MEETING NOTES

10/28/2008
LOUISIANA EQUINE COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OCTOBER 28, 2008 – 10:00 A.M.

President Daniel Lyons called the conference call meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

Board members present for the meeting were: Daniel Lyons, Howard Cormier, Ruby Halter, Richard Hebert, Daryl Schouest, Aleta Overby, Melinda Schexnaider, Ruby Collins, Tom Foshee, John Henning, Johnny Boudreaux, Dianne Morrill, and Ginger Schouest.

Board members absent were: Dixie Bunton, Johnny Spears, Judy Travelby, and Jay Prather.

Advisors present were: Dr. Clint Depew and Ron Harrell.

Advisors absent were: Dr. Dennis French.

On a motion by Johnny Boudreaux, seconded by Ruby Collins, the minutes were approved as e-mailed.

The membership report was presented with 224 active members. This included 114 family, 74 individual, 29 farm and businesses. Melinda Schexnaider moved to accept the membership report, seconded by Ruby Halter, and it passed.

Daryl Schouest gave the Treasurer’s Report. Bills had been sent out for the final Expo collections. Johnny Boudreaux stated that he had spoken to Courtesy Motors and they were supposed to send their $1,500.00 check in. LEC has a net income of $5,132.33. Total liabilities plus equity is $25,835.28, which includes $7,200.00 in pledges not yet received, $13,103.67 in the general checking account, and $5,531.61 in the LEC Expo account.
Daryl Schouest moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Howard Cormier, and it passed.

Ruby Halter gave a report on the display which she had recently received. She is getting bids for a header with other items such as the name of the organization, dates of the annual meeting, dates of the Expo, pictures and contacts for more information. She will work to stay in the budget. The display is about 6 ft. x 4 ft. She will get temporary signs that LEC Board members can use. Howard volunteered to help make signs from his office if he has advance warning.

Ruby Collins then gave an Expo report. She was asked about total rooms that could be expected. Board members were reminded to book the rooms now. There will be no Appaloosa show this year since the association is going to the Dixie National. Ginger Schouest agreed to supervise a walking horse show. There will also be a two day stock horse show, and four performances of a Greenwell Springs drill team. There are currently no stallions booked for the breeding auction, but Melinda Schexnaider volunteered make some contacts. An educational alley will be open for kids of all ages from Friday through Sunday. David Carter will be asked to participate on Saturday with his Mustang, Silverado. This should be a good calling card even if the committee has to pay some of his expenses to attend. Ruby Collins will send a tentative schedule of events by e-mail. Johnny Boudreaux stated that we need to try to secure a big name clinician now. Howard agreed to talk to Chris Cox for 2010. The dates of the Expo for this year are March 12-14, which is a conflict with the Road to the Horse weekend. Howard will try to find out the dates of the Road to the Horse for 2010 so we can avoid a conflict with that event.

There was also discussion of a Road to the Horse type of event for Louisiana horse trainers for 2010. This event will be announced at the annual meeting in 2009. Dr. Clint Depew suggested that we invite Quarter Horse Associations, Paint Breed and Dressage groups to come to our Expo, too. We need to reach out to as many other popular groups as possible.

The next business was the Political Action Committee progress. Ron Harrell reported that he has not heard back from Mr. Henry Bernard with Louisiana Farm Bureau about how to set this up.

Under the Hoof Beat News promotional idea, Howard read an e-mail that Tracy Benoit had sent to him asking for a social for LEC members apart from the annual meeting or the Expo. In further discussion, John Henning suggested that we have regional socials so members from each region could get together. He also suggested a Louisiana Horseman of the Year award, nominated by LEC members from each district. Daniel Lyons appointed John Henning Chairman, and Howard Cormier and Clint Depew will also help him, to come up with a plan for a regional and La. Horseman of the Year program. Each district will be responsible for executing their plan, but districts could nominate three people and go to some type of gala event, perhaps at the Expo where the Louisiana State Horseman of the Year would be named.

Next item was a discussion of horse value decline. The slaughter plant in Mexico closed for several weeks and this had a devastating effect on local market prices. Daniel Lyons commented that this will continue to hurt jobs in the equine industry.

The next item under new business was the annual meeting, which will be the second weekend in January, January 10th, a Saturday. Ruby Halter has contacted LSU about a reproduction update on getting mares ready to breed. There is also discussion of securing David Carter, with the Extreme Mustang Makeover program, to make an appearance January 10. The meeting would be planned for 1:00 p.m., with demonstrations afterward on Saturday afternoon. Daniel will get the time slots when we would be able to meet and let Howard know. Howard also stated that we will need committee reports to be presented that day.

Under a social event for the board, Daryl and Ginger Schouest volunteered their home/farm for a board get together on December 6th. Ruby Halter moved and Dianne Morrill seconded the motion to have the event that day. The motion passed. A time will be set when the event will begin, but the Schouests invited board members to bring horses to ride in the afternoon, with an evening function planned. Daryl asked Ruby Halter to organize food items.

Under any other business, Howard reported that Daniel’s sale will be Saturday, November 1st with the Futurity starting at 9:00 and the sale beginning at 1:00 p.m. He invited everyone to attend. This will be at the Rice Arena in Crowley.

Also in other business, Hodges Garden will be opening up for trail riding. This will be publicized by Peggy Bianchi with the Trails Committee via e-mail and on the internet.

The date of the next LEC Board meeting was set for November 25th at noon via conference call.

On a motion by Johnny Boudreaux, seconded by Dr. Clint Depew, the meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.