TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pictures from the Farm Show President's Letter Safety Committe News and Report VHC Meeting Minutes Equine Affaire 2003 NEKET Press release	Membership Committee Report The Marwari Horse VHC Scholarship Report VT Horse Person of the Year “Everything Equine” Expo

---

Farm Show in the Barre Auditorium Morris Lasell organized a VHC booth at the Farm Show on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of January. Thank you Morris! Pictured are Terry Rose and her husband answering a bystander's questions.

Return to top of page

---

President's Letter

Happy New Year VHC Members!

We had a very successful Directors Meeting on January 4th. Thank you, David Blow, for arranging the Burlington Middle School for the meeting place. Jessica Ebert, our legal counsel, gave a presentation on Pet Trusts. Jessica would like to Lobby for Vermont to adopt a Pet Trust because right now our pets are still cared for under common law after your death. Jessica will let us know our limitations under 501 © 3 non-profit status to see what we can do to help. Thank you Jessica!

For more information contact: Jessica Ebert Collins, McMahon & Harris, 208 Main St. P.O. Box 16023, Burlington Vt 05402 802-862-3524 or jebert@vt-law.org

We are very active and very productive as a group and I’m so proud of our organization. Lisa Moreno has agreed to be our Historian. She will receive pictures and organize them into a scrap book. She has a digital camera to help us update our website with pictures of VHC members having fun at our different events. This is a growing position so look forward to seeing new ideas in the future!

Send pictures with descriptions to:
Lisa Moreno
2042 River Road
Montpelier, VT 05602

It was nice to see some new faces at the meeting. Welcome Cindy Cross-Greenia, who has offered to help our Safety Committee and Robyn Service-Barabe who has offered to help wherever we need her! The NEKET committee was well represented, the Safety Committee was well prepared for 2004, Morris was rounding up volunteers for the Farm Show and volunteers to help mark and map the trails in Tunbridge for our Fall Trail Ride. The Scholarship Committee is proposing a clinic with Judi Whipple to help raise funds for the account. Morris is also heading up a new committee which will focus on raising funds to maintain trails throughout Vermont. We’ll hear more about both of these committees later in the year.

I’d like to take this opportunity to say if any member would like to contribute money to any of these committees, send your check payable to Vermont Horse Council, c/o Sharon McNeil, 576 Quarterline Rd. West Rutland, VT 05777, indicating which committee or scholarship fund you would like to contribute to.

In membership, the three areas of interest most commonly indicated on applications are Legislation, Trails, and Safety. Our NEKET Trail system is complete, there are some more bumps to smooth over but it’s still a great feather in VHC’s cap. The Legislation Committee is looking for a chairperson and new committee people to inform members of situations in Montpelier, and our Safety Committee has some very good goals for 2004.

The Farm Show is January 27, 28 and 29. Call Morris or email him to sign up for booth coverage (433-1344 or MCLasell@msn.com). We will be selling VHC memberships and, liability signs, as well as answering questions regarding all aspects of VHC. If you can get a gift certificate to donate to the Clif Murray & Floyd Fuller Memorial scholarship raffle, that would be great too.

Our next meeting will be March 27th at GMHA (10:00 am to 2:00 pm). Pot Luck. VHC will provide the drinks, cups, plates, and silverware. RSVP would be greatly appreciated to Terry Rose 728-6303 or rose@kdpyield.com. It is our Annual meeting and all are encouraged to attend. We hope to have several 20 to 30 minute speakers. More details will follow in our WARNING and agenda to be mailed to all members by February 27th with reminder, time and location.

Enjoy those sleigh rides!
Terry

Sincerely, Terry Rose, President

Return to top of page.

Safety Committe News and Report

Lynn Dow has offered to Chair the Safety Commitee for VHC. She approached Terry with some great ideas and enthusiasm and was officially appointed to head this committee. Lynn has already approached the Governor to name the Month of May 2004 as “Safety month”

VHC 2004 Safety Committee
By Lynn Dow

Yes, it’s true!!
The Safety committee is really coming to life in 2004!!
Plans are underway and volunteers for this committee are being invited, and recruited, to join the cause. The following is a list of projects that have been discussed for several years and will hopefully blossom over the next several months. If anything listed excites you, and you have talents or donation funds to help the cause, please contact me.

