TTCC November 2022 Newsletter – Election Results and Notes from General Meeting
Congratulations to newly elected President, Ann Stacy, and Treasurer, Tiffany Janke.
FROM THE PRESIDENT, KATE LOVE HOLLAR
Buddy riders…beginning with 2023 – fees for buddy riders will increase and they will no longer register through the website. Buddy riders were originally intended to give a friend a chance to see if they wanted to pursue competing. Truthfully, buddy riders take up a spot on the trail, and we can only have so many riders at any given ride. Because Ride Managers (RMs) are independent producers, it will be at their discretion to admit buddy riders. Space will not become known until 30 days prior to the ride, when registered riders who have not paid are dropped from the roster and the waiting list is honored. RMs will manage the buddy rider requests, as opposed to the website.
Buckle Series moving forward…there will be one series per year. Beginning in 2023, riders receiving a buckle 3 years in a row will become ineligible for 3 years, then may rejoin a buckle series. This only pertains to buckle series and has nothing to do with yearend points/awards.
IF YOU ARE COMPLETING YOUR THIRD IRON RIDER YEAR, PLEASE TALK TO KATE ASAP!
Merchandise sales…T shirts/caps/sweatshirts are all a revenue source for the club. RMs for 2023 are offering merchandise at four rides. TTCC will only sale calendar tees in the future. However, the rides that do offer merchandise will be required to display our logo (one color is fine), or our full name, and pay a 50.00 “franchise fee” to the club.
TTCC is looking for new sponsors (250.00 each), as well as business card sponsors for our 2023 Rulebook.
Thank you to Lee Ann Boore and Scott Butcher for becoming new sponsors.
The Wrangler division…if the horse you are starting in Wrangler division was previously ridden by a buddy, that is when his Wrangler year began, or if you rode your horse in Buddy or Scout- that horse now has trail experience and it’s Wrangler year begins from that date.
Other items from election ballots, by law changes and suggestions/responses are at the end of newsletter.
FROM MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR, BILL PHILLIPS
Membership is currently at 201 following Monster Mash ride!
Clarification of family memberships…a family membership is within one household, family members living together. Family membership may also include minor grandchildren, even if they aren’t living in your home. Remember, each person on a membership must have their own log in to register for a ride.
Day Riders…anyone who shows up at last minute (i.e. if you bring a friend), must be prepared to pay with cash or check at the ride. Lack of internet access at certain locations means no Pay Pal availability, and once the weekend is over all fees should have been received.
Volunteers…beginning in 2023, ALL MEMBERS are expected to volunteer ONE DAY during the year. There are many ways to do this as camp helper, judge’s assistant, trail marking, offer to be on clean up Sunday afternoon, work on committees (Celebration, T-shirt, Tracking Miles), even mentoring a new rider will count. As of now, we will not be tracking your volunteer time, but everyone is expected to give back to the club a minimum of one day.
Dogs…no longer allowed at meals. Please respect this and refrain from bringing your four-legged friends during the dinner hour.
FROM JUDGE DIRECTOR, GREG DIAL
Judge Requirements…Requirements to become a Judge or Senior Judge have been updated. In the future, all judges will be “homegrown” or brought up and trained from within club membership. Rules from when TTCC was formed have been revised to disallow judges from outside organizations. TTCC judges will be expected to attend Continuing Education- Senior Judges Clinic once a year, other judges at a clinic, round table or one on one with Judge Director.
If your horse has to pull…TTCC intends for riders to finish their ride on the horse they rode out on. However, if a horse comes up lame or is injured on trail (and this specific scenario HAS happened), a rider who happens to have a second horse available (maybe from your riding partner or a buddy), is allowed to complete the ride on the second mount after sending injured horse safely back to camp. Ride score always follows the rider, so multiple horses may be competed on during the year. In event of changing mounts DURING a ride, be sure to inform secretary, as horses accumulate scores as well. If two horses are used to complete a ride, the horse score would go to the horse that completes the tenth obstacle, finishing the ride.
