Notes from the Board of Directors

We are pleased to announce five new members to our Board of Directors: 

Debbie Beatrice, Mary Lou Chatterton, Joe Ely, John Garland and Reinhard Teetor.  They were elected at our Annual Meeting, which was held on July 21^st.  We are fortunate to have a Board that is very committed to Southlands and donates a great deal of their time to furthering our mission.  Sometimes welcoming new Board members means saying farewell and thank you to others.  This year we would like to thank Joann Cordier for four years of serving, not to mention years of being here as a supportive member and mom to Tina, and thank you as well to Jeannie Garland.  We’re keeping the Garland family roped in, as new member John Garland is Jeannie’s husband!

The work on the foundation of the South Barn has been completed.  This was made possible by a matching grant from the New York State Barn Restoration & Preservation Grant Program in the amount of $32,500.  The South Barn committee is still looking into possible uses for this wonderful building. 

Our Summer Mixer was a great success with the most amazing food being contributed by those who attended.  The weather could not have been better and the company, as usual, was terrific.  We were treated to a wonderful dressage demonstration by Julie Harris and her daughter.  Thank you to all who were able to attend.

As you enter the parking lot of the Main Barn, please take a moment to notice how beautiful our shrubbery and beds are looking thanks to Peggy La Belle who donated her time, talent and resources to single-handedly tackle that huge project.  Thank you Peggy!

Fundraising

Please join Macy’s in their support of the Southlands Foundation with a great fundraising event called Shop For A Cause. The event will be taking place on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at all Macy’s stores nationwide. You can purchase shopping passes any day from the office or any Sunday during our Sundays at Southlands event by the pony rides. Just read the information below for all the details regarding the event. We hope to see everyone there. 

What is Shop For A Cause?

This one-day shopping event is one of the many ways Macy’s gives back to our community through support of local non-profit organizations! 

How do organizations raise funds?

All participating organizations sell $5 shopping passes to the event. Southlands keeps the proceeds from every shopping pass we sell. It’s that simple! By purchasing a shopping pass, customers can support Southlands, while enjoying a day full of extraordinary discounts throughout the store.  Members are asked to take a few tickets to sell to family or friends, in addition to purchasing for yourselves.   

Where will this event be held?

Every Macy’s Store nationwide. 

Does Macy’s keep a percentage of the ticket sales?

No. All ticket sale proceeds go directly to Southlands. 

What are the special discounts?

Savings passes entitle the bearer to special savings on select merchandise throughout the store in addition to regular and sale merchandise specials. All day limited exclusion savings pass includes:

• 20% off* regular, sale & clearance women’s, men’s & kids’ apparel & accessories, fine, bridge & fashion jewelry, bed & bath items, housewares, frames, luggage, china, crystal & silver, all kitchen & personal care electrics & technology items.

• 10%* off regular, sale & clearance furniture, mattresses & rugs.

Holiday Gala ~ Friday, November 30^th at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie.  fabulous previous committee members, to help make the night as wonderful as possible.  If you could all help us put together a spectacular silent auction by contributing items such as art, jewelry, antiques, sports tickets, theater tickets, and weekend getaways, it will help put the “fun” in “fundraising”!

Programs

Sundays at Southlands
Memorial weekend through Columbus weekend.

This program was conceived as a means to open ourselves up more to the community and let more people come to enjoy this magnificent property and all that it has to offer.  We have the East Barn open with a petting zoo and pony rides. The response has been tremendous!  We are getting people from all over who are thrilled to discover us.   We need a lot of volunteers and hope many of you will participate.  It could be a great way for you and  your family to spend a Sunday afternoon  Several members have been committing their time above and beyond:  Mary Lou Chatterton and Keith, Brenda Klaproth, Jeffrey Cotter, Sydney Spencer, Paula Woodward, Erika Tullis and Jacob Leach.  Their help and enthusiasm have been so valuable.   Please see Colleen for more details.

Upcoming Camp Events and Horse Shows

August 18^th – Pony Camp Farwell Party. Open to everyone who has participated in any   weeks of Southlands Pony Camp 2007. Introduce your family to the ponies and the friends you have made over the summer. Bring a dish to share and a bright spirit! Arrive at 6.00 pm.

August 22,23,24^th – Dutchess County Fair Horse Show. Open to Lead line riders all the way up to the 3’-3’3 jumpers. There is something for everyone and it is local and fun for the entire family. Pre Short Stirrup and Short Stirrup riders to go on the 22^nd, 2’-2’6 Hunters and Equitation on the 23^rd and the Jumpers on the 24^th.

September 2^nd – Westbrook ‘C’ rated Horse Show. Offers short stirrup, pony hunters, 2’-3’6 Hunters, Equitation and Jumpers. A very pretty and well run horse show and a great introduction to the world of rated and more competitive horse showing.

September 5,6,7,8,9^th – HITS VII Saugerties (‘A’ Rated). A very competitive horse show, but a great place to show off what you’ve been working so hard on all summer. Classes are offered for short stirrup riders up to the Grand Prix ☺.

September 16^th- Willow Hill Schooling Horse Show. A small horse show offering a little of everything (Hunters, Equitation and Jumpers).

*Please see the bulletin board for sign up sheets and estimates of prices. Talk to Colleen or Lucy for further information.*

Cindy Brody Clinic – “Equine Energy Balancing for Kids”

Monday, August 20^th from 11:00 – 4:00 here at Southlands.  Cost is $80.

This CinergE clinic will give your child the “nuts and bolts” of energy work; the knowledge and basics needed to enhance their horse’s life.  They will learn such skills as finding and treating energetic imbalances that may be effecting their horse or pony’s performance.  They will learn the basic building blocks of the CinergE body work program.

Pony Club

A very big congratulations to Lane Simonin and Katie Komenda who went to the Pony Club National Quiz in Kentucky last week.  There were over 30 senior D quiz teams and Katie’s team placed 6^th and Lane’s team placed 8^th.  This is an amazing accomplishment as the competition is incredibly tough and they spent many hours studying and preparing. 

The first Open Youth Horse Show was held at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds on Sunday, July 15^th.  It was a very well attended event, so we are especially proud of our students and horses.  We would like to congratulate the following students:

Sarah Cotter & Rosita ~ Champion, Pre Short Stirrup (A)
Sarah Rodriguez & Georgia ~ Champion, Pre Short Stirrup (B)
Caroline Donohue & Tiffany ~ Reserve Champion, Pre Short Stirrup
Sophie James & Peter ~ Pre Short Stirrup
Elizabeth Finkle & Ginger ~ Champion, Short Stirrup
Taylor Grogan & Taylor – Reserve Champion, Short Stirrup

The following students took part in the 2’ Hunter Division and received various ribbons:

Joe Horace & Hero
Lane Simonin & Harley
Jordan Thomson & Topper
Nicole Wiley & Root Beer Float