January 2017 Newsletter

CHJA Newsletter

BARB ARKIN PRESENTED

CHJA LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION AWARD

 

Barb Arkin had no idea she would be presented with one of the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association’s highest awards when she came to the Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet a few weeks back. She was there as a dedicated board member, participating in the Silent Auction, catching up with friends and cheering on all the other award winners.

 

“I am incredibly honored to have received this award,” she said. “I never even expected that I would get something like this.”

 

Barb thinks of CHJA as her “adopted family” even though she grew up riding English at Denver Academy, which was near the Balenseifen’s Bridlepath Farm. In fact, Barb continued to compete in the hunter/jumper discipline until Denver Academy was sold and she ended up riding Saddlebreds first with the Pedicord family and then with Martin Cockeriel.

Barb Arkin

 

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Barb Arkin aboard her beloved Zuni Sunrise, who has been ½ Arabian National USEF Horse of the Year and a four-time national top ten at the Arabian Horse Nationals.

After parting ways with the Cockeriels, Barb found herself – and her Saddlebred – at an Arabian barn. She recalled a story about her parents visiting her there. She rubbed the head of her Saddlebred and then patted an Arabian she had been riding. “My Saddlebred got really angry,” she chuckled. “And my parents couldn’t understand what I was doing at an Arab barn.” But her love affair with Arabians began.

 

Betty Weber brought Barb back to the hunter jumper world when she saw the need for knowledgeable stewards. Barb had been engaged with all-breed shows in that capacity so the fit was natural. In turn, Barb brought Betty into the all-breed world.

 

As Barb returned to her roots, she was a little surprised at how many people she recognized from her formative years. But that’s the thing about our world – it can be small.

 

But it wasn’t all about the horses for Barb. As an English teacher, she taught at Hill Junior High School, George Washington High School and East High School before she “retired.” She now works as a substitute teacher with Jefferson County Public Schools and often subs at Arvada West High School, near her home. In fact when presenting Barb with her award, CHJA member Rachel Benson noted how Barb not only influenced her riding but also in the classroom at A-West.

 

In recent years, Barb has been a familiar face at shows as a USEF steward. She has been an active member of the CHJA Board of Directors and with Val Williams, has managed the CHJA Medal Finals.

CHJA BOARD ELECTS JILL PELZEL PRESIDENT

 

The CHJA Board elected Jill Pelzel president at its recent board meeting on Jan. 23, 2017. Tracye Ferguson will continue as vice-president and chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee. Rebecca Johnson and Laurie Grayson will serve again as secretary and treasurer, respectively.

 

In addition to the Executive Committee, the 2017 Board includes Carol O’Meara, Carole Kenney, Dan Schiefen, Devon Hussey, Jennifer Duffy, Jenny Alsberg, Karen Banister, Kristina McCombie, Meg O’Meara, Sarah Watson and Valerie Williams. Each board member is responsible for attending meetings and serving the association on one or more working committees.

 

Those interested in running for the 2018 board of directors must be members in good standing by April 15, 2017 in order to be eligible. See the CHJA website for additional details.

Quick  Links

Board of Directors

Show Schedule