February 2016 - Superstition Horsemen`s Association

SUPERSTITION HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION
Pony Tracks
Web address is sha4u.org
February 2016
Email us at sha4horses@gmail.com
First General Membership Meeting
with ‘Charlie Hill’ Submitted By Pam Gaston
The first SHA General Membership Meeting
of 2016, met on Wednesday, January 20th, at 7 pm.
There were thirty one people in attendance. Charlie
Hill and his wife Debbie arrived early and chatted
with the membership. There was a 50/50 that
collected $78 and Bonnie Wells won $39 of it.
There was a $20 gift certificate to Paula’s Crazy
Horse and Connie Cazier was the lucky winner.
Charlie commended SHA for the work we
do, spoke for an hour, and then asked for questions.
He spoke about his background and his relationship
with Ray Hunt and then proceeded to speak about
riding from the ground up. He used “footfalls” as
some of his basis and utilized walking sticks to
show the membership the way of the horse when it
steps and how it goes. He encouraged the
membership to know where their horses’ feet are
when they are riding them. He also spoke about
preparation on the ground is preparation for in the
saddle. He also told many wonderful stories which
gave examples of his recommendations.
Charlie and Debbie were presented with a
$30 gift certificate to Chili’s and then refreshments
were served. Charlie and Debbie stayed to talk with
the membership and answer any questions that folks
might have at that time.
It was a very enjoyable evening.
Message from the Chair
We have a lot of events happening in the
next couple of months and your board members are
working really hard to make sure they are
successful.
We had a nice turnout for the January,
General Membership Meeting. I think everyone
learned a thing or two from Charlie Hill.
Our February Meeting had Cyndi Ruehl who
presented information on Pinal County open spaces
and trails. This too was well supported by
membership, thank you!
Continued on page 2
SEE INSIDE:
Board of Directors & Committee Chairs
Message from the Chair
Membership News
Charity Ride Results
Meeting Minutes
Advertisers
Meet Our Members
Obstacle Course Information
Agenda of Events Coming Up
Pages
2
2
2
2
3-5
5
6
7
8
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman
Darryl Cross (602) 820-9583
rktmn@netzero.net
Vice Chairman
Pam Gaston (602) 320-3185
rrr97w@msn.com
Treasurer
Jeanne Kennedy (480) 396-2534
jrkcpa@gmail.com
Secretary
Bonnie Wells (715) 417-1295
bwel55@yahoo.com
Membership Chair
Barb Houck (480) 474-8976
bghouck@live.com
Director-at-Large
Bob Diroff (419) 266-2638
rdiroff@gmail.com
Director-at-Large
Connie Cazier (602)618-0699
Conniecazier1@msn.com
Director-at-Large
Peggy Wilson (602) 510-9398
walterchip@aol.com
Remember: The board meets at 7:00
p.m. the first Wednesday of every month
at the Apache Junction Boys & Girls
Club at 1755 N. Idaho Road.
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Message from the Chair Continued
The last weekend of February will be the Lost Dutchman Days
Parade and rodeo events, booths and carnival rides. We will have a
great new booth set-up with a nice display showing the community
who we are and what we are all about. Please stop by and say “HI” or
assist with volunteer slots to man the booth! If interested contact me,
Darryl Cross at 602-820-9583 and I can put you down on the
schedule.
Our final big event for the year is our Obstacle Course. Please
see page 7 for details. We have some awesome new challenges this
year to test both horse and rider. Prizes consist of ribbons and cash for
the top six. We are also needing some volunteers to help with this
event too. Contact Barb Houck to let her know you can assist with
registration, set-up or an event.
On a sad note, the Tonto National Forest has given the green
light for Resolution Copper to start test drilling at the numerous
identified sites east of Queen Valley and north of Hewitt Station
Road. Their test drills will be used to determine whether that area will
be conducive to storing the tailings from their new mine.
Unfortunately the likelihood of them using this is extremely high.
After all, where else could they put them?
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
With the addition of two renewals and a new member our roster now
includes 62 memberships with 76 individual members. Welcome to
new member Lancette Koerner. Hope to meet you soon!
