Board meeting January 9, 2010 in Butte Minutes to be posted when approved.

Board meeting December 5, 2009 in Butte Minutes to be posted when approved.

Board meeting November 7, 2009 Minutes to be posted when approved.

Board meeting August 27, 2009 in the chat room.

Present Barb Rolf, Cheryl Bryant, Robert Taylor, Bruce Backman, Edie Baker, Cheri Clark joined late. Erin Ward excused for cause since she has started college. Diana Alkire absent for unknown reason.

TREASURER’S REPORT Approved.

OLD BUSINESS No old business.

NEW BUSINESS

Directors that have not joined MSHSA (Britney Harris). It was decided to wait until the general meeting to replace Britney since her term was up this year. Any replacement would have to stand for election at the general meeting. Other positions up for election is the youth director, Erin Ward and Cheri Clark and Edie Baker. We can start talking to members to see who is interested in serving.

There was discussion on keeping the Wrangler or going to a newsletter that would be printed and mailed or emailed to the membership by the secretary. Costs below are for mailing to every member. Cost would be less when email is used. We have not had an editor for quite some time. The Wrangler only prints when we can send in an article. Results have been sent for the shows this summer but that leaves a great many months that there is nothing in the Wrangler about MSHSA. It was decided to table this until the new board is elected since the subscriptions are paid until 12/31/09. The directors will be looking for an editor in the meantime.

Costs for Wrangler Subscriptions

A rule steward was needed for Harvest Classic. Robert volunteered that he and Bruce would do it.
Cheryl and Georgia Brensdal are the only ones trained to do it but it was likely that neither one would be at Harvest Classic.

SCHOOLING SHOW 2010-Discussion was tabled until after the November meeting.

BANQUET The majority voted to go with the Western BBQ. It was reasonably priced. A $1 or $2 would be added to the price to take care of any incidentals. The time and place of board meeting would be in the natorium at 10 or 11 AM. The time and place of the general meeting would also be in the natorium at 4 PM, followed by a meeting of the new board to elect officers. Social hour at 5 PM and dinner at 6:30 PM. The only business to be conducted at the general meeting would be reading of the minutes and electing board members. Entertainment was discussed. Everyone wanted Barb to play again with Pam on the piano. Barb agreed to this and she will contact Pam.

FUTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION was tabled until after the November meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 9:08 PM. Next meeting date to be set.

Minutes approved 8/30/09 by email. Submitted C Bryant

Minutes for Board Meeting on January 20, 2009 in the chat room.

Present Barb Rolf, Robert Taylor, Bruce Backman, Edie Baker, Cheryl Bryant. Erin Ward was absent due to conflict in schedule. Cheri Clark joined at 7:56 PM, late to due conflict of meetings. Diana Alkire joined at 8:00, late due to work. Britney Harris absent for unknown reasons. Meeting called to order at 7:37 PM.

Treasurer’s Report-Motion made and seconded to approve treasurer’s report. Passed unanimously.

Old Business

Date, place, format of banquet and general meeting for 2009.

The first weekend (11/7) and second weekend (11/14/) in November was discussed. Motion made and seconded to have the banquet on the first weekend, 11/7/09 at the Red Lion in Helena. Passed unanimously. Cheryl will contact the Red Lion to make the reservation.

Changing the time of the general meeting was discussed. It was decided to have the general meeting start about 4 PM instead of 1 PM. There would not be a long span of time before the banquet. The social hour would start at 5:30 and the banquet at 6:30. If we have an educational program, the general meeting could start before 4 PM. The board meeting would still be at 11 AM and we could use the time after the board meeting to set up the awards. Motion was made and seconded to change the time of the general meeting. Passed unanimously.

Having the meetings in the banquet room was discussed. If the meeting was at 4 PM, the banquet room should be set up by then. It was decided to table the idea until the next meeting and after Cheryl talked with the Red Lion to see if there was a problem doing this.

Schooling Show

Cheryl indicated that she just needed the final schedule to get the book ready and do the web pages. Bruce said there were several people he knew that were interested. Cheryl asked him to send the names and addresses and they would be on the mailing list. Diana said she was up for proof reading the program and could help at the show, maybe do the gate. The committee had decided on $6 per class, $5 office charge and $1 post entry fee. There was discussion about doing a $20 all day charge or $5 per class but we would lose too much money doing that. Not doing the post entry fee would lose some money also. The post entry fee was to encourage folks to get their entry in early so there was not a pile up in the office the morning of the show. It was also proposed to do a different fee for 4-H’s but that could get difficult to keep track of. It was finally decided to do $6 per class, $5 office charge and $1 post entry. Bruce also agreed to be announcer and manager. Edie said Kristie could run reports.

