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Horse Program Curriculum Committee Meeting Minutes
November 19, 2004
Minutes
(Subject to approval at next meeting)
Members Present – Pat Comerford, Jim Sharp, Katie Patrick, Kirsten Dubbs, Dave Gallaher, Tammy Eichstadt, Tom Murphy, Duane Duncan, Christine Corl, Patty Kelly, and Donna Zang.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Patty Kelly
Information on the PA 4-H Horse Program Development Committee membership was circulated for review and corrections.
Minutes of the May 7, 2004 meeting were reviewed. It was moved, seconded, and passed to accept the minutes as presented.
The committee discussed the vacant position for an appointed member. Stephanie Lawson with PA Equestrian was suggested as a possible nominee. It was moved, seconded, and passed to have Pat Comerford contact her. Action on the nomination to be taken at the next Development Committee meeting.
The treasurer’s report was distributed for review and was approved as presented.
A draft financial report form for the district shows was distributed for review. Because the state 4-H horse program receives a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the information is needed to complete the annual report on expenditure of funds. It was moved, seconded, and passed to accept the form as presented. Forms will be distributed in early spring along with the form for information on district contacts.
It was moved, seconded, and passed to increase the mileage reimbursement rate for state 4-H horse program travel expenses from 30 to 37 cents per mile.
Pat shared a draft of a strategic plan for the PA 4-H Horse Program. This plan will be used to address program priorities, develop case statements for distribution to potential sponsors and will also be used to work towards a potential endowment for the program. The committee will need to review and has a goal to complete the strategic plan by the summer of 2005. Further discussion tabled until the March 2005 meeting.
Pat distributed a draft of a promotional brochure for the program. The committee was asked to review the content of the brochure and respond to Pat with any suggestions. Copies of the brochure will be printed for distribution in the spring of 2005. It was suggested that 10,000 copies be printed initially. It was also suggested that we have a version for general distribution and an electronic version that counties could use to include information specific to the respective county program.
Project books and record books were discussed. The Animal Science Skills for Life series books have been revised and there are now 5 levels available. The new books will be reviewed to determine what revisions are needed for use with our current record books or if new materials are needed. The record books also need to be revised to include reference to the horsemanship skills, safety, and ethics programs. Kirsten, Donna, Patty and Pat volunteered to review the materials. Pat will get copies of the new life skills series and distribute them for review. Additional copies will also be ordered to distribute to volunteers for review and suggestions. The Development Committee will not be supporting the new life skills series in 2004-2005. Counties may purchase the materials for reference. It was suggested, with input from 4-H members, that we consider providing an electronic version of the record books for members that are interested in keeping their records on a computer. A date will be set for the committee to meet in the spring.
Several Horsemanship Skills examiner trainings were completed in 2004. Additional sessions will be scheduled for 2005. Patty, Donna, Brian, and Pat will set specific suggested date for training. The Ag Arena has been reserved for April 23, 2005 for training and meeting purposes.
The Horsemanship Skills program continues to move forward and feedback is positive. Accurately recording the number of members and volunteers involved in the program continues to be a problem. The A-100 reporting system is not providing accurate information. It is difficult to document program impact without good participation data. It was suggested that consideration be given to identifying key volunteers in counties participating in the program to report numbers, progress, and methods. It was also suggested that a meeting date be set to review where we are and where we need to be going with the program.
A handout on the PA Equine Council Youth Program was distributed. The purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for youth to become more aware of horse industry issues, not to compete with existing organizations. The goal is to develop leadership for the future of the horse industry. It is targeted towards older youth and will hopefully help to bridge gaps between organizations and breed associations.
Draft copies of the 2005 calendar of events and deadlines were distributed. Lore Homer has volunteered to do driving clinics. Other individuals that may be available for driving clinics are Loren Nauman, Betsy Ullrich, and Rachel Deeds. The committee will consider contacting individuals to cover all areas of the state. Suggestions for clinicians for reining clinics are needed. Possible contacts are Scott Buckwalter, Richie Fisher, Cliff Reed, Gail Hayward, and Rick Brown. Brian will continue to do production clinics. Counties are needed to host clinics.
A suggestion to consider having only three regional production show was discussed. A decline in numbers is anticipated with the exhibitor age rule change. It was suggested that the committee wait a year to make any changes involving the number of shows. The week of August 1 to 5, 2005 is tentatively scheduled for the shows. Availability of facilities and conflicting schedules continue to be concerns. Brian will conduct the production clinics the week of June 20 to 24, 2005. The deadline for registration for production clinics will be June 13, 2005 and the entry deadline for the regional shows will be July 1, 2005.