Political
Darryl Cross (602) 820-9583
rktmn@netzero.net
Equine Welfare
Jeff Watson (480) 628-6454 or
Chip Wilson (602) 361-6135
Bylaws, Rules, and Conduct
Chip Wilson (602) 361-6135
SHA Store
OPEN
Parade
Pam Gaston (602) 320-3185
rrr97w@msn.com
Historian
OPEN
Road Cleanup
Allison Strathearn
(480) 491-2516 or (602) 799-9286
bodygarden1@q.com
2
Charity Ride Results from January!
The organization raised $263.00 for the
Apache Junction Boys and Girls Club, where we
hold our General Membership Meetings and our
monthly Board Meetings. There was a total of 6
riders; 3 on the 4 hour ride and 3 on the 2 hour.
We had several individuals donate at the general
membership meeting too!
Superstition Horsemen’s Association
Board Meeting of 2/3/2016
The Superstition Horsemen’s Association
Board Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM,
by Darryl Cross, Chairperson, at the Boys and
Girls Club located at 1755 N. Idaho, Apache
Junction, AZ 85119, on February 3, 2016.
Board Members present were Bob Diroff,
Darryl Cross, Barbara Houck, Pam Gaston,
Bonnie Wells, Peggy Wilson and Connie
Cazier. Jeanne Kennedy was absent. Other
members present were Simone Wilber, Bev
Dougherty, Jackie Cross, Scott Cazier, Cathy
Diroff and Chip Wilson.
Secretary: Pam Gaston made a motion to
accept the minutes from the last meeting.
Peggy Wilson seconded the motion. All were
in favor.
representative to sit on an awards committee to
honor donors.
Chip Wilson reported there are several bills
being suggested that may impact us. If anyone
has any questions about these bills call Chip at
(602) 361-6135. In committee House Bill
#2246, House Bill #2326, House Bill #2340,
Senate Bill #1011, Senate Bill #1090, and
Senate Bill #1281.
Pennsylvania is requiring a CDL license for
horse trailers over 10,000 lbs GVW. The
American Horse Council will address this
nationally.
Turf Paradise has positive EHB Virus. 3
animals isolated, one got sick and was put
down. The other 2 are in 21 day quarantine,
under strict sterilization procedures.
Parade: Pam reported the SHA parade group
is registered for the Lost Dutchman Days
parade on February 27th, 2016. The next parade
SHA will participate in will be the Pleasant
Valley Days parade. The parade unit is
looking for more members. Currently there
are 8 members in the unit.
Membership: Barb Houck reported there are
62 memberships with a total of 76 individual
members.
Pony Tracks: Cathy Diroff requested 300
Pony Tracks for February. Pam Gaston made a
motion to print 300 Pony Tracks for February,
Connie Cazier seconded the motion, all
approved.
Treasurer: Darryl Cross supplied the
Treasurers report for Jeanne Kennedy
Checking account balance is $1,376.58
Savings account balance $1,426.12
Equine Welfare account has $517.55. $280.00
will be going into Equine Welfare.
Old Business
Expenses $78.53 Office Max Pony Tracks
newsletter, Barb’s supplies $53.94, Insurance
$990.72, Paula’s Tack shop $20.00 gift
certificate for January General Membership
Meeting.
Income $164.00
Political: Chip Wilson reported The Friends of
Apache Junction may request an SHA
Program Director Vacancy: We still need a
Program Developer to assist with Membership
Program Development and finding speakers for
our General Membership Meetings.
February 17th Cyndi Ruehl – Pinal
Partnerships Open Space and Trails
Committee
March 16th, Jeff Serdy – Apache Junction City
Council and gun safety
Brochures: Horse Tales no longer exists and
all mention of it has to be removed from SHA
brochures and web-site. Chip and Peggy have
3
continued the program under the Arizona Horse
Council Reading Program.
Business Cards: E-mail address –
sha4horses@gmail.com. Darryl Cross has sent
the cards to Vista Print for printing. Darryl
expects to receive them by the February
General Membership meeting.
SHA Donations: The dog training donation
receipt has been received from the Friends of
Apache Junction representative, Melinda
Larson.
Ride for Charity: Darryl Cross will announce
the amount collected from the SHA January
Charity Ride at the February General
Membership Meeting.
Obstacle Course (Competition): March 19,
2016. The SHA board is looking for volunteers
for the day of the Obstacle Competition, need
judges and helpers for the obstacles. Contact
any board member to volunteer or Barb Houck,
committee chairperson. Barb Houck reported
that the committee has held 2 meetings so far
and the obstacles have been planned. The next
meeting will be held on February 10th.
