Whitemud Equine Learning Centre
Hoofbeats & Heartbeats
 
The monthly newsletter for the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre
 
Issue No. 8
September 2010
In This Issue
Board Members Wanted
AGM
Greetings from the Chair
2010 Calendar of Events
Lesson Program News
Volunteer Profile
Notes from afield
HELP WANTED: Volunteers for WELCA Board

We are looking for five (5) conscientious and dedicated volunteers interested in getting actively involved with the WELCA Board of Directors in supporting the redevelopment of the Whitemud Equine Centre.

Experience in major capital projects and fundraising campaigns are primary needs; however, knowledge and skill in policy development, business management and committee leadership would also be beneficial.  Board members are initially elected for a three-year term.  Elections will be held at the Annual General Meeting on September 23, 2010.


Requirements:
1. Regularly attend board meetings and important related meetings.
2. Participate actively in committee work.
3. Willingly accept assignments and complete them thoroughly and on time.
4. Stay informed about committee matters, prepare for meetings, and review
and comment on minutes and reports.
5. Get to know other board members and build a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus.
6. Actively participate in the annual evaluation and planning efforts.
7. Participate in fund raising for the organization.

The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, September 8, 2010.  To receive an information package or to submit a resume, please contact:

Diane David
Ph: (780) 435-3597
Fax: (780) 430-9527
Email: diane.david@whitemudequine.org
Mark Your Calendar!

WELCA Members are asked to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Association. 

Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 7pm in the Community Room.
Use this section to focus on the key message of your newsletter. Is there industry news that they should be aware of? How will the news affect your members?
 
What action, if any, do you want your members to take? Add a "Find out more" link to additional information that you may have hosted on your website.
 
Greetings,
Thank you for your feedback on the newsletter and suggestions for improvements. A number of you expressed interest in being able to interact more with people at the stable and we are happy to oblige.

This fall, we are launching a social networking component to our website. Become a member and help us create an online Whitemud community.  Drop by the stables on Friday, September 17 and we will show you how easy it is to get connected!

Sincerely,
Diane David
Newsletter Editor & Administrator
WELCA
Greetings from the Chairperson
Welcome to the eighth edition of Hoofbeats and Heartbeats

Linda & CaffiFall is in the air and our thoughts turn to the Annual General Meeting of the Association and the election of new Board members. There are 5 vacancies on the Board and we are looking for volunteers willing and able to fill the seats.

This is an exciting time to be a Board member. The City of Edmonton is reviewing the Business Case for redeveloping our site complete with two new arenas, indoor washrooms, improved teaching areas and a self-contained bridle path. Once we have the City's approval, the Board will need to embark on a major capital fundraising campaign as well as guide the design and construction phases of the project. If you have experience in these areas, we would love to hear from you.

Regards,
Linda Olson-Lipinski
Chairperson
Whitemud Equine Learning Centre Association
2010 Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events
 
Programs, Shows and Events Scheduled at the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre and Show Grounds


September 4

Fall Riding Programs begin


September 12

Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Programs begin


September 17

WELCA Open House for Home School families, a Sports Day in Canada event.


September 23

Annual General Meeting, 7pm Community Room. All members are invited to attend.


November 17

Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Programs end


November 21

Sunday at the Stables riding lesson programs begin.


November 23

Learn to Ride lesson programs begin.


December 19 - January 2

Riding lessons on hiatus for Christmas Break. 

Lesson Program News
Fall Session begins with new instructor, new horses and new saddles!

WELCOME TO:
Kelly McAdam,
an Equine Canada Certified Instructor (EC1), who has joined our instructor team - she will be focusing on private lessons at first and subbing for the group lessons as needed.

Sandor
(owner Kelly McAdam) and Ipanema (owner Claire Spicer) will be working in the upper levels.

FALL SESSION
Lessons start on Saturday, September 4. Check your schedules and please note there will not be classes during the week of Thanksgiving (Oct 9-15).

We are so proud of all our students who took part in the rider level testing. Certificates should be in the mail to you soon. More testing will be done later this year.

THANK YOU!
A big shout-out to the Fundraising Committee for giving us funds to purchase 2 new saddles and have 1 reflocked. Good saddles really help to ensure the comfort of the horses when they work and the safety of students when riding. The photo shows Dandy and TAs, Stacey and Alex, with the saddles.
Volunteer Profile
Meet one of our Summer Camp Volunteers:

Jasmine volunteer

Jasmine Pinto Coy has been riding for four years - three years bareback riding in Calgary and last year at WELCA in the Horsemanship Program. She is entering grade ten in September at Strathcona High School. 

Jasmine says, "I really enjoyed volunteering at WELCA summer camps this summer. I enjoyed working with the horses and helping the kids ride. I even enjoyed shovelling horse poop!"
Lesson Horse Profiles
BREEZY
Breeze lesson horseBreezy is a grey Anglo-Arabian gelding. He is 24 years old. Breezy came to Whitemud in April 2009.  He works in both Little Bits and the regular lesson program. Breezy has proven to be very kind and gentle with his riders and volunteers. He loves his job and is a favorite of everyone who meets him.

DAKOTA
Dakota lesson horseDakota is a very pretty 12 year-old bay mare with four white socks and a blaze. She came to Whitemud in the spring of 2007 and started as a lesson horse. Dakota has lovely ground manners and is a favorite model for photographers, especially when Jean S grooms her and puts on the silver headband! Dakota now works in both the lesson and therapeutic riding programs. She loves going out on the trails.
Notes from Afield
Whitemud Equine Learning Centre shares some news of the comings and goings of people and horses.

Frances with Zappy in Lake LouiseBest wishes to Louis for a speedy recovery from surgery. He will be recuperating in Barn 2.

Congratulations to the following:
 
Christine W on her engagement - he's a lucky man!

Amy L on becoming a beginner instructor.

Cassie L, Alex M and Alana S on surviving their first summer camps as teaching assistants!


Alana S on her acceptance to Nursing at Memorial University, NF.
Memoriam
PRINCE OF PENNIES (Pence)
1989 - 2010
"When we think of those companions who traveled by our side down life's road, let us not say with sadness that they left us behind, but rather say with gentle gratitude that they once were with us."

Pence will be greatly missed by Emily, his Little Bits rider, his good friend, Anne, owner, Cindy, and everyone at Whitemud.


networking
SOCIAL NETWORKING SESSION
You are invited to attend one of two training sessions on our new social networking platform:
 Friday, September 17 from 2:30 to 3:30pm and 
 Thursday, September 23 from 6:00 to 7:00pm.
Both training sessions will be led by Marilyn Jones, a social media trainer, educator and consultant. During the session, she'll demonstrate the many benefits of social networking and how to take best advantage of the new social networking component of our website. You'll see how easy it is to enable social networking to collaborate with fellow students and alumni, instructors, volunteers, board and committee members.
  READ MORE...

FOR SALE: 2 TICKETS (ALL DAY)
TO THE MASTERS AT SPRUCE MEADOWS,
SEPTEMBER 12 IN THE GRANDSTAND. $86.75. 
CALL JAN 780-929-9744.