Trail Etiquette and Safety Form…new in 2022 and must be signed/initialed at each ride. There will be stiff penalties for those who break the rules as listed on the page. We are beginning a 3 strikes and you’re out policy. This may also include unnecessary roughness to your equine partner.
In an effort to interest more Junior riders…we will be having a junior clinic/ride this spring, combined with an adult clinic. Look for more info on this regarding dates. It will be at Parrie Haynes, a one-day event, hopefully towards the end of March. This will also be a form of community outreach and will require volunteer help. More to come…
FROM TREASURER, KAREN BOONE
Once again, this year, TTCC covered the cost of club member’s meals at January Celebration. We were also able to purchase a new laptop and printer for Ride Secretaries, and this year RM’s had their insurance and ribbons covered by the club.
This is the same criteria for riders competing per class. In 2022, that is the top 8 ride scores. The Honorary mention horses are those that have highest scores over 8 rides per division, after Champions are backed out.
2022 Year end places 1-6 is based on your top 8 scores. Please see 2023 Rulebook in January to study if you are working on year end for next year.
IRON RIDER…Attendance at one day of every ride weekend. Must ride 40% of rides. Riding in the newly formed Scout division (judged but no score applied toward cumulative total), counts as well. This is a riding award, not a placing award. As mentioned above, talk to Kate if this is your third Iron Rider year.
FROM RIDE DIRECTOR, KAREN PANTEL
2023 Buckle Series…. These rides, as well as rides where general membership meetings will be held, will in the future be highlighted in the ride calendar located in Rule book. The locations/rides for the 2023 Buckle Series were determined by putting all the 2023 rides in a hat, and each BOD pulled a name out of the hat (Greg’s hat to be specific). The Buckle Series rides for 2023 are Rocky Road, Hollywood In The Hills (or whatever name change it may come to), Spring Fling, Concho Valley Showdown and Wyatt Ranch Wanderer (name change from Grasslands Gallop). Riders that work at any of the Buckle Series Rides can apply the Worker Average Score for that ride.
There will be new Ride Managers for San Angelo- Cactus Two Step, and the Grassland Gallop is moving to the Wyatt Ranch (pending approval of paperwork from RMs -Bill and Annette Thurlow). Greg and Leah, the former RMs of Concho Valley Showdown, we be hosting a ride on September 23/24 at a new venue. Details to be shared once they are finalized
When reading the following, keep in mind your CLASS is adult, senior or junior. Your DIVISION is Tenderfoot, Maverick or Horseman.
As of now, to qualify for year end in 2023, you will need to RIDE 7 rides (days) – (50% of rides). Completion of 10 ride days makes you eligible for Champion and Reserve in your combined classes (adult and senior) division.
Yearend HORSE Awards…clarification from Rulebook and will be edited for 2023…the Champion, Green, Working and Seasoned horse will have their top 35% of total completed rides for the year compiled.
All riders will display their numbers on their horse, whether it be painted, or a hard copy hung on your saddle. Even though we now are supposed to announce if there is a hidden obstacle at rides, numbering your horse guarantees identification and comes in handy in a loose horse situation.
While Karen has served as a judge, ride manager and mentor, she relayed at the general meeting that she has a brand-new appreciation for the amount of hours that go into making TTCC, now that she is on the board. She especially wanted to share her gratitude for the tremendous amount of time and energy Kate has put in as President. For that we are all very grateful.
There was talk about the possibility of ride meetings and/or learning moments being videoed, so those who arrive late can play catch up. This of course would require a volunteer.
OTHER NEWS
Ann Stacy is your new President and Tiffany Janke is your new Treasurer.
Ride results in the future will be posted, along with obstacles from the ride. The existing definition of “Member in Good Standing” was passed. Calendar tees will continue to be a fundraiser for the club. Terms of office will now be 3 years. The following are comments/responses from ballots.
IF I ALREADY WORK A RIDE DO I HAVE TO VOLUNTEER? No.
