President's Report - Welcome to 2025
ANTs President, Jane Bushby and Copper at Quaranup Beach
As I reflect on my first year serving as ANTs president what comes immediately to mind is how efficiently and seamlessly this club runs. In part due to the diligence and hard work of our illustrious Cat Herder Mel, Our marvellous Treasurer/FB queen Marie, our dedicated secretary Jules together with our proactive committee Jill, Jenne, Eva, Bronwyn and Rana.
What most of you don’t realise is that behind the scenes these worker bees are in touch on almost a daily basis via our messenger group smoothing the way, problem solving and sorting the calendar and upcoming events. It’s a beautiful positive environment that allows us all to keep up to speed. Thank you all for your gracious conduct. We are losing two members from our committee this year. Bronwyn is taking a break from her VP role and Rana and her family are moving back to Darwin. Also Marie Bennett is stepping down from her role as Treasurer but continuing on committee and as our FB Queen for which we are all most grateful. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your contributions. However this gives us chance to welcome new members to the committee. I’m delighted to welcome to the new Treasurer Mel Wear, our new VP Donna Hendry, Jenny Scahill and junior member Isla Hendry to the committee.
As I look at the year that was ANT 2024 I want to give a huge thanks to our amazing Trail bosses, without you we wouldn’t have a club. This year we had 11 different Trail Bosses (Mel Price, Jenne Walker, Gill Murray, Julie Robbins, Heidi Meyer, Bronwyn Waddington, Jenny Scahill, Marie Bennett, Eva Bett, Rana Everett and myself) well done everyone on an excellent job keeping our riders safe and smiling.
As well as Trail rides we had a variety of different events. It was a personal goal of mine to incorporate as many training rides alongside actual rides as possible into the calendar so all our members could be adequately catered for and their horsemanship and confidence progressed. Thanks to our trail bosses for helping and assisting with this.
2024 started with the customary training Ride at Quarenup, had 3 Prep training days at the AEC, Mt Shadforth, The Dam, a damp Weekender at The Shannon, Archery, Muttonbird to Torbay, Quarenup Training ride, Confidence at Narrikup, Torbay to Elleker, Hay River to Springdale beach, Working Equitation, Perkins Beach, Trail Horse Challenge, Oneills Rd to Woodlands distillery, Kendenup, Crooked Creek weekender, Gull Rock and Ra Ra Ranas amazing Christmas bash.
ANTs President, Jane Bushby: ‘Beach-bums at Nanarup’
The 2025 calendar is full up. Kristi Smith is returning to WA in November for a clinic. Kristi has a background in natural horsemanship, is a trail riding specialist, and Linda Parelli’s leading instructor. As well as Trail rides we are going to incorporate 2 Trail Horse Challenges preceded by an obstacle training day.
There should be something for everyone so please enjoy ANTs in 2025.
Jane Bushby - ANTs Prez
