Thank you for another wonderful event season at the Bainbridge Island Saddle Club. Traditionally we celebrate the end of the season with our year end banquet. After a two-year pause, we are thrilled to be hosting the year end banquet on November 5^th, at 5:30pm at Island School. The evening will include a catered dinner, short general meeting, dessert dash and awards ceremony. Don’t miss out on this fun event! 

Registration is required, ticket prices ($10 for adults, $5 ages 5-12) allow us to offset the catering costs. In the past, the banquet has been members only, but we would like to invite anyone who is interested in becoming a member to attend and see what we are all about!

Update:

Volunteer Hours Requirement Put on Hold

At the Spring General Meeting the membership voted to require a minimum number of volunteer hours to qualify for year-end awards. At a recent board meeting the BISC Board voted to not require the hours this year due to lack of hour tracking. We would love to hear your ideas on how to best coordinate and track volunteer work going forward.

Want to get involved?

Board Meetings

Did you know that the minutes from the board meetings are posted on the BISC website? BISC Board meetings are held the 3^rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. At this time the meetings are held via Zoom, with hybrid meetings returning this summer at the club. BISC members are welcome to attend, email us at bainbridgesaddleclub@gmail.com to be added to the list. We’ll send you the Zoom link and agenda prior to the meeting. 

Board Member Nominations                             

We are taking board member nominations now through November. We currently have 5 board member positions open. Do you know of anyone who would be a great addition to the Bainbridge Island Saddle Club Board? Board members participate in the monthly board meetings and chair one of our committees. Our current members have all levels of equestrian experience, from non-riding parents to people with many years of riding experience; if you are a self-starter, motivated individual who is interested in supporting the local riding community, preserving a valuable piece of Kitsap County riding history, and helping BISC share our mission statement, we'd love to have you! 

Serving on the BISC board is a great opportunity to work alongside others in the equestrian community while providing stewardship for Bainbridge Island Saddle Club. Please email me directly with your nominations at MelissaDavis98110@gmail.com

Fun Fact:

BISC History - Day Road Facility

Our current Bainbridge Island Saddle Club property was purchased in February of 1969 for $12,750! With a down payment of $3,200 and an interest rate of 7.5% a group of like-minded volunteers secured the unique property that is ours today. I am continually in awe of the groups of volunteers over the 53 years that have continued to provide this amazing resource to the local equestrian community.

BISC Year End Awards Banquet will be held Saturday, November 5th at 5:30pm at the Island School. More details and registration to follow in early October. Save the date on your calendar!

Current Year-End High Point Standings (as of Sept 2022)

10 and Under – Flat

Agnes Pena-15

Mary Starks-14

Coralie Lewis-14

Phoebe DeBord-13

Poppy Hall-13

Victor Pena-10

Binah Brenner-10

Harper Graham-9

Sadie Kleinman-9

Hadley Wolslegel-9

India Hall-7

Alyssa Romero-7

Aylah Brenner-4

11 - 13 – Flat

14 – 18 Flat

Genevieve Kramer-17

Addison Staley-6

19+ – Flat

10 and Under –Over Fences

Victor P ena-47

Agnes Pena-46

Mary Starks-38

Alyssa Romero-34

Hadley Wolslegel-28

Daniela Dam-24

Olivia Cuellar-Carpenter-18

June McDermott- 16

Phoebe DeBord-16

Sadie Kleinman-14

Isabella Greimes-12

Coralie Lewis-11

Binah Brenner-8

Aylah Brenner-8

India Hall -7

Allegra Cuellar-Carpenter-5

Poppy Hall -4

11 – 13 – Over Fences

Lily Robertson 71

Maddie Niemeyer 60

Hazel Gardner 36

Kathryn Bleiweiss 28

Ellie Kleinman 20

Olivia Colagrossi 15

Leona Lucas 13

14 – 18 – Over Fences

Sydney Hutton-74

Mikayla Campbell- 38

Helena Janof-35

Elly Dam-27

Ava Johnson-13

Addison Staley-11

Zoe McKay-10

Zoe Ernst-3

19 + — Over Fences

Shayla Paddock-22

Bryna Ross- 18

Carrie Chamberlin-4

Congratulations to our August 13th Daily High Point Winners! 

High Point Low Jumper: Shayla Paddock at AP Blonde Ambition

High Point Mid Jumper: Nola Bertucci and Thales

High Point High Jumper Mikayla Campbell and Flyght Risk

Cross Rail High Point winner Genevieve Kramer and Madame Des Noyes

Tiny Hunter High Point winner Victor Peña and My Friend Flicka

Summer is in Full Swing at BISC!

Summer is here and the event season is underway at Bainbridge Island Saddle Club. This newsletter will bring you up to speed on scheduled events at the club. You can register for all clinics and shows on the Events page of our website.

BIPC Camp at BISC July 11th through July 14th

We are excited to have the Bainbridge Island Pony Club return for their annual camp at Bainbridge Island Saddle Club. The grounds will be closed to members from Monday, July 11th through Thursday, July 14th as the Pony Club has rented it for exclusive use. The grounds will be open to members on Friday, July 15th.

