GCER Meeting Minutes 3-18-08 @ Sizzlers, Auburn

The meeting was called to order by President Potato Richardson.
A new member Marcie Schaeffer was present and two guests, Lisa St. John and Gordon Ansleigh.
Old business:

1. No current news on Stewart ranch and the proposed changes.

2. Potato reported the Endurance Expo was very successful and next year it will be held at the new Preservation Park in Auburn, which is scheduled to open in May of 2008.

New business:

1. Karin Occhialini reported on the AERC convention. The attendance was down, and there were fewer vendors. Gas prices and the weather may have been an issue. Sam, owned by members, Kristi and Mike Hartman placed 5th in the western region for best condition. Congratulations Hartmans.

2. First annual Diablo Vista Endurance Ride will be held, June 21, 2008. It is a 25/50 mile ride, sanctioned by AERC and a fundraiser for trails. Cory Soltau is the vet. It has lots of hills. The no frills camp is on the Gateway property near the entrance to Mt. Diablo Park.

3. Folsom Lake General plan, and meeting. There was a big discussion held with many opinions voiced. Sheila Larson and Randy Hackbarth attended the meeting and had good suggestions regarding comments and the power we have if we are all united with our requests and suggestions. Comments are due April 30. Everyone is strongly urged to send in their comments . Make sure your comments are viable, reasonable and specific . There was very little equestrian wording in the document. We need to take the time to send in our comments and get involved if we want to keep our trails open..

Open discussion:

1. Safety issues on trail, Marcie Schaeffer said most people have no conception of trail safety and the need for signage at Negro Bar. Parks communication was recommended.

2. Potato questioned need for insurance for our club. Cheryl stated we had dropped our insurance several years ago as it was very expensive. At that time it was decided to not hold specific club events. We are covered under the umbrella of AERC as our yearly Gold Country Endurance ride is a sanctioned ride.

3. Cheryl Holbrook discussed our ride. The date is Saturday July 5. it is a three day weekend and two weeks before Tevis. Our attendance has been great and this year it may go either way. The email is out and Randy has the first application. We need everyone in our club to get involved as this is our one fundraising event. Cheryl is willing to be ride manager once again and counting on all of our great volunteers. We need 75 people to put on the same wonderful ride.

4. Joe Larkin , vice president spoke about having every ones email out on our web site. He suggested we have only the email of the president and the ride manager. A discussion was held and a motion was made by Cheryl Holbrook and seconded by Darcy Thompson to be so printed on our web. The motion was successfully passed by the members.

Our Guest Speaker was introduced by Potato.
Lisa St. John is a nutritionists for Horses. She advocates all natural foods and has had great success with her feeding programs, and the use of all natural foods. These include coconut, yams, wheat grass, carrots, apples, avcados, sunflower seeds, and sunflower oil. She uses all organic and natural foods and herbs. Rosebuds , yarrow, and red clover, to name a few. She makes a mixture of all these various foods and is willing to consult with anyone interested in her feeding program. Lisa gave a very informative and educational presentation.

The meeting was adjourned with an announcement that our next meeting will resume at Bakers square on April 15th, at 7pm. The program will include a slide presentation by Stuart and Brit Porter, and Gary Mcfall about their horseback rides around the Tahoe Rim Trail, last summer 2007. We were reminded to come early if you want to have dinner.

Respectfully submitted by Judy Carnazzo, Secretary