January, 2017

Member Services
About HTR

Old and new year fighting over the hourglass

Board Meets: 5:30 p.m. monthly on the third Wednesday / This month January 18

President: Marcia Gray, 443-2679 jambat@3riversdbs.net
Vice-President (open)
Secretary: Kate Hollandsworth, 492-7206 avn7206@blackfoot.net

Treasurer: Sheri Onstott, 431-1014 nighthorse1970@gmail.com

Directors:

Trail Rides: Cassy Lynn Redrodeogirl@gmail.com

Building/ Maintenance: Bill Gray, 443-2679 jambat@3riversdbs.net

Historian: Shirley Herrin, 442-8858 Shirley.herrin@gmail.com

O-Mok-See: Keith Herrin, 461-3614 cavtrooper@uscavalryschool.com

Public Relations/Social (Combined this year): Carol Ham, 458-9779 sundowndun@yahoo.com

Director Representatives: Vicky Blixt, Montana Saddle Club Assoc, 202-2355, tovikywho@q.com

trailridershelena@gmail.com

From our President --- Marcia Gray

Happy New Year!

It seems that almost every month of 2016 when I wrote my part of the Pony Tales I had the unfortunate task of informing the membership of the loss of one of our members. They have been past presidents, life-time, long-time, and heavily involved members who guided our club and activities for many years.

December 30, 2016, we saw the loss of James (Jim) McGowan, a long-time member and enthusiastic participant with the Helena Trail Riders. His legacy lives on with his family members who are active HTR members or have started saddle clubs of their own. Whatever had to do with horses or horses and kids, Jim was there. He is probably riding with the rest of the Helena Trail Riders “old timers” we knew and enjoyed so much. Their colorful history with the Club provide the decades of stories woven on the never ending saddle blanket.

Somehow time got away from me and I neglected to appoint an official nominating committee. So, it is of utmost importance that you attend the Helena Trail Rider meeting January 18, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. We have been having business meetings one month and activity meetings the next month as per member request. It would be helpful for us if you could provide some feedback on how this year’s schedule worked for you.

*Election*Election*Election*

The election of officers and directors for the Helena Trail Riders will be held January 18, 20917, at 6:30 p.m. at the Helena Trail Rider Clubhouse. We need members to run for offices, members to vote, members to provide direction and members to participate. Your dues must be paid prior to voting.

To accommodate the time consuming activities of the Club, along with current technologies we have been relying on our behind the scenes volunteers. They are not on the board, don’t have duties spelled out in the policy and by-laws book but thy have been critical in keeping our Club up to date and activities broadcasted.

Cheryl Bryant The techie, who makes sure any information about the Helena Trail Riders is accurate and easily accessed on the internet.

Sharon Hopkins Collects articles from the directors and members, edits them, then publishes and prints the Pony Tales, our official newsletter. For those unable to come to the meetings and not having the internet, the Pony Tales is the communication device that we use to connect people and information via e-mail or snail mail.

**************************INTRODUCTIONS**************************

Secretary Treasurer

The volume of transactions is a lot for one person so it is sometimes split into two appointed positions. Sheri Onstott has been our treasurer and Kate Hollandsworth, our secretary.

President, Vice-President, and 6 Directors make up the voting board. A MSCA (Montana Saddle Club Association) person to represent us at State is also elected in January. Directors consist of the following positions:

Historian – Scrapbook and other items.

Building and Maintenance – Maintain clubhouse and west arena.

Internal Director – Arranges dinners, dances, provides refreshments for monthly meetings, updates bulletin board

Trail Rides – Schedules all trail rides, leads or appoints replacement, makes arrangements, agreements with landowners, Forest Service, BLM, etc. for permission to ride on property.

O-Mok-See – Chairs Helena Trail Rider sponsored play days, point shows and special events.

Public Relations – (Programs) Publicity chairperson, provides speakers/programs for monthly meetings, membership drive, updating brochures, etc. When one is elected to the board, the president designates the directors’ responsibilities. One does not run for a specific directorship. I hope this provides a useful review of how the election in Helena Trail Riders operates, and the duties performed. Please consider running for an office/director in this historic club. Keep warm and we’ll see you on the 18th.

Marcia Gray, President

Anyone with suggestions for programs or activities, please come to a meeting and share, or let a board of directors member know what you would like to see or hear about.

Any member can contribute to the Pony Tales. For sale or wanted items and articles must be to Sharon by the 10th of each month.

It is important that no Helena Trail Rider member is left out of the loop because he/she doesn’t have the latest social communication device. Please let us know of any member who is not receiving the newsletter either via e-mail or by snail-mail.

Send items you wish included in the newsletter to trailridershelena@gmail.com.

Trail Rides, Cassy Lynn

No current rides scheduled. If you have questions please contact Cassy at her e-mail address, redrodeogirl35@hotmail.com.

Anyone with suggestions for programs or activities, please come to a meeting and share, or let a board of directors member know what you would like to see or hear about.

Any member can contribute to the Pony Tales. For sale or wanted items and articles must be to Sharon by the 10th of each month.

It is important that no Helena Trail Rider member is left out of the loop because he/she doesn’t have the latest social communication device. Please let us know of any member who is not receiving the newsletter either via e-mail or by snail-mail. Send items you wish included in the newsletter to trailridershelena@gmail.com

Various breeds of horses enjoying the snow

Ice dressage: Does your dressage horse have more shuffle than suspension? He’s made for ice dressage! All you need is a set of skate shoes and a daring sense of adventure.
Tandem Snow Angels: What requires no equipment and is fun for the whole family? Tandem snow angels! Lie as close to your horse as possible as he rolls in the snow. Last one breathing wins!
Manure dodgeball: Think dodgeball meets snowball fight on horseback. But the “ball” is frozen manure. And the objective is to hit your opponents in the face. [Pro tip: keep your mouth closed.]
Synchronized Spooking: You’ve heard of the game Duck, Duck, Goose? This is Duck, Duck, RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! The thrilling adventure game that’s sure to give you a heart condition.
Speed sledding: All the fun of bobsled without the tedious course. Or with the course! (Depending on your risk profile.) Simply attach a toboggan, sled, and/or high velocity bobsleigh to your horse’s harness, slap him on the rear and watch the fun unfold!

Happy snow day!

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