Arizona Fox Trotter Association (AFTA)
P O Box 605      Wittmann, AZ  85361

NEWSLETTER - March, 2006

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
                              by Judy Kipen

You have to ride a fast horse to keep up with all the changes in our club! We have some changes to announce in our officers. Steve Gordon resigned as President and Barry Slabaugh resigned as Vice-President. Both Steve and Barry have very time-consuming jobs leaving them little time for anything else. We appreciate the time and energy they have given to our club. They will still be active members and board members. So, lets all give them a round of applause for all their hard work!

I will take over the position of President while Les Little will fill the position of Vice President. As you all know, Jodi Franklin is now the Trail Coordinator. Sandy Hollis is still the Secretary, and I’m also the Treasurer. Sandy Hollis will also publish the newsletter starting in March. She will be accepting articles and classified ads. We sure would appreciate and welcome new board members! As you all know, the board meetings are open to the membership. So, why not come to a meeting? We always have snacks and talk about some interesting subjects affecting our club.

Speaking of interesting subjects-We heard suggestions for this years activities. See what you all think! Sam Pallin will arrange the next cattle clinic. This was great fun last year and our horses all seemed to enjoyed moving those calves around. Cathy Rhudy, our barrel racing expert, will arrange a fun day with gymkhana type events. Steve Gordon and Sandy Hollis will hold a NATRC clinic at their home. They will guide us thru all the steps to becoming successful at a NATRC rider. They all have years of experience to share with us. We also discussed having 3 or 4 catered rides a year. Jodi Franklin is looking for volunteers to help out with our summer rides this year. Here’s your chance to lead a ride in YOUR favorite area. I know you all have a favorite place you could share with us! Please call Jodi if you are interested at 623 374-0111. She would love to hear from you!

   ------------------------------

AND NOW A WORD FROM YOUR TRAIL CO-ORDINATOR!

5th Annual National Trail Ride

Without a doubt, this was a ton of fun!  Seventy eager riders from all over the country gathered together at the Wickenburg Rodeo grounds in Arizona on Friday, January 13.  The Mattfields clocked up the most miles-all the way from Minnesota for a whopping 2050 miles traveled!  A lot of our regulars joined us from Missouri, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa and yep, even Arizona!  The welcome packets and beautiful Wickenburg t-shirts were handed out along with the “roadmap for the weekend“.  The campers set up camp and were ready for the orientation Friday nite.  

The first ride Saturday was to the Box on the Hassyampa river.  The riders were in awe gazing at the dinosaur and bears in the famous Dina sour Canyon.  Everyone had a great time gaiting in the shallow waters of the Hassyampa.  However, it is said that anyone who drinks this river water is never is able to tell the truth again.  Our famous caterer, Jeff, met us just past the Box with delicious barbeque, beans, chips dessert and soft drinks.  We were back in camp early enough to rest up for the evenings festivities. Danny Ray Poff entertained us and many had enough energy left to do some serious two-stepping around the campfire.  We did get 18 inches or rain-that is 18 inches between rain drops!  Some scurried off to their nice dry campers while the rest of us braved the lite rain and kept dancing until 9:30!  What a great time!  As one camper put it, “Anyone can have a trail ride, but you guys throw one heck of a party!”  

We were all ready and willing for the Sunday ride.  One group opted for a longer ride taking them to the Red Top Mountain ridge trail.  A shorter ride was also offered which included some breathtaking views of Blue Tank Wash.  

Mondays ride was nice and level-perfect for letting those fox trotters show their stuff! What fun! Everyone came back to camp with a huge smile!  What can be better than riding a fine foxtrotter on a beautiful day in Arizona?  It just doesn’t get any better!  Then it was time to say farewell to all, but NOT goodbye!  Lets all do this again next year!  

Call or email me if you have any questions or wish to lead a ride!

Judy
623 465-1234 or 602 510-7775 (cell)
Email judykay99@yahoo.com

   ------------------------------

 AFTA Welcomes New Members

The Directors and members of AFTA would like to extend a warm and hearty welcome to the all new AFTA members

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING IN NEWSLETTER

Members: 3 line ad/3 months (no photos) – Free
Mail info to AFTA, P O Box 605   Wittmann, AZ  85361
or e-mail to sandyho5@earthlink.net

Non-members: 3 line ad/3 months (no photos) - $15 pre-paid.  Mail check payable to AFTA, send check and information to AFTA, P O Box 605   Wittmann, AZ  85361
  ____________________________________________________

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Thank you for your support!

Have a change of name, address, etc.? Please contact our Membership Committee.

* * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * ** * * *

Back to the Top

Back Issues of AFTA Newsletters
 
Dec. 06 | Nov 06 | October 2006 | June 2006 | May 2006 | April 2006 | March 2006 
December 2005 | October 2005 | July 2005 | May 2005 | March 2005 | February 2005
November 2004 | October 2004 | September 2004