The Saskatchewan Horse Federation, the sport governing body which represents and promotes equine and equestrian sports in the province is looking forward to an exciting year in 2011 claims president Terry Fagrie.
The federation, which was formed in 1975, sanctions just about every breed and every discipline in Saskatchewan, such as hunter/jumper classes, western and barrel racing.
As a sport governing body the federation doesn't actually organize shows and competitions. Typically the Sask. Horse Federation handles the rules and resources for various equine groups. "They join our federation to get insurance and to get sanctioned by our office for these events," Fagrie explains.
The federation has grown dramatically since its origin. It currently boasts 3,000 individual members and about 160 corporate member clubs.
The organization publishes a magazine Show Trail every two months. It also offers a tremendous website full of valuable information about horses and equine activity, says Fagrie.
Recently six provincial horse federations including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island met to form a new national body , the Canadian Federation of Provincial Horse Organizations (CFPHO). The new national organization which has some 30,000 members across the country, has been working with its provincial counterparts for the past two years. "to explore ways to promote and protect the interests of their members and horse enthusiasts everywhere and to ensure their voice can be heard at all national levels in all matters of concern."
National CFPHO president Dixie Crowson says the new organization needs to educate members and the public, "Exactly who we are and what we are." She admits that as the organization is relatively new, all final details haven't been hammered out.
There appears to be some misconception CFPHO is in competition with Equine Canada, Crowson suggests.
The six member provinces discovered they had much in common. They want to take their common goals and ideas to help move them ahead into the future, says Crowson. "We have the focus on what we can be and what we should have been in the years past. Now hopefully we can get to that," she states.
The organization isn't looking for controversy. "We have a focus. We want to get on with moving our provinces forward and our athletes and our horses in the best interests of all. When we are working together as such a team, there's bound to be numerous wonderful ideas that will come forth and that we will accomplish," Crowson closes.
Saskatchewan president Fagrie is a little more blunt about the origins of CFPHO. "Our national organization is Equine Canada. We're one of six provinces that have had a number of issues with Equine Canada. The end result was we just could not work with them. The six organizations decided it was better to work outside of the national frame," Fagrie explains. The six met in Banff in November last year and decided to form their own national organization, not to compete with Equine Canada but to offer a better alternative.
In addition to working to get CFPHO off the ground, the Saskatchewan Horse Federation has several programs scheduled over the next year and into 2012.
While the federation does receive grants from Sask. Sport, it raises income through sale of memberships and insurance. A major source of funds is the annual raffle which has been conducted over the last 19 years. The raffle funds the Community Clinic Grant to member clubs as well as the Membership Assistance Program (MAP) grant. This year the raffle will give away over $12,000 in prizes January 19.
The annual federation annual general meeting (AGM) will be held March 4,5,6 in Regina. In addition to board meetings, the AGM will offer workshops, clinics and seminars. One of the clinics to be offered at the AGM will feature well known horse trainers Doug and Stacey Huls. Doug is a former IBHA World Champion and held multiple top five year end AQHA High Points Awards. Stacey has also won world championship titles and top tens in Hunter Under Saddle at both the AQHA and NSBA world shows.
Pre-registration is re-quired for the Huls clinic. "Just give the horse federation a call in Regina at 780-9244 to find out more about the clinic and request an application form," Fagrie states. Any person is welcome at the clinic but participation to the popular clinic will be limited. "Obviously you can't have 500 people at it," he points out.
This year three member clubs, The Saskatchewan Quarter Horse Association, the Saskatchewan Reining Horse Association and the Saskatchewan Speed Horse Association, will also hold their AGMs in conjunction with that of the Sask. Horse Federation, Fagrie announces.
This year, Friday evening, the annual president's awards banquet and reception will honor two people from Rouleau, Larry and Bev Neumann, who have been involved in the horse industry and various clubs many years. "They're retiring now and its time we recognize them as as we have other people over the years," Fagrie announces.
Saturday night will feature a banquet and awards night.
The recent horse industry study commissioned by the federation provided a tool to assess how many horses there are in the province and the impact of horses on the economy.
The federation is planning to host the Horse Expo in February 2012 in conjunction with Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. The event, based on Alberta's main event, will be a tremendous boost for the horse industry and people of Saskatchewan, Fagrie proposes. It will offer hands-on displays, interactive activities, clinics and a whole weekend geared to horses in the province, he lists.
As any organization, Fagrie says the federation always welcomes new members. Anyone interested can drop into the federation's office in the Sask. Sport Building in Regina located at 2205 Victoria Avenue. "You're welcome to come in and talk to our office staff, or checl out our website at www.saskhorse.ca" he says.
The Show Trail Magazine lists all of the federation's directors. Those who'd like more information about the organization can contact any director or president Fagrie at 782-9533 or by email at [email protected]. "We'll help you out if you're interested in joining the horse federation," Fagrie offers.
Members don't need to own a horse but to have an interest in horses and equine activities. "I'm president of the horse federation and actually I don't have any horses anymore but I've been involved with them for 20-some years and kind of stayed involved," he admits.
