About Us - Reports
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MQHA President's Reports (Patricia Odlum):
Welcome to the new website of the Manitoba Quarter Horse Association. Please feel free to browse around, check us out, and see what we have to offer. You will find information regarding our shows, our people and some helpful Quick Links (see above right on each page). If you still have questions please feel free to contact me by email or phone me at (204) 825-2352.
In 2011 we started the year with our AGM and awards banquet on Feb 19th. At that meeting a motion was passed to allow all members regardless of geographical location to be eligible for Year End Awards. I personally feel this is a positive move which will allow our non-Manitoba residents who support our shows to qualify for those awards. Visit this link 2011 Show Points System for the revisions effective this show season.
In March at the AQHA convention in Grapevine, Texas, Larry Clifford was elected as an AQHA Director for Manitoba. This was possible because Marnie Somers was elevated to the position of Director at Large with AQHA after having served 15 consecutive years. Congratulations to both of you and thank-you to Marnie for your long time dedicated service to MQHA.
We will be having a booth promoting MQHA and the American Quarter Horse at Horse 3 in the ACE arena in Brandon from April 15-17th.
As for the ACE arena (Westoba Agricultural Centre of Excellence) please go to our Links page to visit the website of the Keystone Centre where you can find maps, pictures and other information regarding the facility we show in. We in Manitoba are very proud of the facility which has everything under one roof from barns and arenas to a hotel, the Canad Inn, as well its restaurants and lounges. The facility is also located within walking distance to many other restaurants, accommodations and shopping.
From May 6-8th MQHA is hosting a Horsemanship Skills Clinic with AQHA World & Congress Champion trainer, Bruce Vickery. He will be coaching participants on various aspects of all-around competition. Visit this link MQHA Clinic for more information about this event..
From June 3-5th MQHA will be having our first of two show weekends with the Summer Sizzler Quarter Horse Shows. This will be 3 AQHA shows at the ACE Arena in Brandon. This will be followed the next weekend, June 10-12th, with an MQHA sanctioned AQHA show put on by the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba during Summer Fair. Visit this link Events & Shows to find contacts and information.
Members of MQHA will also be found competing throughout the year in various AQHA amateur, open & youth events from the AQHA Region 3 Championship, AQHA World and All-American Congress shows and Versatility Ranch Horse competitions in other provinces and states.
The fall shows will start again on Sept 10 & 11 with another MQHA sanctioned AQHA show put on by the MRCHBA. And, our final MQHA show of the year will be the Thanksgiving Classic which will kick off with a Versatility Ranch Horse show on Oct 7th and be followed by 3 AQHA shows Oct 8-10th. Visit this link Events & Shows to find contacts and information.
Thank-you to all of the dedicated executive, directors, members and volunteers who continue to make all of the above possible. A special thanks to Marnie Somers for her hard work in making our new website possible.
Patricia Odlum, MQHA President
AQHA Directors' Reports:
I attended the AQHA Annual Convention in Grapevine, Texas between March 3-7, 2011. At this convention, It was my very great pleasure to act as a reference and to introduce Larry Clifford to the AQHA Nominations and Credentials Committee. Larry was presented as a candidate for election as an AQHA Director representing Manitoba, accepted by the Committee, and confirmed by a vote of delegates during a General Membership meeting.
For many years Larry has served the Manitoba Quarter Horse community as a volunteer in a variety of roles not the least of which are: as MQHA President and Vice President, as AQHA Show Manager, as AQHA Affiliate delegate, as AQHA Trail Ride Co-ordinator, as a business sponsor of events, and so on. During the convention, I observed that Larry was no stranger to a significant number of AQHA executive and staff, other national directors and voting members, as he has made many valuable contacts over the years. Larry became eligible to attend his first AQHA Directors meeting on Monday, March 7, 2011 where he received his official AQHA Directors pin, and voted on numerous motions affecting the future operations and Rules and Regulations of AQHA. I have every confidence that Larry will continue to serve the Manitoba Quarter Horse community at an even higher level of committment, and I am proud to call Larry a personal friend.
This year, I am serving on the AQHA Marketing and Membership Standing Committee and the AQHA Hall of Fame Committee.
Marnie Somers, AQHA Director-At-Large, CQHA President, MQHA Director
AQHA Directors' Reports:
Some times in life we have to step up and say I would like to do that. When I let my name stand for a director of the American Quarter Horse Association. I was truly honored by the board of directors of the Manitoba Quarter Horse Association for their support. The letter of recommendation from AQHA Director-At-Large Marnie Somers and letter of support from our MQHA President Pat Odlum truly made me proud to be a part of the Manitoba Quarter Horse Association.
Although I have attended AQHA affiliate workshops in Amarillo Texas, this was the first experience at a AQHA convention and as I am self employed I have never gone before a panel to be chosen for anything. This was quite an experience, whatever I said must have been OK because when Executive Vice President of AQHA Don Treadway came out and shock my hand and said, "Welcome Larry you are officially in", I was a little overwhelmed.
Then there were the meetings and entertainers; Red Steagall’s great story and humor on the importance of team work. The interesting parts of the meeting were some controversial motions and people you only read about got up and spoke for or against the motions. It’s amazing how you listen and talk to others from the AQHA world and you find that the thing we discuss about our shows or events here in Manitoba are the same topics that others talk about in their area or affiliated, only the names change.
The trip to 2011 AQHA convention was exciting and I learned a great deal. I am appointed to the AQHA Recreation Activities Committee, we meet monthly by conference call.
Next year Lenora and I look forward to attending the AQHA Convention in Las Vegas South Port Convention and Equine facility.
Larry Clifford, AQHA Director, MQHA Vice President