Robert asked if there would be concessions. Georgia Brensdal had suggested a pot luck lunch and that had been discussed in a show committee meeting but there had been no contact back from Georgia so the idea was not pursued. Robert said he could get a 4-H group from Belgrade to do concessions. Cheryl said we would need a commitment from then before putting it in the book.

The audit report was made for informational purposes. Barb asked about the CD in the Big Sky Classic account. That CD had been cashed in August to buy year end awards, principle to the main account interest in the Big Sky account. Bruce said he thought the money was supposed to stay in the Big Sky account. Cheryl said the money for the Big Sky account came from the main account. Cheri asked if the bank charged a monthly fee to keep the account open. Cheryl indicated the bank did not charge a monthly fee for either account. The previous bank did which is why the accounts were moved. Cheryl indicated the account (which is a sub account of our main account) was kept because we had checks for it and hopefully someone would step up and do the Big Sky Classic. It was decided to table closing the sub account and discuss it at a later date.

Audit report-printed below

December 7, 2008

To: the MSHSA Board of Directors
From: Audit Committee

On this date we performed an audit of the bank accounts, records and receipts of MSHSA and the Big Sky Classic.

We found no items of interest and found that the accounts and balances seem to be in good order and agree with past records and balances.

We noted that the CD from the Big Sky Classic account was transferred to the MSHSA account and the interest credited to the Big Sky Classic account.
(Signed copy on record) Ken Brensdal, Georgia Brensdal, Kristie Baker

The auditors recommended the Board consider whether to keep the Big Sky Classic Account.

New business

Changing western control/horsemanship patterns so the rider starts facing the judge. Reining and cowhorse classes start with the exhibitors facing the judge. Cheryl said the patterns could be changed. As soon as the changes were made, they would be posted for review and then put on the web. Motion made and seconded to change the western control patterns. Passed unanimously.

Cheryl suggested adding a page to the web site for any member to have an ad selling, buying or wanting to trade or maybe allow members to put up a business ad. Or maybe reserve having business ads to those who have sponsored an award or class? Diana mentioned that selling advertisements might interfere with our non-profit status. Cheryl said we don’t sell advertising but we do get donations for sponsorship of classes/year end awards/high points and in return, we list those folks on the sponsor page and in the premium book. A page for members who want to sell, buy or trade something should not create a problem. Cheri asked what the cost would be and who would administer it. Cheryl said it wouldn’t cost anything to put another page on the web site and she would take care of the ads, unless someone else wanted to do the web site. Motion was made and seconded to put a page on the web as a service to the members for buy, sell, trade, wanted items. Passed unanimously.

Harvest Classic has submitted a late application for a show Sep 5 & 6, 2009. Need vote to accept late filing. Motion was made and seconded to allow the late filing. Passed unanimously.

Breed Awards were discussed. Do we want to have them? Maybe change some requirements to get more folks to sign up? Paint club has already notified Cheryl that they will not be sponsoring a breed award but did want to sponsor a class or high point award. So that would leave Morgan, Arabian, QH, Appaloosa. Barb has said Morgans are interested. Cheri said that Southern Mt Arabian Horse Association was interested. Cheryl mentioned that having too many classes made it difficult for the open horses. Having it be one horse, one rider also made it difficult for some owners who had to have someone ride their horse at shows because they were busy. Cheri agreed that 4 performance classes chosen by the exhibitor should be good. Cheryl said she would get the form done and send it to her for review. Barb will work with the Morgan folks. Cheryl said she would contact the Appaloosa and Quarter Horse folks.

