News

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

 OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES

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.

Outgoing Expenses/Disbursement

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.

Strategic Management

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.

Organization Management

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.

EXPERIENCE/POSITION DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·        Treasurer must be an EDRA member (requirement)

·        Ability to commit an average of 5 hours per month to this position

• High business acumen, an understanding of EDRA purpose and activities
• Adaptability, Attention to detail, Abiding ethical values, Aptitude for technology
• Ability to apply basic accounting principles including reconciling accounts
• Understanding of basic financial reports
• Ability to use QuickBooks Online with proficiency (willing to learn)
• Knowledge of and adherence to EDRA accounting policies per the EDRA Accounting Manual
• Awareness and commitment to the importance of securing EDRA funds in all functions
• Ability to command the confidence and respect of members and volunteers.
• Experience working with volunteers and non-paid staff.
• Critical thinking skills and an aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving.

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.

By Kathleen Pillo

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, 3^rd place at Big Horn 100
Second career as steady Juniors mount for Endurance and trail riding

LUMPY & PRIOR - Then To Now

TNT Thunder Micki – 1,170                                                  
Arabian
Started endurance career in 2005. Decade Team.
Second career steady trail and endurance hors

TNT Thunder

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.

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

Interview with Bogart-

Horse’s Note: Boss annually interviews me with the intent of keeping the communication lines open and evaluate my years production. I finished this year taking Margie on a 35 mile tour of the desert. It was supposed to be a relay race but just like Gilligan’s 3 hour tour it took much, much longer than expected. For this reason the focus of this years eval was that on the “2018 remarkable relay experience”

Question 1- tell me where you analyzed a problem and came up with a solution.

“For the relay I paired up with Margie, who turned out to be a serial peer! On the first loop boss man led us and dealt with the problem. Margie wanting to stop cause she drank to much coffee pre ride. Boss man said “u never stop on the first loop, can’t break the rhythm- suck it up buttercup” problem solved, or so I thought. On the second loop I was alone with Margie. All was going good, we were making good time. Boss man would be happy. Partway around though Margie stops to get off-to pee!!! Willing to give her this one since she seemed like a pretty nice gal I let her go. Then when it come time  to get aboard, unsuccessfully after about the 3rd time I said adios amiga and headed for home alone. Part of my job description is to mentor riders and this sister needed some tough love! After a couple hours of letting her wander the desert I paired up with her and you know what? She didn’t get off again! A lesson learned ala Bogart!”

Question 2- what is your key to success when dealing with the public?

“Again I refer back to the relay with Margie. Being very experienced and good at my job I tend to take charge and quietly tell my rider to be quiet, stay in the middle and just trust me. After following boss man and Jagger the first loop Margie did just that, cept for the peeing but hey she is a serial peer!

Question 3-are you happy with your current job and what changes would you make to improve your work environment?

“ I do work really hard in spurts but the hours are really good. Boss man only asks me to race hard 4-5 times a year and a couple other times I mentor riders like Margie on “races”. I am ok with my work description but really feel my groceries need to be increased, yeah really increased. Yeah, you know that feed that tastes like molasses? I need more, a lot more. Grass, you know the really high green grass? I need more, year round- blah,blah,blah.