To all NBHA MO02 members, families and fellow barrel racers,

       I first would like to say “Thanks” for all the support and encouraging words in my abilities to take on this job of District Director for MO02.  Bill Nelson and his family have done an outstanding job over the past several years. Our shows have not only grown, but are a lot of enjoyment and fun with good sportsmanship, and also all those awesome awards!  I’ve had calls from other districts complimenting us on such great awards!  It is going to be a huge task to keep this going and growing.  I’m not going to be bashful.  I’m asking each and everyone of you to step up and be a part in making this THE BEST district!!!

      I know, from my own experiences, that taking time to be a helper at a show will help you enjoy the show more, meet new people, and feel like you being there made a good difference.  We could all learn from a little girl named Josie, who was always helping

and with a huge smile on her face!!

.    To all of the family members and friends who travel with us barrel racers, I appreciate you and you are noticed for the support and encouragement you give. I’ve raised three kids of my own, whom all showed.  Those were some of the best times of my life!  So enjoy each and every second of every run!!!  A huge thanks to those who help set barrels, announce, work the gate, or help in any way.  I invite everybody to step off those bleachers, or come in from the trailer and get involved with helping, it will be well worth it!!

      OK!  Here are some plans for the 2010 season:

We are going to put on some beginner barrel clinics in different areas of the district to help raise funds for year end awards. I believe they need to be kept simple in teaching the basic fundamentals of barrel racing, and also working with some issues or problems they might be having with their horses.  I would also like the clinics to stress the importance of a patient and positive attitude that results in a winning attitude in all of the students.  Myself, Charmane Miller, Tammy Russell, Sue Addis, and a few others have agreed that as old (HA!) veteran barrel racers to share our knowledge and volunteer our time and efforts to help put on the clinics to raise money toward our awards.  There are a lot of kids and adults interested in barrel racing, but have no idea of how to get started.

If you would like to hold a clinic in your area or you want to volunteer to help be a clinician, call me.  All proceeds from the clinics will go to NBHA MO02, so you would not be compensated by money, but by seeing and knowing the joy of someone learning from your efforts.  We plan on having the clinics on a Saturday (all day) and then having an NBHA MO 02 run at the same location the next day ( Sun.), so the clinic students will have a chance to enter the barrel race or watch and see how all the hard work pays off.

I have already scheduled one at Gainesville for June 26^th, followed by the run on the 27^th.

I think we need to limit the clinics to a few this year, to be scattered throughout the district, and see how it all goes!  I don’t want to burn out my volunteers! I believe the fees for the clinics need to be enough that the students will be genuinely interested and  serious participants, say $50.00 for the day.  I presented all this to the Gainesville Saddle Club and told them  they could raise funds for their saddle club by opening their cook shack for lunch, etc.  Also they will benefit by having a better turnout at the run on Sunday.  I stressed that all clinic proceeds would have to go to NBHA MO02.  I feel that’s only right since I’m asking volunteers to travel and work at their own expense.  If your saddle club is interested in this call me or e-mail me. Humansville Saddle Club has already expressed interest in having one, but no date has been set.  Kimber Turner has also contacted me about putting on a clinic followed by a barrel race on the same day at Everton, which is hopefully set for July 31^st.  I told her this would take a lot of work on the behalf of the volunteers, maybe we could try one and see how it goes.  If you have input on this, let me know. 

     We still need sponsors to help with year end awards also, so all help with that will be greatly appreciated!

      If you have any items, new or used, you would like to donate to a silent auction to also raise funds for our year end awards, we will be having one April 18^th, at the run at Sho-Me Arena at Marshfield.  So if your spending some of these cold days cleaning out tack rooms or closets, keep that in mind, we appreciate all donations!

     Bill Nelson is updating the web site for me, which is tremendous help, and I truly appreciate his help. We have some schedule changes in March, so please make note of those!  He is posting the shows we have scheduled so far, so check it out!

I’m still waiting for call backs from Hartville, Marshfield , and Everton saddle clubs,  so I’m holding some Saturdays open for them.

     You can contact me at home- 417-679-4010, by cell phone- 417-257-4566, or by       e-mail- jj5jfarm@gmail.com , Laurie Miller is going to be a County Representative for the district so you can contact her also at home- 417-679-4030, or by cell phone

417-543-4152.

      Please remember to pay your NBHA Membership fees thru me, so I can keep records of who is or is not a member and points.  If you do not live in our district and want to have your points count in MO02, you need to fill out a Declaration of  NBHA Competition District form that has to be submitted to NBHA headquarters.

     God Bless you all, see ya at the shows!!!              

                                                                              Janet