Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association

The Board and the entire membership would like to thank both Elaine Steele and Pat Kuffner for their time, energy and contributions during their time on the OCTRA Board of Directors. Elaine is happily staying on as both the Distance Reward Program & Ride Liaison Chairs as well as the CTR Chair. Pat Kuffner is continuing on as a volunteer at rides and hopefully we will see her on trail. Thank you very much to both for their past and ongoing support of our group.

As well, we all thank Doug Price for his many years of service as Ride Manager and OCTRA volunteer extraordinaire, the past six years as OCTRA President. Doug is taking a much deserved rest but I am sure we will see him on trail with his happy smile and a twinkle in his eye.

A big welcome to our “newest” Board of Director members. All are well known to our membership as none of them are strangers to being OCTRA volunteers from Ride Managers to Webmaster. Thank you very much to all for taking their turn at the plate. Sue Downing is our new President and has years of experience to share with us and take us into our 50th year and beyond. Everyone knows and loves the events she and hubby Mike have hosted over the years on the beautiful trails of Dufferin Forest – Aprilfest, Summer Solstice and Oktoberfest. She brings to her position not only her experience but her energy, vision and love of our sport. David Morgan, although fairly new to our Association and our sport, is well known to most as the banjo playing co-partner of Great Leads ‘n Reins along with his wife, Kate and of course Maggie, their adorable pup. David of course successfully took on the challenging role of Webmaster last fall and now is bringing his knowledge to the Board. Nancy Beacon is definitely known to all of us as she is one of our Founding Mothers. She brings with her a vast knowledge of long distance riding and the history of our association, all of which will be extremely valuable as we head towards our 50th celebrations in 2018.

The current Board is rounded out with Lysane Cree, Vice President, Michelle Bignell, Treasurer, Sharon Anderegg, Secretary, and our Directors Rose Danko, Judy Durst and Michelle Watling. Feel free to contact any Board member at any time with questions, suggestions or requests. We are all simply OCTRA members working together to make our Association something we can all be proud of and enjoy together.

And a big thank you to all our volunteers without whom OCTRA simply would not exist.

AGM Attendance Update:

We have 118 members signed up for the AGM so far.  Deadline for purchasing tickets to the Awards Banquet is February 18th.  We only have 5 tickets left for the Banquet – the Ballroom only holds 120 so we will not be able to sell beyond that number.

Deadline for purchasing OCTRA branded polo’s and pullovers has passed but there will be a small inventory  of polos for sale at the OCTRA booth.  Anyone who ordered clothing may also pick up their items at the booth

Support OCTRA, support your AGM and come out and have fun with your OCTRA peers.  Non-members are welcome as this is a perfect opportunity to find out what OCTRA and long distance riding is all about.

Our 2016 AGM (February 25 & 26, 2017) includes:

Saturday, February 25th

• Presentation by Dr. Jacques Morin of Lozana (Omega Balance EQ) – equine oral supplements contribution to the health and performance of horses
• AGM Meeting Guest Speaker – Nancy Zukewich – Yoga and long distance riding
• AGM Meeting
• Vendors – 17 vendors confirmed
• Awards Banquet followed by a dance with DJ Carey Walker and cash bar

Sunday, February 26th

• Clinic Sunday by Stagg Newman – Enduring Partnerships

Go to 2016 AGM to purchase via Paypal or to find instructions on other payment options.

For our upcoming AGM, we have a great opportunity to purchase selected OCTRA branded clothing (Polo Shirts & Pullovers) via Spin Marketing Order Form at special AGM Prices.  Orders MUST BE placed no later than February 13^th. 

All orders MUST BE picked up at the AGM, February 24th, (Cobourg Best Western Conference Center).

Ride in style and support your OCTRA

See you at AGM!!

Presentation: Dr. Jacques Morin DVM, President Lozana Health Inc. will be giving a short talk prior to the AGM in Ballroom A on his products and philosophy.  Dr. Morin will also be donating door prizes for our Awards Banquet:  1 gallon container of Omega Balance & a bucket of Myoforce Resist

Topic:                Overview of 2017 Products

Time:                 11:30 am – 12:15 pm Ballroom A

Please see AGM Vendors Flyer for more information on Lozana products and Dr. Morin’s presentation.

 

Saturday, April 8, 2017
9:00 am -7:00 pm.

Registration Fees: 

• $100 for full participation and exam
• $45 to audit/observe
• $20 for vet students

Registration Deadline:  March 20th, 2017

Dawn and Howard Kadish Farm
19556 Mississauga Rd.
Caledon, Ontario.

Dr. Sarah Tiller and Dr. Bri Henderson, Co-Chairs of the OCTRA Veterinary Committee, are holding a Lay-Judge Clinic to take place Saturday, April 8, 2017, all day 9:00am -7:00pm. There has not been a Lay-Judge clinic for quite a long time. Interested candidates should e-mail Dr. Sarah Tiller [ sarahtiller@live.com ] directly for inquiries.

Hot meal and refreshments will be provided. 

OCTRA LAY JUDGE REQUIREMENTS: (OCTRA Policy Statements – pg. 10)

1. In order to apply to work towards their Lay Judge status participants must:
   • Have been a member of OCTRA for at least two years
   • Have completed at least two OCTRA sanctioned rides as a rider
   • OCTRA is looking for seasoned OCTRA members to apply as Lay Judges
2. Qualify to apprentice at OCTRA events:
   • Contact Committee Chair to initiate process
   • Study the OCTRA Rule Book and be familiar with all OCTRA competition rules
   • Attend a Lay Judge Clinic arranged by Committee Chair
   • At end of clinic, write the Lay Judge Exam and pass (with a minimum grade of 80%)
3. Apprentice at OCTRA sanctioned events for a minimum of:
   • Two Endurance Rides
   • Two CTRs
   • Two Set Speeds (if Set Speed apprenticeship is not part of the Endurance Rides)
   • One Ride ‘n Tie (if available)
4. During a season where one of the OCTRA disciplines is not available:
   • Participants must apprentice at two each of the available disciplines (excluding Ride ‘n Tie).
   • Participants will be qualified as a Junior Lay Judge in the disciplines successfully apprenticed (if approved by two accredited OCTRA Veterinary Control Judges)
   • The Junior Lay Judge is required to fulfill his/her missing requirements in the next season the “missing” discipline is available.
5. For final accreditation as a Lay Judge, the approval, in writing, of two OCTRA accredited Veterinary Control Judges must be sent to the Committee Chair (with a copy to the participant).
6. Upon completion, the successful participants will receive an OCTRA Lay Judge Certificate.
7. If a participant fulfills all the ride requirements as listed in sections (iii) and (iv) above without receiving the approval of two OCTRA accredited Veterinary Control Judges:
   • The participant will continue apprenticing at OCTRA events as per the vet(s) instructions until they receive the required vet approvals
   • The participant will forgo becoming a Lay Judge if he/she is deemed unsuitable for the position by the Veterinary Committee.