Florida Sport Horse Association

Who we are: The Florida Sport Horse Club is a club dedicated to Trail Riding and the preservation of the many riding areas in central Florida. We ride every weekend and have many Barbecues and campouts throughout year. We're family oriented and open to all breeds of horses. We are based primarily in Polk County, but have members from all over the state.

Where we are: Meetings are held every 3rd Monday of every month at St. Johns United Methodist Church, 1800 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, S. E., Winter Haven. The trail meeting starts around 7:00 pm followed by regular meeting at 7:30 pm. We are based primarily in Polk County, but have members from all over the state.

In the recent past as a group we've visited The Royal Lippizon show, Arabian Nights dinner club, Rodeo at the Kissimmee Arena, Continental Acres, a Walking Horse Show, Tampa Bay Downs and more. We had campouts in the Ocala Greenway, Green Swamp West, Walk in the Water, Lake Panasofkee and DuPuis

Our members have proudly ridden with other organizations on the Osceola Wagon &
Trail ride (see photo's below), The Cracker Trail ride, The National Trail ride and in fund raisers for Shiners and St. Jude's.

The FLORIDA SPORT HORSE CLUB Newsletter
For July 2008

Monthly meeting was held July 21. The next meeting will be Saturday, August 23 at 5:00 pm at Harold Williams, Polk City; back on schedule for 3rd Monday; September 15th 7:00 pm at St. Johns United Methodist Church on Cypress Gardens Boulevard in Winter Haven.

Please feel free to contact any of the following officers at any time with questions, comments or suggestions:

Mike Charron, President, 863 670-4727 mike@realpropertyspecialists.com
Richard Jones, VP of Trails, 863 967-5888, REJJLEE@aol.com
Judy Cloninger, Treasurer, 863 299-8218, jrcloningerwh@verizon.net
Janet Schneider, Secretary, 863 858 6848, Janet.Schneider@va.gov

UPCOMING EVENTS

Annual Dues should be paid by end of September; renewal forms will be provided upon request or at the annual meeting. It is also time to renew the Horse and Pony subscriptions available through the club.

FSHC Party and Annual Meeting,
Election of Officers in August: Harold Williams will be hosting the annual party on August 23, 5:00 pm at his house (rain or shine; now air conditioned) on the Old Grade Road in Polk City. The club will supply hotdogs, hamburgers, condiments, paper goods, ice and some drinks. Members should bring their own chairs, small folding tables, covered dishes (with serving spoons) and perhaps additional drinks. Please invite friends and interested horse people as prospective new members. Additional information and directions will follow. Look forward to seeing you there.

If would like to serve as an officer, do the newsletter or nominate someone to a position, please let me or one of the officers above know.

Obstacle Course for Horses: Judy Cloninger recently participated in the Ocala Horse Park Obstacle Course event, in which she placed 4th in Level 2. Donna Fellars and Cathy Botts ended up serving as judges for this event. All felt it was fun to participate and to watch and good schooling for horses.

It is proposed that the club have a similar type of event on November 15; Judy has offered her property as a prospective site. A nominal fee of around $5.00 was discussed .

We will be looking to members to come up with obstacles. It was also suggested that at a future camping trip, a practice challenge or obstacle be set up. Start thinking about an obstacle you might find educational for riders and horses such as bags of cans, flags, tarps, mail boxes, jumps, cones, etc.

We are still looking for speakers. If you have a horse subject to talk about or have a talent, consider speaking at a monthly meeting yourself. An example would be effective use of clicker training on horses. A member demonstrated saddle fitting that was educational. A lot of you have skills, talents and knowledge; please think about what you could share.

MEMBERS SHARE EXPERIENCES:

Rae Gayer, Terri and Erin Holley participated in the Colt Creek’s Poker Ride; and were pictured in the July 20th Lakeland Ledger.

Cathy Botts warned about leaning over a horse with its head down—the horse brought its head up quickly, smashing Kathy’s face leaving her with temporary double vision and a black eye. Cathy also had replacement knee surgery. Hang in there Cathy; we wish you a speedy recovery.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

October 25th Foxtrotters club is sponsoring a Poker Ride at Alafia park. Time to be announced.

Barbara Charron, Editor, FSHC Newsletter

TRAILS:
RSVP on all club trail rides is necessary. Many times decisions are made at the last minute to attend a ride but to be sure you are not riding alone, call Richard Jones and/or leave a message at 863 967-5888.

Remember to sign in when you ride at Hamptons and other state parks so authorities know we need and enjoy these trails.

Ride and Event Schedule:

August 2 – Saturday 9:00am Lake Louisa, Clermont
August 17 - Sunday 9:00am Hampton, Lakeland
August 23 – Annual Membership Meeting and Elections
August 30 – Saturday 9:00 am Walk in Water, Lake Wales
September 7 – Sunday 9:00 am Teneroc, Lakeland
September 20 – Saturday 9:00 am Catfish Creek, Dundee
October 5 – Saturday 9:00 am Lake Louisa, Clermont
October 18th – Saturday 9:00 am Hamptons, Lakeland

Photo Gallery
Club members at Green Swamp West in 2006->

Circle B Bar Ranch ride in Polk County

Gene Naasko, leads not only other FSHC members, but other members of the now famous "F" Troop, leaving camp at the OCWTTR and later crossing a bridge over a canal

Members of FSHC enjoy participating in the 15th Annual Osceola County Wagon Train and Trail Ride -- March, 2003

Members of FSHC enjoy Walk-in-Water, near Lake Wales and Lake Louisa State Park near Clermont.