CVHA Newsletter Official Publication of Central Valley Harness Association December 2014

Transcription

1 CVHA Newsletter Official Publication of Central Valley Harness Association December 2014 Earl Smittcamp Founder of Wawona Frozen Foods in Clovis Dies at 96 By Phyllis Rumley Earl took up driving in his 80s and became a patron of CVHA. When I became the ADS Pacific Regional rep he very graciously donated a very large sum of money to pay for the venue for the Meeting of the Minds that had been a cornerstone of California driving for many years. Earl enjoyed the 2005 and 2006 meeting we had at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds even turning one of the meetings into a Regional meeting with many ADS representatives showing up. Earl s background was that of a man who start out as a milk man who turned 200 acres in Clovis into a fruit-packing and processing empire. As Wawona Frozen Foods flourished the Smittcamps, Earl and his wife, Muriel helped to support students at Fresno State and countless other organizations across the central San Joaquin Valley. He was a visionary farmer that understood the benefits of value-added products, a successful businessman that knew how to make a company prosper with teamwork, a philanthropist that realized the value of supporting the community and its educational institutions. But most telling was the fact that he was a true family man and gentleman who was admired and loved by all who knew him. Earl would call me and invite me over to drive cones with him. First time I arrived we drove down the Clovis city walking paths he informed me they were supposed to be horse trails not just walking and bike trails so he would keep using them just that way. So off we went and drove around bikes and baby strollers. When we got to his cones course I couldn t figure out how come I didn t have to pick up any of the cones he had driven over until he gave me a great big grin and said he had put the cones down with penny nails so they wouldn t move. I couldn t help but laugh it did save getting off and resetting. Most of the California drivers that participated in the 2005 and 2006 ADS meetings probably did not realize that the gentlemanly white haired man with the lovely grey Arab who loved to drive cones was the same man who had made the whole weekend possible but that is how he did things. His goal was to be the oldest driver out there and he was, as he was 88 at the time. But this unassuming senior just the love of driving his little Arab gelding on a cones course was extremely generous to all of us, a true example of giving back. Earl will be missed by us all.

2 Central Valley Harness Association P.O Box 1192 Clovis, CA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: PRESIDENT Sharon Booth (559) VICE PRESIDENT Membership, Roster Corrections Kathy Sidman (559) SECRETARY Sallie Phillips (559) TREASURER Brent Patten (559) MEMBER AT LARGE Bernice Strange (559) NEWSLETTER EDITOR Kristi Knight (559) S. Anderson Rd. Exeter, CA CALENDAR OF EVENTS Celine Rickards (209) Calendar of Events Website: Central Valley Harness Association Website: CVHA Founding Member Will Be Missed By Brent Patten For most of us, this year had its share of ups and downs. Unfortunately for the members of the CVHA, one of our most active and influential members, Skyla Cothran, passed away this last March. Her contribution to the club started when she answered an ad in the paper recruiting any horse people who would be interested in forming a driving club. Her energy and enthusiasm for a club devoted to equine driving resulted in her earning a term as the first president of this new club. From then on, she was a true work horse in promoting and developing a strong club. She was instrumental in organizing training activities, clinics, competitions, and various educational events to assist any and all members to the betterment of their driving skills and an understanding of the equine behavior. Her wealth of horse sense served the club well throughout the years. Skyla was born in Long Beach in 1930 but moved to the Mariposa area as a young adult to follow her goal of living the Western Dream. She spent some years teaching school in Mariposa, but also worked on ranches while living in the Hornitos area. Later she worked with the Forest Service in the Sierras and was involved with helping to develop trails, build corrals, and establishing trailheads in various areas including the Jose Basin area, Granite Creek, in the Minarets district, the High Sierra district around Edison Lake, and the Fresno Dome Horse Camp near Fish Camp and Bass Lake to name a few. For a time she and her partners Dee Douglas and Clara Phillips volunteered in the high country as caretakers and as the maintenance crew in various locations, sharing many a campfire. Skyla Cothran was truly a lady of the pioneer spirit, with a heart of gold. She never passed up a chance to sit and visit, or to ask how things were going, or to offer, in a subtle way, advice, but always with a genuine concern to lend a helping hand. Good natured, and deeply honest, she was a true treasure of a person, not only for the club, but for everyone who was fortunate enough to meet her. She will be missed.

