Thank you for your interest in Oconee Equestrian
Team. We are a club comprised of middle and high school students
with an interest in equestrian eompetition. As a member of our club
you will gain experience in an Interscholastic Competition format which
can lead to intercollegiate opportunities.
Our approach is to teach the students to ride different
types of horses in a safe, controlled atmosphere. Horse ownership is
not required to be able to ride and compete in our program.
OET has a middle school team and
high school team with students from all Oconee County schools as well
as home schooled students.
If you would like to be involved in OET please contact
us or complete this survey so that we get
to know you better.
Contact Info:
Chris Pritchard, Head Coach/Dressage Coach: 706-769-9114, chrispritchard@bellsouth.net
Julie Memler, Assistant Coach: 706-769-9723, julie@topazfarm.com
Greenbriar Creek Stables, 1512
Old Farmington Road,
Watkinsville, GA 30677
  
Show
Entry Form
OET
Sponsorship Letter & Form -- deadline 12/31/08
Note: Please
use chat box to communicate who you have contacted so we
don't overlap :)
New! Lesson/Education/volunteer
Logs -- Chris and Julie can edit, all can view
Meeting Notes for 11/04/08
Meeting and Show Dates
Tuesday, December 2
Meeting at 6:30 at Greenbriar Creek Stables
Saturday & Sunday, May 2 & 3
RIFNA National Championship in Alpharetta at In Your Dreams
Farm
Archived news can be found below under Meeting Minutes and
Archived News
RIFNA has designated us our own Zone along with Gwinnett County
(Dacula High and Middle) and Barrow County (Bella Terra High
School and Middle School Teams)!! We will make our own schedule
and compete amongst ourselves to determine who will ride at RIFA
Nationals in May 2009 in Alpharetta
We now have everything in place to be recognized as a club
in the schools! Be watching for an announcement when this becomes
a reality!!!
This year we will need the following volunteer positions filled:
- Corporate Sponsor Representative
- Purchase Representative
- Membership Representative
Sponsor Letter - 2008-2009
OET Sponsor Letter 
RIFNA Forms - 2008-2009
RIFNA Membership Package 
OET Form - 2008-2009
OET Membership form 
RIFNA Tournament Entry Form for 9/13/08 - Tournament
Entry Form 
Documents are in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to read these documents.
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free from www.adobe.com
Interscholastic competition rules
dictate that (1) show participants must complete a minimum
of two lessons at the sponsoring farm within the month preceding
the show. (2) Show participants can only enter two different
disciplines (hunter, dressage, western). (3) Show participants
can only enter three classes.
Volunteer Requirement - Members of OET are
required to have at least five hours of volunteer work by the
end of the year.
RIFNA News & Info
As per RIFNA rules, all members must have the following points
accumulated over the competition year to qualify and ride in
the Championships at the end of the year:
Show points: 40 - Earned at every show
attended depending on your individual scores
Lesson points: 30 - Accumulated
every time you have a lesson at GCS with either Chris
or Julie. 1 lesson=1 point
Educational points: 30 -
See below for ideas about educational points=.
The maximum number of points earned per activity is 3 per
day. Contact us prior to the event so we can help determine
points.
- Veterinarian/Farrier/Horse Chiropractor/Massage
Therapist/ Acupuncturist – If you have one
of these professionals come to your barn to provide treatment
and they are willing to talk about what they are doing
and why to a group of riders or just one rider that could
be considered a clinic. How many horses they treat and/or
possible descriptions for treatment will determine the
points earned. Have the rider(s) write a paragraph indicating
what was demonstrated/practiced/learnt and send to me.
Another option would be if done as a group clinic and the
presenter gives a test to take at the end, send in a sample
of the test and the score for each rider for credit.
- Feed Dealers – Take a road trip
to a feed dealer and learn about the different feeds available.
What is recommended for an older horse, a mare that is nursing,
recommended amounts, what products do feed dealers supply,
where do they get their products, how did they get started
in the business and why. Lots of opportunity for education.
Write a paragraph and send in.
- Saddle Fitting
- Tack Stores/knowledge – You can
go to one or have a clinic at your barn or do both. This
can be a great team bonding event.
- Riding Clinics/Camps in any Discipline – If
a rider attended a riding summer camp, they can be credited
just education points. Have the rider give us the number
of days and what was covered in the camp and we will determine
points. As an example, In Your Dreams had a summer clinic
that ran 4 days and the riders earned 8 education points.
Since most also bought 3 books that were used in assignments,
they earned an additional 3 education points. Because IYD
is a RIFNA barn and they rode all 4 days, they also earned
4 lesson points. Anyone who attended the July College Bound
Invitational Clinics earned 3 points per day attended. The
same will apply for the December 15th and 16th College Bound
Invitational (more on that in another email). Also if they
showed, they earned their placement level per discipline.
