MCHA Minutes
February 22, 2008

On February 14, 2008 the MCHA Board of Directors were electronically and/or telephonically contacted regarding the $800 rider class. After checking with NCHA it was determined that the $800 rider class (not a NCHA approved class) could not be run as a class within a class in the $2,000 limited rider class (a NCHA approved class). The NCHA indicated it could only be a class in the $2000 rider as a point class and no entry fees could be collected. The directors were reminded the MCHA/NCHA approved shows for March and April to have the 800 rider as a stand-alone class in the class schedule. The directors were given the following options.
1. Reinstate the 800 rider class as a stand-alone MCHA class for the 2008 show year.
2. Keep the format of the 800 rider class as a class within a class for the 2008 show year.
The directors were instructed to vote for one of the options. The vote was unanimous for the $800 rider class to be a stand-alone class for 2008.

On February 14, 2008 the MCHA Board of Directors were electronically and/or telephonically contacted regarding the Never Won A Buckle class schedule. President, Todd Wirthlin, set the dates for the Never Won A Buckle class (pending the approval by the Board of Directors and the Show Producer for the following dates).
May 24 - Sun River Cattle Company cutting
June 28 - Never Sweat Ranch cutting
July 26 - Double D Creek Ranch cutting
August 23 - Sapphire Event Center weekend cutting
The Board was instructed to vote yes, agreeing for the proposed dates as indicated for the NWAB class or no, not approving the proposed dates as indicated for the NWAB class. The vote was unanimous to approve the Never Won A Buckle Class proposed dates.

On February 18, 2008 the MCHA Board of Directors were electronically and/or telephonically contacted regarding the Cascade Horseman. The MCHA will be the only cutting association to publish their news in the Cascade Horseman. The Cascade Horseman dropped all other cutting associations. The new Northwest Cutter publication that was proposed by the Cascade Horseman did not get enough interest from other cutting associations, so they will not be starting that publication at this time. The Wrangler magazine has contact MCHA wanting to publish the MCHA association's news, show info, etc. The Wrangler at this time publishes news from these cutting groups: Wyoming Cutting Horse Association, Western States Cutting Horse Association, Western Nebraska Cutting Horse Association, High Plains Cutting Horse Club, Minnesota Cutting Horse Association, Iowa Cutting Horse Association, Cutting Horse Association of Nebraska, and Kansas Cutting Horse Association. The cost of the Cascade Horseman is $14.00 per household. The Wrangler is $7.00 per household. The Board was instructed to vote for one of the following.
1. Have the Cascade Horseman as the official MCHA publication for the 2008 year.
2. Have the Wrangler as the official MCHA publication for the 2008 year.
3. Go with another publication other than above.
The vote for the official MCHA publication for 2008 was majority (8 to 1) to use the Wrangler to publish MCHA news.

On February 18, 2008 the MCHA Board of Directors were electronically and/or telephonically contacted regarding the time clock issue. At the MCHA Board of Directors meeting on January 19, 2008 Todd Wirthlin was authorized to research time clocks and authorized to spend up to $1,300.00 for a new time clock, accessories, and case. Todd contacted several manufactures of time clocks. The only company that has a true portable system that is wireless is FarmTek. The FarmTek system is set up without any wires from the timing console to the scoreboard making it completely wireless. A wire connection is required to connect to the existing PA system for a horn to go off at the end of time. The Scoreboard has 7 inch LED Digits. A Carrying Case for the system is included in the price. The bid Todd got back from FarmTek including shipping is $1,639.00, $339.00 over what was budgeted by the Board. FarmTek does have this system in stock at this time. The Board was instructed to vote for one of the following.
1. Purchase the Time Clock from FarmTek as per invoice for the amount of $1,639.00
2. Do not purchase the Time Clock and keep looking for a system at or under $1,300.00

The vote was unanimous to purchase the time clock from FarmTek as per invoice for the amount of $1,639.00.

Respectfully submitted,

Shirley Williams
MCHA Secretary/Treasurer

MINUTES OF MCHA DIRECTOR'S MEETING
Held at War Bonnet Inn
Butte, Montana
January 19, 2008



The MCHA Director's meeting was called to order by President, Todd Wirthlin at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2008. Present were Todd Wirthlin, Theresa Nelson, Shirley Williams, Darrell Lee, and Todd Banner. Guests attending were Cody Lee and Sherry Lee. Donald Weeding and Laurie McGuane participated by conference call for part of the meeting. Karla Camp, Bambi Gress and youth director, Lane Ternan, were absent.

