The Board of Directors of the FWRHA elected to change things up a bit for the 2012 Annual Membership Meeting. Combining a trail ride and cookout with the meeting seemed like just the ticket to get everyone outdoors and on their horses. The weather was perfect; the winter day was "made to order" at 72 degrees and sunny!

This informal format proved to be an excellent tool to build new friendships and renew others, plan for the year and recognize our accomplishments, not to mention, have fun with the horses!

On Saturday, January 21, 2012, FWRHA members and friends met for a morning trail ride that began at the equestrian site located in Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont, Fla.

Brice Ehrich led the riders onto the well-groomed park trails; Wayne Conkle saw the last horse and rider back into camp.

Following the ride, everyone gathered near the pavilion for lunch, browsed through the silent auction items, and settled into their lawn chairs for the business meeting and awards presentation.

Those in attendance brought food items for the picnic or otherwise contributed to the feast. Special thanks to Reid Hart, Mike Ratliff and Geoff Palmer for assisting in the preparation of lunch. Butch Pendarvis added a unique element with grilled vegetables and garbe can turkey, smoked to perfection.

Leslie Ehrich, Gail Hart, Lisa Ratliff, Mary Palmer and Janie Van De Walker facilitated the picnic preparations and orchestrated the meeting and auction proceedings.

The FWRHA Officers and Board of Directors were also elected for 2012. The results are as follows:

President - Gail Hart
Vice-President - Mary Palmer
Secretary - Leslie Ehrich
Treasurer - Lisa Ratliff
Board Members - Pam Green Bacon, Wayne Conkle, Brice Ehrich, Candy Huening, LeAnn Osborne and Flo Vineyard.

The meeting was well attended with 33 adults and eight youth participating in the trail ride and/or meeting. The primary focus of the meeting was to address 2012 activities, potential show venues, re-implementing committee focus groups, re-establishing the youth program, growing the membership and re-designing a more user-friendly website. It was a good day for the horse, of course in Clermont, Fla.!