Cavaletti Clinic, Sunday July 17th with Christine Headley

Join us on Sunday, July 17th for a cavaletti clinic with Chrisine Headley. Christine is a USDF Bronze Medalist, USPC "A" Graduate and USDF Certified instructor. The clinic is open to all ages, disciplines and riding levels. We will have a fun set of pole exercises in the arena to focus on rhythm, tempo, straightness and suppleness - all of the principles required for balance and free forward movement. There will also be special attention from the clinician on the various ways that your position can help your horse to better understand your aids & communicate with your horse. We still have riding slots available. Sign up on the website.

Interested in volunteering to help with the clinic? Contact Kylee Stanton Hicks at (206) 412-7763

August 13th, Hunter/Jumper show has new classes!

Exciting announcement for our August 13th Hunter/Jumper show! We are adding two 1.0m classes and two 1.10m classes! Member registration opens on Monday, July 25th, general registration opens Monday, August 1st. Registration closes on Sunday, August 7th. Full class list is available on the website.

Mounted Archery Clinic August 20th - 21st

We are bringing back the Mounted Archery from the Ground Up clinic that was a big hit last year. Our clinician Carmen Frentress will cover Ground Archery, Archery Horsemanship, Starting Your Horse and Advancing towards competition. All archery equipment is provided, intermediate riding skill recommended. We have one riding spot left and multiple auditor spots remaining. Sign Up here. Volunteer opportunities available, will give you a front row seat to all the action. Contact Melissa Davis if you are interested in volunteering. melissadavis98110@gmail.com

Capital Improvement - Water Trailer

At the general membership meeting on March 6^th, the club approved the purchase of a water trailer. The board promised the membership at that time that we would first ensure that our well could fill the water trailer prior to moving ahead with purchase. We are still working on those details. This means we are back to using our water wheel for the summer events which takes several shifts the day prior to an event. If you are available to help with watering the arena prior to any of our scheduled events, please drop us an email at bainbridgesaddleclub@gmail.com and we will get you on the schedule.

 

Keep an eye out on the BISC Website and Facebook page for upcoming events and announcements.

The arenas will be closed Thursday, June 2nd starting at 2:00pm in order to prep for the show on Saturday, June 4th.

We are bringing Lisa Badger back for another Mounted Archery from the Ground Up clinic at BISC, August 20th - 21st. The clinic will cover ground archery, Archery Horsemanship, Starting your Horse and Advancing towards Competition.

Beginner level mounted archers welcome, all archery gear included. Intermediate riding skills recommended (walk, trot, canter confidently on a loose rein and remain in control).

This clinic was a big hit last year! All riders were shooting off their horses by the end of the first day.

Register Here

BISC grounds are closed to members on April 9th as they are being rented (by members) for exclusive use.

The grounds are available to members on Sunday, April 10th.

Horses are shedding, rain is in the foreseeable forecast and if you listen close you can hear the grass growing! Spring is here and so is the beginning of the show and event season for Bainbridge Island Saddle Club! We are excited to have our horse community back at the club this year.

Volunteer Hours

The Bainbridge Island Saddle Club Board voted to approve the requirement of volunteer hours to qualify for year-end awards. As a non-profit, volunteer run organization our members are the backbone of our club. Volunteers are needed for all aspects of running the club, from organizing events, coordinating volunteers, fundraising, and keeping our facilities pristine and operational. Here are the volunteer hour requirements for 2022:

6 years and under – exempt

6-12 years old – 2 hours per year

13 and over – 10 hours per year

Family Membership – 15 hours per year

Facilities Committee Chair Needed

The club has an opening for a Facilities Committee Chair. The Committee Chair organizes the work that needs to be done at the club from mowing, arena dragging, capital improvement and repairs. This is a great way to meet your volunteer hours and working with other members. Please reach out to Melissa Davis if you are available.

Upcoming Events

Sunday, March 20^th 10:00am Volunteers Needed:

Work party to complete the storage shed which will house the supplies that are currently taking up space in one of the bathrooms. We need a few extra sets of hand to help complete the storage shed. All hours worked count towards the volunteer hours requirements.

Saturday, March 26^th 10:00am – 2:00pm Spring Clean Up:

Our annual event to get the club ready for show season! We need many hands for this one. Bring garden tools, gloves, leaf blowers, and weed whackers. All hours worked count towards the volunteer hours requirements.

April 9^th – Hunter/Jumper Show is cancelled

Due to the recent EVH-1 outbreak, the BISC board has decided to err on the side of caution and cancel our April 9^th show. We are looking to add another Hunter/Jumper show on October 1^st. Our first show of the season is on May 7^th.  

2022 Events

Keep an eye on the events page on the website. We plan to hold several clinics this year including Mounted Archery, Cavaletti, and Ride Physio. If you are interested in hosting a clinic for the discipline of your choice, please reach out to the board.

The club will offer one Dressage schooling show this year, tentatively scheduled for August 27^th.

Capital Improvement – Water Trailer

At the general membership meeting on March 6^th, the club approved the purchase of a water trailer. Estimated cost is $12,000. This will allow us to water the arena more efficiently for shows and clinics held during the summer. Before purchasing the trailer, we are exploring options for filling the 1,000-gallon tank. The most affordable option may be to add a holding tank to the well house for filling the water trailer. If you have any expertise in this area please reach out with your suggestions.

April 9th Hunter/Jumper Show Cancelled

Due to the recent EVH-1 outbreak in California, BISC has decided to err on the side of caution and cancel our April 9th show. We are working on a reschedule date for October, and hope to see everyone at our May 7th show!