Volunteer Ruth Shirkey and Judge Mike Osinski
The East Bay Chapter started 2011 straight away in January with a USDF Trainer’s Certification Workshop series expertly organized by our Events, Clinics and Education Chair, Emily McDonald. We were very fortunate to engage the phenomenal teacher and trainer, Rachael Saavdera, for three workshop weekends from January until March. Local East Bay trainers and lucky auditors, were given the opportunity to learn from Rachael’s always creative and intuitive instruction, entertaining analogies, and many light bulbs were flashing above our heads as challenging movements became more understandable, attainable and fluid. It was a very exciting and cohesive experience as the participants along with the auditors, learned and laughed together! The hosting facility, Leap of Faith Farms in Walnut Creek, provided a perfect venue as they have a very large indoor arena, which was much appreciated when we experienced rainy and windy weather. The participants and auditors came away from the Workshops anxious to apply their new knowledge and looking forward to another workshop opportunity.
Always a highlight for our East Bay members is the exciting Annual Awards Dinner Gala. This year, as
Awards Dinner Baskets
last year, it was held at the lovely Bridges Golf Club in San Ramon. The facility is stylish and very accommodating, offering a wide range of yummy appetizer and quality main dishes. The memorable and elegant evening was enjoyed by all and I would venture to say, the silent auction was most likely our best ever!
Our first show of the year was held in April a La Jolla Equestrian Center. Saturday’s show day was one of the first of hopefully, many, fundraising efforts by our Chapter to support a local organization, Bras for the Cause. This organization brings breast cancer awareness to the community, and as this disease affects so many of us, participants were given the opportunity to sponsor classes in honor of a family member or friend, breast cancer survivor or in memory of the loss of a loved one. It was an emotional event, and our generous members contributed more than $300 to this organization. After the last ride Saturday afternoon, we treated our members to a pleasurable wine and cheese social on the lovely veranda at our host facility, La Jolla Equestrian Center. It was the perfect way to finish the show day! This was a unique show weekend, however, as although we had a full competition schedule on Saturday, Sunday was an official, recognized holiday, which unfortunately limited entries. So the decision was made to offer a clinic featuring our talented judge, Mike Osinski. This was quite a lot of fun for those members who could take advantage of being able to discuss their previous day’s test directly with the judge and receive personal coaching and insight as to how to improve scores.
Laura Dwyer and Laitin at EB La Jolla Show - photo by Debbie Hansen
In May we held the first of our semi-annual Western Saddlery Sale events. We are fortunate to have in our vicinity the wonderful “Costco of the Equine World”, Western Saddlery, who on EB Sale Day, closes their facility to the general public and opens their doors to East Bay CDS Members only. Additionally, our generous sponsor offers special, irresistible discounts on all items, so members show up ready to take home the bargains! Snacks, wine and soda is provided by the chapter to make the afternoon a social event and Western Saddlery gift certificates are raffled off to two lucky winners!
As the April Show was such a success, we put together an August sequel; La Jolla Equestrian Center Show, and Wine and Cheese Social II. This weekend, however, we filled both show days with competitors and received complements from our participants on how well the show was run. Thank you EB Show Team and Volunteers!
Always looking for innovative ways to keep our members informed of anything equine related, we were fortunate to have two very enthusiastic and knowledgeable members, Gundi Younger and, now East Bay Co-Chair, Vicki Von Arx, organize an Equine Whole Foods Seminar in November. We had a very large response, and our guest speaker Tigger Montague, from BioStar EQ, made the subject of protein, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins and fat seem fascinating! Attendees were very entertained and intrigued with the presentation, and it opened many of our eyes as to what exactly we are feeding our horses, and why. Considering a different Whole Foods approach sent us home more informed, and we now put our reading glasses on when examining equine feed labels and nutrition pamphlets.
The end of 2011 was fast approaching, and in mid-November, our members once again pulled out the plastic and stocked up on supplies, grain, riding apparel and equine essentials at our second special East Bay Western Saddlery Sale. We always put a holiday spin on this event, and it was a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit early with yummy food, drinks, good cheer and sending our members home looking forward to next year!
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