January/February 2018 AQHA Digital_Website March_April_2018 | Page 9

Amateur Committee Hi Fellow Amateur Team Members We have experienced a very hot start to the Australian summer. My thoughts and condolences are with our Amateurs that have been sweltering in temperatures of 40 degrees and above. I am assuming early morning and night rides have been on the agenda. AQHA Amateur Division Clinics for Victoria – 2nd Dec 2017. Our Victorian Clinic was held during the worst floods for many years, yet so many brave riders drove to the Clinic in horrendous weather conditions. Unfortunately many riders had to relinquish their riding position, as they were unable to get through the floodwaters. Thank you to all riders for quickly letting me know their situation, so other people could be offered their riding position. Our Clinicians, Travis and Natasha Humphries were delayed at the QLD airport because of the weather conditions in Victoria, but they never suggested we cancel. Every rider had the unique opportunity to work with Travis and Natasha throughout the day. Wow, these two trainers are certainly talented!!! Every horse and rider improved and had enough homework to last six months. The learning environment was happy, supportive, encouraging and realistic for each individual rider. Our brave fence sitters sat and giggled as the riders tried, but not always succeeding, to work on the different drills and activities. Thank you Travis and Natasha Humphries for being our Clinicians and finding time to educate our Amateurs at a very busy time of year. Thank you Yasmin Lee-Steere for allowing the Clinic to be run at Jayes Park, as it was vital that we had an indoor arena. The horses certainly appreciated being dry, whilst ridden. The weather was kind to us on the day, but all horses and humans were rugged up to move from yards to arena. Thank you to the ‘Big Fella’ up stairs, who allowed a break in the weather, but challenged us to show our true ‘Australian Grit”. Upcoming events that are running an Amateur Teams Challenge:- Let’s make sure every Amateur (Amateur, Select & Novice) is in a team!!! It is fun and the worst thing that can happen, is that you may not win, but you will make new friends. 22nd-25th Mar 5th -15th April 18th-20th May 3rd-6th July Show VIC State Show Q18 National Championships NSW State Show QLD State Finally, thank you to the Amateur Division Committee for their hard work and dedication. Onwards and upwards!! Cheers Leonie Gorski 2017/2018 President Leonie Gorski Mobile: 0409 903 133 Email: leonter@bigpond. com Vice President Secretary Carol Elliott Mobile: 0419 911 273 Email: laketyrell@gmail. com   Treasurer Yasmin Lee-Steere Mobile: 0419 992 599 Email:[email protected]   Committee   Jodi Jakubenko  Mobile: 0401 292 843 Email: [email protected]   Carol Ahern  Mobile: 0419 879 105 Email: [email protected]   Rebecca Fatchen Mobile: 0427 378 008 Email: [email protected]   Carla Cox Mobile: 0406 587 342 Email: [email protected] Youth Committee 2017/2018 President: Matthew Freiberg Vice President: Taj Carson Secretary: Amber Denton Victoria Kasey Wyse, Adam Salt Queensland Chevonne Day, Kylie Phillips Western Australia Tayla Pritchett-Divirgilio New South Wales Holly Gutterson, Amelia Galea Alexis Gifford, Tasmania Rachell Robinson March • April • 2018 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • Page 9