Committee appointments

Banquet-Barb, Robert, Cheryl

Promotion/membership-Cheri

Budget/finance-Cheryl

Education-Edie, Bruce (maybe writing articles for the Wrangler, Edie, Bruce, Robert, Diana)

Grievance-whole board

Rules-whole board

Awards-Cheryl, Robert

Rule stewards-

Big Sky Classic-

Youth-Erin chair

Audit-Kristie Baker, Ken and Georgia Brensdal

Schooling show-Bruce chair, Barb, Edie, Cheryl

Breed Awards-Barb chair, Cheryl

Approved by email 1/21/09

Minutes for new Board 11/8/08 at the Red Lion Inn, Helena Montana

Meeting called to order at 2:14 PM. Present Barb Rolf, Cheryl Bryant, Erin Ward, Edie Baker, Robert Taylor, Bruce Backman, Cheri Clark.

Election of Officers

Cheryl Bryant nominated Barb Rolf for president, seconded by Cheri Clark.

Cheri Clark nominated Cheryl Bryant for secretary/treasurer. Seconded by Bruce Backman.

Cheryl Bryant nominated Bruce Backman for vice-president. Seconded by Barb Rolf.

Robert Taylor nominated Diana Alkire for vice-president. Seconded by Cheryl Bryant.

Cheri Clark moved nominations be closed. Seconded by Barb Rolf.

Written vote was taken for vice-president. Bruce Backman was elected. Barb for president and Cheryl for secretary/treasurer elected by voice vote.

There was discussion about the low turnout for the general meeting, even on a rule year. Maybe the date should be changed? The time? Cheri mentioned that the long time gap between the general meeting and the banquet was not good. There was nothing to do during that time. It was suggested that we do the general meeting around 3:30-4:00 PM in the banquet room. At the conclusion of the meeting, the social hour could begin and then the banquet. It was decided to explore this further. The board meeting could still be held early since the board was responsible for setting up the awards and silent auction items.

The schooling show was discussed. Edie Baker mentioned that if the show could be done in conjunction with the 4-H clubs, it could benefit both organizations. The 4-H kids needed to have a certain number of shows/clinics and the schooling show would help in that area. Cheryl mentioned that she would prefer someone else be show secretary since she wanted to show her horse. Cheryl would format the book and get it printed and mailed as soon as she got the information. Cheri said that doing a one day schooling show was not a big deal. Bruce agreed to be the show manager. Barb said she would like to try being show secretary. Edie agreed to get a judge and location. Cheri also said she would check around for location. Erin said that Joannie Kissock might be available to judge and she would be talking to Joannie on Sunday. Cheryl volunteered to do whatever jobs as long as she could show her horse. Information will be emailed around to the board as judge, location, etc was found.

Meeting adjourned approximately 3 PM. Submitted by C Bryant
Approved by email 11/18/08

Minutes for Board Meeting November 8, 2008 at the Red Lion Inn, Helena Montana

Meeting called to order at 10:16 Am. Present Barb Rolf, President, Erin Ward, Youth Director, Cheryl Bryant, Sec/Treas, board members Bruce Backman, Cheri Clark, Robert Taylor, Edie Baker. Absent for an unknown reason, Britney Harris. Absent with good cause due to work, Diana Alkire, Vice President.

Treasurer report. Annual summation of income and expenses passed out. Individual reports of income and expenses month to month was available to the board. It was moved and seconded to approve the treasurer report. Approved unanimously.

Old business

There were no nominations for the Dorinda Stock award.

Board Recommendation on Rules (Complete rule attached)

#1 Define family for purposes of membership.

The situation of persons living in the same household has come up several times since it was first discussed in 2006. This makes it easier for potential members to understand what the two types of memberships are.

7 to pass Nay Abstain

#2 Clarify when a director may be removed, the method of removal and replacement of the director.

This rule had been passed by the board twice. It was not presented to the membership in 2007 and lapsed but was re-enacted by the board in January 2008.

7 to pass Nay Abstain

#3 Clarify how shows must list MSHSA classes and non-MSHSA classes in the premium book.

This addresses a prior situation and a current situation. Several shows are already stating that “all classes are MSHSA except those marked {with a symbol}”. This makes it easier for shows to list the classes and for exhibitors to understand which are MSHSA classes.

7 to pass Nay Abstain

#4 Make placings in the 10 & Under classes not to count when the exhibitor can no longer show in 10 & Under classes.

Amended to read *May not cross enter canter/lope classes or 13 & Under Showmanship at the same show regardless of whether the class is MSHSA or not. A horse any age or status may be ridden two handed in a snaffle or shanked bit by a 10 & Under exhibitor in the 10 & Under Classes. The exhibitor may also carry a bat regardless of the discipline ridden. A 10 & under exhibitor riding in any other walk/trot class will be subject to the same rules as any other member. First places in only 10 & Under classes will not effect the maiden/novice/limit status of the rider or horse.