The minutes dated July 20, 2007 and October 24, 2007 were read. Upon a motion by Darrell Lee, seconded by Theresa Nelson, the minutes were unanimously approved. The financial statements dated December 31, 2007 and January 19, 2008 were reviewed. The MCHA has a balance of $15,473.50 as of Jan. 19, 2008. Upon a motion by Todd Banner and seconded by Darrell Lee, the financial statements were unanimously approved.

Reports:

Youth Scholarship Committee. Todd Wirthlin participated in the MCHA Youth Scholarship annual meeting on January 10, 2008. Committee members are Kathy Foote, John L Dublin, Will Nuttall, Todd Wirthlin, Chad Bauer, and Rex Ternan. The MCHA Youth Scholarship has a net fund balance of $19,981.04. They have future scholarship obligations of $6,975.00. The Internal Revenue Service approved the 501(c) (3) application. They are planning a RooHide saddle raffle. Once the MCHA Board of Directors approves the cutting schedule they will select the dates for the Angela Bauer Youth Scholarship Cuttings. Carrie Bruch is interested in chairing a committee to put together a NYCHA regional youth scholarship cutting. Gina Ternan and Krista Nuttall will work with Carrie on this project. Will Nuttall will plan a youth cutting camp for June or July.

Old Business:

Time Clock. Discussion was held on the condition of the time clock. It was agreed a new time clock is needed. Theresa Nelson reported Wyoming purchased a new time clock but is keeping their old one for a back up. A farm-tech time clock was suggested. Todd Banner moved to authorize Todd Wirthlin to research time clocks and authorize spending up to $1,300.00 for a new time clock, accessories, and case. Theresa Nelson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Darrell Lee offered to buy the old time clock for a price yet to be determined if MCHA wants to sell it.


New Business:

Regional Scholarship. Carrie Bruch is organizing a regional youth scholarship cutting competition to be held in Montana in August. Each of the eight regions of NCHA may apply to NCHA for a minimum of $2000 to use toward hosting a scholarship cutting. The cutting must guarantee a minimum of $10,000 in total scholarship money. $8,000 needs to be raised. Montana is in Region 1, which consists of the states of Washington, Alaska, Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Western & Central Canada. Carrie will contact other affiliates in the Region to ask for their support. Anyone wanting to donate can contact Carrie Bruch at 406-222-0330, crb@rockinb.com. Discussion was held.

MCHA Year-End $500 Senior Youth Scholarship. Discussion was held on continuing the senior year-end scholarship now that there are scholarship cuttings and an active scholarship fund-raising group. Presently the money for the MCHA Year-End $500 Senior Youth Scholarship is paid to the scholarship fund and they administer awarding the scholarship. Darrell Lee moved to give $300 toward the $8,000 that needs to be raised for the Regional Scholarship cutting, contingent upon the other $8,000 being raised and the cutting is held, and to give a $300 MCHA senior year-end scholarship instead of a $500 scholarship. Todd Banner seconded the motion, which passed.

State High School Cutting Trophies. Todd Banner moved to provide two trophies, one to the boy and one to the girl, to the winners of the State High School Rodeo cutting contest. Darrell Lee seconded the motion, which passed. John Seymour will be contacted to get the trophies.

AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge/Western National Championships, Ogden. A member sent an email to Todd Wirthlin and all the directors regarding the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge at Western National Championships at Ogden. They wanted to know what three shows MCHA produced last year in order to qualify for the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge. The member is concerned MCHA does not fulfill the requirements set forth by NCHA and should not accept the money won at Ogden. In response to the inquiry, Shirley stated last year MCHA produced NCHA Days, June 1, 2, and 3. Each day is a separate show; thus MCHA fulfilled the three-show requirement. MCHA worked with Double D Creek Ranch in producing this show. NCHA was called to verify that Montana is in compliance with the Affiliate Challenge guidelines and following the proper procedure. Carol Cox at NCHA was told how MCHA handles show production. She was asked if NCHA was concerned or cared that MCHA took no financial risk on the shows. Carol indicated that this was an issue that NCHA did not care about. MCHA is in compliance with requirements for the AQHA/NCHA Affiliate Challenge at Ogden. Discussion was held on the possibility of MCHA taking
more accountability with producing shows and rewarding producers. Further discussion by the directors will be held later this spring.
Level of Sponsorship at Ogden. In the past MCHA has sponsored one-half day at Ogden at a cost of $550. MCHA receives recognition at Ogden and also receives a one-quarter page ad in The Chatter. It was decided to stay at the same level of sponsorship.

