UPCOMING ACTIVITY DATES:
Thursday,
February 8th 3:30-4:30 pm
Drill Practice (please have USDF Quadrille
Intro Test 1 memorized!)
Wednesday,
February 21st 1:00-2:00 pm
Dismounted Workshop followed by a group ride
Late February
or early March
Possible Barrel Racing Clinic with National Champion,
Darrell Ferguson
Thursday, March
1st 3:30-4:30 pm
Drill Practice
Wednesday,
March 21st 1:00-2:00 pm
Dismounted Workshop followed by a group ride
Spring Break
TBA
Dismounted Workshop
Spring Break
TBA
Intensive Drill Practice in preparation for the
Walking Horse Show
Thursday, April
5th time TBA
Drill Practice
Friday, April
13th time TBA
Drill Practice
Wednesday,
April 25th 1:00-2:00 pm
Dismounted Workshop followed by a group ride
April 27th or
28th
Possible Drill Team Exhibition at the Walking Horse
Show
Thursday, May
3rd 3:30-4:30 pm
Drill Practice
Wednesday, May
16th 1:00-2:00 pm
Dismounted Workshop followed by a group ride
Memorial Day
Weekend
Possible Saddle Club Schooling Show/Mounted Games/Rally
Thursday, June
6th time TBA
Drill Practice
Wednesday, July
4th
Possible Drill Team ride in parade
Big Excitement at Smiling W!
National Barrel Racing Association Champion, Darrell Ferguson, is scheduled to be in to Bay County sometime at the beginning of February and to stay until mid-to-late March. He is coming in to "warm-up" and to relax at his condo at the beach.
At the present time, he plans to board two of his horses (an eight year old, "rodeo-horse" gelding, and a four year old, futurity mare) at Smiling W Stable. He and I have discussed the feasibility of holding a Barrel Clinic for our Saddle Club members. This date will be confirmed after he has made it in to town and I get a better idea of his schedule. He may also be available for private lessons.
Mr. Ferguson's winnings include: the AQHA Congress, New York Classic (2X's), and North America Livestock (4X's; placed 3X's). He has also led in points in the National Barrel Horse Association numerous times as well has having been in the top ten percent in standings at Ft Smith, AK; the World Futurity, and the AQHA in earnings. Furthermore, he has qualified 39 horses as Superior Barrel Racing horses.
Smiling W Stable Drill Team & Saddle Club Membership:
Membership is open to riders and horse-lovers of all ages. You may use our horses or bring your own, or participate "horseless". You may ride English or western. You may participate in dismounted workshops, or the drill team, or our special activities, or riding lessons or ALL of these!
We are currently seeking as many as five drill team members (some as "alternates" and as many as two "primary") who can participate in at least two drill practices a month.
Dues are currently set at $5 per month or $10 for the balance of our annual year to run through August, 2001. If you are interested--please contact us at Smiling W Stable.
January 15, 2001 Meeting "Minutes":
Our initial DRILL TEAM & SADDLE CLUB meeting was well attended. Present were: Mimi, Van & Rebecca Smith; Kasha & Cassie Kriner; Cherry & Diedra Heape; Sandra Drinkard and myself, Lanta Caron.
The meeting began with a short video presentation of drill riding from the Arabian Knights in Orlando, FL. After, a discussion ensued covering the following topics; Special Drill Moves-Part 1 and the USDF Quadrille Introductory Test 1 (complete with hand-outs), and the requirements and benefits of the SWSDT&SC becoming a member of the Sunshine State Mounted Drill Team Association.
Next, the girls and ladies moved to the riding arena to practice the Special Drill Moves and the Quadrille Introductory Test 1 on foot--complete with classical music. Once those participating experienced what it was like to perform on foot (and BOY! did the horses look at us strangely!), we all engaged in a conversation regarding the need for mounted practice at least three times a month before we made a public exhibition. The first Thursday of each month was chosen as an hour-long practice. We still have yet to confirm our other regular dates.
Other matters covered were dues, music (those who play an instrument are encouraged to tape themselves and to use that music for some of our patterns), uniforms, the need for "alternate" riders, modifying tests to include special moves and jumping, and the feasibility of performing at the Walking Horse Show at Aaron Bessant Park in late April (if we are ready) and the Fourth of July Parade (if we are safe).
We also talked about the Saddle Club's dismounted workshops. There will still be a dismounted workshop on early-release Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00 pm--followed by a group ride. For those who cannot attend these workshops, other dismounted workshops may be scheduled on vacation days--particularly during spring break.
Subsequent activities included a lunch break and then our first drill team practice which included one complete ride through the USDF Quadrille Introductory Test 1. Once the riders have memorized this test, their performance is expected to be FANTASTIC!
