Ontario Sidesaddle Association News
July 2010 Ontario Sidesaddle Association Receives Non-Profit Status Schedules July 25 Saddle Fitting Clinic
July 5, 2010 Hillsburgh, ON – The Ontario Sidesaddle Association (OSA) is pleased to announce that it has received official non-profit status from the Province of Ontario, and has launched its brand new logo. The association welcomes all sidesaddle enthusiasts, from beginner to advanced, women and men, English and Western riders, historians, supporters and friends. Annual membership fees are $25.00 for riders, $15.00 for Youth (under 18) and Friends. Other membership categories include Founder (until Dec. 31, 2010), Lifetime and Corporate. The OSA held a successful demonstration at Equi-Fest 2010 at the Orangeville Fairgrounds on Sunday June 6, 2010. Various members of the organization offered spectators the opportunity to ride aside. At the end of the clinic, there were many thrilled faces and a few laughs as Kenneth Hodges, commentator for the event, took advantage of the opportunity himself. The Ontario Sidesaddle Association will be holding its next event on July 25, 2010. One of its key goals is to educate riders and spectators in the safe training and exhibition of sidesaddle riding. “Safety is important, so you just can’t pull great-grandma’s saddle out of the closet and expect it to work,” notes OSA President Joanne Milton. The OSA has invited renowned sidesaddle clinician Jeanne Cracknell of Michigan to offer a saddle-fitting clinic to demonstrate the importance of a properly fitted sidesaddle. Jeanne has participated in many disciplines, ranging from reining to hunter pleasure and she became passionately involved in the sidesaddle field in 1979 after she purchased her first sidesaddle. Although Jeanne studied the Monte Foreman Horsemanship Science throughout the 1980’s, sidesaddle remained a part of her life and in 1994 she became a student of sidesaddle fitting. Jeanne now resides in Michigan and stresses how important fit and balance are to any discipline. Both members of OSA and members of the public are invited to attend. Clinic participants will have the opportunity to have their saddles fitted to their horses. The fee for the day is $10 for OSA members and $20 for non-members (memberships will be available for purchase at the event). Jeanne will be available to re-stuff a small number of saddles for a nominal fee and the cost of fitting and stuffing will be dependent upon the saddle. There will also be a number of sale items available including books, saddles, and accessories. For more information about this event or to register, please contact OSA President Joanne Milton, at 519-855-6865 or info@rusticmeadows.com. The season is just beginning so pack your passion and saddle up for a summer aside with the OSA.
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About the OSA The Ontario Sidesaddle Association, a recognized non-profit organization, was established in 2010 by a group of women dedicated to the elegant art of sidesaddle riding who recognized the need to raise its awareness and share their knowledge of its history and current practices. The organization exists to:
January 4, 2010, Hillsburgh, ON – The latest meeting of the group that will be known as the Ontario Sidesaddle Association (OSA) was held on November 20, 2009 at Rustic Meadows in Hillsburgh, Ontario. Those attending this meeting and the two previous meetings are dedicated to forming an association of sidesaddle enthusiasts in the Province of Ontario. The mission of the group, as formalized in its newly drafted bylaws is:
A key step in establishing the new group was determining the categories of membership. The group decided that in order to best serve the sidesaddle community in Ontario, six categories of membership will be available:
Eligibility criteria and privileges for each category of membership were confirmed and documented. The Founding Member category is dedicated to those individuals who have or plan to participate in the ongoing activities of the group as it works through the various stages of development and registration as a non-profit organization in the Province of Ontario, and who are willing to assist in the continuing growth of the association. This category will only be available for the first year, until December 31, 2010. Membership dues for a Founding Member have been set at a one-time fee of $200 and will carry all the rights and privileges of a Regular Member, as well as the distinct honour of being recognized for contributions to establishing one of the first groups of its kind in Canada. OSA invites everyone to join us in the exciting venture.
The group’s next steps will be to begin the process of registering as a non-profit organization, and to develop the collateral that will help achieve its objectives. This will include a website, resource library, and a points program among others, as well as the design of a logo for the association.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 31, 2010 at 1:00 p.m., and will once again be hosted by Joanne Milton at Rustic Meadows, 5712 County Road 24, Hillsburgh, Ontario. For more information please contact Joanne Milton (info@rusticmeadows.com / 519-855-6865) or Sharon Borda (rosie.aside@gmail.com / 519-927-1752).
Contacts: Sharon Borda 519-927-1752 Joanne Milton 519-855-6865
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