MEETING MINUTES
2026
We're going to try something a little different in an attempt to do a better job of getting minutes onto the website and making them easier to read. We will post summaries of our meetings here. If you'd like a copy of the entire minutes, please email us at info@onthebitdressage and we'll happily send them to you
January
The January 2026 On the Bit (OTB) Dressage Club meeting was called to order on January 8th at Altitude Restaurant downtown Laramie, at 7:13pm.
No official Treasurer’s report, but Tom promises a complete and informative update for February’s meeting.
The group held a good discussion on the upcoming May 2nd Kentucky Derby Party. Marketing materials need to get underway soon. Stephanie will form a committee and serve as its Chair to make a list of things to do and delegate tasks. Decorations from last year will be used again. Connie is donating about forty top hats, possibly to be used as a table decorating fundraising event.
The RMDS recognized show, organized by OTB, is scheduled for June 20-21, 2026. Eleanore Stine Masek from Arizona has agreed to judge one day and is willing to offer clinic slots on Monday to help offset travel costs. Jess is waiting to hear back from two other judges on their availability, since one judge is needed for each day of the show. Productive discussion ensued on what OTB members need to do to prepare for the show, including establishing a ‘to-do’ timeline, getting the show up on HorseSpot, designing advertisements, finding sponsors, rethinking food options for show days, and securing ten volunteers for each show day. Tom and Connie offered to help find volunteers, and Jess P will reach out to Carol Jones for assistance locating volunteers. Jess F made a list of volunteer positions some months ago and will update and email it to OTB members.
Joann Williams Clinic is scheduled for July 18-19, 2026. Discussion centered on marketing strategies which includes putting this event up on HorseSpot. In the past, the usual marketing venues for clinics—Instagram, Facebook, marketing to local barns, and email blasts—have not been particularly successful. Stephanie offered to start working on marketing now to get a good start on bringing attention to the clinic.
Jess Ford will host a pole clinic March 7-8. While not an OTB sponsored event, it will offer the club a trial run for using HorseSpot for sign-ups, which Steph and Jess F. will set up.
No official Treasurer’s report, but Tom promises a complete and informative update for February’s meeting.
The group held a good discussion on the upcoming May 2nd Kentucky Derby Party. Marketing materials need to get underway soon. Stephanie will form a committee and serve as its Chair to make a list of things to do and delegate tasks. Decorations from last year will be used again. Connie is donating about forty top hats, possibly to be used as a table decorating fundraising event.
The RMDS recognized show, organized by OTB, is scheduled for June 20-21, 2026. Eleanore Stine Masek from Arizona has agreed to judge one day and is willing to offer clinic slots on Monday to help offset travel costs. Jess is waiting to hear back from two other judges on their availability, since one judge is needed for each day of the show. Productive discussion ensued on what OTB members need to do to prepare for the show, including establishing a ‘to-do’ timeline, getting the show up on HorseSpot, designing advertisements, finding sponsors, rethinking food options for show days, and securing ten volunteers for each show day. Tom and Connie offered to help find volunteers, and Jess P will reach out to Carol Jones for assistance locating volunteers. Jess F made a list of volunteer positions some months ago and will update and email it to OTB members.
Joann Williams Clinic is scheduled for July 18-19, 2026. Discussion centered on marketing strategies which includes putting this event up on HorseSpot. In the past, the usual marketing venues for clinics—Instagram, Facebook, marketing to local barns, and email blasts—have not been particularly successful. Stephanie offered to start working on marketing now to get a good start on bringing attention to the clinic.
Jess Ford will host a pole clinic March 7-8. While not an OTB sponsored event, it will offer the club a trial run for using HorseSpot for sign-ups, which Steph and Jess F. will set up.