Recognition at Ogden. Shirts have been given in the past to those riders competing at Western Nationals and riding for the Montana affiliate. Discussion was held on continuing this. It was decided to continue recognizing the members. Todd Banner moved to give vests to those MCHA members competing at Ogden and riding for the Montana affiliate. Todd Wirthlin is to get price quotes on vests and contact the directors for approval before purchasing. Theresa Nelson seconded the motion. Motion passed. Todd Wirthlin will be at Ogden for the duration of the competition so will be able to distribute the vests to those riding for Montana. Those competing at Ogden and riding for Montana need to contact Todd or Lee Wirthlin with their vest size. A notice will be put on the website.

Cascade Horseman. The Cascade Horseman is making significant style and design changes to their magazine. They are reducing the page count and are cutting back on the number of pages dedicated to association news. They will only carry the news of five associations and each association will only have two pages. MCHA is one of the associations that have been selected to have their news printed in the Cascade Horseman. The Cascade Horseman has dropped Utah and Idaho. Utah and Idaho are working on alternate publications to carry their news and have asked Montana to join them. The Wrangler has submitted a proposal to Montana to carry Montana's news. Discussion was held. Darrell moved to stay with the Cascade Horseman, pending the other four associations remaining with Cascade Horseman are cutting associations. Donald Weeding seconded the motion, which passed. Shirley will check with Cascade Horseman to verify that the five associations are all cutting associations.

Corporate Sponsors. The directors reviewed the MCHA Corporate Sponsor list. It was noted three corporate sponsors from last year did not renew due to their business being sold, sponsoring NYCHA, sponsoring the youth scholarship fund or other reasons. The MCHA has gained two new sponsors, Joe Liss Water Wells, Inc. and Red Lodge Country Real Estate, Inc. One more sponsor is needed in order for each class to have a corporate sponsor. It was suggested a class could be co-sponsored. Todd Wirthlin and Darrell and Sherry Lee will work on securing more sponsors. It was suggested to give corporate sponsor vests instead of plaques.

Custom License Plates for MCHA Revenue. Todd Wirthlin has checked with the state of Montana on the possibility of MCHA offering cowhorse license plates through the state for sale. The percentage of the revenue from the sale of the plates would go to MCHA. He has talked to Tim Cox and other artists on designing the license plates. MCHA would need to have100 people committed to buying the plates or pay $4,000 to have the plates produced. Todd will research this project more and present it at the General Membership meeting.

Committee Assignments.
The following committees were suggested. Todd Wirthlin will check with the committee members to verify they are willing to serve on the committee.
Sponsorship Committee: Todd Wirthlin (chairman), Chad Bauer, Tom Bruch.
Election Committee: Betty Lou Weeding (chairman), Kelly Heiken, Jann Parker, Audrey O'Keefe, Bert Moran.
Show Committee: Theresa Nelson (chairman), Todd Banner, John L. Dublin, Will Nuttall, Dave Weyer, John Seymour, Darrell Lee, Wylie Fraser, Donald Weeding.
Nominating Committee: Donald Weeding (chairman), Kathy Foote, Laurie McGuane, Karla Camp.
Year-End Awards: Bambi Gress (chairman), Michelle Van Dyke, Vickie Stewart, Ellie Rome, Audrey O'Keefe, John Seymour.

Discussion was held on evaluating cuttings. It was suggested to have an evaluation form to offer constructive comments to show producers. The form needs to be quick and easy to complete. The form would be given to contestants while they are checking out at the show. They would complete it anonymously and place it in a box. It was suggested to list practice pen, stalls, concessions, loping area, ground, cattle, etc. on the evaluation form. The show committee (those present at the cutting) would evaluate the cutting also. It was suggested to give an award at the end of the year to the best show. Theresa Nelson and Donald Weeding will draft an evaluation form.

