From the Board
COVID-19: The effects of the pandemic on the incomes of our Society are now becoming apparent. Obviously with no shows a number of members have not renewed their memberships but, more significantly, has been a drop of over 50% in registration income compared to the same period last year.
The Board is forced to examine every means of reducing expenditure with the loss in revenue. Initiatives to streamline administrative processes and upgrade our technologies to increase efficiency are being investigated.
Telephone Hours: From October 1. the RPSBS Ltd landline 02 4577 5530 will be manned from 11am to 4pm daily eastern summer time.
New South Wales Committee: The Board is pleased to announce that the New South Wales RPSBS Committee now has a full compliment of nine elected members. For a full list of the committee and it’s executive go to https://www.rpsbs.com.au/nsw/nsw-committee/
Judges’ Audit: All RPSBS Ltd. Panel Judges were required to complete a Judges’ Audit form by the end of August. Judges who have not completed the audit will receive an email informing them that they have until the end of October to submit the completed audit form if they wish to remain on the panel, This form can be found at https://www.rpsbs.com.au/judges/judges-scheme-forms/
Judges’ Handbook: The Judges’ Handbook has been revised to include the latest Showing Rules and Regulations and there have been some changes to the suggested workouts. The September 2020 revision will not be printed in hard copy. To view the revised handbook, click on the following link: https://www.rpsbs.com.au/judges/judges-rules/
Policy Updates: The Board is committed to regularly reviewing all RPSBS Policies to ensure that they are consistent and up-to-date with all changes that have been made by the Board. When reviewing these policies, the Board is committed to simplifying the policies and procedures where ever possible.
The following policies have been reviewed and are currently being prepared to be posted on the RPSBS web site this month.
Policy and Procedures Manual Version 5 September 2020: This is the overarching policy document for RPSBS Ltd. The Social Media, Heat, Ethics and Disciplinary policies have all be incorporated into this manual.
Judges Policy September 2020: This policy incorporates the changes made by the Board since it’s last review in January 2018.
Showing Rules and Regulations and Conditions of Entry September 2020: The only changes are to some incorrect rule references.
State Committee Structures & Procedures September 2020: Timelines have been reviewed and, in light of recent experience, the option for co-opting members onto committees has been replaced with the option for the Board to call for mid-year nominations if committees require new members to stay viable.
Leader Board Competition: It had been proposed to recommence the competition from January 1. The Board has now decided to postpone the recommencement of the competition until such times as members in all states can compete on an equal footing.
Member Information: Do you realise that you can update your personal information online? It is imperative for the efficient management of the Society that members keep their contact details up to date. Go to https://www.sammsonline.com/rpsb/studbook.cfm log in then press the Home button at top left of screen to access the Change Information option.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 13th January 2021 commencing 10.00am Eastern Summer Time.
Upcoming Events
It’s wonderful to see states starting to plan events:
15th November 2020 – 2020 NSW State Riding Pony Show
2020 RPSBS Annual
Thank you for the positive response we have received from the 2020 Annual. The Annual is now available to view here: https://www.rpsbs.com.au/current-rpsbs-annual/
RPSBS Online Shop
We have now made available the current annual hard copies and past annuals we have in stock available to purchase via our online store using paypal. https://www.rpsbs.com.au/shop/
2021 RPSBS Annual
We are already looking ahead to 2021. If you are a current member and have an interesting story to share please email annual@rpsbs.com.au
NSW Committee News
The last couple of weeks have been very eventful for New South Wales Riding Pony. We now have a newly elected committee with some new faces and fresh ideas!
Chairperson: Dianne Godfrey
Vice Chair: Julie Butler
Secretary: Alison Doyle
Treasurer: Sandra James
Publicity Officer: Melanie Skinner
Committee: Elizabeth Tomlinson, Maia Murray, Kristy Glover, Joanne Prestwidge
So with these formalities out of the way we are now full steam ahead in organising our State New South Wales Riding Pony Show. Only a few weeks to get things all organised, but rest assured we are planning a fabulous show. Date to be held will be Sunday 15th November at the Windsor Polo Fields. Please ensure all memberships are up-to-date in the coming weeks so that entries may be done seamlessly. Keep an eye out for details of judges and entry details in the next couple of weeks. This is sure to be a bumper show with so many of us keen to get our Riding Ponies out.
Best wishes to those competing in coming weeks. So great to have a chance to get out at the Pacific Coast Hack Championships and also the NSW SHC HOTY. For those of you that competed at the recent ENSW HOTY, we hope that your ponies performed well and made you proud regardless of their placing. To those of you that were successful, well done! You will be fabulous representatives of New South Wales and the Riding Pony Breed when you finally are able to compete at Nationals.
Some of our members have been blessed with little bundles of joy already in this foaling season. Let’s hope the remaining babies are delivered without issue.
Don’t forget………. Memberships and the upcoming show details.
VIC Committee News
Well its spring and some breeders have foals on the ground whilst others are planning on next seasons mating’s. Can be a trying exercise in these current COVID restrictions for travel to stallions for some mare owners. Flights are impacted obviously so the access to shipment of semen is also impacted. Many have had to rethink their plans.
Victoria has certainly been on a rocky boat trip. Even in these uncertain times the committee is remaining positive. We have put our hat in the ring for the RPOTYS in January at WPEC and our Summer Festival ring at Barastoc in February. Fingers crossed they proceed.
In the meantime our Spring Rosette E Newsletter will be in your inboxes soon for all financial Victorian members. Please if you don’t receive it contact federal to make sure your membership is marked to receive emails.