I PREFER NO MANDATORY VOLUNTEERING. PERHAPS RMs NEEDING VOLUNTEERS COULD REACH OUT ON FB, SO CLUB KNOWS THEIR NEEDS. MORE HIDDEN JUDGES TO MOVE RIDE ALONG, COULD ALSO EVALUATE TRAIL ETIQUETTE. AND A HUGE THANK YOU TO KATE AND THE BOARD FOR A GREAT YEAR OF RIDES AND FELLOWSHIP. FB has not always worked, as people commit then don’t show due to whatever, weather, etc. There are many ways to volunteer…committees, help at a ride in camp or w judge, mentor new riders. It is mandatory to give back, but we aren’t tracking it. Members know they are expected to volunteer, it is in their barn now to do so.
PLEASE CONSIDER CREATING 2 ONE DAY RIDES, IN SPRING AND FALL, WITH CLINIC ON THE SECOND DAY. We got several requests like this, have shared with Judges Director
I LIVE FULL TIME IN NM, IM NOT ABLE TO BE A MEMBER IN ‘GOOD STANDING’. I ENJOY THE TTCC FB BUT DON’T MEAN TO CLOG MEMBER ROSTER. A member in good standing is a requirement for people who want to take a bigger role in the club. Being an out of state member is fine, you will probably never manage a ride or run for office. It needed to be defined, in terms of requirements for further involvement.
THE STATE IS DEVELOPING AN EQUESTRIAN PARK IN PALO PINTO COUNTY, TO BE COMPETED IN 2023. I WAS TOLD THEY WANT INPUT FROM HORSE GROUPS FOR IDEAS, TRAILS, PENS ETC. Bandera has been suggested, too. Working with the State, if you don’t have an ‘in’, can be very challenging from our past experiences. That said, if you want to host a ride there talk to Karen Pantel,Ride Dir.
I THINK YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE AN HONORARY MEMBER AND NOT HAVE TO RIDE, VOLUNTEER, ETC, BUT STILL GET THE NEWSLETTERS ETC. MAYBE NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE. I ALSO THINK RIDE SECRETARIES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY MEMBER FEES. SOME SECRETARIES DON’T COMPETE. Membership is 30.00/year. Secretaries make a minimum of 300.00 per ride, and are expected to be dues paying members.
HOW ABOUT A RULE THAT NO WHITE ROPES BE USED IN OBSTACLES. I’VE HEARD IT IS A POLICY BUT THEY ARE STILL USED. There is no rule against this. Shared with Judges director.
OVER THE LAST YEAR, I HAVE BEEN ASKED NUMEROUS QUESTIONS THAT ARE ANSWERED WITH VERY BASIC HORSEMANSHIP SKILLS. I SUGGEST EITHER IN OUR SPRING/FALL CLINICS OR LEARNING MOMENTS…THESE NEED TO BE TAUGHT TO THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED. IM HAPPY TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS EXTRA CLINIC TIME. The problem with have a horse centric learning moment, is that horses have just come off trail and are tired. It is a lot of work to bring a horse for the weekend for a 10 minute Learning Moment. This has been shared with Judges and Ride Directors. Knot tying is a great idea!
AS AN IRON RIDER THIS YEAR I HAVE LOVED ALL THE VENUES. I FEEL THAT ANY PLACE THAT HAS HOOKUPS SHOULD BE A LOTTERY SYSTEM. THE RIDES THAT HAD PARKING MARKED WITH FLAGS WERE A GREAT SET UP. A SOUND SYSTEM AT MEETINGS IS BEST! I ALSO REALLY LIKE HAVING ONE MAP AND THEN REVERSING IT PLUS THE OBSTACLES MARKED ON THE MAP IS GREAT. We appreciate your remarks! Some places have many hookups, others few, and after RM’s reserve hookups for judges, photographer, secretaries and themselves, often there are only a few left. They are Independent Producers that apply for and sign a sanction form that states they will follow our rule book. While it is an interesting suggestion, dictating how parking and sites are assigned is not something the Club is going to regulate.
