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Welcome to the.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our Deepest Sympathy We offer our condolences to Randy Price on the loss of his wife, Becky.   Randy and Becky were always a welcome sight at shows and she will be greatly missed.   Please send your cards and messages to Randy at his home address. Randall Price 358 Catus Rd. Gilbert,SC 29054   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** SPRING SHOW *** Please go to the Up Coming Events page for more information PRESIDENT : JOHN AYERS  VICE-PRESIDENT: JULIE LANNING  SECRETARY/TREASURER : ROXANNE JANES Please contact any officer or Board member if you have questions, comments or suggestions.   Remember, the GDHA is YOUR club! *** NEW SHOW COMMITTEE SELECTED ***   John Ayers Jack and Carla Beckom Barbara Branch Rebecca Cannon Julie Lanning Jill Malone 2007 Georgia National Fair Draft Horse Show Results   A few pictures from the show are here GEORGIA DRAFT HORSE ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER ___________________________________________________________________________ No. 2                                                                                                                  April, 2008 FROM THE PRESIDENT! Hello All!      The grass finally starting to turn green, foals are starting to arrive, spring has definitely sprung!  I hope everyone is doing well!  I want to thank all of you that came out to the March meeting, we had a great turnout!       I’m hoping that these ridiculous gas prices haven’t stopped many of you from attending some of the sales that have gone on the past couple of months.  Anna and I were able to go to Gordyville.  We had a great time talking to folks about what’s going on in the southern part of the country, and catching up with old friends.  We’re especially excited about the Spring Fun Show coming up and are looking forward to seeing everyone there!      There have been a few complaints that you all are having a hart time getting a hold of me, so I want to give you my contact information:      My e-mail at work is johna3@greensouth.com      My home number:  678-753-0737      If you can’t reach me on those, my cell # is 706-248-1141.  Also if anyone wants an idea of how to get more involved – I think it would be great to host meetings at some of our member’s farms – If you would like to host a meeting, speak up and let me know!      I look forward to seeing you all soon! Thanks, John Ayers *************************************** MARCH GENERAL MEETING     The March general meeting was held at Heritage Park in Farmington, GA on the 8th with Vice President, Julie Lanning, graciously taking the minutes as the Secretary, Roxanne Janes, was unable to attend.  President John Ayers presided over the meeting with 20 members in attendance.  Discussions involving the up-coming Spring Show involved members volunteering to be in charge of certain activities and names of a potential Judge presented.  Debbie Wiedemann named as show chairman.  Communication concerns brought forth for discussion by member, Katrina Adams, and several suggestions presented:  contacting members by e-mail, updating website and using Market Bulletin to advise of shows, working in conjunction with other horse groups to benefit both groups, etc.     Talked about a Judge for the Perry Show with Ned Niemiec of Hallamore Clydesdales mentioned, and John will ask the breed association (Clydesdale year) for names of others who would qualify.  An anonymous donor has offered to sponsor the Grand Champion Clydesdale, Belgian, and Percheron trophies for the Perry Show.  The Show Committee will also be meeting within the next 30 days to make changes and final decisions concerning the show.  Jill Malone brought up the need for a new logo for the association.  Claudia Oliver, a member and graphic designer, will be asked to furnish a new logo design.   With all old and new business discussed, the meeting was adjourned. ****************************************  APRIL 25TH DEADLINE FOR DHJ AD     If you would like to be added to the Association’s ad in the Draft Horse Journal, or need any changes made to your existing ad, please let Roxanne know immediately as she has to have all changes or additions in BEFORE April 25th.   The fee for this ad is $50 and please make your check payable to: Georgia Draft Horse Association. *************************************** MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL       If you have not renewed your membership for 2008, please do so immediately as this will be the last News Letter you will receive.  If you have lost the application which was included in a previous   newsletter and you cannot access the website, just call Roxanne and she will be happy to send you one.  *************************************** OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY     It is with sadness we report that fellow member, Becky Price, passed away last Friday (March 28).  Becky, along with husband, Randy, have joined us at the Perry Show for years, showing their magnificent Percherons.  Our hearts go out to Randy and the family as they deal with this tremendous loss.  Should you like to send a note or card to Randy, the address is:                   358 Cactus Road, Gilbert, SC 29054 ******************************************* WANTED! 2008 Foal Pictures for our Website!  Please e-mail to our Webmaster, S.R. Stocker at lslclyde@dishmail.net  ******************************************* SPRING FUN SHOW INFO! Everyone come to our Spring Fun Show scheduled for May 17, 2008!  It is being held at Heritage Park, Farmington, GA located in Oconee County,  The Show Program & Entry form are attached.  Also attached is a donation form to help out the club with expenses for the show!  Any little bit would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you! Now, everybody come & bring lots of horses for a great day!  Calling all members, old and new alike, this is the place to come practice, learn & have fun!   Special Show Notes: There are no food concessions on site, so don’t forget to bring your picnic lunches and drinks!  