Written by Bev Hanna
As I sit down to write the May newsletter, we are heading into a cool wet April. March tiptoed in like a lamb, but left as a cold lion-like reminder of winter. But it’s Spring now, so whatever the weather is, Bring It. With the warmer weather, many members have been riding at Malabar and some other areas. It is so great to be out and on a horse again.
Rickie making announcements at our banquet
Happy helpers
Holmes County Ohio Horseman’s Council had our End of Winter Fest on April 2, 2022 at Der Dutchman in Walnut Creek, Ohio. We very much enjoyed our first non-camping get together in a long while. Der Dutchman did not disappoint! Food was wonderful as was our very capable server Norma. The event was attended by 30 adults and 5 youth. In attendance were two of our charter member of 1985, Mary Mast and Mel Wengerd. Mel is 86 or something and still riding while Mary, one of our most active riders, must have joined up in kindergarten. Cheryl Schneider organized the event and solicited donations for the baskets. She, Ricky Mast, and Cindy Gray shared master of ceremony duties. Cheryl opened with prayers that mention our absent president who is recovering from a knee procedure and Holmes County Ohio Horseman’s Council’s deeply felt absence of Jim Mast. Cheryl and Ricki also had a photo display of the clubs accomplishments this year. A raffle of several very nice gift baskets was held. Donors were Millersburg Agri-Pro, TSC, Anna Porter from Equine Closet, Don Brown, and Cheryl Schneider. Gas card drawings and a fifty-fifty drawing added to the evening activities. Don Brown and I won gas cards. My husband won the fifty-fifty. Our very busy and appreciated treasurer, Sue Rhodes passed out awards for most destinations to Ron Kline and biggest increase in miles to Anna Porter. A very heartfelt Thank You to all concerned with a great banquet and to the club itself for making it possible.
Club member and Secretary Cindy Gray-Stanley attended a clinic called “Riding and Training Outside the Arena”. Topics covered were the advantages of outdoor training and exercises which benefit the partnership with your horse. Cindy mentioned she has been doing groundwork this winter and is working on conditioning her 26yr old Icelandic for some short trail rides this year. Cindy also improved our county website by making the Corral newsletter available on the Holmes county section of the Ohio Horseman’s Council website.
Members Bruce Hanna and Lee Duncan rode with Lorain member Rodney Harrison at Mohican on April 3. Bruce said it was great to be back at Mohican and had no issues riding the revised North Blue trail. He also mentioned that there were many rigs at Mohican that day.
Bruce attended the chainsaw training class at Mohican on March 22. The Ohio Forestry Association put it on and Wayne County president Marline Smalley sent us the information. It was well attended. Thank you to those who put it on.
Holmes County is planning a work weekend at Mohican May 20-21. Plans are being made for the club trip to Elkins Creek in June. The club is sponsoring a $25 TSC card for the OHC Bingo game. The club also made a donation to Camp Tuscazoar towards gravel for their new parking lot. Bowman’s Leather donated three leather cleaning products which were given away after a discussion on favorite tack cleaning methods. Thank you to Bowman’s. We are fortunate to have Bowman’s so close.
In closing, I just want to say how nice it was to see everyone together and how much we all hope for a great riding season.