Dear MN 01 Members,

    I hope that you all have recovered from the holiday season and if you’re like me your anxious to get barrel racing again.  I would like to introduce myself as your new MN 01 director.

     My name is Michelle Kantor and I took over the position after state finals last year. I came to Minnesota from Florida a little over a year ago.  I have been showing horses since I was 5. I grew up showing mostly pleasure horses, but I also had gaming horses that I would show on the local circuit in Wisconsin. 

     It wasn’t until I moved to Florida that I really gained a passion for barrel racing. I found it a lot of fun going to weekend jackpots and trying to win back some money. I also realized that  barrel racing was a lot less stressful then showing pleasure horses.  It was there that I bought my current horse, Easy Arranged (EZ).

     When I moved to Minnesota I was fortunate to have met my current hauling partners and friends Emily Loeschke and Farrah Buffington. It was with them that I realized how much I loved this sport. I joined NBHA and had a lot of fun at the shows but soon realized that our district didn’t have the shows that the other districts had and also noticed how small we were. It was then that I decided that in order for me to make this district better I would need to become involved. That’s when I decided to take on the job as district director.

     I have an exciting year planned. I have set up 18 shows  for the 2007 season. They will be at Arrowhead Arena  and Oasis. Oasis has generously donated the use of their arena on June 8th for a fundraiser for MN 01 with all the proceeds going to better our awards program.

     I would like to be able to give away a saddle at the end of this season for the overall high point winner.  My goal is to make enough money so we can better our awards program and give away higher quality of awards, such as headstalls, breast collars, and eventually saddles for all the open first place winners. This is something that we all can work towards.

     In order for this to happen, I need your help. It’s the members that make the district what it is. We all need to come and help each other. I would encourage you to get involved and volunteer when you are not running. In order for the show to run smoothly, I am going to need a strong group of people to help me in the office, with taking entries, announcing and helping with the draws.  When you’re not riding, please help with setting the barrels and manning the gate. If we don’t have barrel setters we can’t have a show. 

     If anyone has any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask. I look forward to seeing all of you at our first show. The 2006 awards will be handed out at the first arrowhead show on April 21st. Remember, it’s the members that make the district. Please help me rebuild MN 01 into a fun filled district with life long friends.

 

Respectfully,

 

Michelle Kantor

MN 01 District Director