1. Governors Proclamation – May Equine Road Safety Month (Gov. has been approached & agreed)
2. Addition of Equine Road Safety precautions to the VT Drivers Manual (contacts have been made with the VT department of transportation)
3. Equine Road Safety Posters and brochures for VT. Drivers Education classrooms (printer has agreed to do posters for cost and photographer has been arranged)
4. Press Releases for Equine Road Safety Month
5. Trail-riding safety booklet
6. Roadway riding safety booklet
7. VHC booth, Equine Safety, at the Everything Equine Fair April 24, 2004 at the Champlain Valley Fair
8. Bumper stickers, “Caution Horses” “Slow Down for Horses - It’s the Law”

As you can see from the list there are some great ideas here and several are already underway. Let’s join together and make 2004 the year of VHC Equine Safety!

Return to top of page.

Vermont Horse Council Abridged Minutes
January 4, 2004
Fredrick Tuttle Middle School, So. Burlington

President Terry Rose called the meeting to order at approximately 1:07pm.

Officers Present: Cher Laston (Sec.), Terry Rose (Pres.).

Directors Present: Emilie Laston (Jr. Director), Susan Mitchell (East Central Regional Director), Jane P.D. Thompson (West Central Regional Director), Lynn Dow (Director at Large.

Members Present: Wayne Fox, Steven Simpson, Kim Parsons, Julie Gauthier, Cindy Cross-Greenia, Morris Lasell, Robyn Service-Barabe. Guests Present: Jessica Ebert, Esq.

Terry Rose introduced our guest speaker, Jessica Ebert, Esq., an Equine Liability Expert with the law firm of Collins, McMahon & Harris, P.L.L.C. A general discussion was had regarding liability issues and estate planning for your horses/animals. More on this subject in the future!

Terry thanked Jessica Ebert for attending our meeting and called the business portion to order at 1:55pm.

Secretary’s Report: Cher Laston read the Secretary’s Report from the September 30, 2003 meeting. Motion was made (Jane), seconded (Morris), and unanimously approved to have the Minutes approved as read.

Treasurer’s Report: Sharon McNeil could not attend. She will provide a complete report at the Annual Meeting in March. She gave Lynn the account totals to report.

Additional monies will be deposited shortly. Motion was made (Morris), seconded (Cindy), and unanimously approved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as made.

Committee Reports:

Annual Trail Ride: Karen Blow, Chairperson, could not attend. Morris presented the news from the last meeting. The ATR is scheduled for Tunbridge, the contract terms, same as 2003, has been signed. The ride date is set for Sept. 25-26, with the 24th for early arrivals. The Committee needs volunteers to get permission from landowners and to clear and mark the trails 2-3 weeks prior to the ride. The caterer has been contracted with.

By-Laws: Based on concerns raised in September by our Secretary, Terry added this report to the agenda. Issues to be considered are: clarifying Board membership (current By-Laws reflect a required 20 members) and a few other discrepancies as well as how to encourage greater participation by the Directors, Officers, and general membership. Jane offered to do a “read through” and point out areas of particular conflict or concern and will report at the Annual Meeting. At that time, the group can convene a By-Laws committee to address the needed changes.

Riding & Driving: No report.

Safety: Lynn Dow has agreed to Chair our new Safety Committee and provided the meeting members a list of goals for this year. Lynn stated that she had spoken to Governor Douglas and he has set aside May for a proclamation on the horse (Lynn - wording?). Lynn wondered about a “ride in” on the State House at that event. General discussion was held about goals. Members are invited to join the committee: contact Lynn Dow.

Scholarship: Lynn provided the Scholarship Report (attached). Lynn is looking specifically at ways to increase the Junior Memberships. She announced a clinic to be offered by Jane Savoie but did not have specific details of skills to be covered. Cindy asked if there could be a special fee for auditing the clinic – she cannot bring her horse. Susan Mitchell offered her Water Tower Farm for a clinic also.

Membership: A general discussion of how to count membership – especially when it comes to family or farm/club memberships – was held. It seems important to count each individual member to show the true numbers of horse-related people in the industry. Terry currently mails to 152 mailing addresses, compared to 135 in October, 2003.

NEKET: Julie Gauthier reported that the committee is working on goals, fundraising, sponsors, and awaiting a grant that has been approved but not funded yet. The group wants new members and will be doing some PR and fundraising. There was the continuing question of liability – the landowners for injuries occurring on the trails
Steve indicated that the Hancock property has been sold, leaving a large break in the trail system. This means 13,700 acres is now off the NEKET trail system. It is hoped that the trails will reopen when the new management company reviews its current use.

