Bill is not able to announce this year so my son, Dan, will fill that spot. Send suggesstions of ways to announce that will best suit the athletes. Also, are there infomational announcements that need to be made periodically?
RESULTS There was difficulty in hearing results of the classes. My ring steward and paddock secretary are both returning to help this year and have agreed to establish an area to post results of the classes. Remember, it won't be as quick as the announcement but will be there for reference in a timely manner.
PADDOCK WAIT AREA - ATHLETES WAITING FOR INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE We plan to identify a 20' or so area for mounted athletes to wait to enter their class. Allowed in this area: paddock secretary/staff, gate attendant, athlete with any support crew or coach. Any spectators will have to do their watching from another location. The coach may remain in case he/she is needed in the arena.
OUT GATE Having it seperate from the in gate helped. I have a returning posse member that has agreed to be the gate monitor this year and understands it remains closed while the exhibitor is in the arena. She will open it when the athlete presents to the gate at a walk.
EQUITATION PATTERN We will use one only - the circle. It will be measured out and have cones identifying it at approximately 5' increments. The only people in the circle will be those supporting the rider.
RINGS Paula shared that they use wood embroidery hoops for their rings and the athletes are able to hold them better. Looking at implementing.
It was agreed that level D riders would only have one ring to deal with.
PHOTOGRAPHER Some felt he was in the wrong place for their athlete. A simple solution is to invite him to the pre meeting and also talk through email. This man is a professional photographer that believes in Special Olympics and knows how to get the good shots.
HANDLERS/SIDE WALKERS We realize we still have problems with this and will continue to try to educate as people volunteer. We have gotten printed material out in Clovis, Ft. Sumner and Portales to recruit volunteers and horses. I just finished having a booth at the New Mexico Ag Expo and part of the display and handout was for Equestrian Special Olympics.
I will be uploading the pictures we took last summer as a first visual effort to educate people.
STATE REPS In my letter to Chris I suggested that he be out and about in the paddock area and get to know the volunteers, maybe give them an 'atta boy'. I think it would do a lot for moral and help Chris understand all that goes into this particular event.
VOLUNTEERS In order to keep an event like this going, we must have the volunteers. I am a firm believer that we need to recognize these volunteers and I personally would like to see the awards segment changed a bit so those of us who have a crew can, at the very least, introduce them and present any recognition we might have. Also, this is can be a place for recognition of good behavior for the unattended kids. I would like to see Chris or whoever is here from Albuquerque in the ring handing out and/or shaking hands. On my crew many of the people are taking time off from a paying job to help us.
UNATTENDED CHILDREN These are ones who accompany volunteers or are a part of the athlete family. We are exploring ways to corral them in a positive manner and possibly recognize them - create some incentives - for good behavior.
WARM UP AREA It is felt that the arena is the only safe place to warm up the horses and a request has been made to allow time for that. My thoughts are that on Friday the arena can be used until 10 minutes before we need to set up for Showmanship. At noon, it can be used until 10 minutes before set up for Equitation. Saturday it can be used for warm up with the understanding that no athlete or coach will take the horse over, around or through any obstacle. Again, at noon the arena can be used but no schooling on any of the obstacles for the timed events.
COACHES IN THE ARENA The question is still out there about the coach going into the arena with their athlete in the interest of safety. Discuss among yourselves and see what you want to do.
GUIDES I think it would be better if these were assigned by the athlete's coach if needed rather than furnished by the event.
