Minutes of the AGM 2012

held on Wednesday 11th January 2012 at 7pm
at Addington Manor Equestrian Centre, Bucks

Jo Winfield (Chairman), Judith Murphy (Treasurer), Dianne Roberts (Secretary), Ann Bostock, Mandy Luesley, Lizzel Winter (Committee);

Bryony Wilson, Nicole Biggs, Maggie Doel, Biddy Brasted-Watts, Sam Champney-Warrener, Eric Smiley, Margie Craib, Alison Craig, Ernest Dillon, Cherry Elvin, Jennifer Ham, Nicki Herbert, Carol Bennitt, Sue Payne, Ann Peate, Joanna Potterton, Jenny Ward, Simon Somers, Victoria Thirlby, Karen Winston, Joanne Potterton, Becky Monk, Liz Eaton, Sam York, Lyn Baldwin, Jane Smart and Becci Trower.

Andrew Fletcher, Sabrina Jones, Sue Pimbley, Sally Newcomb, William Blane, Tessa Martin Bird, Hilary Hughes, Sonia Richards, Sue Charters, Rosemary Gaffney, Jennifer Clowes, Islay Auty, Jonathan Chapman, Frances Cattell, Sandra Morrison, Nicola Greenhalgh-Brook, Ian Stark, Helen Barton Smith, Jessica Soley, Sally Fitzgerald, Karen Lane, Elizabeth Fellows, Sally Robinson, Rosie Lord, Sue Stanton, Mandy Holloway, Pammy Hutton, Molly Sivewright, Richard Evans, Elspeth Watson, Paula Keeley, Alex Hudson, Debbie Melville, Jill Storey, Danny Anholt, Linda De Matteo (Brookes), Annette Christey, Carole Broad, Helen Webber, Gill Watson, Caro Haynes, Gilly Rogers, Muriel Ambler, Faith Ponsonby, Oonagh Meyer, Annette Philpot, Tessa Henwood, Lorna Walters, Jan Evans, Hilary Westropp and Nick Turner.

Were approved a true and accurate record.

There were no matters arising from the last meeting minutes.

See attached report from Jo Winfield FBHS on a successful year and the year ahead. Jo also mentioned that there were eleven new BHSI’s qualifying during 2011 – a rather bumper year. Sophie Cox Swash, Anthony Lowry, Declan McArdle, Sue Pilbeam, Lucy Williams, Alexander Wyatt, Crea Warner, Catherine Cawdron, Kylie Roddy, Karen Whiston and Bryony Wilson. The last four members were also present at the AGM.

See financial statement from Judith Murphy (available after the meeting on website). Currently (at year end) £8,116.23 in the bank, (last year 7331.30, (previous year £7k) and a financially stable picture. As membership is also up, we can spend any annual surpluses on training and encouraging participation. During 2011, a profit of £784.93 was made. Judith also confirmed there were 185 members on the data base and reiterated to please check your Standing Orders/Bank transfers/Faster payments to pay membership subscription (still at £20.00) for 2012.

The Nick Turner Course Walk held at Badminton Horse Trials on the 22nd April raised £500.00 for the Badminton Charity. Thank you to all who participated on the day. Well done!!

The Ernest Dillon training day held on 23rd May at Wellington was well attended.

The Judy Harvey training day held on the 22nd July, broke even.

The Carl Hester training day held on the 9th August raised £70.00 for the Association.

A big “thank you” to all of the above members who gave their time either free or at a subsidised rate.

Ann Bostock and Rob Lovatt have both completed their 3 terms of 3 years on the committee and are definitely due to retire. Both were thanked for their contributions over the years. Ann received Champagne and flowers and a big heartfelt thank you for all the contributions she had made over the years. Ann also stated that she was happy to continue to organise the Annual Course at Addington. Rob was also presented with Champagne but unable to receive it personally as he was not in attendance.

Andrew Fletcher and Lizzel Winter were proposed for re-election to the committee to fulfil their last term of 3 years.

Becci Trower was proposed to be elected to the committee by Ann Bostock and seconded by Judith Murphy.

Catherine Cawdron was proposed to be elected by Jo Winfield and seconded by Ann Bostock.

All were duly voted in by those present.

(A new committee list is attached to these minutes and available on the website).

The F and I Constitution state that we require a couple of other FBHS on the Committee. Jo Winfield will be approaching to ask.

Jo Winfield thanked the meeting for the welcome and support. She outlined her plans to develop membership and participation in training days, the variety of training days across the regions, and to support members of the Association as BHSI’s and Fellows in their marketing of themselves and image in the industry.

Possible events (all subject to confirmation – check the website please.

1st February, 2012 Anna Wilkes will be holding a Neuro- Linguistical Programming Day (NLP).

March 7th 2012 – A marketing day relating to image and marketing oneself. To be held at the BHS Headquarters. Cost is around £15.00 for F and I members and £20.00 for non-members. This will be limited to 70 delegates. See website.

National Equine Forum to be held on March 8th – at the IMech E, Bird Cage Walk, London. There is the availability of two places for the first two applicants to apply.

Ann Bostock to organise an early morning with a point-point trainer Peter Robeson, relating to fitness. This morning will be limited to six delegates.

A day post Olympics with Andrew Fletcher and Carl Hester.

The Royal International Horse Show – Ladies Day at Windsor. To be confirmed.

Badminton Nick Turner course walks on Friday 4th May, 2012.

Futurity Young stock classes and a Judy Harvey training day to be organised by Mandy Luesley.

Autumn Northern training day– Oct – Sue Pimbley

“Combined seminars for equine professionals” – a series of informative lectures and demonstrations on aspects of health care for the horse – to be held at Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire on Saturday and Sunday 15th and 16th September. Contact: m.reed978@btinternet.com or Dianne Roberts – dianneroberts@live.co.uk.

It was suggested that we hold more days of training throughout 2012 for less people and therefore any ideas would be welcomed.

It was also suggested at the AGM that members who wished to advertise and promote their work may take the opportunity to utilise the website in order to promote their businesses as it was discussed that between members there is a vast pool of knowledge, expertise and many specialists in their own disciplines around the world. Facebook was also mentioned as a way of promoting oneself, although some members support this notion, there are some who do not. Members will be encouraged to send a photograph; short biography and a line of contact – email or telephone number to put onto the F and I website – watch this space.

Next year’s Annual Course has been confirmed as 9th and 10th January 2013.

Stephen Clarke has confirmed his availability to present as the flatwork trainer for next year.

The financial viability is being looked at to stay at Addington Manor Equestrian Centre for next year’s training course although, other venues will be considered.   Many other suggestions/offers were forthcoming – watch your newsletters and the F and I website for details

The wonderful Pat Smallwood trophy is in the care of the Association. It was sculpted by FBHS Jo Knowles, and the box made for it by Becky Monk BHSI. It is currently in the care of Ann Bostock who was presented the trophy last year for being the driving force on the committee for many years and who also runs the superb Annual Course at Addington, organising all aspects.

Members have been asked to suggest a suitable cause for the Pat Smallwood trophy, if no suggestions have been put forward then the Committee has considered that this will be awarded in January 2013 to the member who has actively developed themselves in Industry – for example as a trainer or a judge. Nominations and proposals should be sent to any of the committee members for consideration.

The next Committee meeting has been proposed for Friday May 4th at Badminton Horse Trials.

The AGM – Wednesday evening of the Annual Course next year – Wed 9th January 2013, 7pm, followed by the dinner. Venue to be confirmed