Time flies - the first month of 2008 is already coming to a close. There’s been plenty of activity at West Coast Active Riders, so read on for details.
In this newsletter:
• Welcome Kathy
• Congrats to JRGP Winners
• Meredith Michaels Beerbaum Clinic
• Spruce Apps Coming
• HITS Thermal Report by Bernie Traurig, Technical Delegate
• Stay Tuned for Another Fabulous Party
• Not a Member Yet?
WCAR placed an ad for an Executive Assistant and received a tremendous response. There were a number of qualified applicants with varied backgrounds. After lengthy discussions and interviews, the Executive Committee chose Kathy Hobstetter for the position. As most of you know, Kathy brings many years of experience from multiple areas, including trainer, active committee member, writer, photographer and now magazine publisher. Her positive energy and vision are both ideal for WCAR.
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Congrats to JRGP Winners
Once again we were honored to receive so many impressive applicants for the WCAR Jumper Rider Grant Program (formerly the Meritorious Rider Grant). It was not easy for the judges panel to choose two winners as many of the juniors and amateurs who applied deserve recognition for their success in school and in the sport of show jumping. We are proud of our west coast achievers, from straight ‘A’s to pre-med, working students and medal final winners.
After much deliberation, the judges chose Sophie Benjamin and Laura Ware as the 2008 Jumper Rider Grant Winners. Both excellent students and riders, we wish our winners and all applicants a fantastic 2008.
Meredith Michaels Beerbaum Clinic
Mark your calendars - WCAR is pleased to announce a special Meredith Michaels Beerbaum clinic for our 2007 Zone X Young Rider Team during Week III.
In the clinic she will cover flat work, which she feels is essential to good riding. She will talk about pre-competition warmup, planning and riding the course, and address the mental side of the sport - for her, the most important.
This clinic is a WCAR production and the riders are sponsored completely.
THERE WILL BE POSTERS AVAILABLE AND AN AUTOGRAPH SIGNING SESSION WITH MEREDITH FOLLOWING THE CLINIC.
Auditors are not only welcome but encouraged not to miss this unique learning opportunity on the west coast!
What: The Mental Game - How to Prepare from Flatwork to Course Plan
When: Thursday, Feb 7th, 6-8pm
Where: The EquiBaseTM Arena Systems Indoor Ring
How Much: $25 for members and $75 for non-members (includes a one-year WCAR membership). All fees will benefit WCAR and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Membership applications will be available at the WCAR booth Thursday night.
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Spruce Apps Coming
By Week III we will have Spruce Team Applications ready - they will be available both online and at HITS. Deadline for receiving applications is Monday March 31st. Note the details of the trials and application fees by clicking here. Remember you need to be a current WCAR member to apply.
HITS Desert Circuit Week I started off the winter show circuit on a good note. The footing issue has been addressed and everyone is quite pleased with the footing in all the jumper rings. HITS staff did a great job maintaining the rings with the right amount of water and drag on a regular basis. That is obviously the key and has been the priority. I am optimistic that with this kind of diligent maintenance for the duration the circuit the footing should continue to satisfy all jumper exhibitors.
The extensive “to do” list, promised by HITS, has been completed and everything seems to be in good shape. RV parking, Oasis Club, shade tents, trees and all the other items on the list are complete.
The temporary Indoor arena has been erected with super footing and has the potential to be a superior venue for World Cup Qualifiers and other specialty events.
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We are in the planning stages of another winter fundraiser at La Quinta. We have so much to celebrate - our west coast riders are and continue to be successful all over the world. Our party committee is gearing up for this year to be the best yet! More details to come…
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Become a member online today. We realized that there was a glitch in the online form that is now fixed. You are always welcome to email us. Memberships will also be available in the HITS Thermal horse show office starting Thursday, January 31st.
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Click here to visit the West Coast Active Riders website.