Anyone that attended the George Morris Clinic in Birmingham
earned 3 points per day.
- Trailer Loading – Some of you trailer
horses yourselves and/or hire a professional. If you are
attending a show and trailering yourself and demonstrate
what to do and have riders assist you, they can earn points
the first time that they do so and again if different requirements
are in place. If you hire a professional and he/she is willing
to speak to your group, that is another great opportunity.
Things that could be covered are what do you need to know/be
concerned about, differences/concerns when trailering local/short,
medium or long distances. Personally, when we lived in Idaho,
the stable my daughter rode at moved to North Carolina. My
daughter was able to help and learn from the man that moved
most of the horses which included an 18 hand, 2000 pound
Shire stallion. She wrapped legs, helped load, and learned
why he had certain things done for about 2 weeks prior to
the move such as adding Gatorade to their water.
- Equine Dentistry
- Books – 1 point per educational
book owned. Books used in the IYD camp were Hunter Seat Equitation
by George Morris, Grooming to Win by Susan E. Harris, Pony
Club ‘D’ Level by Susan E. Harris
- Magazine – 1 point per magazine
subscription. Does not have to be in the rider’s name.
If two of your riders are siblings and one gets one magazine,
Equius, for example and the other Practical Horseman, both
riders get 2 points.
- Homework – This could be a book
report or a science project dealing with horses. Basically
if it has a horse in it, send us a copy.
- Equine therapy for humans and/or horses – If
a rider volunteers with a group that provides equine therapy
with horses for people as a side walker or horse leader,
they earn points. While undergoing training with the organization,
they earn one set of points per day per training. Thereafter,
they earn an additional point each month they continue to
volunteer for the organization. If a rider volunteers at
an event that raises funds for an organization that provides
equine therapy for humans or horses such as a horse rescue
group, they can earn points. Write a paragraph and send it
in.
- First Aid/CPR – We require all
coaches to be CPR certified but any rider 16 and over for
the American Heart Association can be certified. They earn
1 point for First Aid and 1 Point for CPR. Must show card.
- College Tours – Earn a point for
each college you tour that you are thinking of applying to.
Show proof.
- Movie Night – This is a good team
building experience as well. If you have an educational video
and get the team together to view and discuss it, that is
a point. If they take a test on what they saw, that would
be 2 points.
- Equine Event – Attend a rodeo or
a polo match and earn a point. Show proof of attendance.
Write a paragraph about it and earn another point. Attend
the Georgia Tech IHSA Competition at West Winds Equestrian
Center, 2060 Holbrook Rd, Alpharetta GA on November 4, 2007
or attend a University of Georgia NCAA Equestrian Competition
in Athens, GA on either Sunday, November 11, 2007 at 10AM,
Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 2PM, Sunday, February 17,
2008 at 10AM or Saturday, February, 23, 2008 at 2PM.
If you do a clinic, you need to send in a sign-in sheet with
the date and a brief description of the clinic. Clinics can
be done for just your team or barn, as part of a scheduled
competition or as a separate event. Remember all points, show,
lesson and education, currently need to be reported. It would
be greatly appreciated if it is done in a timely fashion and
not the week before Zones/Regionals. Show points need to be
reported within 14 days of the end of a competition. If you
have any questions, concerns or ideas, please contact me. Janet
Fabian
If you are a Junior or Senior and want to ride in the Equestrian
Talent Searches in the Southeast these are the links to their
sites:
www.threechimneys.com or www.collegeboundinvitationalhorseshow.com.
CBI Speech, CBI Requirements, Letter of Interest and Cover
Letter files available online - see links below
Text below from: Keely Ryan iydrifna@yahoo.com
Below are files that cover what should be in a riding
video, an introductory speech that was used for a video
that can be a guideline for any rider, a sample of a letter
that can be sent expressing interest in an equestrian team
and a cover letter and resume that were used by a rider
to successfully get on an equestrian team. Another web
site that can be used by any of your riders that want to
attach a resume to their application, is the following: www.internationalstudent.com/resume_writing/samples.shtml At
the bottom there are links to go to 2 sample college admission
resumes. I liked these because they explained why they
were set up as they were under the critique section. Again
it is up to them if they want to add a resume.
