MEETING NOTES

04/08/2009
LOUISIANA EQUINE COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING APRIL 8, 2009 CONFERENCE CALL

LOUISIANA EQUINE COUNCIL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING
APRIL 8, 2009
CONFERENCE CALL


President Daniel Lyons called the conference call meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Board members present for the meeting were: Daniel Lyons, Johnny Boudreaux, Howard Cormier, Ruby Collins, Ruby Halter, Dianne Morrill, Johnny Spears, and Maurice Tynes.

Board members absent were: Ruby Halter, Aleta Overby, Daryl Schouest, Melinda Schexnaider, Tom Foshee, John Henning, Ginger Schouest, Dixie Bunton, Jay Prather and Judy Travelby.

Advisors absent were: Dr. Clint Depew, Ron Harrell and Dr. Dennis French.

On the membership report, Howard Cormier stated that there were six new members from the Expo, and fourteen new members and three renewals from the LEC Fun Ride.

Daryl Schouest was not present, so a Treasurer’s Report was not available.

Ruby Collins gave an Expo report, stating that she was very thankful to everyone who had helped, including Bob Felknor, who helped pull things together at the last minute. There were 11 booths, plus sponsored money. Vendors indicated that they want to come back. The Kids Alley was lots of fun. Although the weather was cold and rainy, it did not deter many people from attending. There were approximately 700 people who paid at the gate, and Ruby expected that we only collected from about ⅓ of the total number who came. There was $18,163.00 in sponsors, booths and stall money, including the ride with Joe Wolter Clinic and LEC membership money. Ruby stated that she still has not received the grant funds of $12,200.00 yet, but West Monroe did provide $5,000.00 for advertising, which helped a great deal. The ads on T.V., radio and in the papers made a big difference. The saddle drawing gave LEC many contacts and good publicity. Bob Felknor obtained the shavings and horse licks for the drawing. Aleta Overby has college kids typing the names and contact information for all people who drew for the saddle. Many people questioned what LEC is and for next year we will need a sign at the check-in gate giving that information. The brochure listed contacts and sponsors for LEC and that was a good idea. A resource book needs to be printed now, since LEC has many sponsors. The feeling was that Joe Wolter did an excellent job as a clinician. The demonstrations were good, but attendance at them was low in some areas. The Rocky Mountain Horse Group wants a walking horse show next year. The Budweiser Clydesdales might be another group that will want to come. Richard Winters won “Road to the Horse”, which was going on at the same time as the Expo, and that gives our clinicians more creditability. Howard mentioned that he is getting calls from clinicians who want to come to next year’s Expo. The Drill Team also wants to come back. Next year LEC might be able to pay for bedding and stalls. They paid their own way this year. LEC may need a sponsor just for the drill team. LEC also needs a decision about whether Bob Felknor will be a paid assistant next year. LEC is also looking into having a cutting horse competition at the Expo at least one day, but there has been no response from the Cutting Association’s secretary to date. The Expo also needs a barrel racing event. The dates of March 12, 13, 14, 2010 have been penciled in.

There was a request for an executive board meeting in Opelousas sometime in the near future to address the issue of paying Bob Felknor as an LEC assistant. LEC would need to set this up and have him start working sooner for the 2010 Expo. Maurice Tynes suggested getting Louisiana Public Broadcasting there next year to do a segment. He is a friend of Beth Courtney and will contact her to set it up. It was also suggested that Louisiana Farm Bureau take video to put on RFD TV. LaSH had the biggest show yet. The Cow Working Dog Demonstration was also a big draw. It was suggested that we set this up again for next year. Cowboy Church was good, as was Parade of Breeds. David Carter was described as phenomenal. He got the kids involved. LEC should invite him back next year. The Stallion Auction did not work. There were suggestions about getting Hunter/ Jumpers involved in the show next year. The Reining demonstration by Mark Wilcher was very good. LEC plans to ask the Louisiana Reining Horse Association if they want to have a show there. LEC will also ask Friends of Therapeutic Riding if they want to have a working ranch horse competition. LEC is also entertaining the “Louisiana Road to the Horse” concept. There could be extreme calf roping competition; however, a team roping event would overwhelm the facility. It could be done by invitation only with a sponsor for a couple of hours. It was suggested that we get the top barrel racers to put on a demonstration. There was also talk of bull riding for Thursday night. It was suggested that we also book the 11th, which would be Thursday through the 14th of March 2010. It was also suggested that we e-mail the LEC membership to get suggestions for the 2010 Expo. Daniel thanked Ruby for an excellent report and for all she and Aleta did for the Expo in 2009.

Peggy Bianci discussed the Fun Ride and stated that she had given the report by e-mail. There were good reports about the Fun Ride and also an increase in membership from that event. She said that she also had good volunteers to help at Hodges Gardens on trail clearing. June 6th is National Trails Day in Kisatchie National Forest and she will be working with her committee to clean up trails and be involved in that day’s activities. She is applying for the grant for the Hodges Garden project on Equestrian Trails. She does plan to have a fall trail ride, perhaps at Ahtus Melder, in the Forest Hill area of Kisatchie. She has been in touch with Stuart Johnson from the Governor’s Office and he is on our side in support for LEC. Howard suggested that we include educational programs after the ride. Another area suggested was the Mississippi River Levee. It was also suggested that trail groups be invited to join LEC for the group membership so we can increase our numbers.

Daniel then discussed legislative plans. LEC is trying to get Mike Michot to help funding of LEC in Appropriations Bill. Maurice Tynes expounded on the idea to get more group members involved. He also stated that he would contact different facility managers to get an economic impact of what their facility has done for their area and this could be accompanied with an ad in Hoof Beat News.

Daniel discussed the Chuck Wagon Cook-off for the benefit of LEC. The cost would be approximately $525.00 for sponsorship money. Ranch Outlet stated that they would help. Legislators have been invited to judge the event. Johnny and Howard stated that they could not attend. Daniel requested that anyone knowing anyone with a Chuck Wagon be invited to participate.

Daniel Lyons reported that he had gone to the Evangeline Downs Racetrack Luncheon on April 7th and represented LEC.

The group voted to inform members about the United Horseman’s Front. Baxter Black is trying to inform people about horse welfare through his website, which depicts many abandoned horses and the condition that has resulted due to legislation banning horse slaughter in this country.

Maurice Tynes discussed a new membership class to increase LEC’s number of associations. He suggested that LEC could lower the fee to encourage more groups to join. It is currently $50.00 for groups less than 100 and $100.00 for greater than 100 members. He also suggested publicizing shows for those who joined LEC. He will start collecting names of groups and develop a letter to go to the presidents to support LEC. He asked for a write-up about LEC’s accomplishments to include in the letter. LEC needs to look for ways to get LEC member perks, such as discounts at tractor supply stores, western stores, feed stores, G & H, tractor dealers and veterinarians.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.