This year has thrown an abundance of challenges our way and while this season is off to a rocky start with cancelled and rescheduled races, the UHCA Board of Directors is working extremely hard to salvage what we can of 2020.

It was wonderful to see everyone in June and we thank you all for coming out to R Bar B. We are doing our best to ensure that we can have more events in the fall. To be honest, between human viruses and horse viruses, not to mention unpredictable fall weather, we can’t be certain more events won’t have to be cancelled, but the Board is committed giving it everything we’ve got to put on a few more events this year.

We are still planning to have the September 12-13 event that was planned for Saddle and Sirloin however the event will now be held at Eagle Ranch in Collins, MO. The September event will be a UHCA-hosted event, which means the Board of Directors will organize the event. Eagle Ranch Resort has offered us their facility to have the event. It takes a village to run an event and the more hands the better, so we’re asking our members to lend a hand at the event to ensure it runs smoothly. We’ll be reaching out soon to see if you’d be willing to help out with scribing, timekeeping, setting up, etc. when you’re not warming up or participating in your division. Watch your email and Facebook for more information.

The events originally planned for July 18-19 have been rescheduled for October 3-4 at Irvin Ranch in Cleveland, MO. The October 17-18 event, also at Eagle Ranch is still on the calendar as well.

And while we’re on the topic of dates, mark your calendar for November 21, for the Year End Awards Banquet and Membership Meeting at the Paola Country Club.

We know that health concerns for yourself, your families, and your horses/mules are top of mind for everyone these days between COVID-19 and VSV. We will maintain our social distancing guidelines for our events and will extend those guidelines to our equine partners to ensure their health as well. Look for more information coming soon on the event registration pages regarding safety measures and requirements that you should be aware of at each venue. While we want to see you all at the upcoming races, we understand if the risks or challenges of traveling with your horses/mules are more than you want to bear under the current circumstances.

I invite you to reach out to me or other board members if you have concerns or suggestions for how UHCA can be more successful. Your feedback is important. You can always catch me at an event, but feel free to drop me an email or give me a call as well.

Thank you for being a part of the UHCA family and for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you soon—whenever that may be.

Sincerely,

Melanie Dolechek
UHCA President
mdolechek@gmail.com
913-486-4185