We want to thank everyone who attended Equifest 2007. Your support will help Equifest continue grow in the future. We want to continue to bring top notch trainers, clinicians and demonstrations to each and every Equifest. To do this, it takes many dollars. To pay for these, we need your help with financial sponsorships. If you or someone you know would like to be a sponsor it is not too late to become an Equifest sponsor. If you know a business or corporation who would like to help bring this event back every year, please contact them or have them contact us.

We can use your ideas and support. We invite you to attend the next meeting of the Equifest committee. We are in the planning stages of next years event. We are also looking for ways that we can pay for this years events. If you can do a fund raiser in your area, please let us know.

The last UP Equifest meeting was Feb. 26th at 6 PM at Cherry Lane. Members present: Bev Smith, Dave Marenger, Dave Moran, Barb Kleikamp, Cathy Grennier & Jeanie Marietta. The meeting was Called to order 6:20 by president Bev Smith. Minutes and treasury report were read and approved. Joni adjusted her bill eliminating the commission on program ads to help with non paying advertisers.

Non profit status - Jeannie is continuing to look into this. Raffle again as last year. Dave and Cathy will work with the Elks again to get our tickets printed as soon as possible to take advantage of the up coming spring seminars and early horse shows. We agreed to have 2 separate raffles this year, one with cash prizes and one for the saddle. Target date is the Madison Horse Fair with Luft’s printing the tickets. March 20th Mel’s seminar will allow us to speak for a brief update while donating a couple of T-shirts for prizes.

Used Tack sale in Neqaunne Sat. March 22. Will try to get Equifest flyers there. Manitowoc Horse Fair. On Course 4-H will be attending and Bev will bring along flyers and talk with possible interested vendors, clinicians and such. Alpena Horse Fair. Jeannie will be attending again and will also do Equifest PR MSU Horse College at UPEC on May 10th. Equifest should also try to be a presence there. Bev has communicated briefly with Victoria from the Equestrian Center.

Last year’s sponsors need to be contact now for best advertising exposures. Our website needs to be updated with current sponsors for the 2008 Equifest. $25 Business card advertising on the website will be offered to interested advertisers. Money needs to be paid up front for all advertising, sponsorships Cathy motioned to approve pay out of 15% commission for successful sponsorship, advertising. Barb seconded. Approved.

Poker Ride safety / liability issue was discussed. We will look into the DNR’s position on this and our signed release of liability form needs to be signed by everyone. Colt Starting Challenge. Lisa and Brenda are working on this. Wis. Horseman article deadline of Feb 10 was met and there will be an article and pictures there on Equifest 2007. Also Superior Horse Talk will also have article on Equifest.

Equifest Pow Wow meeting with any interested volunteers. This was discussed and we will try to contact all that have mentioned interest and try to set a date with a common meeting space. Doreen is interested in helping and meeting.

WDCTA voted at their last meeting to attend Equifest with a booth of information and videos of dressage and combined training opportunities in our area. We look forward to their participation. They also are considering some actual demonstrations also. Clinicians for this year? Drill team this year? Need to keep the costs down. Suggestion of a Invitational Championship Show will be looked into. Doreen has some ideas and volunteered to help with this. Questions brought up of who judges and what cost for judging, pay to compete, pay for stalls? Champions and reserve champions of various show circuits invited to compete. Prizes discussed possible Equifest Champion coolers. Discussion will continue. Sat. nite performance was discussed and suggestions of trying to find local talent: You Can Be A Star. Surely there are some Uppers that can entertain the crowd with their equestrian talents…. Char from Rays Feed Mill looking into some of her suppliers for possible sponsorship and help. Tractor Supply has been contacted. Along with Holiday Gas station by Wayne. Decock Bottle Gas and MIX 106 have been removed from our website. RRN Mike Daniels has expressed interest in getting involved and helping Equifest. Jeannie will talk with him more.

Discussion about our program this year. Program should at least pay for itself or add to the income. Charge for the program? Lufts as possible printer this year. Need to vote on this at a later date. 2008 Admission costs were discussed. Dave Moran motioned to approve $5.00 Friday, $10 for Saturday, $10 Sunday with $15 for the weekend. Dave Marenger seconded.

FUN DAY. Fairgrounds needs $100 deposit. Cathy volunteered to do the show bill. Discussed having the Used Tack Sale along with the show. Spaces available for rent along with the opportunity to have items sold with a commission. Need to advertise this. Event listings. Action Paper, feed stores, more. Need to vote on price to charge for space rent. Card for Rita was signed and Dave motioned to approve offer of free advertising for her on website in exchange for volunteer of help at last year’s Equifest. Cathy seconded. Approved. Tracy and TJ have already listed Equifest 2008 on their website. July clinic with them as fundraiser was discussed. Also 2nd FUN Day. Are some open dates in July at the fairground. Need to send Tracy and TJ contracts and determine costs for Equifest clinician and clinic in July. This year is the 5th year. Some discussion about a 5th year anniversary special part of the program. Team Challenge idea was discussed. The 5 B’s. Other ideas are welcome. Dave motioned for Office personel during Equifest to be scheduled. Cathy seconded. Approved. Possibility of paying someone for this job. Also Dave volunteered his locking cash drawer. Honor Society maybe able to help with gate admissions. Jeannie mentioned the High School Equestrian team and said she would look into that.

8:15 pm Cathy made motion to adjourn. Seconded by Barb Approved

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE EQUIFEST COMMITTEE IS Posted on the right side of this page. This meeting is open to the public and all wishing to get involved are encouraged to attend.

Run On Over to U.P. Equifest and See What All The Excitement is About!

Equifest Fun Day
& Used Tack Sale
May 3, 2008
U.P. State Fair Grounds
Escanaba, MI

For Information
On bringing Used Tack
Call Bev Smith at
384-0107 or
Dave Moran at
789-9175

FOR SALE
Bagged Shavings
51 Bags available
$4.50 per Bag
Will deliver in the
Escanaba area for a
small fee.

FOR SALE
Sayklly's Yooper Bars
$1.00 each
available at Circle M,
Cherry Lane or a UP
Equifest Committee Member