April 28, 2010

Bonner/Boundary Tack Swap - Loads of Fun



When the idea formed, we didn't know what kind of a response we would have. I only wanted to give sellers an avenue and buyers the same. Especially 4-H members, both horse and livestock. While the horse portion was a grand success, the livestock was slightly lacking. I think if we continue to hold this event, the livestock portion will grow. Set up began at 10 am on Friday morning.



The first vendor with her consignments came at 1 pm and it took numerous volunteers 2 hours to check her in. Thank goodness she came early. then the real fun began. From 4:00 to past 7:00 we were steady with people consigning their equipment.



When we were done on Friday night, I was not sure we could even fit any more in the room but they would still be coming on Saturday morning.



The 4-H members were able to shop from 8-9 am and pick out some bargains, then the doors opened for the public at 9 am. We were pretty busy all day and still ringing up items well past the 3 pm closure. But really, why would you turn away buyers! All said and done, I think it was a success and we may try to hold it again next year in hopefully a larger area.



Many thanks to all the volunteers,leaders, and members and especially the Boundary County crew, who without them we would have fallen flat!

April 13, 2010

Heads Up Sandpoint

Shake the Sand Out is a community clean up organized by the Mountain West Bank.

The groups are meeting at Jeff Jones square (next to Farmin Park, where water fountain is located) at 8 am on the 24th April. They will receive a continental breakfast, receive a raffle ticket to win some prizes and be given an area of town for the clean up as well as garbage bags and gloves. They will then go to their designated location to pick up and clean. We will meet at 11:30 at our bank parking lot which is on Highway 2 and Division. We will be serving lunch at that time as well as draw tickets for the prizes. We will take a photo with a dumpster and all of our trash with the Daily Bee. Everything should be over no later than 12:30 We (STI- Recycling committee) are calling all community groups to get volunteers together, but we need STI members to help as well. Please can we get some volunteers (wearing our t-shirts) on April 24th?

Please reply to cpeer@pchaninc.com, so we know what numbers we can count on.

Thanks for your assistance!
Cindy Peer
255 7138

April 5, 2010

Saddle Fitting clinic hosted by Spirit Riders in Spirit Lake.

This past Saturday, I ventured to Spirit Lake to attend a Saddle Fitting Clinic hosted by the Spirit Lake Riders, and presented by Gail and Paul Springer. The Spirit Lake Riders are a new group in Bonner County and young but very enthusiastic. Gail and Paul own a Treeless Saddle distribution.




Do you really know if you saddle fits your horse? What if it doesn't, would he or she really tell you and if he or she did tell you, would you understand what they are saying???? I have been riding for years but no one has ever explained to me how to fit a saddle in terms my meek mind could understand. This clinician did.



She began by explaining about different tree sizes and the fact that most trees cater to Quarter horses (this I realized but since I have an Arab/Frisian most trees don't cater to me!).


She explained how to use a wire rod or wire coat hanger to create a sort of mold of your horses withers making it easier to take with you when you go saddle shopping. She also explained that you should check you saddles on your horse without the blankets to check the fit.





She talked about treeless saddles since that is what they sell but she was not against treed saddles either. After attending this clinic, I went home with information that will hopefully help me to make my wide withered horse happy. It didn't make me too happy to find out the saddle I have been using is too narrow - no wonder she has problems with the canter.


I am hoping to bring Gail and Paul to the 4-H Horse Camp for an informational session for adults - kids seem to be bored by the subject but it is good info for all.


Thank you Kaiya Springer for sending me the pictures.