RAA Newsletter

Winter Meetings 2008

Dear RAA Riders,

        First, thank you all who sent in your log books. I enjoyed catching up with what you have been doing either through your notes and pictures to me or your phone calls and emails. This time of year is hectic trying to get everything done, but hearing from you makes it worth all the time.

House-Keeping RAA Style:

        May I make one suggestion please, please? Some of you mailed me copies of your log books. This is fine, but I need a copy of the front of your log sheet as well. The problem is that with all I have to do to compile awards, hours and books, when the front of the log book is missing, I then need to also look up your original application sheet to find your RHBAA registration and membership numbers. Also, I don’t know what numbered book you are on. Finally, many of you have had address changes which makes my life even more difficult. So PLEASE, either just send me your used log book or make a copy of the entire log sheet. Thank you.

        Another house-keeping item: A few of you don’t have email and I respect that. However, from now on, the only correspondence you will receive is your new packet with newsletter, banquet tri-fold and your awards’ sheets. There will NOT be any snail mail newsletters sent out. I am trying to help the environment with cutting back on the unnecessary use of paper as well as cutting the cost of printing newsletters. Last year, I had let the riders know this was coming, so now it is here. You have a choice, you can either get email or use a work email, or you can subscribe to The Racking Source since all newsletters are published there. If you are not receiving messages from me (about monthly) then please email me your email address so I can add it to my RAA Riders group. What you are missing is any correspondences that come my way, for example, SEDRA – the South Eastern competitive riding association monthly newsletters, information that is published from Cornell University on any horse health issues and other emails that come my way – missing or stolen horses/ trailers, etc. I realize that not everyone has email, but please understand that the RAA program is strictly a voluntary program run by a few of us who don’t get paid. We also pay for most of the postage, paper and ink out of our own pockets. To send out newsletters costs me alone, over $100.00 in paper and ink as well as envelopes, not to mention the excess paper used. We are happy to do this and this program will continue but if you choose not to have email or computer access then you will miss out on information sent between Winter Meetings throughout the year. Nell Brown from the RHBAA will publish our newsletters on the RHBAA website – Pleasure Horse link.

News/Tidbits:

        To begin, some of you know and were there when Betty Spillman (KY) - who by the way, is the person who does all the embroidery on the jackets and sheets – took a nasty spill at the Fall Celebration from her Pleasure horse. Betty will be back in the saddle this coming spring – Koodo’s to Betty as that was a bad fall and to be back in the saddle says lots for her spunk and spirit!! If you weren’t there, Betty went air-born off her horse, over the rail and into the first 3 rows of seats narrowly missing the support beam for the Celebration arena. As Betty said, “My guardian angels were with me on that ride!” as well they must have been. Welcome back Betty!

        Tina Tippett (MI) also had a nasty accident and will be back in the saddle also. “My riding was cut short on July 18th 2007 after my Arabian gelding freaked out big time with a routine height measurement and kicked me and broke my right leg. Both tib/fib bones low just above the ankle. I was in a cast with no weight allowed on right leg for at least 16 weeks after the surgery that they did on July 20th. I had 8 screws in the inside on the bigger bone and 5 screws on the outside plate on the smaller bone. A lot of bone loss. I still can not put much weight on my leg- as of Oct 31st I can put up to 30 lbs. making progress but not enough to ride yet. My next appointment is Dec 12th and by then we may have too much snow to ride anyway. Although the less snow the better since I’m not sure I like taking a wheel chair through the snow on thin tires.

        Amy Reynolds’ (formerly TX now AL) horse, Gunner, had to be put to sleep. He was her show and trail riding horse. To read about Gunner, go to http://www.hoofbeats-in-heaven.com/hoofprints/Gunner/

        Mary Smith’s (NJ) father died this past fall. Mary was very close to her parents, so this was a major loss in her life. Her mother will now be moving in with her as they are building a new house on her Summerset Plantation, then demolishing her original house. Good luck, Mary!

        Sue Schmidt Williams (MI) will be getting married in April!

        Danielle Adkins (KY) not only has horses but also produces soap (last year’s newsletter had information on this) and milks goats year round.

        After not being active with RHBAA for 3 years, Melisa Carlough (OK) is back now as Melisa Neal still riding A Little MO’ Beta! And, she is still in Oklahoma. Welcome back Melisa!

        Kim and Steve Ross (MI) are expecting to come to the Gettysburg area this summer to ride – so I’m hoping to see them and ride with them! Kim had back surgery this year, but since she and Steve ride gaited horses, she was back in the saddle after a couple of months off.

        Topper and Margie Smith (PA) are competing in the Wind Rider Challenge at the Harrisburg, PA Horse Expo. To learn more of what they are doing, go to: http://www.twoasonehorsemanship.com/ and click on the video at the bottom of the page.  

        Elaine Lacy Jackson (WV) has been riding in the southern part of West Virginia having a blast! Here is a picture she sent:

Elaine and Jasper

    Janet Putnam (PA) has been racking up the hours on her bay horse, Lil’ Babe Starlight (aka “Scarlett”). Janet rides with a group of 5 ladies named the “Saddle Sisters”. This year they went to Beneyette, PA on the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation ride. They saw elk and “Wow” was it majestic! Janet says that anyone who wants to ride the northwestern part of Pennsylvania just contact her and she’ll take you on the some scenic trails. This is her email address: coffeecreek@tbscc.com. Below (left)is a picture of Janet and Scarlett at Beneyette.

Janet Putnam and Scarlett                                        Karen Harvell’s Midnight’s Head Lady

    Karen Harvell (FL) has had a great time on Midnight’s Head Lady. So much so that she is bringing her brother on board to join RHBAA and ride “Midnight” also. Above (right) is Midnight’s picture at age 23.

    Well, that is all the news for now. Keep warm and ride safely. Before you know it, spring will be here with trees budding and spring flowers – and we’ll all be out riding again!!

Happy Trail Racking,

Margie Smith

RAA Coordinator