3 Halloween Haunt 2014 By Jack McKee Hi to all of you who were here and those of you who missed the Halloween Haunt at Whiffletree Ranch in Madera on October 25 th and 26 th. The weekend turned out great with 16 entries coming from as far as Marysville in the north to Costa Mesa in the south. Saturday morning featured 3 Hazards which were run for time. The competitors ran them at their leisure. Some did them all at once and some went out on the Treasure Hunt on the ranch trails between hazard runs. When all the dust had settled with some close times, the hazard winners for Mini/VSEs were: 1 st place: Bernice Strange, 2 nd place: Holly Breckenridge, 3 rd place: Ann Washington, and 4 th place: Larry Weaver. In the Pony/Horse division the winners were: 1 st place: Lawrence Washington (beating his wife by only 16 seconds total for all 3 hazards) 2 nd place: Linzy Washington, 3 rd place: Lois Patten and 4 th place: Sallie Phillips. When the morning was done we got to the MAIN EVENT at 2PM in the afternoon - the Costume and Turnout Pleasure Class. For those of you who have never been here for this event, you have missed seeing the most innovative costume makers and the most tolerant horses in the world. Denise Cuendett was our judge for the Pleasure Class Awards. In the Mini/VSE division: 1 st place: Sue Jackson, 2 nd place: Bernice Strange, 3 rd place: Karen Null, 4 th place: Holly Breckenridge and 5 th place: Marte Miller. For the Pony/Horse division Lawrence Washington once again beat his wife taking 1 st place with Linzy Washington taking 2nd, 3 rd place went to Gretchen Lee and 4 th place to Kelly Moore. For the COSTUME section of the class all those present were given a ballot and voted on who their favorites were (in my opinion they are all winners!). Pictures do not do them justice! First place went to Sue Jackson and a very very tolerant mini, JayCee! Sue was dressed in a swim suit with a snorkel and goggles, the cart was made to look like a small boat on water with two bitten off human feet hanging over the sides. JayCee had a shark suit that covered her so that only her face stuck out between all of the shark teeth. In Second place, Gretchen Lee with her pony Pistachio who was made to look like a very large French Poodle. Gretchen was dressed as a French Gentleman complete with hat and mustache. Karen Null and her mini, Johnny, were third with Johnny covered with piñata material. Johnny was very lucky we did not have a lot of kids with sticks!!! The costumes for the rest of the entries went from Linzy s Angry Birds to Lawrence as Potty Boy on the mobile bathroom with magazines and TP, Bernice as Mountain Man and mini Indian, Holly as the Hula Lady to Marte Miller who came as Madam Marte and her wonderful Saloon girls. Marte wore a Red Satin dress with liquor bottles hanging across the back of the cart. Her mini, Rambo, wore a gamblers jacket with cards and a top hat. Kelly Moore was our Witch. You just have to be here to see it in person. Drivers had from 9:30 AM until 4:00 PM to complete their Treasure Hunt, searching all the Ranch trails to find hidden gremlins to score points for lots of prizes to be given out during the great potluck dinner held Saturday evening on the patio. It was a great evening! On Sunday, after a Continental Breakfast on the Patio we had a Cones Competition for time and a Poker Run. Some drivers unfortunately were not able to join us on Sunday but those who stayed had a great time! In the Mini/VSE Cones, Mary Lou Mazzella driving the smoking hot mini, Woody, took 1 st place. Ann Washington was 2 nd followed by Sue Jackson in 3 rd, Marte Miller was 4 th and Karen Null took 5 th. Cones results for Ponies/Horses: 1 st place was Linzy Washington who regained bragging rights over husband, Lawrence Washington, who finished 2 nd. 3 rd place went to Debbie Spencer and 4 th place to Gretchen Lee. To finish out the day Mary Lou Mazzella came back and won the Mini/VSE Poker run. The Pony/Horse Poker run cash went to Debbie Spencer. All I can say is you missed out if you were not here!!! Remember everyone - the Second Saturday of each month - January thru November is free and open to everyone for driving at Whiffletree Ranch. I hope to see all of you here driving in the near future. Any information about Second Saturday or our coming Events can be found on the website at:

