (Secretary), and Tina Jenkins (Treasurer). Thanks to our directors Fred Zara, Kathy Beagle, Kim Bennet, and Cherie Germain. You all have done wonderful work this year, and I thank you for your dedication!
Also, you may have noticed by now we have been a little behind in getting things mailed out this year. Most of that has been my fault as I have struggled to balance work, our farm, and WVEA. We made a couple changes at our November meeting which should help out.
First, we will be mailing membership cards out in March for all members. If you have paid your yearly dues by March, you will get a laminated card. If you pay your dues anytime during the year, we will hand write you a card so we can give you one right then and there. It takes time to print and laminate cards so it will save us time to do it all at once.
Second, we have just had our website redone to allow for easier and quicker updates. This will allow me to post articles such as this in less time, from wherever I am. It will also allow others to post articles to help out with content. What this means for you is more news, more often.
Third, we have decided to schedule our meeting dates and locations two meetings ahead. This will allow us all to reserve our schedules far in advance. We are going to try to stick with the third Sunday of every other month for general meetings. If we can stick to a schedule, it should allow everyone to better make time for attending.
Fourth, we have decided to extend 2010-2011 memberships through 2012. Because we didn’t get membership cards out this year and we missed a few newsletters, the board decided it would be best to extend memberships into next year. This also gives some of you a financial break during these rough times.
Again, thank you all for your support, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I am excited to see what 2011 will bring for West Virginia equestrians and their equines.
Matt Jenkins
President, West Virginia Equine Association
