Visit: www.MissoulaEquestrianPark.org Spring 2015 Newsletter

Your 2015 Missoula Horsemen’s Council, which governs the Missoula Equestrian Park and its policies, has a great team of new Board Members and many exciting ideas! I hope you’ll join us for our monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of each month (please check the Park’s website calendar for exact location and time). Additionally, we have formed several committees to help organize new and fun Equestrian Events and we would love for members to get involved in whichever areas interest you (see below for Committee details)! Don’t hesitate to contact any Board Member for more information:

2015 MHC Board Members: President: Lynn Thee: lynn-thee@hotmail.com Vice President: Sheila Mealey: sheila@westernsportfloors.com Treasurer: Vacant—this could be you! Secretary: Joan Scheffer: jmswss@msn.com Events Coordinator: Cindy Arnott: ckarnott@mcps.k12.mt.us Membership Coordinator: Rachel Ambrose: mtsplice@gmail.com Webmaster: Jennifer Kendall: jakend@hotmail.com Vicki Balfour: vnbalfour@gmail.com Ginny Fay: ginnyfay@montana.com Aneill Fisler: born.to.fly775@hotmail.com Val Knudsen: vknudsenmd@hotmail.com Lynn Lee: tlclee@live.com Kim Stickler: rkdillardmt@gmail.com

Photo credit: Rachel Ambrose

Membership: Your Missoula Horsemen's Council values all our members who support the Park each year. Please remember to display your new Member ID tag on yourself or your horse when riding at the Park. And keep an eye on your email for Event Announcements and Park updates that you won't want to miss! A membership form is in this newsletter or can be downloaded: http://www.missoulaequestrianpark.org/pdf/MEPMembershipForm2015.pdf

Our first volunteer work day is scheduled for April 11. Please mark your calendars and come with your work gloves and smiles to help prepare the Park for a busy spring and summer of events. For information please call Sheila Mealy at 406-210-4307 or email sheila@westernsportfloors.com. Thanks and we look forward to seeing you there!

On the English riding front, we are happy to announce the addition of our new flatbed "Jump" trailer - thanks to a very generous donation from Missoula Dressage and Combined Training Association (MDCTA)! Jumps will be stored on the trailer, making for much easier set-up and tear-down before and after horse shows. Our first Mini Event is scheduled for April 25, with a clinic offered the next day by the dressage judge, Carol Nichols. Forms to sign up for these are in this newsletter and can be downloaded: http://www.missoulaequestrianpark.org/facilities/Images/MiniEvent/MiniEventEntryForm2015.pdf

http://www.missoulaequestrianpark.org/CarolNicholsClinic2015.pdf

Photo credit: Deana Ross, youth rider Lindsey

A Hunter/Jumper MHJA Sanctioned Spring Schooling Show is on the calendar for May 2, as well as a Dressage schooling show & clinic with Debra Spence May 30 & 31. Other dates to mark on your calendar: June 13 - Mini Event #2 and Sept. 5 - Mini Event #3, and August 7-9 for MHJA RATED H/J show! Keep an eye on the MEP website calendar for more English events and clinics in the coming months!

Cross Country Course: Drue Kerns has been hard at work securing our new course designer Bert Wood from CA! Bert (of Rebecca Farms XC course fame) will be coming in June to give our course a face lift - be ready for some new and exciting jumps out there! And please, as a reminder, if the ground is wet and muddy this spring, refrain from jumping as it will damage the footing and is unsafe for you and your horse.

Photo credit: Deana Ross, youth rider Lindsey

The Western Events Committee has been hard at

work organizing some fun western events. They are

currently in talks with the NBHA about having some

sanctioned events, hopefully in the near future.

There is a time only barrel race scheduled for June

6th and an Omoksee August 15. Watch the MEP

calendar for dates and further information.