Janet
PS I added Middle School contacts as you can show at
College Bound starting in the 6th grade
CBI Tape Intro Speech available
in Acrobat format and Word
format
CBI Tape Requirements available
in Acrobat format and Word
format
College
Equestrian Team Interest Letter available in Acrobat
format and Word
format
Cover letter for rider
to get on IHSA team available in Acrobat
format and Word
format
Meeting minutes
Oconee Equestrian Team Meeting
November 4, 2008 at Greenbriar Creek Stables
- Treasurer report- $485
- Membership dues
- Report of last show
- 2nd place overall
- Need to be more prepared
- Mock show- placed based on dress, attitude, etc.…
- Next show
- Bella Tera
- November 22nd in Winder
- Facebook group created to help team communicate
- Need to get the team into the newspaper
- Sponsors
- Lindsay Parsons: Mitchell Bridge- $100; Cover Bridge-
$100
- Discussed shirt colors/logo
- December 13 possible head to head
- November 21 Friday after school from 4:30 - 5:00
- Bring show clothes; Dress rehearsal
- Entries for November 22 show is due on November 14
- Kristin Webber Memorial Show
- March 14th
- GDCTA approved- combined tests
- AAHJA approved
- Volunteer hours
- Set up on 13th at Serenity Creek
- Silent auction
- All money goes to scholarship fund
- Lesson Records
- Can be recorded on Google
- 15 with Julie or Chris
- Can have the other 15 with a trainer certified by Chris
or Julie
Thanks for coming out for the September 13th tournament.
It was a great day.
September 13th tournament results:
High School
Champion with 110 points, Dacula
Reserve Champion with 101 points, OET
Third Place with 40 points, Winder Barrow
Middle School
Champion with 62 points, Rancho Allegra
Reserve Champion with 59 points, Bella Terra Stables
Meeting minutes
Oconee Equestrian Team Meeting
October 7, 2008 at Greenbriar Creek Stables
Lindsay called the meeting to order
at 6:45 p.m.
Treasurer's Report
- Paige West reported a balance of $585.26
- Made $99 on concessions at last show
- Welcomed new members
- Took up dues
- $40 check made out to Oconee Equestrian Team (OET)
- Everyone needs to bring in dues so we can order shirts
and/or jackets
- Can leave dues in the mail box at Greenbriar Creek Stables or give to Lindsay at school
- Polo shirts can be bought for $15
Sponsors
- Bronze - $100
- Silver- $250
- Gold - $500
- Platinum- $1000 plus
- When looking for sponsors there will be a link on the
website with a printout that will tell the sponsors what
they will get for each level of donation. Bring this
with you when talking to sponsors. Explain to them that
this is a non profit organization and is also considered
a tax write off
- The first $150 goes to the team and any money after
that 60% will go to the team and the other 40% will go
to the girl to help with show expenses. This amount that
goes to the team will be for things such as saddle pads,
shirts, pants, etc…
- Donations will also be accepted. People who donate
will get a personal thank you card and possibly a t-shirt
- If anyone gets a sponsor tell Julie or Chris immediately
so that no one else will go to that sponsor again!!
- The goal by the next meeting will be to have at least
$500 dollars in sponsors
- There will a special prize for the girl who gets the
most money through sponsors by the end of the year
Shows
- Friday October 22 at Greenbriar Creek Stables - Head to
Head competition against Dacula. Good way to get high points.
Coaching fees will be reduced
- October 25th show was moved to November 1st and is now
going to be at Rancho Alegre in Dacula
- About 45 minutes away
- Carpool
- November 22nd show will be at Bella Terra Stables in Winder
- January, February, March
- April- district, must have all show points, education points,
and lesson points
- Zone Championships- 2-3 girls will be chosen to compete
at nationals which will be held May 2-3
Scholarship Opportunities
- $1000 for any senior planning on going to college
- To raise the money a show will be held at Serenity Creek
where we can use their facilities free
- Would be in honor of Kristen and/or Erin
- Hunter/Kelmac/3 phase/2 phase. Could be any type
- OET members would work and volunteer at the show
- All money goes to the scholarship
- Committee will vote who will get the scholarship
- Show will be held in the spring
- Needs to be on a weekend with no other shows
- Possibility- GDCTA recognized show on Saturday and have
some hunter classes on Sunday
- Make sure to be doing things to earn educational points
- Next meeting will be held on November 4th at 6:30 at Greenbriar
Creek Stables
Submitted by Bryana Carlson
Meeting minutes
Oconee Equestrian Team Meeting
September 9, 2008 at Greenbriar Creek Stables
Linzi Richards opened meeting at
6:30
Elected officers
- President: Linzi Richards
- Vice President: Rebecca Case
- Treasurer:
Paige West
- Secretary: Bryana Carlson
Discussed shirts and jackets for the team
Discussed sponsorships - levels to be determined
Parental help:
- Drinks and snacks for shows (OET girls) - Gabrielle Carlson
- Corporate Sponsor - Heidi and Gail
- Purchasing - Kandyce West
- Communication- Chris Prichard
Lesson requirements
- If you are to jump in the show you must take a lesson with
Julie at least two weeks before the show
- For girls who have other trainers you will be able to have
some of their lessons count towards the overall number of
lessons (30)
This year the OET has created their own zone which allows
us to schedule our shows around our school calendar. Therefore,
all show dates are set
Discussed classes
The next meeting will be held on October
7th at 6:30
Archived Meeting Minutes - August
2007
Archived Meeting Minutes
- April 2007
Archived Meeting Minutes
- March 2007
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