The date and location for the state model horse show was discussed. Participants in the 2004 show were surveyed. The majority of the families would prefer that it didn’t conflict with youth also showing in the state horse show but are not willing to drive to State College or Harrisburg just for the model show. Generally, participants like the overall state show experience and the opportunity for participants to see the performance and production show. Numbers were down slightly from 2003. It was agreed that the model horse show will continue to be held with the State 4-H Horse Show. The room used in 2004 is not large enough. The committee will look into moving to the cafeteria area in 2005.
A discussion on rule changes for 2005 included the following:
A draft document regarding the procedure for rule changes was distributed. This is needed as a tool to help answer questions regarding rule changes. A number of issues have been raised in regards to the change to the exhibitor age for production projects and a draft document was distributed regarding this change. A major concern is that youth under the age of twelve will still be able to use young horses as performance projects. After considerable discussion it was moved, seconded, and passed to amend the rule to read that 4-H members must be at least 12 years of age or older as of January 1st of the current year or must have passed Level 1 ground handling skills of the Horsemanship Skills Program with each production animal to show at county, regional, or state production shows. Exhibitors will be responsible for submitting a copy of their completed evaluation sheet, indicating that they have passed the level 1 skills in order to show at the respective shows. Pat will get input from the committee and distribute the revised document regarding the rule change and related procedures to all counties.
Attempts will be made to offer multiple testing opportunities specifically for production project animals. The committee will also work to address safety issues associated with 4H members under the age of 12 riding young horses in performance classes.
Efforts are being made to address concerns with rules for draft horse driving. Pat has contacted some knowledgeable individuals but additional people need to be contacted. The rules committee will continue to seek input from individuals with expertise in this area. The rules committee will also address questions regarding attire for miniature horse driving attendants, will clarify the June 1st enrollment deadline as it pertains to the close of business for the extension offices, and will clarify the use of two hands on the reins when showing a junior horse in a western class. The rules committee will set a date to meet to discuss these issues.
A recommendation to provide reining rules for beginners/green riders was discussed. The committee will review the suggested rules and patterns prior to the March 2005 meeting and will prepare a recommendation to be presented to the April 2005 PA 4-H Horse Advisory Committee Meeting.
Discussion on shared horse activities and the recreational riding program was tabled to the March 2005 meeting. Additional work is needed on the guidelines to address concerns presented by the regional directors.
As a sponsor, the Development Committee is entitled to two complimentary registrations for the 2005 American Youth Horse Council Symposium. In addition, $900.00 has been budgeted for committee members to attend. Tammy, Dave, Kirsten, Tom, and Patty are planning to attend. It was decided that Brian and Kirsten will use the two complimentary registrations. Budgeted funds for expenses to attend the symposium will be split by Tammy, Dave, Patty, and possibly Jackie. Christine is looking for additional sponsorships for the symposium. She has a local (PA) goal of $5,000.00. A sponsor sheet was distributed and committee members were asked to let Christine know of potential sponsors. The planning committee is also interested in donations for door prizes and registration “goodie bags”.
Jim Sharp indicated that the Farm Show will print signs for the State Horse Show if they receive the requests no later than 30 days prior to the show. The Farm Show will be able to store large signs from year to year. If was pointed out the tack strips and bulletin boards are needed to post signs.
Overall, comments from the state show were positive. The show’s atmosphere was pleasant. The photographer and exhibitors were pleased with the location for photos.
The committee will continue to review the schedule and attempt to rearrange classes so that the show is finished sooner on Sunday. There was still quite a bit of free time on Saturday afternoon. It was suggested that judges be hired specifically for the driving and therapeutic classes. Judges’ expertise will be researched and every attempt will be made to get the best possible judges in our price range. Patty will contact and hire judges for 2005 and will make motel reservations for the show committee.
The program books could possibly bring in more income to help offset show expenses. Patty will contact Lisa Grove to discuss this. It was suggested that we offer additional tack stalls to counties since the 2004 stall layout provided additional space to work with. The number of lunging pens will be looked into for 2005. Additional ones are needed.
Tammy will distribute the job description for the show manager position to interested individuals and will collect applications. Resumes to apply for the position will be due by January 1st. The selection committee will meet and make recommendations to the Development Committee for a final vote as soon as possible after the application deadline.
Vince Verbecke will be asked to modify the computer program for entries to flag exhibitors under the age of 12 in the production division. This will also help to determine the number of exhibitors that are completing the Level 1 Horsemanship Skills in ground handling.
There was discussion on how the grooming and showmanship pattern was run at the state show. The show committee will monitor this more closely in the future. Tom will draft a letter of apology from the committee and send it to the family that expressed concern about the situation.
The following meeting dates were set for 2005: March 18th, April 22nd (Advisory Committee), May 23rd, and November 21st.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Zang