SCHC Committees

The SCHC has several standing committees which undertake certain activities each year. In addition, special purpose committees are formed to coordinate specific events or address specific needs. We encourage all SCHC members to volunteer for one or more of our committees. The success of this organization depends completely upon volunteers giving of their time and talents to the activities that our members have said they want us to conduct. Only through the personal participation of actively engaged members, can we take this organization to the level we all want it to achieve. Check out our current active committees and then call or email us and let us know how you would like to become involved.

Nominating Committee

The President assures that the Nominating Committee is properly staffed in accordance with the By-Laws and executes its responsibilities which include soliciting recommendations for qualified personnel, preparing a list of nominees for each of the officers and any board seat that may become vacant because of term expiration or other reasons, developing individual profiles, communicating nominations to Board and regular members well in advance of annual meeting, preparing ballots, and coordinating the elections process at the Annual Meeting.

Members: Terry Boger, Cecil Watkins, Carol Deacon, Mary Quarles, Jim Edwards, Jenny Bell

Legislative Committee

Review proposed legislation that affects the equine industry or community either negatively or positively. They will propose new legislation that benefits the horse industry. They will inform the membership of all known legislation under consideration. The committee members will contact legislators and intercede on behalf of the Horsemen’s Council on legislation that affects the equine community in South Carolina. The committee will request that Council members contact their respective legislators on important issues.

Members: Tim Sigmon, Jennifer Breaux, Joe Clardy, William Bell

Trails Committee

Work to keep public horse trails accessible to all horse people, work on developing new trails,prepare a priority plan for trail activities, work with private land owners to increase trails offerings, and coordinate any Horsemen’s Council trail rides. Work with in-state Saddle clubs, regional trails organizations, national trails organizations, and other groups to solicit their input and represent their interests. Maintains close liaison with state trails agency personnel to provide for good working relationships and communications on trails issues. Updates trail information to Publications Committee.

Members: Jim Edwards, Bill Steele, Hayward Simmons, Butch Kennedy, Jenny Bell

Education Committee

Determine what the educational needs are and the best means of obtaining and providing up to date information on equine subjects, coordinate special educational activities as appropriate, obtaining speakers, written materials, web links and other pertinent information.

Members: Adam Eichelberger, Carol Deacon

Youth Committee

Determine SCHC goals regarding youth, develop special youth programs, conduct clinics, coordinate scholarship program, coordinate with and support other organized youth groups

Members: Carol Deacon, Mary Quarles, Lynn Holcombe

Annual Meeting & Expo Committee

This committee coordinates site selection, schedule of events, lists of vendors & sponsors, participants, communications, budget, and all other activities associated with the annual meeting.

Members: Kaye Watkins, Terry Boger, Jenny Bell, Debbie Garris, Marsha Hewitt

Finance Committee

Obtains services of person(s) with accounting or financial background to conduct annual audit, present results of audit to Board, work with Treasurer to address any areas for improvement, periodically review financial information, request special reports, and make recommendations to Board on managing and improving Council finances

Members: Terry Boger, Donna Patterson, Jim Edwards, Cecil Watkins, Tim Sigmon

Publications (Communications) Committee

Develop broad based communication program to inform Horse Council members of activities, events, and issues. This will include but not be limited to publishing a newsletter, maintaining the internet web site, special notices of legislation or other information, and assisting others with special events communications.

q       Public Relations – Coordinate external communications to newspapers, television, magazines, and other media.

q       Website Management – update, revise, and maintain website as needed, including calendar of events and other info.

q       Newsletter Committee – solicit articles, format newsletter, insert sponsor ads, seek out information on equine events, educational articles, proof final copy, get latest mailing list from membership chairman, deliver to printing and mailing services

q       Brochures – develop brochures for informing people about the SCHC and encouraging them to join

q       Special Event Programs – develop special programs as needed for events or meetings such as the annual Expo and coordinate their printing

Members: Larissa Blick, Jenny Bell, Cecil Watkins,

Membership Committee

Performs the operational functions of membership approvals, promotions, recruiting, suspensions and terminations as approved by the Board. Recommend materials & programs to promote membership growth, orient new members, and provide sustaining benefits. Receive applications and forward payments to Treasurer, record all relevant information on members, mail cards and other info to new & renewing members, notify webmaster of links and sponsors, update newsletter mailing list (members, sponsors, other), publish updated membership list monthly to Board members. Develop programs for providing better services to members, solicit input, and make recommendations to board.

Members: Mary Quarles, Mark Kennedy

Sponsorships

Maintain current list of sponsors, keep approved ad copy, send annual renewal notices, obtain sponsor recognition materials, communicate appreciation to sponsors, provide Publications Committee with sponsor info, solicit new sponsors, work with other board and council members to secure sponsors

Members: Terry Boger, Jenny Bell, Kaye Watkins

Horse Welfare Committee

The South Carolina Horsemen’s Council responding to its responsibility to SC horses, SC horse owners and the SC horse industry has formed a Horse Welfare Committee. This committee was created to Connect, Communicate, and Educate. 

Today’s reality holds too many unwanted horses.  Unwanted horses may be sick, injured or old. They may be unmanageable or dangerous.  They may be horses that an owner is no longer economically able to care for.  This is especially evident in today’s economy. Horses may no longer be wanted because they have become more of a burden than a joy which may lead to neglect or abuse.  Or, they may simply be horses that an owner does not know what to do with.

Regardless of how horses reached this state, every owner and the horse industry at large, has a responsibility to ensure that everything possible is done so that no horse becomes “unwanted” or “unhomed”.

We on the Horse Welfare Committee encourage your involvement to help us connect our horsemen across South Carolina in times of hardship so that we may reach out to extend help where needed.  We have developed a Horse Help Hotline and will continue to update it. We have partnered with the Kentucky Horse Council in offering the award winning HorseSmarts DVD to help educate horse owners on the responsibilities involved with owning a horse.  Further, we hope to offer articles for member awareness of the many issues involved in the problem of unwanted horses.  These will not be meant to be conclusive of all opinions out there on the subject, for there are many.  We are committed to the welfare of the horses of SC.

The following actions have been put before the Board of Directors and have been adopted by the Board:

1.        Create a Horse Welfare link on our SCHC website.

2.        Offer the Horse Help Hotline on our SCHC website.

3.       Provide educational seminars on “Owning Responsibly” through partnering with universities, colleges, technical schools, vets, farriers, and equine specialists.

4.       Create an Assistance Fund.

5.       Establish a Stallions to Geldings program…. “Operation Gelding” for SC Horsemen.

We invite all our SCHC members involvement and suggestions for our committee.  This is a huge undertaking and effort on the part of SCHC.  To contact the committee email: elizabethmsteed@aol.com  or call 843-991-4879.

Join us to Connect, Communicate, Educate!    

Committee members are:  Elizabeth Steed (chairman), Betty Rankin, Carol Deacon, Bill Steele, Julie McCrary, Wanda Wood, Debbie Poole, Harriet Kiehl, Katie Holmes, Pam Runnels, and Jan Carter.