From the desk of Jim Potter
From the desk of Jim Potter
“ And Just Like That ,” we are already into July ! It seems like just yesterday we were all looking forward to summer and the riding season – and now we are halfway through it .
Whether you have been showing your horses , trail riding , pleasure riding at home , or all the above , I hope everyone has been enjoying their time in the saddle so far this season .
This year , the Board of Directors voted to ask our membership for input on the judges you would like to see in center ring at The National . Everyone that had a current membership by the deadline was sent a ballot to vote for 3 of our judges that agreed to be considered for the 2023 NWHA National . All were approved by Ruth Ann Spinelli and the rest of the judge ’ s committee .
I am happy to announce that you , the membership , have chosen Sandy Harris and we welcome back Eli Murphy and Dee Dee Miller Bacon who are returning to judge again this year .
The National Show committee has every position filled for this year ’ s National way ahead of the usual schedule . The show committee spent a lot of time this year revamping the show schedule . The committee has worked at meeting the requests the membership has asked for . There are a few class changes , but the biggest change is the starting time for each session . I think everyone will like the schedule this year and thank Chairpersons Shannon Gibbs and Mag Ranft , as well as the entire committee , on all of the hard work that was put into this show schedule . It is an “ ever-changing ” target that takes a lot of time to review each year .
All our other committees have been hard at work as well . Sydney Deal , Robin Lucareli , and the rest of the youth committee are working on some fun ideas for the National show . The Trail committee has added some new organized trail rides for this year along with making some changes as to how riding miles and hours will be counted toward year-end high point awards . The Rules committee has been busy so far this year . Keep your eyes peeled for membership input on some of the upcoming potential rule changes . Your input as members is invaluable to the committee and to the Board of Directors .
The next issue of the NWHA News will be the National Show issue . This is the one issue of the year that is also printed as the show program . Jackie Dean and the rest of the NWHA News committee will be happy to assist with any needs you have on getting your horse in that issue . Don ’ t miss out on the opportunity to showcase your horse in the program !
Before I ramble on anymore , I ’ d like to close with a BIG Thank You to Cassidie Stevens ( our office manager ). Cass has done a great job in the office and keeping us all on our toes . No one holds a candle to what she has done in such a short time . At least not in the time I have served on this board so thank you , Cass !
Lastly , the one person that never gets enough “ thank you ” is Sheryle Long . For any of you that don ’ t know Sheryle , she is NWHA ’ s legal counsel and has been since our inception . Her advice and counsel have been so very helpful to me during my time as President . Thank You Sheryle !
Jim Potter , NWHA President
4 NWHA National News | July 2023