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UPDATED!!   April 8, 2008 

March 31, 2008

Dear Members:

Think Spring everyone!  We’re experiencing a few showers, and anticipating the world greening up and the birth of spring babies.  We’ve already got three sets of twin kids on the ground, and waiting for one foal this month and one foal in May.  I trust that foaling is going well for you members with mares.    

Welcome to Vernon Curtis as the 2008 president, and Alan McVay as vice president.    Last year’s youth representatives are serving us another year, so they should be able to cover the state well in representing us.  Carrie Hanseling from Seward enjoys helping her Uncle Phil Miiller with his Belgian mares, and has driven in the cart class at the Seward County Fair and Nebraska State Fair.  Ann Holen from Kearney is Bryan and Trish Holen’s daughter, and she has helped her dad break teams to drive.   Please inform them in advance of any activities you’d like them to attend this year.  We re-elected Traver DeMaranville of Doniphan and Mike Mousel of Red Cloud to the board of directors.  Joining them is Bryan Holen of Kearney (outgoing president).  I enjoyed working with Bryan last year and appreciate his leadership.  I look forward to working with all of you this year!  You’ll find the minutes of the winter meeting in this newsletter.

You’ll also find a list of events scheduled across the state.  The first major event of the year, the Nebraska Horse Expo, was held March 7-8 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln.  Thanks to Shelly Rowell for coordinating the details for our group.  Thanks also to Shelly, Brent and Marcy Jorgensen, Elizabeth Hoelscher, Daryl and Lauralee Huyck, Lynn and Linda Meyer, Richard and Bonnie Burhoop, and Frank Steckly, who brought horses to exhibit in this educational experience!  Please check out the other events and make plans to participate.

We’d like to invite you all to the summer picnic on Sunday, June 1, 2008 at the Seward County Fairgrounds and City Park. Frank and I will be hosting the picnic and play day (no ground to plow or hay to mow).  Bring your teams and single horses to participate in obstacle courses, feed team races, and other events.  You can also take a drive through the park and fairgrounds.  So bring your horses, harness, wagons for hauling people (if you can), and of course some food to share for the picnic.  The rain date is Sunday, June 15. 

A clinic is planned for the day before, May 31, at the same site.  Terry and Deb Pierce of Belgian Hill Farm at Oakland, Iowa, will be our clinicians.  They participated in one of our clinics some years ago in Kearney.  Tentative subjects to be covered are harnessing and hitching singles and multiple hitches, driving beyond cautious to let your horses show themselves, and use of over-checks.  Deb will also be available for instruction in tying tails and rolling manes.  A veterinarian will be doing a session on nutrition, too.  There is a horse barn on the grounds available to stable horses overnight.  The fairgrounds have camper hookups, and there are two motels in town.  More details will be announced in the next newsletter.  

The Board of Directors met immediately following the Winter Meeting, and again at the Horse Expo.  You’ll be able to find the minutes to those meetings on the website.  More information from the second board meeting will be forthcoming in the next newsletter.  I’ll have enough pages to mail with this one since I’m including an updated membership list.

We want to welcome some new members to our association this year.  Kent and Linda Backer from Bennett have rejoined after being absent for a few years.  Kevin and Sheryl Drake from Comstock have Belgians and Percherons.  Jeremy and Melody Heskett are from Upland, where Melody is a DVM.  Cory Jurgens is from Lincoln and has been driving Vern Curtis’s old team of Mike and Jim.  He’s looking for a team.  Walter and Lillian Kaden are from Denton.  Miller is where Dick and Janna Pierce and their Percheron call home.  And David and Nancy Swarts reside near Milford and have light horses.  We welcome all of you to the association and look forward to getting to know you!

Good luck foaling and we hope to see you all at the various events this year!

Joy Steckly, secretary/treasurer 

And from the President….

            Greetings to all NDHMA members.  I’m sure you are all as ready for spring as I am.  The January meeting was fairly well attended, although there are always some conflicts which keep some from attending.  I have received information on several events that will be coming up this summer besides the annual picnic, so there should be something for everybody to do.  These will be listed further down in the newsletter as well as on the website of NDHMA. 

            The equine event at the Event Center in Lincoln had the largest crowd ever, and we had several members participating in it.  Thank you to all who were there and for their efforts in showing and manning the booth.  A board meeting was held at the Expo and the summer picnic and clinic were discussed.  The clinic and picnic will be May 31 and June 1 at the Seward County fairgrounds.  The clinician will be Terry Pierce of Oakland, Iowa.

            I would like to thank Bryan Holen for his work, time and commitment this past year as president.  Thanks, Bryan.

            Heidi Trautman has been working on the new State Fair schedule.  Looks like the premiums will be pretty good this year.  Entries are due by July 11.

            Hope to see all of you at the clinic and summer picnic.