American Horse Council: Susan Mitchell is our representative. She announced we now have a hot link from VHC’s website to AHC’s website. Issues generally handled by AHC are racing/transporting/national issues. Lynn shared that she spoke to the Equine Journal representative and VHC should submit articles and announcements about events to the Journal.

Website: No report.

New Business:

Steve asked about the insurance benefits or negatives to having all clubs merge into VHC and drop their individual insurance policies. What are the limits of our policy? This would mean organizing individual horse clubs as VAST did for snowmobile clubs. The individual clubs keep their names but the one organization covers the insurance expenses. There could, of course, be a coordinating increase in membership cost to cover the increase in insurance expense. Lynn suggested we ask Stuart Osha to review our policy and consider the impact of such a change.

New Trail Fund Committee: Morris is recommending the formation of a new committee designed to create new trail rides for the purpose of fundraising monies which would, in turn, become available to clubs for trail maintenance and repair – sort of an in-house granting opportunity.

Motion (Morris) was made, seconded (Lynn), and unanimously approved to created a trail maintenance committee charged with raising funds for maintaining Vermont trails.

Farm Show: Morris passed out the volunteers list for the Farm Show to be held Jan 27 – 29, 2004. Contact Morris if you would like to volunteer at the show!!!

Everything Equine: Lynn reported that the organizing forces have decided there would be no live horses at this event. VHC has reserved a booth and Lynn is looking to staff it with volunteers in 2 hours slots. She will try and reserve three tables so Safety/NEKET/VHC can all have a space.

Equine Affaire booth: Lynn reported that the booth at the Equine Affaire was a grand success with excellent exposure. The NEKET brochures were all snatched up and the only “items” not sold out were the oversized coloring books which will be sold at future events

Next Meeting: The next meeting is also the Annual Meeting and since UVM is not hosting the annual summit this year, it was suggested by Ted that we hold the meeting at Shelburne Farms. Lynn also suggested we could look into GMHA’s lodge. It should be a potluck and VHC will provide drinks, paper products, et cetera. Ted will get the details on cost and reserve if space is free, Lynn will check in with GMHA on details there.
A decision will be made based on their findings and the location will be announced in the Newsletter.

Liability Signs: The liability signs were sold out at the Equine Affaire. Motion was made (Morris), seconded (Cher), to purchase more signs for sale at future events.

Adjournment: Motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to adjourn at 4:10pm.

Next Meeting: The Annual Meeting, Location GMHA
March 27, 2004

A full report is on file with the Secretary’s office.

Respectfully submitted: Cher Laston, Secretary

Return to top of page.

Equine Affaire 2003 Booth
Report
By Lynn Dow

The Vermont Horse Council booth at the 2003 Equine Affaire in Springfield Massachusetts was a great success. The booth was set up Wednesday night November 5th, before the fair opened, and taken down after 5pm on Sunday the 9th. Thursday morning the doors opened and the rush was on. The interest in VHC was awesome; we met many Vermonters and New Englanders that were interested in the organization. Trails were very much the #1 topic. There were many times over the 4 days that the booth was literally swamped with visitors.

VHC President Terry Rose and Lynn Dow manning the 2003 VHC Booth. Picture by Mary Tousignant

The booth was manned at all times; a total of 18 VHC members signed up to work and a few others stopped by and chipped in as well. These volunteers handed out: membership brochures, NEKET brochures, Everything Equine fliers, and materials provided from several member businesses. VHC sold liability signs, a few coloring books, Barn Safety Audits, Vermont Equine Industry Surveys, and took scholarship donations. The booth was a huge success thanks to the volunteers, and personal Thank-you’s were sent to each volunteer after the fair.

Full details on preparations, schedules, and how-to lists, has been compiled for future reference. The 2004 Equine Affaire will be November 11 through 14.

Return to top of page.

NEKET Press Release

The Northeast Kingdom Equestrian Trails (NEKET) opened this fall providing almost 100 miles of remote trails in northern Vermont. We have printed the maps, marked the trails and started to sell passes. We need a few good people to help us carry on the committee duties. In the next couple of years we have new trails planned, campgrounds to build and maintenance to do. The NEKET Committee is currently looking for new members to help with trail maintenance, fund raising and public relations.