Heritage Park has given our association a great deal on the use of their stalls, but before you leave, you MUST clean out all stalls you use, just like you found them when you arrived.  If not, we will lose our deposit! Directions:  From Atlanta:  take I-20 east to the Madison exit (US 441/129), turn left and head north towards Watkinsville and Athens.  Heritage Park is located in Farmington, GA and will be on your left as you travel north on US 441/129.  From Athens:  take US 441/129 south through Watkinsville, Bishop, Farmington and Heritage Park will be on your right. See you there! ************************************* APRIL RIDE/DRIVE CAMPING WEEKEND!  April 18-20, 2008 at Lakeview Plantation located in Fairfax, SC.  See Upcoming Events for information!  Looks like one awesome weekend! ************************************* VOLUNTEER’S NEEDED!   If you have any suggestions, ideas, or would like to volunteer to host a meeting, please get in touch with an officer or Board Member. 2008 Officers: President:  John Ayers (678) 753-0737 V.Pres:  Julie Lanning (770) 513-4760 Sec/Treas.:  Roxanne Janes (770) 479-7110 Board Members: S.R.Stocker:  (229) 777-7741 Rodney Branch:  (706) 677-2712 Debbie Wiedemann:  (678-925-9330) Jeannie Bradshaw:  (478) 783-2443 ************************************* If you have had an interesting experience with a horse related activity, know of an upcoming event, or have an article to share with other members, please send to a member of the Newsletter Staff.  The Newsletter is a connecting link to each other. THE NEWSLETTER STAFF: Roxanne Janes (770) 479-7110  (rjanes@alltel.net) Lawana Smith (770) 422-5142     (DoubleSFarm@aol.com) Rebecca Cannon (423) 339-0694    (fairwindsclydes@gmail.com) ************************************* Everyone has a photographic memory, some people just don’t have access to their film! ************************************* Things You Learn When You Own A Horse – Part 1 1.  People who don’t take care of their own horses will be the first ones to tell you how to care for yours. 2.  You should never buy a cheap girth! 3.  A handsome horse that behaves badly will become a lot less attractive in about 15 minutes. 4.  People who think they have nothing more to learn about riding/driving will hit the ground the hardest. 5.  Children and ponies are natural allies and often have identical dispositions. 6.  The richest horse people most often look the poorest. 7.  The closeness of a horse is one of the sweetest smells in the world. 8.  A solitary ride/drive through the woods is more beneficial than six months with the best psychiatrist. 9.  The worse a person rides/drives, the more likely they are going to blame it on the horse. 10. The best thing about going to the barn first thing in the morning is that horses don’t care how you look. 11. If a dealer insists a horse is worth twice what he is asking, he’s usually worth half as much. 12.  The best way to appreciate how another person rides is to get on their horse, but it can be a quick way to get hurt. 13.  I can recognize another horse person no matter what town, city, state, or country I visit. 14.  You can never have too many hoof picks. 15.  It is not wise to argue with something that outweighs you by 1800 pounds. 16.  I’d rather have a horse with a perfect mind than a perfect head. If you can’t imagine your life without a horse…DON’T! Author Unknown ___________________________________________________________________________________ Our Purpose and Goal The Georgia Draft Horse Association is a non-profit organization with the primary objective of promoting the use of draft horses throughout the State of Georgia. Our goal is to bring individuals with a love for these magnificent animals together at a variety of events and venues where they can exhibit and enjoy their horses in the company of like-minded people. We offer a number of events throughout the year including shows, field days, riding days, harnessing & driving clinics, seminars and demonstrations. Membership is open to any person interested in the breeding, showing, use or promotion of draft horses and is unrestricted as to residence. History The Association was originally formed in the mid-1980's by a group of people interested promoting and using draft horses and mules in Georgia. Then known as the Georgia Draft Horse & Mule Association, many programs were set up involving shoeing, grooming, harnessing and training the horse and mule for work and pleasure. There were field days, wagon trains and draft horse and mule shows where the public was invited to observe, with the main objective being social and promotional. In 1995 the name of the association was changed to the Georgia Draft Horse Association with the purpose being much the same as the original founders - supporting and promoting the draft horse, establishing friendly relationships between members and promoting the exchange of knowledge and ideas pertaining to draft horses. In the past the association has introduced thousands of people to draft horses via the Gwinnett County Fair through exhibits and shows. In 1994 the association was invited to the National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, Georgia , where our draft horses were exhibited to the public. Since that time, we have held a Class C Draft Horse Show each year in mid-October at the Georgia National Fair. Click HERE for details! Please address all website concerns to the WEBMASTER All graphics, text, layout copyright 2003 - 2008 Georgia Draft Horse Association

Board of Directors (click on the name to email)  John Ayers President 678-753-0737 (h) 706-354-0037 (w) Julie Lanning Vice-President 770-513-4760  Roxanne Janes Secretary/Treasurer 770-479-7110 (h) 770-499-4184 (w)      Jeannie Bradshaw 478-783-2443 Rodney Branch 770-846-3983    S. R. Stocker 229-777-7741      Debbie Wiedeman Other Contacts  Newsletter   Lawana Smith    770-422-5142 Roxanne Janes    770-479-7110 (h)    770-499-4184 (w)     Rebecca Cannon  423-399-0694  Show Committee  John Ayers   678-753-0737 (h) 706-354-0037 (w)  Jack & Carla Beckom    770-358-2678    Barbara Branch 770-846-3983   Rebecca Cannon  423-399-0694   Julie Lanning 770-513-4760       Jill Malone  770-735-1549