 Vernon Curtis

2008 NDHMA President

       
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MINUTES OF THE 2008 WINTER MEETING

 

We had 30-40 members in attendance at the winter meeting of the Nebraska Draft Horse and Mule Association, which was held on January 20, 2008 at USA Steak Buffet in Kearney.  Outgoing President Bryan Holen called the meeting to order and asked members to introduce themselves.  He then turned the meeting over to incoming president Vernon Curtis.  Secretary/Treasurer Joy Steckly read the minutes from the summer meeting.  The treasurer’s report was available on the tables.  We started out with $1,667.77 on 1/9/07, and ended on 1/17/08 with $698.33 in checking and $200.00 in cash.  Following is a summary of incoming and outgoing funds for 2007.

Beginning Balance 1/9/07                                                               1667.77

Incoming 2007 Dues, Ads, and Meals                                            +2530.00

Clinic Fees collected                                                                      +829.00

Sale of T-shirts                                                                                +49.50

Pizza Party Fund for 2007 (also carried over 124.31 from 06)           +209.00

     Total Income                                                                         3617.50

Advertising in 2007 Draft Horse Journal                                         -1030.00

Nebraska Horse Expo Booth & passes                                            -207.00

Nebraska Horse Council dues (2007 & 2008)                                   -100.00

Holiday Inn Meals (Winter Meeting)                                                -551.45

Expo Pizza Social                                                                           -107.14

Rent sound system for clinic                                                              -53.50

Honorarium for Dennis & Jean Kuehl, clinicians                               -150.00

Mileage – Kuehl’s                                                                          -375.00

Hotel – Kuehl’s                                                                              -201.60

Summer Picnic & Clinic Expense                                                    -265.86

Pizza, Pop and Ice for Pizza Party                                                   -360.00

Youth Representative Expense (sash & tiaras)                                   -86.41

Youth Representative Expense (queen & princess)                           -200.00

Postage                                                                                          -122.25

Printing & Supplies                                                                         -347.28

Seward County Draft Horse show assistance                                   -250.00

Tricia (Eberspacher) Lehman, George Nelson, Glen Umberger          -103.37

Youth Showmanship Trophies 2007                                                   -86.08

State Fair Sponsorships - check never cashed after issuing twice        +10.00

     Total Expenses                                                                     4586.94      

            Ending Balance 1/17/08                                                                    698.33

             Cash on hand                                                                                 200.00

             Grand Total                                                                                 898.33

            Queen Carrie Hanseling reported on her activities in 2007, and Bryan Holen reported for Princess Ann Holen.  They enjoyed their participation in the Horse Expo, the clinic and picnic, several county fairs, and the Nebraska State Fair. 

            President Vernon Curtis then opened up nominations for vice president, secretary/treasurer, board of directors and youth representative(s).  Alan McVay was elected vice president and Joy Steckly was re-elected as secretary/treasurer.  Joy indicated this will be her last year serving in that position.  There was some discussion on terms and representation for the board of directors.  Bryan Holen made a motion that the outgoing president fill one of the at large positions, and the other two board positions will be elected for three year terms, unless they would be elected vice president.  The motion was seconded and carried.  Four people were nominated for the two boards of director positions.  Traver DeMaranville and Mike Mousel were re-elected to the board.  Outgoing president Bryan Holen will fill out the third position.  Three youth were nominated for youth representative.  It was decided to elect two representatives again.  Carrie Hanseling and Ann Holen were elected and will be serving and queen and princess for 2008.  Alan McVay had suggested to Bryan Holen the association may want to create by-laws to protect the association. 

OLD BUSINESS

            Kevin Christensen reported on the summer clinic and picnic held on their farm near Minden in June.  There was a good turn out, good clinicians, and good food during the two days of events.

            Bryan Holen reported for Heidi Trautman on the 2007 Nebraska State Fair. We had an incredible farm show.  She’d like to add a log skid and draft horse barrel race in 2008.  The farm show will again be on Sunday.  This year she’s looking for a Percheron judge.  There are some stalling issues to be addressed.  The fair still needs an overall horse superintendent.

                    Joy reported on the pizza party for Cheryl Jensen.  The pizza funds were depleted with the 2007 state fair pizza party, with the association paying for the beverages.  There was discussion about passing the hat as in the past, or other ways to pay for it.  Frank Steckly made a motion that NDHMA pick up the tab for the pizza party.  Members may still donate towards the party if they so desire.  The motion was seconded and carried.  Bryan Holen amended the motion to say that if the winner of the six-horse hitch competition wanted to buy the pizza, they could.  The amendment was seconded and carried.