The committee is excited about 2004, we are currently scheduling work weekends and a fall trail ride. If you are interested in joining the NEKET committee or are interested in a pass, contact Kim Parsons 802-244-1442.

Return to top of page.

Membership Committee Report
December 31, 2003
Terry Rose & Bev McMullen

Return to top of page.

The Marwari Horse
by Karen Strickland

It is not uncommon for me to hear “Mar ... what?” when I’m asked what kind of horse I own. That, too, was my reaction hearing the name for the first time! It is hardly listed as an option on any drop-down menu’s, as is just uncommon a name when talking to fellow equestrians. It’s no wonder. The Marwari horse (pronounced “mar-wah-ree”) is a very rare breed of horse with an unfortunate past. To date, only 8 reside in the United States, two stallions and six mares. With the numbers barely reaching 1000, the Marwari horse is slowly making a comeback, after massive slaughter and castration, in its own homeland of India. Constantly engaged in battles with outside forces, the Rajputs nearly lost their beloved Marwari war horses forever, to British hands, in 1917.		In order to preserve their independence, the Rajputs signed alliances with the British, giving up their land upon which the Marwari horse resided. Indifferent to the breed, the British felt that their steadfast mounts, Thoroughbreds, suited their needs better. Imagine the horror as the Rajputs powerlessly stood by and watched, as their beloved, loyal horses were being shot and castrated! On the brink of extinction, the surviving Marwari’s were meagerly strewn throughout the land. In the years to follow, political tensions eased and those fortunate enough to have held onto a few Marwari’s soon began reestablishing breeding programs. Little by little, those persons recognizing the prestige and value of the Marwari’s have been successfully, but slowly, able to rebuild the Marwari bloodline. One such person is an English woman, by the name of Francesca Kelly.
After having been introduced to the breed, touring India on horseback, Francesca was transformed by the breeds extreme stamina, muscular bodies carried by strong feet and their most unusual ears that touched at the tips when pricked. Upon witnessing local men whipping a Marwari horse into doing something the horse was obviously not ready to do, Francesca immediately retrieved the whip from the man’s hand and broke it over her knee! Today, the people of India remember her as lithe one who breaks whips over her knee”! Leaving India, after the tour, she felt compelled to make a new life for these horses! Francesca has endured much red tape and bureaucracy in order to import these horses. To anyone who’s unfamiliar, this is a very intricate, lengthy, and I mustn’t forget to mention, frustrating process. Upon reuniting with a very dear, childhood friend, I soon learned of her existence with the Marwari horses as Francesca’s stable manager on Chappaquidick Island, Martha’s Vineyard. Intrigued by her tale of these rare horses, I visited the Vineyard. That very day formed uncontested memories for me! Those lyre-shaped ears -so unique to the breed- just fascinated me. Their outgoing, charismatic personalities pulled at my heartstrings. As if seeing them wasn’t enough, I was left completely astonished after my first ride upon the able-bodied, black Marwari stallion, Nazrana. Making all my dreams come to life, his muscular body and strong feet eagerly carried us through Cape Pouge’sdeep sand and roaring ocean waves. Rani the athletic pinto mare, amazed us all as she and rider raced down East beach at vision-blurring speeds, dazzling the sun-seeking tourists as they fumbled for their camera! As if it wasn’t enough, Rani and rider returned at a graceful canter, splashing along easily in the water! What remarkable balance! These are the horses that the endurance sport enthusiast is trying to breed! Ride after ride, the Marwari’s continued to impress me with their athletic versatility. From endurance to dressage, there’s nothing they don’t excel at! Returning to the Vineyard this past spring, I fell head-over-heels in love with the little Marwari filly, named Ghunghuru (pronounced “goon-goo-roo”). During the winter, she had transformed into a carbon copy of her stunning mother, Rani. Weeks later, after returning home, I was burdened with a longing to return to that little curious filly that I had left my heart with on Martha’s Vineyard. But, with a wedding coming up in just a few months, and an added workload to boot, there would be no return visit in the near future for me! I just couldn’t bear it. I had never felt so compelled in my life! Unable to concentrate on anything else, I decided to have Ghunghuru as my very first horse. In June, little “Ru” entered my life; and life as I once knew it hasn’t been the same since! She is a curious, talented and a brave two year old that continues to show me just how much of a gift she is! I owe everything to Francesca’s will to see that these horses get to the States, where they will be given a proper chance at life; unlike Ghunghuru’s unfortunate ancestors. This is truly a rare breed of horse that is deserving of a prosperous life and much admiration. In return, they will “give us the moon”. However, I must caution, you never will own a Marwari ... they own you! You can visit Lammistide Stables, where the Marwari’s reside, on Martha’s Vineyard by calling Jennifer at (508) 939-9543. Ghunghuru resides in Deerfield, NH. Karen Strickland, her owner, is a new member of the VHC. Karen and Ghunghuru are eager to participate in future VHC activities!