The Missoula Horse Council is developing a license plate. The funds from this plate will be used to maintain and expand the Missoula Equestrian Park, providing essential open space and facilities for Montana's equestrians and non-equestrians alike. An annual percentage will also be donated to Montana organizations to advocate for horses, horse people, and youth riders throughout the state. The plate should be available beginning July 1, 2015.

2015 MHC Committees

Want to help out but don't want to commit to being a board member? Perhaps you would like to serve on one of our sub committees. We value your input and assistance. Contact the committee chair (*) for more information. Western Events: Increase number of western events, outreach to other equine groups, possible clinics at the park, and create a 5-year plan as well as a plan for: electricity, arena footing, equipment purchase, storage and maintenance, and an arena rental plan.

Board Members: * Kim Stickler, Joan Scheffer, and Lynn Lee

English Events: Organize and produce Mini-Events, coordinate to attract or produce other events, hunter jumper, dressage and clinics, create a 5-year plan as well as a plan for storage of jumps, repair and maintenance of cross country course, outreach to other equine groups. Board Members: * Rachel Ambrose, Val Knudsen, and Jennifer Kendall Members: Drue Kerns, Carolyn Quinn, Mary Osellame, Janice Maurer

Finance: Create a 2015 budget, review financial records, investigate the need for an accountant, taxes and audits, create 5-year business plan. Board Members: *Lynn Thee, Ginny Fay

PR/Marketing/Membership: Website management, Facebook presence, PayPal, Hats & T-Shirts, Electronic forms, signature and payment, sponsorships, fundraising, grants, PR materials, slogan revamp. Board Members: *Jennifer Kendall, Vicki Balfour Facilities & Grounds: Signage, payment box, rental documents, communicate directly with maintenance director, create a 5-year maintenance plan, events coordination, set requirements for event deposit returns. Board Members: *Cindy Arnott, Aneil Fisler. Lynn Lee Member Outreach: Work days, volunteer coordination, membership BBQ, non- horse related events (IE Give Local Missoula), parade participation, outreach to other horse related groups seeking alliance and participation, member newsletter. Board Members: *Sheila Mealy, Cindy Arnott We are working on our website. Please stay tuned for a much improved experience. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience with our growing pains. Please send thoughts and suggestions to our webmaster, Jennifer Kendall: jakend@hotmail.com Friends meet friends at the Missoula Equestrian Park! We hope to see you there soon!

Photo credit: Rachel Ambrose

April 25

May 2

May 5

May 16

May 17

May 24

June 6

June 13

June 27

June 27

June 28

July 5

July 25

July 26

Aug 8-9

Aug 10

Aug 15

Aug 29

Aug 29

Aug 30

Sept 5

Sept 12

Sept 27

Oct 3

Missoula Equestrian Park SATURDAY - APRIL 25, 2015

FlYing ColorsMini-Event

Name

Address

City/State/Zip

email Phone

Your coach or instructor’s name Please fill out separate entry form(s) for additional horses

2015 Missoula Equestrian Park Member? ! Yes ! No

Eq. Park Member ID Tag #

2015 Cross-Country Member? ! Yes ! No

Pre-Novice, Novice and Training event entries will ride USEA 2014 Test B for all eventdates. Smurf event entries will ride USDF Introductory Level Test B 2011.

All dressage tests can be found at MissoulaEquestrianPark.org

MINI-EVENT Dressage, Stadium and Cross-Country feesenter your appropriate level and write in the name of your mount

MEMBER$65/ENTRY

NON-MEMBER$75/ENTRY TOTAL

SMURF MOUNT’S NAME

PRE-NOVICE MOUNT’S NAME

NOVICE MOUNT’S NAME

TRAINING MOUNT’S NAME

PRELIMINARY TEST MEMBER$95/ENTRY

NON-MEMBER$105/ENTRY

MOUNT’S NAME

DRESSAGE TESTS Open or Western DressagePlease print the test list with tests marked that you plan to ride and include with entry