NEW BUSINESS

                        Lee Janssen said the he and the Kircher’s are putting together a threshing the third week in July, which could be a possible site for the picnic, if that’s not too late.  They are looking for a steam engine for the threshing.  Some discussion followed, stating county fairs would be going on at that time, and that it should be on the east end of the state this year – the Iowa members would like to come.  A motion was made to defer the choice of a picnic site and date to the board of directors.  The motion was seconded and carried. Some discussion was entertained about a clinic.  Richard Armstead made a motion to defer the clinic to the board also.  The motion was seconded and carried. 

Joy Steckly reported on the upcoming Horse Expo in Lincoln in Shelly Rowell’s absence.  There area currently four families participating.  We have a team for the Mane Challenge and will participate in the Parade of Breeds.  There are four or five stalls left if someone still wants to participate.  If interested contact Shelly Rowell.  The association will again have a hospitality booth at the Expo.   

            Activities and events from across the state were mentioned, and are found in the list of 2008 events.  There is still money available to assist small draft horse shows.  Please submit a written request for funds and submit to the board.

            A member asked if any fundraising was done by the association.  Our funds are raised on by dues.  A reminder will be sent out to those that still owe dues.

            Bryan Holen asked for some discussion on e-mailing newsletters to members.  After the discussion, it was agreed to continue sending newsletters via e-mail to those members that wish to receive it via that method because it is money saving. 

A motion was made, seconded, and passed to adjourn the meeting.  Frank Steckly spoke the blessing over the meal.  Everyone enjoyed the food and fellowship that followed.

Respectfully submitted,

Joy Steckly, secretary/treasurer

Minutes of the 3/15/08 NDHMA Board Meeting held at the Nebraska Horse Expo in Lincoln

 Present:  Alan McVay, Bryan Holen, Vernon Curtis, Mike Mousel, Joy Steckly

Absent:  Traver DeMaranville

             Vice President Alan McVay opened the meeting at 4:00 p.m. in Vernon Curtis’s absence; Vernon arrived later.  First item on the agenda was selecting a picnic date site for 2008.  We’ll try to keep it around the first or second Sunday in June.  Discussed the possibility of the Stone Barn at Filley.  There’s no ground to work, so probably would just be able to haul people around.  They would waive the $100 rental fee if we opened the event to the public.  Could map out a country road route.  There’s no electricity, but would camping be available?  Alan will check into.  He’ll also check with Gage County Fairgrounds for possible clinic site.

Joy will check with Seward County Fairgrounds for possible picnic site.  Could have a play day with obstacle course and other games in the arena, just driving through the fairgrounds and adjoining City Park.

Next item on the agenda was the clinic.  Terry Pierce has been contacted about being clinician, and would want some idea of topics.  They could include hitching and deriving single, also multiple hitches; going past driving cautious and letting the horses show themselves, use of over-checks.  Could also have Terry’s vet friend Bill do something on nutrition.   There was strong support to hold the clinic the day before the picnic at the same sight, if possible.  With gas prices what they are, it makes sense to make one trip for a two-day event, rather than two separate trips for the clinic and the picnic.  This seemed to work well last year.

Next item on the agenda was by-laws for the association.  Alan modeled one after the Georgia association and some others.  They elect a board of directors, and then the board elects the officers from within.  We can make necessary changes to this draft.  We’ll get it to the board members before the summer meeting.  They may call board members with any questions.  We’d take a vote at the summer meeting.  Alan will get the draft to Joy, and she will forward on to the board members.

Next item for discussion was the state fair.  A four-abreast class was suggested as a class for the state fair.  Could it be done as an exhibition the first year, and a class the next year?  A drawing card for the picnic or state fair could the Yellowstone Coach, from Cozad.  We could advertise and give rides.  Vern will check into it.

A call was placed to Heidi Trautman to bring us up to date on the state fair.  She’d met with Skip Owen, who is the over-all horse superintendent for the 2008 fair.  The drafts will come in at 3 p.m. on Friday, with performances Saturday morning and evening, with Morgans showing in the afternoon.  The halter classes will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday.  The farm team parade will begin at noon on Sunday, with classes starting immediately after.  They’ve added barrel racing and log skid classes.  Then Sunday night will feature the six horse hitches, with the program beginning at 6:00 p.m.  We have to keep the horses in the bard till Monday a.m.  Heidi will be needing help in the barn.  There will be an information booth in the coliseum, with room for draft horse info.

The last item on the agenda was instituting a Draft Horse Hall of Fame, similar to Iowa State Fair’s.  We’d like to honor one draft horse person that’s already passed on, and one still living.  We would have a picture, plaque, and write up about the person(s).  It was decided to honor Jerry Lewis and Joe Allen this year.  Then we’ll take nominations for next year’s at the winter meeting.  This will be announced at the summer meeting.  We’ll need to come up with a form to nominate persons.  This will not be limited to show persons only.

            Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joy Steckly, secretary/treasurer

Nebraska Draft Horse and Mule Association