2012 National Convention
New Information!
The 2012 Convention will be held at the Flying M Arena near Mt. Vernon, Missouri, September 14–16, 2012. We plan on having an early bird day on Thursday September 13 as well. This is about 25 miles west of Springfield and an hour north of Branson.
The host hotel will be the Relax Inn at Mt. Vernon, only six miles from the arena. Camping is also available at the arena.
Our previous facility became unavailable, so this is the new information!
Updated Schedule
(as of 2/13/12)
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Board members and Early Birds arrive! There are two wonderful large tack stores in the area that you can visit: PFI and Saddle City. Both can be looked up on the internet. Lots of western wear, stuff for the English rider, and gift items, too. Branson is, of course, one of the major tourist destinations in the country, with more to see than you can imagine. There will be an informal dinner at the Red Barn restaurant in the evening (pay your own way).
Friday, September 14, 2012
9:00 – 11:30 Board Meeting at the Arena
11:30 – 12:30 Board Lunch (catered)
12:30 – 3:00 Board Meeting
4:00 – 6:00 Registration
5:00 – 7:00 Dinner at the Flying M Arena
7:00 – 9:00 Introductions, Opening Ceremony with Easy Riders Drill Team, Keynote Address, by Joe Ferriss
Saturday, September 15, 2012
9:00 – 10:00 Annual Business Meeting
10:00 – 10:45 Research Report on *Exochorda, by Caryn Rogosky and Marilyn Lang
11:00 – 11:45 The Blends, by Don Austin
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch, concurrently with Training Demo, by Abby Miller
1:00 – 4:00 Fantasia
6:00 – 1:00 Banquet and Auction at the Tower Club, atop Springfield, Missouri
Sunday, September 16, 2012
9:00 – 10:30 New Board Meeting at the Relax Inn hotel
12:00 – 4:00 Lunch and Open House at the Cooper and Rettke Farms
5:30 The Dixie Stampede show at Branson
Monday, September 17, 2012
A Trail Ride for the Survivors!
This will be a full weekend of exciting activities for all! I hope everyone will be planning to attend, as we look forward to hosting this convention in our home state of Missouri.
Lisa Rettke
2012 Convention Chair
*************
Arena Information
The Flying M Arena near Mt. Vernon, Missouri has a large and well-maintained arena, a balcony overlooking the arena floor, in addition to bleacher seating, a special-event catering restaurant and a dining/meeting room. There is also plenty of stabling for Fantasia horses, and RV parking on site. The owner/manager is an Arabian horse person and is being very supporting in helping us prepare to host a fantastic convention!
Hotel Information
The hotel is the Relax Inn, part of the Choice Hotel Network, and it is only six miles from the arena. They are excited to work with us in providing inexpensive but comfortable accommodations for convention guests. The Relax Inn has an indoor pool, offers a continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi and all rooms have flat screen TV, coffee pot, microwave and refrigerator. They are holding a majority of their rooms for us at a rate of $65 a night, tax included. Rooms with two Queen Beds or one King can be shared without additional charges. To make reservations anytime call and request an Al Khamsa reservation.
Relax Inn
1125 E Daniel Dr, Mount Vernon, MO 65712
http://www.choicehotels.com
417-466-4511
