From the desk of the President - NCWHA News January 2010

 

Attention NCWHA Members and Tennessee Walking Horse Lovers,

 

The Northern California Walking Horse Association (NCWHA) had a very busy 2009. First, I want thank all the NCWHA members that joined us in 2009 and helped make our first official year such a success. In a year of intense turmoil in the Walking Horse world, we were able to build this positive and supportive new association, despite the industry troubles and the severe economic downturn.   Volunteers who organized the 2009 membership drive and various fundraisers throughout the year helped finance our many events and programs, and I thank all of you for your dedication and enthusiasm.   I hope that you will renew your membership for 2010 and help us continue our progress in building a Walking Horse community in Northern California.

 

We encourage all Walking Horse and gaited sound horse lovers to join our association, whether you trail ride, show or just love gaited horses.  The NCWHA membership fees are now due, so I have attached the 2010 membership application for your convenience.  Please renew your membership and recruit other new members to join as well.

 

I am proud of our accomplishments during our first year.  We formed the organization as a California nonprofit corporation, enlisted you as founding members and did the following:

 

1/24/09 NCWHA Representatives attended the WIWHA, TWHEAO of WA & TWHBEAO Board Meetings and the PNWHP Awards dinner in Washington.
2/21/09 NCWHA Annual Meeting and Potluck in Fairfield, CA
4/02/09 NCWHA Trail Challenge Program released
4/06/09 NCWHA High Point Member Riders Class & Trainer of the Year Program Released
5/01/09 NCWHA Meeting in Elk Grove, CA
5/02/09 NCWHA Youth Meeting and Pizza lunch in Elk Grove, CA
5/02/09 NCWHA 50/50 raffle fundraiser
5/14/09 Sound Horse Presentation by Keith Dane, director of Equine Protection, HSUS
5/22/09 NCWHA Website goes live www.norcalwalkers.com
6/06-6/07/09 Silent Auction fundraiser at Woodside Gaited Horse Show
6/12-6/14/09 Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento- NCWHA breed exhibitions and information booth
6/20/09 Reinstorm Horse Expo in Grass Valley- NCWHA breed exhibitions and information booth
6/28/09 NCWHA Gaited Trainers Clinic in Grass Valley
8/12-8/16/09- Nevada County Fair in Grass Valley- NCWHA breed exhibitions and information booth
8/19-9/7/09- California State Fair in Sacramento- NCWHA breed exhibitions and information booth
9/19/09- NCWHA Trail Ride and luncheon- Lake Camanche
10/24-/10/25/09 Oktoberfest Horse Show- a tremendous success
10/24/09 NCWHA Dessert Auction, Silent Auction & Exhibitors Dinner

 

Last week club members also hosted several New Year’s trail rides, which were enjoyed by all.  You can see photos of many of the year’s highlights on the NCWHA Website and also the Merrylegs’ Yahoo group’s home page. 

 

During the year we also toiled on the extensive filings for the association’s non-profit tax status with the state and federal governments and are pleased to report that our approvals were both received this past week. 

       

We are hoping to accomplish even more in 2010 with your help! If we have more volunteers we can do even more.  The Annual Membership meeting is February 28 in Fairfield, and you will be receiving an official notice of that in the near future.  Please attend and let us know your thoughts on NCWHA’s first year and your ideas for the future.

 

Some of the NCWHA membership benefits for 2010 are:

1. Special membership prices for upcoming NCWHA events (i.e. clinics, trail rides
etc.)
2. For the 2010 calendar year each membership holder will be entitled to a FREE
horse related business directory listing to be included on the club website
and in the hard copy business directory to be distributed at local events such as the Western States Horse Expo, the California State Fair and other local venues.
3. Enrollment in the 2010 Trail Challenge Program sponsored by NCWHA. The program
description and forms will be available on the NCWHA site soon.
4. NCWHA High Point Members Class at local horse shows & year end high point awards. The program description and forms will be available on the NCWHA site soon.
5. NCWHA Trainer of the Year Award. The program description and forms will be available on the NCWHA  site soon.
6. Keep updated on current TWH news & events in our area
7. Youth Group- Please contact Shayna Shaw-Kingsbury at neardark07@aol.com .for more
information.
8. Have FUN socializing and networking with other TWH enthusiast's in Northern California

Thank you again for your support.  I look forward to an even better NCWHA into the future.

 

Fran Cole
NCWHA President