28 March Mounted Events Committee Meeting
Attended by: Jessica Stevens, Andrea and James King, Jessie Gladney, Joan Grant, Christine McGee-McBee, Stephanie Kosloske, Christie Hanson, Cathy Micali, Amanda McCoy, with Chris Pritchard stopping in briefly and Amelia bringing distraction as well as valued opinions <3
Insurance Limits: 5 mounted days; 2 “left” until next period starts in Sept 2023. Additional mounted days can be purchased.
Mounted Event Ideas:
Heritage Park Fundraisers:
– something before budget allocation in July
– Obstacle Challenge (Jessica Stevens) 5-7 mi on shady trails; July/August
– Jump Show (?) traditional hunter show in grass
– Aerate the grass prior to show if dry and hard ground
– Trails and Rails: small jumps (up to 2’6”) and fun trail ride (4mi); May/June (Jessie Gladney)
Need $7500 total from AAHC
Fun Days – first one is Mounted Archery + Working Equitation: open practice; small group/individualize lessons; very gaited friendly! = Flur Lain Farm 7 May 2023 Betsy Bradley & The Kings
Trail Rides: every other month starting June (lunch incl; poker rides, scavenger hunt, hunter pace, paper chase)
-Heritage Park open trails for fundraising; low key; other horse people
-Indian Creek – Amanda McCoy & Stephanie K – scavenger hunt
-Rowan Oaks: Christie Hanson
-Allison Creek + Tadea Shoals: Amanda McCoy & Lisa W poker ride
-East Athens New Potential Park Location?
-Redux/Fiddlehead Hollow
-Elizabeth Springs Farm
-Ashland Farm (hunter pace <2’ and trail ride): co-plan with BCE jumper show? Jessie Gladney and Christie Hanson to talk to Caroline and Lucy
-Poplar Springs…Chris Pritchard’s farm w covered and outdoor rings and lil xc jumps in the Fall
-Harbins/Mulberry with Kel-Mac and Gwinnett Initiative
-Classic City Clydesdales
-Shakerag – Jessica Stevens to explore
*Are there other local landowners with property that would be interested? We have event insurance and a group of volunteers who are happy to help prep and then clean up!
Slight farther away.. (outside of defined “hour drive” from Athens, GA area)
Belle Meade
Fauset Farms
Beach trip to Amelia Island or similar?
Organize members to attend already organized events like at Aiken/Hitchcock Woods, or other local mounted events?
The Kings -> Marketing!
Action Items for organizers setting up trail events
-Set dates for: trail clearing/work day(s), event day, rain date
-Parking limitations?
-Bathroom
-Water
-Electric hookups
-Are the trails marked?
Clinics
Topics below were discussed but none of them are actively being planned currently. We decided to focus on the trail events and Heritage Park fundraisers. If any AAHC members want to partner with AAHC Admins to organize a clinic, please reach out to athensareahorsecommunity@gmail.com.
AAHC insurance requires that clinicians carry their own insurance coverage for clinics. This is standard in the industry so clinicians expect organizers to request a COAI.
Riding your horse in an open field
Desensitization to bikes
Trailering
Cavaletti Clinic
Warwick Schiller 2024
Mark Rashid 2024
Daniel Stewart 2024
Ed Dabney
Local trainers that donate part of their proceeds to AAHC
Elizabeth Tinnen- full archery clinic 2024
Other notes:
– Andrea King’s barn owner’s husband wants to help do concessions at a ride*
– Unmounted – regional farm tours
– Covered arena & obstacle course available at Flur Lain Farm (Christine Appling’s farm)
– Poplar Springs Farm available for events (Chris Pritchard)
Want to get involved in AAHC Mounted Events?
Our next Mounted Events Champs Committee Meeting is May 30th!
RSVP here: https://www.athensareahorsecommunity.com/event/aahc-champion-committee-meeting-mounted-events/