4 President-Elect s Message WHAT I"M THANKFUL FOR: I'm thankful for all the CVHA club members who helped throughout the years in organizing events and the silent behind the scenes workers. Our club is smaller but still viable with 7 or 8 new members in the last couple of years. Phyllis and Mike Rumley gave drivers a place to practice and gather when she undertook organizing small play days at Verde View Stables. As President in 2014 Sharon Booth added energy and optimism. She was a breath of fresh air when she took on the job. A big thank you to all the other facilities that gave us places and events to drive: Jack and Marie McKee's Whiffletree Ranch, Linda Fairbanks Overlook Driving Center, Jeanne Williams Sergeants Equestrian Center and Stan and Debbi Packard s Clay Station Horse Park. My personal goals with my Welsh pair were met with the help of an awesome and hardworking husband who made it all possible. I realize that would not have been possible without having places for us all to drive at. We are fortunate that these places are available to train at, attend clinics and shows. Last of all, thank you to all the past and current board members for being the glue that keeps a club together. I'm looking forward to "jumping in" and organizing our upcoming event February 28th- March 1st. Hope to see you all there! Optimistically, Lois Patten CVHA Demos at Tulare Auction By Brent Patten The Central Valley Harness Association had a chance to demonstrate some of the activities and competitions related to the finer aspects of driving equine of all sizes and shapes at the Tulare Auction this last October. Phyllis Rumley, of the CVHA, and Dan Baumgardner of the California Draft Horse and Equipment Sale, organized and scheduled a Friday afternoon event as an educational opportunity to display the driving skills associated with the 3 activities included in a Combined Driving Event (CDE). Demonstrations were given in dressage, a cones course, and driving in hazards. Although many attending the auction may have had experience in various types of driving, the demonstrations gave more insight as to additional activities available to drivers of all levels with any type of horse or mule. Abbreviated courses were set up for each activity to give the audience an example of the objectives and reining skills needed to complete the tasks of each, with descriptions announced by the Voice of the CVHA, Mike Rumley. The CVHA drivers for this event included: Bernice Strange and Holly Breckenridge with their minis, Sharon Booth and her Connemara, Phyllis Rumley with her Welsh Cob, Cheryl Thompson and her Friesian, Kelly Moore and mule, Kathy Sidman with her Morgan, Barbara Dotta driving a Percheron pair, Lois Patten with her Welsh pony pair, and Leslie Kennard with her Morgan pair. The presentation was well attended, considering it was conducted Friday after the auction, with many questions generated afterward. Luckily members were able to finish the demonstration, take a drive through the auction yard facilities, with just time enough to put up harnesses and tuck animals in their stalls before the rains came that evening.

5 CVHA December 6, 2014 Meeting Minutes Meeting called to order by Sharon Booth at 11:50. All board members were present. Old business: 1. Website is up and running and looks very good. Sharon still has to upload our newsletters and the member roster. 2. Sound system discussion on sale, keeping and storage of sound system. Still a very good system and if we put on a large event it works well. Even works well for smaller events. Board decided to keep it. It is bulky and needs climate controlled storage. Dave Strobel offered to store the system at his home where it will be climate controlled. New Business: 3. New venues for Sharon and Lois have investigated Debbie Davis facility and she has offered for us to come drive. She has driven before and is going to start again. Sharon & Lois will continue to look into it. WKRP was discussed again as a venue. It would need someone to organize and get help with set up and tear down. Bernice suggested that an organizer would only do one event so the work is spread out between many organizers. 4. Brent is still working out details of a portable dressage arena. Linda Fairbanks has offered us plastic chains for the corners and Brent is investigating 18 inch cones to put them on. He will continue getting information. The old equipment is too bulky to move and needs a flatbed trailer to move and that is why we are looking at other options. 5. Newbie fund- Sharon discussed developing a fund for brand new members that are just beginning to drive to encourage and support them as they start to drive. She will work on the details. Bernice and Brent both felt beginners clinics are very important for the club to run. Also regular clinics of all levels and different focus. (training, cones, etc.) are important for the club to run. 6. Report on continuous drive end of Feb and Mar 1. Lois. Entries should be sent out by Kristi by now. This is connected to Linda Fairbank s event in spring. When this event attended and you enter Linda s event, the fees will be less for the 2 nd event. Entrants do not need to be a member of the Horse Park. 7. Elections. 2 positions on the board were open. We had three nominees: Dave Strobel, Lois Patten, Kathleen Rose. Voting was done by secret ballot. Dave Strobel and Lois Patten were elected. The board then elected the officers for the next year. President- Lois Patten, Vice President- Dave Strobel, Secretary-Sallie Phillips, Treasurer-Brent Patten, Member at Large-Bernice Strange. Signers on the club checking account will be: Treasurer- Brent Patten, and Secretary-Sallie Phillips. Respectfully Submitted by Sallie Phillips, Secretary More Halloween Haunt participants