This enables those ten and under kids who are showing in small classes to do the maiden equitation classes when they turn 11. It also allows any maiden horses to continue to do maiden classes when not shown in 10 & Under classes. Any placings in the regular walk/trot classes would still count. It clarifies that a 10 year old choosing to do 10 & under cannot not also do canter/lope MSHSA classes and non-MSHSA classes but doesn’t restrict the10 year old to 10 & under classes for the whole season.

As amended 7 to pass Nay Abstain

#5 Drop trail open and western control from classes to count for Western Horse of the Year. Add the age category pleasure classes.

The western horse is the only horse required to do pattern classes which are uniquely western but not the age group pleasure classes. It was suggested to add a pattern class to the saddle seat and hunt seat but that could not be done until 2010 since the deadline for submitting rules was past.

Amended to keep the trail horse open and western control but still add the age group pleasure classes.

As amended 7 to pass Nay Abstain

#6 Drop hunter hack from classes to count for Hunt Horse of the Year.

Since hunter hack was made its own division, no shows are doing hunter hack. The class does not gather any points.

7 to pass Nay Abstain

#7 Give shows the option to send post cards advertising the show if the show has a web site with the premium, entry form, schedule and MSHSA application.

This rule helps shows save money since premium books are expensive to print and mail. The shows will still have to submit a written premium book for review and the web site must match the premium book or the show will not be allowed to do the post cards.

There was also discussion that possibly MSHSA could send out a poster to all members (and anyone else on a mailing list) listing all shows and the web site and the postcard rule. The shows could be billed back a portion of the cost. We will follow up on that.

6 to pass Nay 1 Abstain

#8 Allow a green horse a full year to keep green status from one competition year to the next competition year.

This allows a green horse to be on a calender basis for the green status. It was pointed out that it would be more difficult and possibly more confusing for exhibitors to keep track of the date when the horse was first shown at a MSHSA approved, breed association or USEF or CEF show. It was also not fair to maiden or limit horses since their status was based on the competition year.

The proponent said that a green horse was usually not well trained enough to show until the end of the show season. It would boost attendance at shows if the horse could begin their status at the first show the horse was trained enough to do. Exhibitors are reluctant to take their horse to the last few shows of the season because the green status would be lost.

6 to pass Nay 1 Abstain

#9 Reduce year end awards from 4 places to 3 places.

This is a cost saving measure for MSHSA. This would allow for better prizes if there were only three categories. Shows are getting smaller so there is less income for awards.

7 to pass Nay Abstain

#10 Add walk/trot reining to list of required classes.

I. Walk/Trot Reining

1. This class is designed for the horse who is not ready for western control and is open to any horse who has not shown in western control or any reining class.
2. The rules for western control will apply to this class, except for 8 (d), (g) and (j) in western control.

This rule was amended to read:

I. Walk/Trot Reining

1. This class is designed for the horse who is not ready for western control and is open to any horse who has not shown won a 1st place in western control or any reining class.
2. The rules for western control will apply to this class, except for 8 (d), (g) and (j) in western control.
3. The Walk/Trot reining patterns 1 to 4 will be used or a pattern the judge has designed.

The reining patterns will be checked by several board members to make sure the pattern has a reasonable degree of difficulty and is written correctly.

7 to pass Nay Abstain

#11 Delete redundant list of western classes.

7 to pass Nay Abstain

#12 Clarifying the type of saddle that may be used in saddle seat classes.

This is in response to a situation involving a trainer who wanted her student to use a dressage saddle since it was not a forward seat. This makes is clear that only one type of saddle is allowed.

7 to pass Nay Abstain

New business

A date for the banquet next year was discussed. It seemed that 11/7/09, first weekend, was the most viable date. Cheryl will check with Diana Alkire to see if that date does not conflict with her employer’s banquet.

Meeting adjourned at 12:06 PM. Submitted by C Bryant
Approved by email 11/18/08

Minutes for Board Meeting September 24, 2008

Present Cheryl Bryant, Bruce Backman, Robert Taylor, Barb Rolf, Britney Harris, Erin Ward, Diana Alkire, Cheri Clark joined late.

