December 2024 Board Meeting Update

December 2024 Board Meeting Update

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Hi Mudslingers!

Here’s an update from our last board meeting. We mostly discussed the December show, which went well (thank you) and our plans for 2025. We’re still in planning mode for some special events and are looking forward to sharing more soon!

One note and reminder: please review the warm-up arena etiquette guidelines below and ask your riders (if you are parents) to review them as well. Following these guidelines helps make the warm-up process that much more enjoyable. And, since these are pretty universal guidelines, it should help riders prepare for being in warm-up arenas in nearly any equestrian discipline.

Mudslingers Arena Etiquette

Please remember that prior to 8 am, only AAA and AA riders should be in the warm-up arena unless we are starting the show with a split arena. (For the January show, we do not start with a split arena since we are starting with Barrels.)

Additional arena etiquette (this applies to gymkhana shows and other equestrian events, English and Western):

  • Do not ride side by side with a friend. The warm-up arena is for warming up, not socializing. When you ride two- or three-across, it’s very difficult for other riders to pass.
  • Faster riders pass on the inside. 
  • Please do not use the warm-up arena as an area to run fast for fun. We know that some riders are excited to have their leased horse for the day, but we’re seeing riders over-warming-up horses too fast and for too long.  
  • An ideal warm-up:
    • Walk around the warm-up arena. If your horse is spooky/nervous, go in both directions so s/he can see everything from both eyes and sides of the brain. If your horse is calm, a half lap at the walk should suffice.
    • Trot the arena one lap in each direction. If your horse is older and needs more warming up, you may want to trot 3-4 laps total.
    • Canter the arena once in each direction. 
    • During the trot and canter, incorporate any aids and movements related to your next pattern. For example, if you’re about to run Barrels, practice bending your horse to the right or left and moving the horse off one leg or the other. This will help them become more supple during the pattern. Or, if you’re about to run Keyhole, you can practice rollbacks. Just do so in the middle of the arena and if there is little congestion.
  • Please do not lunge horses in the warm-up arena unless it is fairly empty and you are far to one corner.

Our next trivia game will contain arena etiquette questions, so study up!

Also: Timewriters, please remember to sign your timesheets so we know who to go to in case we have a question. The issue hasn’t occurred yet, but we’d like to be prepared.

Enforcing Registration and Payment Deadlines

Please remember our registration and payment deadline: 5:00 p.m. the Thursday before the show. Moving forward, if you do not have your registration in by the deadline, you will have missed the opportunity to register. Also, if you do not pay by the deadline, there will be a $15 late fee.  

Mid-year Standings for Year-end Awards

We will post mid-year standings between the January and February shows.

December Show Results & Bump-Ups:

December 2024 Show High Point Report

Thank you to Sandrine for donating prizes so we could go to sixth place!

AAA

  1. Naakai Yazzie-Watson/Delo
  2. Brooklyn Yellen/All About the Benjamins
  3. Jordan Campaigne/Charlie
  4. Olivia Krause/Lil Red Corvette
  5. Kerri Graham/Gin
  6. Makayla Wooden/Storm Chaser

AA Youth

  1. Paisley Mendenhall/A Hot Mess
  2. Dannilynn Thomas/American Spirit
  3. Lily Kagchelland/Calico
  4. Charlie Maresca/Rita
  5. Hazel Scanlan/Fire Up Foxy
  6. Emma-Claire Flowers/Heza Prime Design

AA Adult

  1. Sydney Armacost/Bella
  2. Danielle Anderson/Poquito Picante
  3. Mila Cochran/Mouse
  4. Vikki Fraysure/Ferrari
  5. Therese Ducoulombier/Tequila Sunrise
  6. Alyssa Marchant/Ellie

A Youth

  1. Elizabeth Yan/Sage
  2. Hannah Morton/Jewels
  3. Hannah Morton/Goof
  4. Rubilynn Thomas/Teddy Bear
  5. Sierra Mendenhall/Ghost Buster
  6. Carina Murray/Hot Spots

A Teen/Adult

  1. Soso Heczko/Faith Trust Pixiedust
  2. Chloe Clark/Bodhi
  3. Isabella Fontyn/Blackjack
  4. Navy Mills/Cheyenne
  5. Lily Holder/Red
  6. Stevie Swiatly/Sakari

FC Youth

  1. Aubree Maresca/Rocky
  2. Ella Valdovinos/Donnie
  3. Emilia Jacoby/Old American Glory
  4. Lauren Kotrba/Addy
  5. Paislee Goodin/Sweet Spice & Everything Nice
  6. Alexa Santos/Cow

FC Adult

  1. Isabella Hawkley/Billy
  2. Christine Benton/Whoasie
  3. Rosie Johnson/Blue
  4. Gianna Rouse/Illegally Blonde
  5. Chelsea Goodin/Twinkie
  6. Andrea Thill/Colter’s Ride Or Die

Riders Who Bumped Divisions:

  • To A:
    • Lily Holder
    • Alexa Santos