SO MUCH CONFUSION IN MEMBERSHIP DURING SHOUT OUTS. AS THE JUDGE SPEAKS, CLARIFY THAT THEY ARE GIVING A SHOUT OUT FOR “X”, EITHER A STELLAR PERFORMANCE OR A GOOD TRY ETC. WE OFTEN DON’T KNOW WHAT ACTUALLY THE SHOUT OUT WAS GIVEN FOR The Board agrees shout outs have gotten confusing. Greg Dial has begun having all shoutouts go through the Senior Judge. A little history…they were started as a way to recognize a Rider’s commitment to hard work or for the person who got lost on the trail and recovered or ?? That was back before we were a club. They are fun but do need to be reined in.
NOT TRYING TO SCARE YOU, BUT ALL OF OYOU DESERVE A BIG KISS! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! IF YOU EVER NEED ANY HELP, IM HAPPY TO ASSIST! We ain’t scared! But we do not know who you are, voting is anonymous. However, if someone grabs me and kisses me, I will assume it is you and give you a job.
“PAID IN FULL” NEEDS A TIME FRAME SUCH AS JAN 1 People join the club all year round, and most pay at Celebration or at their first competition for the year, so not practical.
HOST CLINICS ON WEEKENDS WITHOUT A RIDE SO WORKING FOLK AND FAMILIES WITH SCHOOLKIDS CAN ATTEND. YOUTH RIDE FREE AS LONG AS A PAYING PARENT IS WITH THEM, COSTS ADD UP FOR FAMILIES. YOUTH RIDERS COULD BE COVERED THROUGH CELEBRATION FUND, IN LIEU OF PAYING FOR MEMBERS MEALS AT CELEBRATION. THIS COULD BE REASSESSED IF YOUTH RIDERS INCREASE IN NUMBER AND PERHAPS BE CHARGED A NOMINAL FEE. FOR LATE ARRIVALS/FAMILIES WHO WORK, MAYBE PERTINENT INFO COULD BE SENT OUT BY SECRETARY 3 DAYS IN ADVANCE (MAPS, AGENDA, RELEASE FORMS, UPLOADED COGGINS AND MAYBE RIDE MEETING NOTES, SO NO IMPORTANT INFO IS MISSED PRIOR TO START OF RIDE. We have a youth weekend/clinic and Member clinic combo on the books. Money collected each year must be spent within that year on the people it came from. We do not carry a balance year to year. Celebration monies are based on what is left in the account. That said, a few rides have a ‘Children Ride Free’ with paid adult, Rocky Road is one example. As mentioned above, RM’s are Independent Producers, to do so is at their discretion. Club cannot mandate this, because the club makes 7.00 per rider per ride, membership fees, raffle money and sponsorships. It would be impossible to guarantee the Club could always cover the cost of children. Great idea about the early sending for maps, etc.
REGARDING WEBSITE/FACEBOOK, AFTER LISTENING TO GAYNA, I TEND TO AGREE. IT SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY TO JOIN A SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLUB/RIDES. AN ADDITIONAL ‘ANNOUNCEMENTS’ TAB COULD BE ADDED TO THE SEB PAGE FOR PEOPLE TO LOG IN AND READ. THIS COULD EASILY BE UPDATED BY THE PRESIDENT OR ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER. RM’S COULD GIVE THEM THE INFORMATION OR BE ABLE TO LOG IN AND ADD IT THEMSELVES. Good idea, the next administration can follow up.
ONE LAST NOTE FROM MEMBERSHIP MEETING…
General meetings are a place where those not on the board may ask for a place on the agenda to bring up a topic, with time limitations of course. In an effort to disperse information to ALL dues paying members who have a valid e mail, I have taken the job of Newsletter Editor. While Facebook is a quick and easy fix for getting information out, it excludes those who do not FB. We are working on remedying this situation, so stay tuned!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
What do Thanksgiving Day and a newly designed ride map have in common? Both are started from scratch, require days to weeks of advance planning, earnestly prepared with guests in mind, and are consumed within a matter of hours. As my mother used to say, don’t rush, enjoy (dine) and savor being together. In other words, TAKE YOUR TIME, we’ve much to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving all, Gayna