Many old and new members have volunteered for a variety of new committees that were formed for this 2003 season. Three new committees include the Scholarship Committee, Awards Committee and the Advertising Committee.

Awards Committee: Lorie Chabot, Janet Lane, Joan Lanpher and Noreen Peters who will be responsible for organizing, ordering and distributing awards at our events.

The Advertising Committee: Judy Wilbur Craig, Sarah Hanscome, Lynn McKusick and Amie Smith.

Scholarship Committee: NCRC members Lorie Chabot, Marcia Delaware, Belinda Fletcher, Gloria Leighton, Noreen Peters and Bonnie Shorey.

NCRC is offering a college scholarship to a graduating senior from Maine, who plans to pursue a career in animal and/or the agricultural field. Students are not required to be a NCRC member in order to submit an application. A scholarship committee consists of 6-members and will be responsible for reviewing all applications and selecting the winning student. This year the scholarship will be $150.00 with applications due on April 30th, and can be obtained by visiting DRHS Guidance Office or downloading the form online at www.DexterRidingClub.com. NCRC is hoping to increase the amount of the scholarship in future years.

It was announced that NCRC was the 2nd place trophy winner during the 2003 Dexter Winterfest Snow Sculpture competition. President Amie Smith said, "despite battling the cold and frigid temperatures our NCRC crew demonstrated that creativity can happen in any weather conditions".

A Horse Video Exchange is in the processes of being organized which will start at the March 26th meeting and is being organized by Tara McDonald of East Corinth and Patti Dowse of Cambridge. A listing of lending videos will soon be available on the NCRC website.

NCRC 2003 Events will start with an organized Trail Ride on May 25th in Corinna at Jeff and Sue Mansons. The first of two equitation shows will be on June 8th and the All Trophy Stakes Show on August 3rd. There have been 2 new classes added to the current class list which include an Open Walk/Trot/Canter Pattern and Colt & Fillies Halter Class. NCRC will also be hosting two All Trophy Game Shows on July 06th and September 14th. An NCRC Fall Trail Ride is being organized by Judy Wilbur Craig on October 04th on the Number 10 Road in Dexter. All events are open to both members and non-members.

NCRC members voted during their February meeting to incorporate a new "Trail Riding & Carriage Driving Competition". The trail/pleasure riding competition will be designed to record members hours on horse back and/or driving. NCRC will be offering a year-end award for the most hours ridden and driven per horse/rider combination and this will be on the honor system. A log sheet has been designed and is available to all NCRC members online or at our monthly meetings.

A reminder, North Country Riding Club's web site location is www.DexterRidingClub.com designed by Judy Craig Consulting. The Website includes all event dates, classes, rules & regulations, past shows with picture galleries, and membership, scholarship, ride/drive printable forms. We hope you all take a moment to view the site and enjoy the photo gallery's.

NCRC's next meeting will be at the Wassookeag Snowmobile Club at 6:30 p.m. on March 26, 2003. Members will be asked to turn-in all sponsorship forms (proceeds got to scholarship & banquet fund) at that time.

North Country Riding Club, "Uniting Family and Community", invites you to become a member or to enjoy all their family oriented events this year. For more information on becoming a member or about an event, call 207.924.7185 , visit their website at www.DexterRidingClub.com or email info@DexterRidingClub.com.