Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

This announcement (see boldface) and my reply is relevant

to all "Saddle Clubs," so I am forwarding it to Ridecamp.

 

The topic is a "culture" that prevails in most equestrian

saddle clubs that has become outdated and which now

actively hinders the effectiveness of horsemen in

the modern political world.

 

 

> From: <list-administrator>

> To: <Members of HERD--Southeast Chapter of Bay State Trail Riders>

>

> Subject: Poker Ride - Hingham MA

> June 22nd 2003
> Wompatuck State Forest
> Hingham MA
>
> Proceeds to benefit the Middleboro Animal Shelter.  <<<=======

 

 

Hi, All;

 

I could not attend Wednesday's meeting and therefore I do not know

the reasons that were given for applying the proceeds from the

Wompatuck Poker Run to the Middleboro Animal Shelter.

 

It is my observation that horse clubs in Massachusetts and

around the country have a "culture" problem.  "Saddle clubs,"

as they used to be called in the 1920's, were formed primarily

as social clubs to facilitate putting on events where people

who love horses could come together and have a good

time.  When the show or trail ride or hunt actually made

money, the money was usually donated to a worthy charity:

a hospital, an animal shelter, research for childhood cancers,

any good cause.  Horse people were the bestowers of

charity.

 

Every horse club that I have been a member of has worked

in this way.  Indeed, I believe that every horse club that

any of us has belonged to has worked in this way.

 

So, naturally, when a new local horse club like HERD forms

and we join it, we act and think in the same way as we have

always acted and thought as members of a horse club.

We put on events.  We have fun.  We give the profits to

a good cause.

 

This has got to change.

 

We can no longer afford to be the bestowers of charity.

 

We need to realize that we, ourselves, horsemen are the

party in greatest need of funds to support the activities

that we need to survive!

 

Remember that Bay State Trail Riders Association was

re-incorporated as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit

organization just five years ago when Becky Kalagher

realized that the "social club" incorporation that BSTRA

had had since its inception in 1974 made it ineligible

to receive any state Recreational Trail Funds.  Becky

understood that the time had come for horse people

to get serious about acting for their own interests.

 

My understanding is that Bob Orkin formed HERD for

the same purpose:  so that horse people in Middleboro

could organize to protect their interests against threats

such as over-zealous conservation agents.  He affiliated

HERD with BSTRA as its southeast chapter because he

understood that BSTRA had the same mindset:  horsemen

organized to defend and promote the interests of horsemen.

 

(continued in Part 2)