6 What s Happening? Fresno County Horse Park Continuous Drive: CVHA and Brass Oak Driving Society are teaming up to bring you the Central California Continuous Drives. Both events will be offered as two separate competitions in one weekend. The first event will be February 28 th and March 1 st at the Fresno County Horse Park (formerly known as Ram Tap). The second event will be held May 23 rd and 24 th at Twin Rivers Ranch in San Miguel. You may enter one or all four days, each one is scored as a separate competition, with separate prizes and also combined prizes based on best combined score. The Continuous Drive is a competition comprised of a 2K Pace Marathon, followed immediately by a judged Dressage Test, followed immediately by another 2K Pace Marathon, and followed immediately by a timed Cones Course. The total time to complete these things is about an hour. Dress is casual and comfortable, no fancy clothes, hats or apron/lap robe is required. Helmets are required for anyone riding or driving. Entrants will be scheduled either in the morning or the afternoon and you and your groom/navigator (if you have one) will be expected to volunteer for about 2 hours during the part of the day you are not driving. These events are great for casual competition, or tune up your turnout for the coming CDE season. Drive both days and see what you can improve the second time around! For more information, please see flyer/entry form in this issue. Entries are now open. Vineyard Classic CDE: The Vineyard Classic CDE that was scheduled for the first weekend of May at Woodland Stallion Station has been cancelled for They hope to return the following year.

7 DATE EVENT LOCATION CONTACT INFORMATION January 10 Marathon Driving Obstacles Clinic w/ Carola Slater Deiner & Navigating Clinic w/thomas Equestrian Jan Sargent Equestrian Center Driving Clinic 1 January 25 ETI Stetson Ranch Sylmar, CA Feb Sargent Equestrian Center Driving Clinic 2 February 14 Sweetheart ADT Hesperia, CA FEB 28 MAR 1 CVHA CONTINOUS FRESNO COUNTY HORSE PARK FRESNO, CA LINDA FAIRBANKS (805) OR lfairbanks@gmail.com March Arizona CDE Coolidge, AZ March Sargent Equestrian Center Driving Clinic 3 April Red Top Draft Horse Days Chowchilla, CA or Allan Clark or Susan Lyons (559) April Clay Station Horse Park HDT Wilton, CA Debbi Packard (916) or (916) May 1-3 Vineyard Classic Woodland Woodland, CA CANCELLED! Stallion Station CANCELlED! May 9-10 Draft Fest & Friends All Breed Pleasure Driving Show May Pleasure Days Carriage Driving Show Temecula, CA May 17 CA Scurry Sargent Equestrian Center MAY BRASS OAK CONTINUOUS TWIN RIVERS SAN MIGUEL, CA LINDA FAIRBANKS (805) OR lfairbanks@gmail.com May Clay Station Horse Park HDT Wilton, CA Debbi Packard (916) or (916) June 28 CA Scurry Sargent Equestrian Center June 5-7 Horse Expo Sacramento,CA June Summer Festival Claystation Horse Park Wilton, CA Debbi Packard (916) or (916) July Inavale CDE July 19 CA Scurry Sargent Equestrian Center July Knoll Rest CDE August TBA Clay Station Horse Park HDT Wilton, CA Debbi Packard (916) or (916) August Sargent Equestrian Center CDE Driving Shady Oaks August Sargent Equestrian Center CDE Sept 5-6 Sargent Equestrian Center CDE Clinic Sept Shady Oaks CDE Lodi, CA Sept Draft Horse Classic Grass Valley,CA Oct Fall Festival Pleasure Driving Clay Station Horse Park Wilton, CA Debbi Packard (916) or (916) Oct 31-Nov 1 Clay Station Horse Park HDT Wilton, CA Debbi Packard (916) or (916)