Website sha4u.org: Pony Tracks Editor
information needs updating.
February General Membership Meeting:
Cyndi Ruehl is the featured speaker. Darryl
Cross will pick up a $20 gift certificate from
Paula’s tack shop for the door prize. Barb
Houck will supply name tags, Bob Diroff to
make coffee, each board member to bring a
package of cookies, and there will be a 50/50
raffle.
Lost Dutchman Days: Darryl Cross brought to
the meeting the 20x36 size canvas print of the
1st place photo for the SHA booth. Darryl
donated to SHA the cost of printing the 1st
place photo on canvas. He has ordered canvas
prints for the rest of the photo contest winners
as well. Connie Cazier will supply a video
created of SHA contest photo entries, Charity
4
ride and other SHA events, to play in the booth.
Need volunteers for the booth. A sign-up
sheet will be at the membership meeting for
volunteers with days and times.
Apache Junction Farmers Market: The
Mountain Health and Wellness farmers market
held in the garden area, next to the Social
Security building on Superstition, have
requested SHA have a full size horse and table
at their event. The Farmers Market is held
the first Saturday of the month in February
and March, between 9 am to 2 pm. The next
event is on Saturday, February 6.
New Business
Tonto National Forest approved drilling for
tailings project.
Road Cleanup Committee: Allison Strathearn
to set up dates for road cleanup.
Meg’s Trail ride: The February trail ride
will be at Meg and Tom’s again this year. See
article elsewhere in this newsletter for
details.
Footprints Matter: Darryl Cross reported that
January 16th, 2016, 300 volunteers removed 23
tons of trash from 12 sites – Queen Valley,
Hewitt Station Road and surrounding areas
from Gold Canyon to Superior. Bob Diroff
worked on Peralta Road area where 3 tons filled
a 40 yard dumpster.
Pam Gaston made a motion to adjourn the
meeting. Bob Diroff seconded the motion. All
were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at
8:30 pm.
January SHA Board E-mails
January 13, 2016, Jeanne Kennedy requested a
new statutory agent be selected for the
Corporation Commission, as the current agent
has resigned.
January 19, 2016
Peggy Wilson made a motion that Darryl Cross
be appointed the agent. Bonnie Wells seconded
the motion. Motion passed.
January 13, 2016, Jeanne Kennedy proposed
paying the Arizona Horse Council a 3 year
membership fee of $175.00 instead of the usual
yearly fee.
January 18, 2016
Bonnie Wells made a motion to pay the 3 year
membership fee of $175.00 for AZ Horse
Council. Jeanne Kennedy seconded the motion.
The motion passed.
January 6, 2016 E-mail sent to SHA from
Equine Guide with free ad notification.
January 18, 2016
Pam Gaston made a motion to accept the free ad
in Equine Guide. Bob Diroff seconded the
motion. Motion passed.
Thank you Board for the
Extra time you put in!
RODEO ARENA OBSTACLE COMPETITION
maneuvers, and riders will be judged on how calmly and
skillfully their horses handle them. More information
will be forthcoming in the next Pony Tracks, but now
we're looking for volunteers such as judges, judges'
helpers, registration, gate, runner, or in whatever your
specialty might be. To volunteer, e-mail Barb at
bghouck@live.com, or call (480)474-8976.
Planning is now under way for our 2nd Annual Arena
Obstacle Competition, to be held March 19, at the
Apache Jct. Rodeo Grounds. We had a great turnout last
year, of both competitors and volunteers, and are
expecting more of the same this year. The competition
again will include mostly simulated trail obstacles or
5
Meet Scott & Connie Cazier just one of many Couples
with SHA!
Scott and Connie Cazier reside in Apache Junction, Arizona. Connie has worked as a paralegal with a
Phoenix law firm for 38 years. Scott is a licensed contractor and started his own business in 1999. He
does residential and commercial remodeling in Phoenix and the east valley. Scott and Connie have
been members of the SHA for about two years now.
Connie was born in Wheeling, West Virginia and was the youngest of five children and the only girl.
Connie's love of horses began at a very early age as her grandparents owned thoroughbreds. In high
school, she was a member of the Saddle Club and received lessons at Oglebay Park Stables. She
attended West Liberty State College and when her brother received a football scholarship to ASU, her
family began migrating west. Connie moved to Arizona in 1976.