Discussion was held on how nominations for officers, directors and horse of the year have been done in the past. It was suggested anyone wanting to run for an office or director should contact the nominating committee by July 1. People should notify the board or nominating committee with suggestions for horse of the year.

Discussion was held on year-end awards. It was suggested to give two saddles as they are presently awarded - the year-end winners all have a chance at the saddles. Discussion on once someone wins a saddle they should remove themselves from the drawing for the rest of the saddles. Discussion was held on giving a saddle via a drawing to those competing at the year-end show. The names of all contestants competing at the year-end show would be put in a hat and a name drawn out. That person would win a saddle.


2008 MCHA Classes.
Discussion was held on how to shorten the show day.

$800 Rider. Laurie McGuane suggested either eliminating the $800 rider class or incorporating it within another class. Discussion was held. Laurie McGuane moved the $800 rider class be a MCHA class within the $2,000 rider class with the structure and year-end awards to be determined at a later date. Darrell Lee seconded the motion. Motion passed. Theresa will check with NCHA on structuring the class and that MCHA is in compliance with NCHA rules. (Note: Theresa did contact NCHA and NCHA indicated the $800 Rider Class could not be run as a class within the $2,000 rider class. What is permitted and will be used this year is when $800 riders enter the $2,000 Rider Class they will indicate to the show secretary they want to participate in the $800 Rider Class also. There will be no additional cost to participate in the $800 Rider Class. Year-end awards will be given to the high point $800 Riders.)

Never Won A Buckle Class. Discussion was held on reinstating the Never Won A Buckle class. Laurie McGuane moved to reinstate the NWAB class with four classes being held throughout the show year. Two classes will be held west of the divide and two classes east of the divide with a committee appointed to recommend year-end award(s). Donald Weeding seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Senior Class (age 50 or older). Discussion was held on holding a senior class as a class within a class in the non pro class. No action was taken.

$1,000 Novice Horse. Todd Banner moved to keep the $1,000 Novice Horse class as a MCHA class for 2008. Darrell Lee seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Foundation Class. Discussion was held on the foundation class last year. Theresa Nelson moved to not have the Foundation class as a MCHA class for 2008. Todd Banner seconded the motion, which carried.

4 Year-Old Class. Discussion was held on a 4 year-old class. It was decided the producer will determine if they want to offer this class. There will be no MCHA year-end awards given in the 4 year-old class.

Todd Banner moved that 2008 year-end awards be given to the same MCHA classes as was given in 2007 with the exception of the $800 rider and NWAB classes. Theresa Nelson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

2008 Show Schedule.
The tentative 2008 show schedule was reviewed. It was noted that the Sapphire Event Cutting Scheduled March 22 & 23 has been cancelled.

Laurie McGuane moved to approve the in-state weekend cuttings as listed on the proposed show schedule. Darrell Lee seconded the motion, which passed.

The Barb Dahl Cutting Classic at Jackson, Wyoming was discussed. Theresa Nelson moved to approve the Barb Dahl Cutting Classic at Jackson, Wyoming. Shirley Williams seconded the motion. Darrell Lee abstained from voting. The remaining directors participating in the meeting unanimously approved the cutting.

Discussion was held on the Meadow Vue Ranch cutting at Henry's Lake, Idaho. Darrell Lee moved to approve the Meadow Vue Ranch cutting at Henry's Lake, Idaho. Todd Banner seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

Representatives for Show Management. After discussion it was decided that representatives are not needed to work with the show producers. The show committee is available, if needed.

Scholarship Cutting Dates. The Youth Scholarship committee will be given the show schedule so they can select dates for the Angela Bauer Scholarship cuttings.

Todd Wirthlin stated he will be meeting with other affiliate presidents at Western National Championships, at Ogden. He will get information on various subjects such as evaluations of shows, year-end awards, producing shows and other topics.

There being no further business to discuss, Todd Banner moved to adjourn the meeting. Darrell Lee seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Shirley Williams
MCHA Secretary/Treasurer