Treasurer’s Report (mailed previously)(Chat room was not working so meeting moved to another chat room) Treasurer reports were approved.

New Business

Menu choice and price. (Menu mailed out with treasurer’s report) Add 15% to the cost because that is what the Red Lion will do to us. It was decided to go with the Montana BBQ buffet.

Replace Rene’ Dupuis on the board. She submitted her resignation to Barb. Edie Baker has been approached and is willing to serve out Rene’s term. The vote was unanimous to have Edie serve out Rene’s term, until 2009. Barb asked that Cheryl contact her.

Expiring terms of directors: Barb Rolf, Diana Alkire, Cheryl Bryant, Bruce Backman, Robert Taylor. Just a heads up item so everyone would know which terms were up. Every one was willing to serve another term.

Job assignments at the banquet

Load prizes from Cheryl’s house Cheryl, Barb, Pam
Unload prizes at Red Lion Cheryl, Barb, Pam, Robert
Set up prizes to award at banquet Erin, Robert, Brit, Bruce
Pass out prizes at banquet Erin, Robert, Brit
Load prizes in Cheryl’s vehicle after banquet Cheryl, Barb, Robert, Pam, Bruce
Emcee Bruce
Set out programs Brit, Bruce
Set up silent auction items Cheryl, Robert, Cheri, Barb
Collect money for silent auction Cheryl, Erin
Set up MSHSA t-shirts, merchandise Cheri
Collect for MSHSA t-shirts, merchandise Cheri
Take pictures Cheryl, Barb
Power Point show Cheryl
Entertainment-Piano and violin Pam, Barb

Committee Reports

Banquet Barb chair, Cheryl, Diana-done

Promotion/membership Cheri chair-no report

Budget/finance Cheryl-Budge is good, finance, can always use more money. Barb will be sending in a sponsorship for saddle seat.

Education Diana chair-no report

Grievance whole board-no grievances. Diana mentioned that there is some legislation that we might want to look at. Would we be able to do that? Cheryl said we likely could not get into it tonight but could be considered at the next meeting.

Rules whole board-The board will consider all proposed rules at the board meeting and make a pass-no pass recommendation at the general meeting. There were 12 rule proposals.

Awards Bruce, Cheryl-Awards are all purchased.

Rules stewards Barb chair, Cheryl-no report

Big Sky Classic Diana-Brit said that she likely would not be able to do the Big Sky Classic because she might be in North Dakota.

Youth Erin chair-no report

Audit-We should be thinking of members who would be willing to do the audit. Robert volunteered to help but directors cannot do the audit.

Schooling show/Clinic Cheryl chair, Barb, Britney-Diana said she would like to see maybe two schooling shows, one early and maybe one a little later when folks had had time to ride a bit. It was decided to table that until after the general meeting.

Breed Awards Cheryl chair, Bruce, Erin-Barb said that she had contacted the contacts for the breed awards and would follow up when the breed hp reports were run. Barb noticed that she was not on the committee. Cheryl told her she was the president, she didn’t have to be on the committee so she wasn’t stepping on anyone’s toes.

Vendors whole board-Cheryl had put some articles in the Wrangler, contacted some folks that might be interested. There were no takers. The Red Lion was notified that we wouldn’t be having vendors this year.

Meeting adjourned at 9:43 PM.

Approved by email 9/30/08

All the current members (except the 6 year old and the 11 year old) were emailed or called about the board vacancy. There were several responses fairly fast. So we just need to vote and pick one.

Sammy Ryan, Dillon, age 22, responded first that she was interested in filling a board position. Sammy is a new member.

Robert Taylor, Belgrade, age 54, responded next that he was very interested. Robert has been a member for quite a few years and shows extensively.

Theresa Danley, Chinook, age 28, said that she would be willing to serve if no one else could be found. She would not be able to travel to meetings since she is going to have a baby. She didn’t think it would be a problem if the meetings were in the chat room. Theresa also volunteered to be the editor. So she and I are working on that angle.

Aimee Kudrna, St Ignatius, adult, said she would serve if we didn’t find anyone else and I promised her she could handle the computer stuff (which I did promise). Aimee has been a member for many years, past president twice.

So we need everyone’s vote, please do a reply all. I’ll keep track of the votes.

Robert Taylor received six votes. Robert and persons volunteering to serve were notified by email of the vote. 4/6/08