EDRA is looking for a new Treasurer. Our current treasurer has retired due to time constraints and we are looking for a committed member of our organization to step up and take on the very important role. You will have help from our current financial advisor and interim treasurer, for the transition as well as ongoing support.
How to apply:
1) Review the job responsibilities below
2) Send an email with your interest to secretary@equinedistanceriding.com
The Treasurer, who must be an EDRA member, is responsible for accuracy and timeliness in managing incoming and outgoing funds, as well as reporting on the financial status of the organization. He/she updates the organization books (current accounting system utilizing QuickBooks Online), prepares financial statements for presentation to the Board at quarterly meetings or upon request of the leadership. The Treasurer works closely with the President, Vice President, Membership chair and Mary and Anna Memorial Fund Chair, to provide timely information and reimbursements as well as an accurate picture of the financial status of the organization. The Treasurer ensures correct procedures are being followed by those requesting reimbursement or payment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The major responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:
Incoming Funds
The Treasurer receives revenue from various sources throughout the year, including but not limited to ride entries, membership fees, donations, and EDRA “swag” purchases. All revenue is identified, timely deposited into the EDRA bank account and accurately represented in the financial reports on a timely basis. Treasurer, in coordination with the Mary and Anna Memorial Fund chair, sends thank you letters to donors.
The Treasurer receives bills and invoices from third-party vendors and reimbursement requests from EDRA members throughout the year. He/she reviews the accompanying documentation for accuracy and if necessary requests additional information/documentation prior to reimbursement. For funds in excess of the stated threshold, the Treasurer will request approval from the Board prior to disbursement. The Treasurer is familiar with and responsible for ensuring that appropriate documentation is provided in a timely manner prior to disbursing funds. Typical fund disbursements include standard organization expenses such as State annual licensing, liability insurance, drug testing fees (UC Davis), supplies and equipment maintenance. Other disbursements include reimbursements or direct payments for Club Rides, Mary and Anna Youth Fund reimbursements, and expenses for annual conference or occasional clinics or other events sponsored by the organization. Treasurer is responsible for maintaining (for BOD or other review) proper documentation (e.g. receipts) for all disbursements.
Accounting System Management
The Treasurer is responsible for managing funds within the organization’s financial systems, currently QuickBooks Online (QBO) for the financial reporting, but also online payment software such as Stripe and PayPal. This includes reconciling all bank and online payment accounts on a monthly basis within QBO.
The Treasurer serves as the principal resource to the President regarding the financial status of the institution. S/he partners with the senior leadership team as needed to outline the accounting structure to support goals and work plans related to the organization’s mission, vision, values and culture. This could include preparing financial projections or
budgets for club rides, annual conference or other proposed events. It also includes following up with ride managers to verify the accounting for club rides.
The Treasurer is accountable for ensuring that the leadership team is provided with accurate and timely reports on the financial status of the organization. S/he maintains accountability for the operational and fiscal integrity of the organization within policies set by the Board of Directors. S/he works with the President and Vice President to track organizational spending, monitor budget compliance, and mitigate financial risks.
· Treasurer must be an EDRA member (requirement)
· Ability to commit an average of 5 hours per month to this position
S/he has unquestioned integrity; a strong sense of accountability; a practical ability to get things done; wisdom and good judgment; a fair and thoughtful approach to management; a high energy level and sense of humor.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Under normal conditions, work is remote and requires email and telephone, including meetings via teleconference or online. On an annual basis participation in the organization’s conference is ideal for both business and member recognition purposes, as well as security and management of funds.
On August 7, 2021, Sand Canyon Endurance Ride is happening in Colville National Forest (NE Washington). Here’s a little info about ride managers Shelah Wetter and Amanda Egbert!
Shelah Wetter at Sand Canyon
Both Shelah and Amanda are first-time ride managers. Shelah is very experienced with endurance and breeds American Saddlebreds, including some she uses for endurance. Amanda bought from Shelah as well as took riding lessons. Shelah convinced Amanda to do endurance and help with managing the ride. Amanda has only been to a 25-mile ride at Autumn Sun, so she is definitely diving in as a ride manager. They are taking over managing this ride from Sue Summers as she is moving. Shelah is local to the area and both are located within an hour of the ride. It’s absolutely a team effort. Amanda is good at arranging things and the logistics so she’s going to be the head of plans. Amanda will be on maternity leave so she is focused on doing the paperwork with help from her mother, sister, and other clients. Meanwhile, Shelah is helping ride the trail. Can we get a round of applause for these two working together to keep our amazing rides going?!
Shelah and Amanda agreed to help make this ride happen because the trails are fabulous and it’d be a travesty to lose the ride. They say, “If we don’t keep them open for the next generation then it won’t be there.” Plus, they want to keep the land open for riding. Dennis described the trails as technical but not mountainous; very fun riding, twists, turns, ups down… The technical part makes for a fun ride when you have a good horse – and it’s in Shelah’s backyard!
Amanda Egbert at Autumn Sun
Shelah says, “In the endurance community, there’s a lot of work to keep the trails open and it’d be detrimental to let them close for the horse community. It is really important for the horse community to have access to trail. It needed done.” They don’t want to see the ride go away, and there aren’t a lot of local people to keep it going. This is a labor of love for them and Shelah agreed to do it because Amanda stepped up to help.
Amanda is really excited about managing. Endurance gives her a goal and motivation, something to work for and train for with horse. She reports, “Autumn Sun atmosphere was a lot of fun, loved the community, and met some really neat people” She enjoys helping to continue the endurance community. In addition, she grew up in the area so she holds a soft spot for this particular ride. She says, ” As endurance riders, if we odn’t want to see them disappear, then there come times we have to step up and help them. If no one is willing to step up then rides go away.”