MEMBER$15× TEST

NON-MEMBER$20× TEST

Judges TBA. See tests on information sheet or at MissoulaEquestrianPark.org

Available Friday prior to each Flying Colors Mini-Event FRIDAY SCHOOLINGNo charge for 2015 Cross-Country Members, all others must pay fee Cross-Country $15 ride(s)

Members and non-members must pay fee Stadium $15× ride(s)

STALLS, SHAVINGS AND HOOKUPS50 stalls are available. Tying horses to the bars of stalls is prohibited. Stalls $20× night(s)

One bag of shavings is included with each stall rental. Straw bedding is not allowed. Shavings $8× bag(s)

Hookup $10× night(s)

OFFICE FEE $20.00All entries that arrive after Monday prior to the event will be charged a late fee LATE FEE $25NO REFUND WITHOUT VETERINARY OR MEDICAL STATEMENT TOTAL FEES DUE

Please make checks payable to Missoula Horsemen’s Council

OFFICE USE ONLY Entry Number Check # Cash

STALL CLEANING DEPOSIT (WRITE SEPARATE REFUNDABLE CHECK) $20× stall(s)Your cleaning deposit will be refunded after inspection and upon conclusion of the event if the stall is stripped

and waste put in the cement bunker on the north side of the stalls. Thank you for helping keep our park beautiful!Please provide the cleaning deposit in a separate form of payment in order to receive refund. CLEANING DEPOSIT CHECK #

For more information or questions please contact Drue at 406/240-3667Mail entry form and checks to: Rachel Ambrose 1007 Richard St., Missoula, MT 59802

Entries must be mailed in with Payment / EMAIL entries will not be accepted.

Rider Age: Under 18____ or 18 & over_____

Assumption of Risk Agreement

I, the undersigned, Missoula Equestrian Park Member __________________________________herein request access and permission to occupy, use, enjoy and/or ride or handle horses on thepremises of the Missoula Equestrian Park, hereinafter referred to as MEP. I understand and agreethat whether I am participating in equine activities within the MEP premises or exposing myself to theinherent hazards or injuries associated with equine handling and activities on any part of the premises,I am doing so willingly with the understanding that horses are inherently dangerous.

Further, I understand;; The purpose of MCA through 27-­1-­727 is to assist courts andjuries in defining the circumstances under which persons responsible for equines may befound liable for damages to persons harmed in the course of equine activities. It is the policyof the state of Montana that a person is not liable for damages sustained by another solely asa result of risks inherent in equine activities if those risks are or should be reasonablyobvious, expected, or necessary to persons engaged in equine activities. It is the policy ofthe state of Montana that an equine activity sponsor or equine professional who is negligentand causes foreseeable injury to a participant bears responsibility for that injury inaccordance with other applicable law.

Further, the undersigned, acknowledges that I have had the opportunity to inspect the premises andsurrounding conditions for inherent hazards associated with the nature of the premises (including icywinter conditions) each time I occupy said premises as a member, participant, spectator or inviteeand therefore wish to make this acknowledgment and agreement perpetually binding from the dateherein signed.

________________________________ ______________________________ ______________Print Name (Clearly) Signature Date

Address ___________________________________________________________________________

Phone_____________________ Cell_____________________ Email__________________________ 8QGHUULGHUVDW0(3PXVWZHDU$6706(,DSSURYHGULGLQJKHOPHWV0+&HQFRXUDJHVWKHXVHRIDSSURYHGDQGSURSHUO\DGMXVWHGULGLQJKHOPHWVVDIHWDFNDQGUHVSRQVLEOHKRUVHPDQVKLSIRUDOOULGHUVDWWKH0LVVRXOD(TXHVWULDQ3DUN.

Emergency contact names and numbers (require at least one):

_____________________________________________ Tel No. ____________________________Name of Contact Person

_____________________________________________ Tel No. ____________________________Name of Contact Person

Supervising a minor: The below signed herein certifies I am a parent or legal guardian having full authorityand acknowledge that the minor above named, understands and accepts that they are assuming inherent risksassociated with equine activities they are involved in on the premises above named.