Scott is a native of New Mexico. His family owned a small farm in New Mexico and they had two
horses. While he enjoyed riding the horses, his idea of fun was building and racing cars. Scott’s
employment with Local 428, Operating Engineers, brought him to Arizona in the 1970's. He enjoyed
building and racing open wheel modified cars at raceways all over Arizona and New Mexico. He was a
darn good driver and won many trophies including several at Manzanita Raceway.
Scott and Connie are outdoor enthusiasts. Over the years they have enjoyed camping, hiking,
snowmobiling, boating, fishing, water skiing, hunting, trail riding in their jeep and of course, horseback
riding. They have always planned and enjoyed an active lifestyle together. Connie always loved horses
but never had the opportunity to own a horse while raising their family, two daughters and a son. While
trail rides were planned on many family vacations, there was never a plan to own horses during this
time. With the kids all grown up and having kids of their own, two granddaughters and two grandsons,
Connie decided it was time to start seriously riding again.
Scott and Connie had purchased the land next to their home and were in the process of clearing the
land to build a new home. Connie was a bit more interested in turning the land into a mini-ranch so she
could purchase and bring home her first horse. Scott agreed this is what they should do as in the past
they had always made these decisions together and had always participated in activities together. He
also knew that she had fallen in love with a palomino mare, Arabian/Quarter horse, named Raquel's
Fire. She purchased Raquel and one month later Scott purchased his gelding, an Arabian/Quarter horse,
Bucky Montana. Their mini-ranch was ready in September of 2014, and they brought the horses to
their new home. They have found that the relationships and bonds that they have developed with their
horses are amazing. They continue to enjoy learning all they can about riding, training and caring for
horses. They attended a Clinton Anderson Clinic and hope to attend more clinics offered by
professional trainers. They applied with the State of Arizona and received permission to use Scott’s
brand that he used while in 4H in New Mexico. They have enjoyed camping with and riding Montana
and Raquel in Tonto and Coconino National Forests. While they both still work part time, it is their
plan to retire soon and spend most of their time with the horses. They recently purchased 1¼ acres in
Young, Arizona and hope to spend their summers there with the horses.
Connie researched equine clubs and they decided to join The Superstition Horsemen's Association.
Last fall, they had a great experience camping and trail riding with the SHA in Cottonwood at the Dead
Horse State Park and hope that more camping trips get planned. They joined the SHA Parade Unit and
road in the Veteran's Day Parade and the Christmas Light Parade in Apache Junction. They have a
great appreciation for what the SHA stands for. They believe in continuing efforts to preserve the
western heritage and lifestyle and protecting our lands and trail systems. Connie is honored to be a new
member of the SHA Board and she and Scott have attended all of the board meetings. They are
continually impressed with the Board and their professionalism in making decisions about how the
club will stand on equine political issues as well as planning events for the club members' enjoyment,
making safety a top consideration in trail riding and providing informative guest speakers at the general
membership meetings. While they enjoy the social aspect of the club, they find it even more rewarding
to be a part of an association that believes in taking steps in preserving the rights of our equine friends.
Scott and Connie couldn't be happier with their decision to become horse owners and in joining the
SHA. They want everyone to know, if they are considering joining an equine club, the SHA has it all!
Get involved, you won't regret it!
6
7
Upcoming Rides & Events:
* Parade Drill Team: Lost Dutchman Days Parade in February
Invited to Pleasant Valley Days in Young, Arizona for July
Parade Unit Practice Dates/Locations/Times
2/25 4 pm until 5:30 TBD
2/27 Dutchman Parade
th
th
* February 26 through February 28 Lost Dutchman Day’s at the Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds
Help support our booth by stopping in or volunteering to serve time manning the booth!
*March 19 , 2016 – Obstacle Course Event at Rodeo Grounds - bring your horse and enter this once a year event!
th
Scheduled Speaker for the final 2015- 2016 General Membership meeting.
All Program meetings are held at the AJ Boys and Girls Club off of Idaho just north of
Superstition Road.
March 16, Jeff Serdy – Apache Junction City Council and Gun Safety
Please come and join us, you are bound to learn something!
Superstition Horsemen’s Association, Inc.
P O Box 2120
Apache Junction, Arizona 85117
www.sha4u.org