Return to top of page.

Scholarship Report
By Lynn Dow

Early this spring VHC will receive from VSAC, Vermont Student Assistance Corp., the applications for the Cliff Murray and Floyd Fuller Memorial scholarship. The committee will meet and select one recipient for the $250.00 scholarship.

A letter was sent to Mary Fay, 4-H Program Asst., inviting 4-Hers to apply for equine related scholarships. This letter follows this report and will be included in the state wide 4-H newsletter.

Judi Whipple, VHC member and owner of Breckenridge Farm in East Montpelier, has been contacted about doing a fund raiser clinic for the scholarship committee this spring. Dates and details will be available in the next newsletter. Hopefully we can build up the funds to increase the college scholarship to $500.00 in 2005. This clinic will be open to VHC members first and available to the public only if space is available.

Lynn Dow and Susan McNeill currently make up the committee and Jane Thompson has been asked to join. Recipients for any scholarship will be made by the group.

Contact Lynn Dow for more information

Return to top of page

Youth & 4-H Scholarship Letter

The Vermont Horse Council was organized in 1974 to create a unified equine voice in Vermont, and the council embraces all breeds and all equestrian disciplines without bias.

The VHC offers Youth & 4H scholarship programs established to help young people participate in equine activities. Clinics, trucking expenses, 4H projects, you name it we can help.

The VHC also has the Cliff Murray & Floyd Fuller Memorial Scholarship for college bound young people pursuing a degree in any animal science field. This scholarship is administered by VSAC and selected and awarded by the Vermont Horse Council scholarship committee. Cliff and Floyd were founding members of the council and they were both dedicated to helping interested young people experience horses.

If you are interested in these scholarship possibilities please contact
Lynn Dow
6495 Rte 12A
West Braintree, VT 05669
802-728-9007
ldow@vermontlaw.edu

Return to top of page

Vermont Horse Person of the Year 2004

It’s that time again; time to recognize the top horse people in Vermont! This tradition, started in 1983, and was reinstated last year by the horse council after several years of neglect. Morris Lasell, 2003 winner, joined the ranks with Cliff Murray, Marilyn Childs, Floyd Fuller, Thelma Murray, Don Tobey and Mary Blades; a few of the past winners. Once again the officers and directors of the VHC invite you to send your nominations in for the VHC Horse Person of the Year 2004.

Criteria for Nomination:
1. Horse person must be an adult over 18 years of age, who is of good character and participates in community life.
2. Resides in Vermont the year round.
3. Actively promotes the horse industry: The use of all breeds and equine versatility. (this criteria may be achieved through the work with one breed, but the contribution with one breed should have applications for the advancement of all breeds.)
4. Nominees can come from any phase of the horse industry and need not presently own a horse.

Procedures for Nomination

1. Deadline: March 1, 2004
2. Prepare a summary of the contributions made by your candidate. Why does this person deserve to be named “VHC Horse-person” by the council? Address all other criteria listed.
3. Sign and date the summary sheet. Nomination must be endorsed by council member.
4. Send separate information sheets for every nominee. Name as many as you wish.
5. Mail nomination to Terry Rose, 146 Bent Hill Rd.Braintree, VT 05060 or email to rose@kdpyield.com

PS- If you know of any other past recipients of this award please send us their names and year of recognition. We would love to have a record of all past winners.

Return to top of page

VERMONT HORSE COUNCIL MEMBER BENEFITS

All Memberships: receive a quarterly newsletter with calendar of events, free classified ads, and area news and discount on VHC sponsored events.

VHC voting privileges.

Enrollment in the Riding & Driving Program when additional one-time fee is paid.

Club, Business, and Farm Memberships:

Free listing in the newsletter

Opportunity to list upcoming events & news in the quarterly newsletter

Opportunity to distribute business cards and or flyers at trade show booth set-ups.

The Vermont Horse Council is a 501 c(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax deductible.

SUPPORT THE COUNCIL JOIN TODAY

Return to top of page