Signature of legal guardian _____________________________ Date _________ Age of minor _____

FlYing ColorsMini-Event ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We encourage members who enter the Park from South Ave. to use 31st (just east of Big Sky High School) instead of 35th. This will decrease traffic for our neighbors on 35th.

Please remember to include and sign an assumption of risk form for every horse/rider team for every show. We are required to have a new one on file for each event. Thank you!

Ride times will be posted the Friday before the event at the Missoula Equestrian Park show office. Our show staff will do their best to call you with your ride time by the Friday before the event, however, if you need your ride time before that please feel free to call Drue at 406/240-3667 and she will give you the block of time your division will be riding. Rides times will also be on the website by Friday evening.

OPEN DRESSAGE SCHOOLING SHOWJudges: TBA will be posted on the website as they confirm for each of the three dates Entry Fees are $15/test for MEP members or $20/test for non-members.

TEST MENUEventing Open Dressage Western Dressage

2011 USDF Intro Level A 2011 USEF Training Level 1 WDDA Intro Test 12011 USDF Intro Level B 2011 USEF Training Level 2 WDDA Basic Test 12014 USEA Pre-Novice Test A 2011 USEF Training Level 3 WDDA Basic Test 32014 USEA Pre-Novice Test B 2011 USEF First Level 1 WDDA Level 1 Test 22014 USEA Novice Test A 2011 USEF First Level 2 WDDA Freestyle Level 12014 USEA Novice Test B 2011 USEF First Level 32014 USEA Training Test A 2011 USEF Second Level 12014 USEA Training Test B 2011 USEF Second Level 22014 USEA Preliminary Test A 2011 USEF Second Level 32014 USEA Preliminary Test B2014 USEA Intermediate A2014 USEA Intermediate B

Other Tests on request only

SAFETY VESTS & HELMETS ARE MANDATORY FOR CROSS COUNTRY

.

Carol Nichols Clinic

After the April Flying Colors Mini-Event, take advantage of a

great opportunity to ride with Dressage Judge & Eventing Trainer Carol Nichols!

When: April 26, 2015 Where: Missoula Equestrian Park

Dressage or XC Jumping About Carol: After graduating with a BA in Sociology, Carol directed and taught several college equestrian programs in the eastern United States throughout her twenties and thirties. She competed successfully through Intermediate Level in Eventing, took opportunities to learn from Olympic riders and traveled to England and Germany for intensive riding and teaching courses. Carol worked extensively with Sally Swift in Centered Riding and with Cindy Sydnor and Cathy Connelly in dressage. Later, Carol managed her own horse ranch in New Mexico and created a local chapter of Pony Club while she continued to teach privately. For more information, go to:

NOTE: Because of limited space, you must first contact Rachel Ambrose at 406-544-8779 if you are interested in riding in the Carol Nichols Clinic.

Carol Nichols Clinic Entry Form

Clinic limited to 8 Riders. Cost is $65 for a 45 minute private lesson (plus daily fee for non-MEP members).

Rider Name: _____________________________________________________ Discipline / level you wish to ride: ___________________________________ Phone: ______________ Email: _____________________________________ MEP Member Tag ID # _____________________________________________

• Please make checks payable to: Carol Nichols.

• Non-MEP members must sign and submit the MEP Membership Form

and Release located on the MEP website at: http://www.missoulaequestrianpark.org/pdf/MEPMembershipForm2015.pdf

CAROL NICHOLS CLINIC COST AND FEES

Clinic Cost MEP Daily Pass Fee*

MEP XC Use Fee* TOTAL

MEP Member Discipline: Dressage or Cross Country $65

MEP Member without XC Pass Discipline: Cross Country $65 $15

Non-MEP Member Discipline: Dressage $65 $15

Non-MEP Member Discipline: Cross Country $65 $15 $15

*Avoid the MEP daily use fees for all events in 2015 by becoming a member of the Missoula Equestrian Park!