TRI-STATE RIDING CLUB – Meeting minutes
February 21 , 2008

Attendees:  Patty Tracy, Rhonda Boatwright, Andrea Justus, Robert Justus, Sharlene Febret, Diane Hutchinsen, Jan Benjamin, Karen Morton, Susan Trader, Mary Gustafson, Ellen Sanford, Sue Kvasnicka, Carol Anderson, Judy Brescia, Pat Brescia, Lorraine Herman, Sharon Dix, Peggy Niesciur, Sharon Egan, Linda Giannino, Bettina Gregory, Leslie Gottesman

Meeting was called to order at 7:15 by President Pat Brescia. He introduced three representatives from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter who briefed the club on the status of the seized thoroughbreds now being held at the Loudoun Co. Animal Shelter. The representatives were Thomas Koenig, director of the shelter, Inga Fricke, shelter manager, and Kim Miller, chief animal control office. Among the points covered:.

  • Forty eight TB’s of various ages and genders were seized from a farm in Middleburg on Jan. 22. Three owners have been identified and one of them has since been convicted on 48 counts of animal cruelty. The county has been awarded the custody of the horses but the ownership issues have not been resolved. Therefore the animals can only be fostered at this time but they do have a foster to adopt contract approved so that adoptions can take place once the ownership issues have been resolved.
  • The county has received over 100 applications from volunteers and currently has 60 active volunteers helping to care for the horses as well as helping to care for the small animals so the staff can attend to the horses.

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  • The horses, which range from yearlings to aged and include 4 stallions and 10-12 mares in foal, are currently termed as ‘pasture pets’ as little is known about their prior experience. Because they have not been handled extensively, the volunteers and would be adopters need to have some horse experience.

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  • The county needs the horse community to spread the word so that the horses can be moved to foster/potential adoptee homes. They have built lots of new shelters and the horses are doing well but they have a lot of horses on a small acreage and they are anxious to see the animals moved to where they can get one on one care.

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  • The adoption fee will probably be between $100 - $300 per horse. The county is looking for grants to help with the care of the special needs horses. The county is not allowed to solicit donations or fund raise but will happily accept donations. Donations intended to be spent specifically on the horses should be designated ‘horse fund’ on the check or in the cover letter. So far they have received over $6,000 in donations but have spent over $200,000 caring for them (much of that was the construction of the new shelters). The horses are not being cared for from the shelter funds – a separate account has been designated by the county to care for the horses.

    The regular meeting began:

  • Linda showed the club the certificate of appreciation received from the animal shelter for TSRC’s $250 donation and it was noted that Kathi Watts made changes to our website to have a link on our front page and links page to the animal shelter, along with totally revamping our website.  Thanks Kathi!

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  • Linda gave the treasurer’s report.

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  • The January minutes were accepted.

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  • Patty Tracy updated the club on the lessons.  We have lessons scheduled for 3/19 and 3/26 so sign up!  Judy Novak and Christine Bachman will be our instructors this spring in the Wednesday night series at Morven.  Make sure you have an armband on and that the information is up to date!  Patty has made one of the classes 75 minutes.  The cost for the lessons is $25 for a 60 minute class and $30 for a 75 minute class.

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  • Bettina updated everyone on the new western instruction series.  It will start on March 6 and be held at Buddy Williams’ facility in Waterford.  Drew Boies will be teaching and it will be held on various Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Eight riders are already signed up.

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  • Bettina is looking for a venue to start up another dressage series.  The first clinic will end this weekend with participants actually riding the test for a judge.  She wants to start a beginning dressage series as well as a continuing series for those already doing dressage.  

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  • Bettina is also going to start another fox hunting clinic with Joseph Keusch at his farm on Saturday afternoons.  It will include two groups and each will rider for two hours.

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  • Rhonda discussed the progress on the obstacle clinic to be held on Rosemary Lawler’s farm in Lucketts on March 29.  Committees were formed for making treat bags, biosecurity, parking, signage, food, organizing volunteers and registration.  Please volunteer to help and donate items to be used in the clinic.  Watch your email for positions and items needed.  Dorothy Beach has volunteered to be volunteer organizer.  So far we have 25 people and 26 horses signed up.

    • The meeting was adjourned at 8:30.

    Respectfully submitted,

    Judy Brescia