Meeting Minutes February 2006
Cattaraugus County Equestrian Committee
Introduction of attendees at the meeting:
Allan Gerstung Veronica Weber Scott Miller Annie Widger Tony Orsini Jim Leising Jim Toner Annet Taapken Gail Hazer Leah Leising William Sprague Jim Little Len Brainard Terry H. Martin Jerry E. Burrell Dolly Little Chalene Aronson Jo-Anne O. Young Tom Livak Teri Parker Judy Dalton Kim Kidd Sharon Nolan Becky Smith Terry Rasey-Lord
Election of Chairman/ Vice Chairman/Secretary
Elected Chairman: Mr. Allan Gerstung of Al-Ma-Ja Farm
Elected Vice Chairman: Mrs. Annet Taapken of Dutch Dressage Stables
Elected Secretary: Mrs. Annet Taapken of Dutch Dressage Stables
Purpose (Goals) of The Committee
The development of the Equestrian Community in Cattaraugus County.
Review of Previous Discussions
- To provide business assistance
Scott Miller was in attendance and explains what BDC (business development corporation) can do to improve business for the equestrian entrepreneurs. Everybody received a brochure with a nice and compact explanation of everything BDC can provide. - To improve equestrian events
Jo-Anne Young provided tips on how we can improve our equestrian events/business:- Establish your business goals
- Know your budget
- Advertise in well-known Magazines
- Schedule your events far in advance
- How to expand the equestrian trails network?
- By buying acres of land and/or by reaching an agreement with the private owners of the land?
- And if we do this will there be a risk (liability) for the private owner?
To answer these questions we need to find out how other organizations have solved similar issues.
Action?
To coordinate the separate efforts in the private sector in such a way that it will benefit the 'whole' equestrian and through which new equestrian ideas/investments can be assembled?
Will that be an equestrian center? Anyway if it will be or will not be the equestrian center, first we have to coordinate our goals and the business that we are in.
Also important is if there are any opportunities, grants etc. that can be offered by the State.
We must work together in building a solid and profitable equestrian county with an eye for quality, as quality brings people back to our county in which case it does not matter what kind of level or specific specialty or different kind of business.
Actions/projects that have already taken place:
- Leah has been investigating the various possibilities of insurance. She will give us an update via email. Look into this with an eye towards your own specific needs and liabilities.
- A Chapter of the New York State Horse Council with Upcoming Events was handed out at the meeting. If there is any opportunity, please give your help and effort to those events if it is within your capacity of course.
- The Little Valley Riders have a big event scheduled the first week of July. If there are any ideas to support this event or any thing that can be of value to this event please contact Dolly Little, it will be appreciated.
- Mr. Jim Toner who is working for the NYSOPRHP-Allegany State Park, gave us a little insight in his ongoing project. Mr. Toner is investigating projects other than equestrian, per example the snowmobiles, hikers and bikers. We have to try to benefit from these organizations knowledge on common issues. Leah has volunteered and will help Jim for 6 to 8 months.
- An issue raised in the meeting was to sponsor a trail meeting day. Please think about it and give your response at the next meeting. Remember that this trail meeting can be of value for our equestrian development!
- Mr. Thomas Livak made us aware of the opportunity to put our website on the web, or our future website as a link on the CattCo.org website. That will be great! It will be up to date, so that means more time for other things. Super!! Try to figure out how you want your business presented and the website expert will try to assist you and make it a success for everybody.
The next meeting is scheduled to be held in March. Mr. Allan Gerstung will try to invite Mr. Charley Orlando, who has a lot of experience in various committees, to attend this next meeting. So let's wait what his schedule is and hope that he is willing to visit our Equine Advisory Committee Meeting.
Awaiting this we will be informed when the next meeting will be and where. Thanks, and hope to see each other next time.
Respectfully submitted,
Annet Taapken, Secretary