The Director's Chair,
By Glen E. Keller, Jr.
(from the Winter 1999 issue of Boots and Saddles)
While it was my hope to have this issue of Boots & Saddles to you all around the New Year, the pressure of so many activities at Westernaires and in my personal and professional life prevented my completion of this part of my task. So, I begin with an apology born of real excitement over what we are about. The Blue Arena is approaching completion. We still have some activity to complete … lights (to be shipped from the factory about February 17), insulation (being donated by Johns Manville in the second quarter of 1999), completion of the tack room, completion of the arena floor (well underway before you read this) and completion of the floors in the lower rooms to provide the balance of the structural support. Almost every thing I have mentioned will be done by Westernaire volunteers, not by paid contractors. It is true that the cost of the construction and the new building will be almost $275,000, without counting all of the volunteer time, equipment and effort by so many people, but we will finish it with the volunteer effort with which it began and each person who bends their back, engages their skill or provides support will forever have a part of the Westernaires and its future.

Have you noticed the two new arenas out in the northeastern part of our new area?! The one on the east will be called the Hutchison arena (opened on Saturday, February 13) and the one on the west will be the Western arena … WHY? … because without the generosity of the Hutchison-Western company, we might not have such good arenas. Mr. Buck Hutchison who runs the company, is a member of the Executive Committee of the National Western Stock Show and a member of the Roundup Riders of the Rockies, has proved to be a real friend to the Westernaires. We hope to have him out to the Fort to see what we are accomplishing very soon … help make him welcome!

Did you have a chance to join us at the annual Christmas Party? First, it was a great event, made even more special by the presentation to Zeb Knackstedt of the Westernaires' Traditions Saddle (given to Westernaires by Sawtooth Saddle Company of Vernal, Utah), the presentation to Westernaires of a new saddle by Losson's Pony Express and by the presentation of horses to Hannah Brown, Tabitha Brown and Jennifer Stratton for their outstanding ticket sales for annual show. (Click here for photos, stories.)

Speaking of saddles, the Westernaires suffered not one, but two burglaries just after Christmas which took from us 11 saddles, 27 headstalls with bits, 27 halters and lead ropes, and miscellaneous other equipment used with our string horses. Of course, we will be making a claim against our insurance policy, but we cannot expect substantial value. The items taken were not new, but were very useful and hard to replace except with new items. We should all be grateful to those who stepped up and donated a total of 5 new saddles to Westernaires. By these donations and by the use of our Westernaires' Traditions Saddles and the newly donated saddle, we have been able to go forward. Thanks also to Losson's Pony Express for finding new headstalls, bits, curb chains and reins so that we did not miss practice or performance.

Stock Show 1999 is over. What an event for Westernaires! 23 rodeos, 3 Wild West Shows, 2 Mexican Extravaganzas and an appearance by Red Team at the Free Reining competition. 59 times in and out of the gate by Red Team, Precisionettes, Cavalry, Indians, Freedom Riders and Riders of the Steppes. Add to that a graduation brunch at which 13 seniors graduated from Red Team and Westernaires. As we think about the success of all of these riders and the performances which they gave, we must also think long and hard about the volunteers who worked hard every day to make sure it all happened. Members of the Posse, wardrobe for Red Team, drivers, monitors and instructors for all of the teams (Red Team every day), Bruce Slaugh for all of our logistics and transportation (every day, all day), Stu Rydgren on the lights every day, Liz Keller on the music every day, Bob Parson on the tack truck every day, wranglers in the barn every day, and on and on…what a debt we owe all of them for helping make the event a real happening for our riders.

We approach Spring with great anticipation. We have pens to build to house or horses where the middle arena used to be. We have fences to build around the pasture, too. It is my sincere hope that all of you will step up and volunteer time to contribute to the effort. Stu Rydgren, our Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, is in charge of the effort and is working hard to keep the efforts coordinated. He really needs your help and needs to know when you can commit to work. We try to work each Saturday and spend the full day at it. Call Stu at 985-2731 to sign up. Thanks!

As we move into the development stages, parking will be a major issue for everyone. No horse trailers are to be parked by the Hutchison or the Western Arenas. The parking areas are in front of the Fort, down to the Fairgrounds' maintenance building. Park on both sides of the road, with horse trailers behind the front row of cars on the east side of the road and only horse trailers on the west side of the road. Until the pen construction begins, it is permissible to park where the middle arena was. With the exception of certain authorized vehicles, no cars or trucks are permitted up the road east of the Fort to the tack room and the red and blue arenas. This applies not only on weekends but throughout the week during adult riding, senior instructor training or grooming classes. The same is true within the Fort compound. Do not drive in to the compound unless previous authorization has been obtained or for a medical emergency.

Spring is also the time when we begin to build the skills within our teams in preparation for the summer show schedule. I sometimes think that people think that Spring is a time to miss classes because nothing seems to be going on, but that is furthest from the truth. This is the time when all of that diagramming gets put into place in the arena. This is when the true champions are made. I hope that everyone will redouble their commitment to be present and on time to each practice so that the teams can succeed at the highest levels. Keep the tradition of excellence that is Westernaires.

Mrs. Keller and I want to express to all of you our appreciation for your kindness and sincere good wishes upon the birth of our first grandchild. We are extremely happy to welcome Caroline Elizabeth Zadel to the family and want her to begin to experience Westernaires as her mother returns to her duties as instructor of Royal Rangers. I am looking for some really little cowboy boots!