8 2015 Central California Continuous Drives A co-operation between two clubs for your enjoyment! Central Valley Harness Association Brass Oak Driving Society Fresno Horse Park, February 28-March 1 Twin Rivers Ranch, San Miguel, May N. Weber, Fresno, CA 8715 N. River Road, Paso Robles, CA Closing Date February 23 Closing Date May 18 TWO IDENTICAL EVENTS WITH SEPARATE PRIZES AND A COMBINED PRIZE AS WELL First comes FRESNO HORSE PARK (known and loved in the past as RamTap) Drive 2K Pace, then a Dressage test, then another 2K Pace, then a Cones Course AND THEN Do it all over the next day to see if you can improve. (You know you can!) AND THEN Do the same kind of contest at another venue! (Twin Rivers) All drivers, riders and navigators are required to volunteer as well YOU MAY CHOOSE TO ENTER ONLY ONE EVENT OR GET A DISCOUNT FOR ENTERING BOTH EVENTS What is a CONTINUOUS DRIVE? It is a competition wherein each turnout drives a 2k pace marathon, followed immediately by a Dressage test, followed immediately by another 2k pace marathon, followed immediately by a cones course. The total time to complete these things is about an hour. You will be scheduled to drive (or ride if entered as a rider) either in the morning or the afternoon and you and your groom/navigator (if you have one) will be expected to volunteer for about 2 hours during the part of the day you are not driving. There is plenty of social time built in too! Riders are invited to compete in pairs over the same course and with the same pace time calculation (trot). Then why is it 2 days long? Because each turnout drives the same course on the second day to see if they can improve their score. What do you mean by two part series? On May the Brass Oak Driving Society will hold the same event at Twin Rivers in San Miguel and there are advantages to entering both events, such as a $50.00 discount on your total entry fees plus prizes for best combined score. Your discount will be applied when you enter the Brass Oak event. What should I wear? Comfortable clothing. No laprobe or fancy hat required. Helmets are required. House rules: All dogs on a leash in the stabling and parking areas. No dogs in the dining area except service dogs. Horses must be bridled with reins through turrets anytime the horse is between the shafts or attached to a carriage. Never leave a horse unattended while hitched. Never be inattentive or out of reach of a partially hitched horse. Helmets are required for anyone riding or driving. Safety check will be scheduled at the beginning of your warm up time each day. The courses are to be used at scheduled times only and only by drivers who are entered in the event. What dressage test are you using? Training Level Test 4, Preliminary Level Test 3, Intermediate level Test 5 Who is the dressage judge? Central Valley is using Ronda McPherson, Advanced level driver and fun person. Brass Oak Driving Society is using Diane Kastama, world champion international competitor and fun person. What is the Cancellation Policy? Full refund before closing date. Refund minus $25.00 office fee upon receipt of a veterinary letter regarding unsoundness of horse. Other reasons subject to Organizer discretion.

9 CONTINUOUS DRIVE ENTRY FORM Driver Name: Phone: Cell: Address: Name of Horse: FIRST: Choose ONE division based on the experience level of you and your horse. Training Single Horse Training Single Pony Training Pair Training riders Preliminary Single Horse Preliminary Single Pony Preliminary Pair Preliminary Riders Intermediate Single Horse Intermediate Single Pony Intermediate Pair Intermediate Riders How many people can we count on you to bring as volunteers? Names? When do you plan to arrive? How long is your rig? SECOND: CALCULATE FEES Entry fee for CVHA event only at $ (camping and stabling included) $ Entry fee for Brass Oak event only at $ (camping and stabling included) $ Entry fee for Brass Oak event if you also entered the CVHA event $90.00 $ Entry fee for pairs of riders at either event at $ (camping & stabling inc.) $ Class Sponsorship at CVHA event at $40.00 each X $ Class Sponsorship at Brass Oak event at $40.00 each X $ Total enclosed (to be cashed after closing date) $ THIRD: Mail this form and your check to: FOR THE CVHA EVENT: Brent Patten, Treasurer Morgan Canyon Rd., Prather, CA FOR THE BODS EVENT: Linda Fairbanks, Secretary 7755 Feenstra Rd., Paso Robles, CA QUESTIONS? Call Linda Fairbanks, Organizer at or Phyllis Rumley, Organizer at lkfairbanks@gmail.com prumley1066@att.net USE A SEPARATE COPY OF THIS FORM FOR EACH EVENT

10 Central Valley Harness Association P.O. Box 1192 Clovis, CA Postage The purposes for which this organization is formed are to promote the education and training of the public in the safe use of the equine in harness for pleasure, recreation, and sport, and for the advancement of the collecting and restoration of equine drawn vehicles. Please visit our website at CVHA Membership Application Date: Name: Address: City, State, Zip Phone: Cell Phone: Individual Membership $35 Family Membership $45 New member Renewal I wish to receive the CVHA Newsletter via or US Postal Service ($5 Extra Charge) Please make checks payable to CVHA Mail to: CVHA P.O. Box 1192 Clovis, CA Are you a member of Carriage Association of America? Yes CVHA Membership runs from January 1 thru December 31. Exception: For those joining on or after October 1 of the current year, the membership will be valid to December 31of the following year. Thank you for joining and welcome to our club. No