Calling out OHSET Leaders, Vice Chair, Chair

[Stephanie Land]

So the majority of members on Equine Enthusiasts are from Oregon, for now, and are also members of South Valley Oregon High School Equestrian Teams.

Lately it seems as though the OHSET that I went through is not the one that you are all experiencing today. This may make me sound like an old person, but back in my day OHSET meets were about having fun, making friends, and trying new horseback riding disciplines. Now? Squabbling and infighting over rules, money, and elected officials has virtually sucked the fun out of everything. After discussing the problem with one frustrated parent, it became apparent that one of the biggest problems facing SVOHSET is a lack of transparency. Parents and competitors want to know what rules are being changed and why. They want to know where the money from their ever increasing team dues is going.

So I had this thought. Wouldn't it be great if the people who are in running SVOHSET could gather in an online forum where they could justify their actions as well as debate future changes? Oh wait we have a very convenient social networking site right here! So this is it SVOHSET leaders! I am calling you out! Everyone who is reading this post who knows someone who is, or is running for, Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, or any other positions, tell them to join Equine Enthusiasts. There is plenty of opportunities to post blogs and start forum discussions, so we can get all the issues out in the open. Spread the word.

[jennifer Keeler]

Thank you so much for bringing this subject up! My oldest daughter did OHSET (back in the day when it was affordable) and it was rather new so it didn't seem this way at all, But my youngest one i couldn't put in OHSET because it was almost $250 put to her in. I was told by a coach and MANY PARENTS, there were scholarships and fundraisers available but when i went to the meetings to sign her up they told us no. So with a conflicting story, i attempted to pursue what the real deal was and still no consistency in what funding may have been available for her to get in on a scholarship. Needless to say i felt a bit soured by the whole thing and we were not able to get her in. My daughter and i felt very sad she could not ride for OHSET as she had TWO schools trying to recruit her to ride for their school and she had waited years to do this, as we had many friends who had been doing it and was looking forward to being involved in it as a high school sports activity. Now that's my complaint of lack of transparency AND consistency. I sure hope they can get on here use it as a forum, though they have a statewide website to be able to do this kind of stuff and its getting more about the dollar and lack of sense...anymore! But Good luck! I can only hope there will be other kids (whose family was in a finanical bind like ours) that doesnt run into the same problem as we did lose a wonderful opportunity like OHSET.

[Cindy Land]

Rumor: At the meeting Saturday, June 28th, the South Valley OHSET teams elected Debbie Langliers as the new district chair for 2008/9.