NEWSLETTERS

OPRC PIEDMONT, INC NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2008

Dear Members, 

Eighteen stalwart members survived another Penmerryl Summer Camp. What fun we had although the heat just about did us in. One is NEVER too hot to ride!! Karen and Luanne were marvelous instructors as always and we learned a lot. To my knowledge no one cried and only one (who shall remain nameless) fell off!! The highlight, was the massages that Renate gave. She very kindly came all that way to administer to our frail and pathetic bodies that were shoved around by our horses. It was bliss!! Regina, with Susie’s help, did a wonderful job of organizing all the food for the entire weekend. That too was marvelous: So much and so good. Bob, David, Jack, Nevin, and Larry were the non-riding husbands who helped and enjoyed the facilities. If we’d had fish on the menu, we’d still be eating it! Alan and Joe both helped AND rode. It was great fun having a mix and getting to know some of the “chapter supporters”, even the little ones! We only had two new people at camp; Regina and Joanne but next year, we hope some of you will consider coming. It’s really a great opportunity to learn and enjoy Penmerryl’s facilities. 

On Monday the 23^rd, your Board met to discuss the First Ever OPRC National Rally. The National Board has put together a National Rally Packet offering a selection of different classes in which members can participate and compete for prizes given on the National level. This event can be held anytime within a two- month period this fall and the results will be announced in Nov. All the particulars of each class, including the judging, timing, and courses have been set by Nationals in order that uniformity is followed and judging is fair. It should be a lot of fun and those who win ribbons should be thrilled as you are competing with members from all over the country. There will be a Champion and Reserve in each division. 

 This Rally will be open to all chapters and conducted by each chapter individually OR on a Regional level with scores tallied by the National office. Piedmont will be doing this as a Regional Rally with Crops and Canes of Berryville and Shenandoah Mountaineers of Winchester.  It was decided to offer the following classes: dressage (Intro B, Training 2, 1^st level 1), jumping (two classes each at 2’ and 2’6”), stable management, the trail class, and either pole bending or barrel racing. We have decided to split the Rally into two parts on different days. The mounted events will be held on Sunday Oct. 12^th at Colleen and Alan Burket’s farm in Rixeyville. The Stable Management class and a luncheon will be held on Sunday the 14^th of Sept at a yet-to-be-decided place. This event will be pre-entry only and the prize list and entry form will be sent at a later date. A separate email explaining the classes and procedure in more detail will arrive by email soon. I hope all of you will consider entering this event. It’s National’s first effort, we’ve worked hard on it, and it will be FUN!!!! There should be something for everyone. 

Sue Knox had prepared a Photography Clinic and invited Betsy Parker and Susan Carter to come and teach us all to take better action shots but, unfortunately, not enough people could come so it had to be cancelled. Perhaps we can do it in the fall. She will try a pool party in July with the newly arrived DVD of Rolex. Miranda ordered it when we were there and it finally arrived. It would be well worth seeing – very exciting:  More to follow on that by email. 

Another cancellation: the polo lesson for the month of July has been cancelled due to lack of interest – only two people expressed interest. Could the members please tell me WHAT they are interested in apart from regular lessons???? Maybe nothing and that’s fine too.  

Schooling at our place will be suspended from June 26th. We’ll try to open it up again at the end of August for those who will be hunting. Further emails on this subject will follow.  

There is a CDCTA combined test and dressage show at Compass Rose in Haymarket on July 12^th. Quite a few of our members are going and I thought that, if there was any interest, we could try to get Danielle to come and coach us!! Do look on the CDCTA site for the closing date of this event. Let me know if you are interested in having me arrange for Danielle on that day.  

The insurance vote passed by a whopping margin. Therefore our dues to nationals will increase to $17 for 2009. Personal Equine Liability Insurance for next year will be handled by Kim Normandin from the Mane Event chapter in Florida. She has kindly taken this on and, hopefully, can put it in place for the remainder of 2008. If this proves to be impossible, it will certainly be available in 2009. This will be separate from the National Insurance and a personal choice. She will email all the details at a later date – no point in going into it here and now. Needless to say, it will be a very good deal if you are not already covered for the same things under your existing insurance policy.  

 One more thing: I have a member, also from the Mane Event in Florida, working on the driving rating and as soon as I get it in the rating format, we’ll have the D1 on the website. I know Marcy is excited about this and maybe others too: It’s really fun to see OPRC expand into another area. Perhaps there will be an OPRC driving event at Upperville!! 

KICK ON and stay out of the heat!! Electrolytes for everyone!! :0)

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