Forty BSFTA members and their guests enjoyed a fun-filled evening and a great meal on January 16, 2010, at the Missoula Country Club in Missoula, MT.

Preceding the event, 28 members attended the annual general meeting in which final votes were tallied and 2010 officers and directors were announced. Other business included making plans for the annual points show, the National Trail Ride, regional trail rides, distance conferencing for meetings (using software like Skype), youth activities, and clinics.

A social hour followed the meeting and as banquet attendees filtered in and relaxed, they shared stories from 2009 and watched the Power Point presentation of photos submitted to and organized by Annette Padgett.

President Randy Olson welcomed everyone to the sixth annual affair and introduced new members Lori Conner, Paul Buffington, and Jerry and Diane Shriner. He then announced the newly elected officers and board members: President (himself!), vice-president Bobbi Dyrud, secretary Annette Padgett, treasurer Gale Mowry, western director Kristina Tracer, central director Jerry Christison, eastern director Lauren Johansson, and directors-at-large Chad Miller and Pete Peterson. Bob Womack then said a blessing before the meal with a special request that we keep members Gary and Catherine Hanson in our thoughts and prayers as Gary faces a tough battle with cancer.

Following the meal, masters-of-ceremony Mark Goss and Bob Womack announced awards and recognitions. Thea Gervais and Randy Olson were recognized for their accomplishments in the National High Point competition. Thea won championships in Showmanship, English Pleasure, and Western Pleasure. Randy won championships in Reining, Western Horsemanship, Trail, and Barrels. Thea and Randy were the winners of all National High Point Versatility classes in the competition! Thea was also recognized for her unprecedented achievements at the Show and Celebration in Ava, Missouri, where she won World Grand Champion in both Amateur Versatility and Ranch Horse. Quite a sweep of versatility championships by these two!

Mark thanked 2009 show chair Jack Womack, show secretary Cathy Olson, announcer Leslie Womack and sponsorships chair Karen Philips. Great job by them and everyone else that helped make the show a success.

Bob recognized webmaster Lauren Johansson for her excellent work on the website. Lauren has make bigskyfta.org a very important communication link for the club and its members. It is a tool we rely on, and due to her efforts it is a reliable and current source of information.

Outgoing treasurer Donna Goss was thanked for her four years of serving the membership as the keeper of the books for the club’s finances and for the annual points shows. And to her credit, the books were always in perfect order!

Western director Kristina Tracer was recognized for organizing and leading several trail rides in the western region she represents. Our members love to ride and by organizing these rides, she provided a valuable benefit to them.

The final acknowledgement went to “super-star” Annette Padgett. Annette organized the club’s booth for a local county horse expo in September. She has organized the annual celebration banquet all six years, and these events are always a first class affair. Annette represents the best qualities of a BSFTA member and a volunteer, and we are mighty proud of her! Last, but not least, BSFTA members thank Mark Goss and Bob Womack for announcing the awards and achievements and adding fun and humor to the evening. Bob tried to get Mark to perform a rap poem for a grand finale, but Mark refused on that one. We appreciate their efforts and look forward to more fun times in 2010!