Pre-registration is now open for the Sand Canyon Endurance Ride on August 7th! Information about the ride can be found here: https://alegbert11.wixsite.com/sand-canyon or you can pre-register directly here: https://form.jotform.com/211555208475153
By Kathleen Pillo
Edra_Service_2020
By Kathleen Pillo
Ever wonder what happened to those amazingly competitive equine athletes after the peak of their endurance careers?
One of the things that has always drawn me to endurance is how sound and happy most endurance horses are. The proper training and conditioning that is required to get horses to a highly competitive level, year after year in endurance makes for rock solid horses later in life. These older endurance horses have traveled thousands of miles in horse trailers, learned to settle in and overnight at various locations, ridden on the trail with other horses, and ridden on the trail alone. They have crossed obstacles of all shapes and sizes, streams, bridges, etc. These are the types of horses that are absolute treasures to own later in their lives. Many provide positive, safe experiences for younger riders just learning or riders looking for a been there, done that horse. They also server as “good examples” for our younger horses that draw confidence from their older, more experienced equine companions.
So where are they now? See below for a few examples of outstanding, older endurance horses!
AH Priority Male – 2,845 miles in distance riding
Half Arabian Half Mustang
16 years competing in endurance in distances from
25 – 80 miles
Second career as steady Juniors mount for endurance
and trail riding
SAR Tiki Eclipse (Lumpy) – 3,290 miles in distance riding
Arabian
Started endurance career in 2005. 7 best conditions, 3rd place at Big Horn 100
Second career as steady Juniors mount for Endurance and trail riding
TNT Thunder Micki – 1,170 
Arabian
Started endurance career in 2005. Decade Team.
Second career steady trail and endurance hors
AH Bantiki – 1,925 miles in distance riding
Half Arab half Mustang –
Started endurance career in 2010.
7 Best conditions
6 100 mile completions including the Big Horn 100
Second career as steady juniors mount for endurance and trail riding
Doublemint Rio Gambler – 1,325 Miles in distance riding
American Morgan Horse
Started endurance in 2014 competing in
distances from 25 to 100 miles.
Second career began in 2020 as a dressage and trail horse.
By Sue McLain
Update on the Fund. Approximately $2,500 was distributed to Ride Managers in 2020; 50% of 50 ride entry costs were covered by EDRA; and over 20 different kids benefited from ride entry fee discounts subsidized by the organization.
A number of Ride Managers did not access the Fund in 2020. In some cases, Ride Managers said that they had such strong adult rider attendance, they were in a position to cover youth rider discounts entirely. This was a selfless and kind act and it reflects their support of youth in our sport for which EDRA is deeply grateful.
Historical information is provided further on in this report. It includes information on the number of ride events, eligible youth, and payouts. It also includes my personal observations for 2020 – all good news since the quantity of youth participating in our sport seems to be growing!
EDRA does not want to decline a request from any Ride Manger! Given the quantity of youth riders in 2020, the slightly higher ride entry costs, and the likely higher numbers of available rides in 2021, we estimate a potential need of up to $13,000 to support all the rides in 2021.
Because the 2020 Anna & Mary Memorial Ride and corresponding $5,000 contribution from Darlene and Max Merlich, along with fewer ride managers accessing the Fund in 2020, EDRA will start 2021 with approximately $9,000. Additionally, the EDRA Board is planning to make the 2021 Trout Lake 100 an additional fundraiser to support the cause – likely raising sufficient funds to cover requests for the upcoming ride season.
Any distance rider knows that rides wouldn’t be possible without a host of volunteers dedicated to making them happen. Volunteers are the heart of EDRA. From the mentors, to the pulse takers, to those that work tirelessly on committees, this organization owes them all a debt of gratitude.
Congratulations to those that earned their pins in 2017 & 2018. If you haven’t yet, be sure to report your volunteer hours to Erin Putnam.
Bronze: 1-19 hours; Silver: 20-49 hours; Gold: 50+
2017
Bronze
Darcy Bean
Siiri Berg
Kim Black
Jo Christensen
Denise Clark
Dani Gregoire (Russell)
Rhonda Guilford
Jodie McDonie
Aemi Miller
Stace Moss
Clara Ramsdell
Mike Ramsdell
Kitty Ratcliff
Kathy Thompson
Ben Volk
Lynne Walters
Celena Pentrack
Silver
Bonnie Girod
Robin Redman
MaKenzie Redman-Pierce
Robin Ryner
Ann Szolas
Jo Weinstein
Erin Putnam
Shannon Peckham
Gold
Andrea Hurn
Max Merlich
Darlene Merlich
Julie Barnfather
Sandy Cheek
Guy Cheek
Tom Dean
Carol Giles
Kathleen Ferguson
Sue McLain
Becky Osborne
Jim Putnam
Eileen Reilich
Lois Fox
Tiffany Buob
Bobbi Walker
Terry James
Julie James
Sue Summers
Dennis Summers
Kendal Ingraham
Lana Halisheff
Gail Williams
Mike Williams
Jennifer Kaplan
Karen Leiman
Tani Bates
2018
Bronze
Darcy Bean
Westin Girod
Brian Glidden
Georgia Glidden
Karen Leiman
Barbara Ott
Ben Volk
Silver
Rhonda Guilford
Erin Putnam
Kitty Ratcliff
Kathy Thompson
Gold
Sandy Cheek
Guy Cheek
Kathleen Ferguson
Carol Giles
Sue McLain
Darlene Merlich
Max Merlich
Jim Putnam
Dennis Summers
Sue Summers
Gail Williams
Mike Williams
Debra Lantrip
Terry James
