Things are Heating Up at One Heart

Hi Friends - with a particular shout out to Jerry!

Did I say heating up - HA, this morning we set another weather record.  -8 degrees.  Here's a note from the One Heart Almanac - we only have 5 more weeks until Spring.  How do I know?   We have 5 big bales left!   My bet is that we will have robins hopping around amid the snowdrifts. 

What I mean to say is that things are really heating up with the program.  Registration was sent out to around 60 individuals and they are starting to roll in.  We have set the annual schedule - now in real calender form on the website, thanks to more of Katie's training.  Katie is also working on a driving page and the horse profiles to add to the website. 

The newsletter has gone out and people have responded with horses that will be potential donations.  Jen, Dani and I will have our work cut out seeing if they will work out for us. 

Meanwhile, a group of One Heart friends has come together to create a "kitty" so we can replace our Fjords.  This pool of friends will be the donor.  At this point we have identified two in Litchfield, MN.   We are trying to get them for a mid-March delivery.   Both are broke to drive and the younger gelding is started under saddle.  Both seem to fill the bill.  We are quite eager to add more Fjords to the pasture.  It will be a welcome sight!   If they come be ready to greet them by name....Sophie and Boomer.   I will keep you posted.

The Board of Directors just met and has a pretty good outline of a strategic plan.  The Board has worked diligently to put together this vital document. 

Another group of friends, that you know, the Ride and Tie Committee has also been meeting regularly and have quite a line-up of plans, prizes, and goals for the big Ride and Tie race event over Labor Day Weekend, 2010.   We have our first inquiry from a group coming from Kansas.  How exciting!    I tell you, when this group gets rolling, Katie bar the door!    The excitement of this group is contagious!   The website is jam packed with information, registration forms, and sponsorship information.  Find it at http://www.oneheartrideandtie.org/     You would also be welcome to join in the action with this ground-breaking committee - only if you are interested in having FUN.   It's not just a request - it's a requirement!

IJen, Dani and I are working on a special Ride and Tie event for One Heart riders.  We don't know exactly what we are going to do but we would like to have our own version of Ride and Tie at the fairgrounds the evening before the big event.   You will have to stay tuned.

Volunteers - time to sign up for those choice slots!    Looks like we will have times available on Tuesday evenings (4-6 & 6-8 pm),  Thursday mornings (9-11am and 11am - 1pm) and Saturdays, (7:39 - 9:30, 9:30-11:30 and 11:30 - 1:30)    We are going to have new horses, young horses and tons of riders.  Bring your friends and neighbors, roomies, aquaintences, club members, partners, congregation, relatives and classmates.   It will be a good time!

Upcoming events for staff are both the state NARHA meeting and the Region 7 NARHA meeting.  We will come back super-charged so be ready!    You are all welcome to come to the meetings.  The state meeting will be Sunday, April 11 at the Varied Industries Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds.  This is during the Iowa Horse Fair so our noon meeting won't be the only show in town.   There is a ton of stuff to do and see at the Iowa Horse Fair.  It is put on by the Iowa Horse Council.  For all you vols and riders who simply can't wait for that good horse smell and interacting with everything horsey, plan a trip.  Visit the Iowa Horse Council website, they usually have a $1 discount coupon for you to print.

 

I will wrap up for now.  As things pick up, I will be blogging more.   You are always free to check-in by email or comment.  I am eager to catch up with you all too.                           

                                                     If you are ready for Spring - kick up your heels!

For now,   Kris