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About Our Club

Menomonie Saddle Club is composed of members from Menomonie, Wisconsin, and surrounding communities including Boyceville, Chippewa Falls, Elk Mound, Downsville, Eleva, and Baldwin.  Our home practice and event arena is located at the Dunn County fairgrounds, Menomonie, Wisconsin.

Graphic courtesy of:  http://www.virtualhorses.com/graphics     

Our Mission

The purpose of the Menomonie Saddle Club is to develop and promote good fellowship among horse enthusiasts; to promote and develop good horsemanship together with knowledge and interest in the care, training and breeding of good horses; to promote and cultivate all equestrian games and sports, and through the activities of this club, to interest and educate the public in recreational possibilities and benefits of the use and ownership of horses; to promote and cultivate the formation of association and friendly relationships with similar clubs throughout this state and elsewhere.

Club Profile

The Menomonie Saddle Club has been in existence since 1959.

Membership includes near 40 families--riders of all ages are welcome!

Our club competes annually in precision drill team and square dance team competitions at the Minnesota State Fair and various other Wisconsin and Illinois competitions.

Annual events sponsored by the Menomonie Saddle Club include an open WSCA sanctioned game show, an NBHA sanctioned barrel-racing show, and trail rides and fun shows for members.

Member of WSCA-Western Saddle Clubs Association, UHA-United Horsemen's Association, and Wisconsin Horse Council.

Club History

Menomonie Saddle Club History

by Kathy Mikesell

Member of 2009 50th Anniversary Committee

             This is a brief history of the Menomonie Saddle Club.  Most of the information is taken from the old minutes of the club and from recollections of club members.

            The first official organizational meeting of the Menomonie Saddle Club was held on October 13, 1959, at Dan's Cafe in Menomonie.  Officers elected at this meeting were President: John Anshus, Vice-President: Marvin Smith, Secretary: Scotty Sutliff, and Treasurer: Boyd Welch.  Over 90 names were on the first membership list.  The first trail ride was planned and held on October 25, 1959.  It started at Twin Springs Campground, went through Cedar Falls, and wound along Tainter Lake.

            The original by-laws of the club were copied from the by-laws of St. Croix Riders Saddle Club with only one small change.

            The original outfits of the club consisted of a black shirt with Menomonie Saddle Club embroidered on the back, and white hats, belts, and scarves.  The black shirts were replaced years later with bright turquoise and white vests and chaps with white shirts and black ties.  These were replaced for a short while with corduroy vests and finally replaced with black suede chaps and a Southwest print green, turquoise, and black shirt and green tie.  The white hats were  replaced by black felt.  Green metallic shirts were next.  They were labeled the "tinfoil shirts."  They were very attractive, but allowed no air promoting much sweating.  Royal blue, white, and black block shirts replaced the green ones.  Bolos with green stones replaced the ties.  Following these, green and royal blue vests with white shirts were adopted.  In 2009, the club made sequined turquoise and brown shirts and traded in the black chaps for brown pants.  The horses are currently outfitted with matching black blankets, white leggings and tooled and painted leather bridles and breast collars and tie-downs.  Most of the equipment is stored in a cargo trailer which the club purchased around 2000.

            The drill team was part of the Club from the very beginning.  Early practices were held at the rodeo grounds owned by Marvin Smith.  The grounds were located in North Menomonie at the site of the current Shops Off Broadway Mall.  The club has had several "homes" since.  In September, 1962, they bid on the Ideal School, but could not get a clear title so withdrew their offer.  In September of 1963, 4 men purchased the Hilltop School and deeded it to the club for a small fee.  Many meetings and social events were held in this building until it became too rundown and the site was sold in the 1970's.  In 1966, the first committee was formed to work on a riding arena at the Dunn County Fairgrounds.  The rodeo grounds had been removed and the drill team practiced on the race track at the Fairgrounds.  In 1967, the arena was built on the east end of the Fairgrounds by the club and given to the county.  The arena was later expanded to its present size.  In 1969, lights and an announcer's stand were added.  In 2010, the rejuvenation of the arena was completed in conjunction with the Dunn County 4-H project.  New footing was added, the current entry stand was updated, and the entire arena fence was replaced and new lighting was installed.  Records show Boyd Welch and Duane Cole as drillmasters in 1960.  Dean Neubauer in 1963, Duane Cole in 1963, Allen Wendt in 1964 with Buck Retzloff as assistant, Kathy Pauly in 1965 with Marv Smith and Keith Williams as assistants, Dick Williams in 1967, Kathy in 1968 and 1969, Dick in 1970, Kathy 1971-72, Mary Larrabee and Gwen Entorf in 1973.  Other drill masters since have been Rick Kostuch, Jean D'Angelo and Kurtis Burton.  The drill team performed many times at the Dunn County Fair and in 1972 entered its first competition at the Minnesota State Fair.  The Drill has performed or competed at Boyceville Pickle Fest, El Paso Days, the Stanley Rodeo, Knapp, East Troy, WI, Eau Claire Steamer Days, Wheeler Fourth of July, Colfax, Northern Illinois Horse Fest, Midwest Horse Fair in addition to the Minnesota State Fair.

            The first Square Dance group was formed in 1968.  In 1971, the club sent its first Square Dance to compete at the Minnesota State Fair.  This was the first competition entered at the Minnesota State Fair by the club.  Members of the first Square were Laurane Wendt, Gene Neubauer, Dan and Jackie Stewart, Glen and Gloria Miller, Bob and Kathy Smith, and Scott Pauly.  The club received the highest score on the ride and earned a second place in their first competition.  For many years Laurane Wendt was the Square Dance leader.

            The club has belonged to two club organizations.  They have been a member of WSCA since at least 1971 and were original members of UHA founded in 1969.

            Barb Blagen was the club's first queen.  Pam Cotts was the first member to compete at the WSCA Champ show.

            Throughout the years, the club has ridden in many parades.  Some of them include:  The Durand Fun Fest, El Paso Days, Eau Claire Sawdust City Days, Elmwood UFO Days and before UFO was organized, Boyceville Cucumber Fest, Glenwood City, Wheeler Fourth of July, Minneapolis Aquatennial, Stanley Steamer Days, and Colfax.  They have also participated in many winter Sleigh and Cutter Parades in Menomonie, Ridgeland, Knapp, Emerald, Durand, and Chippewa Falls.

            On September 19, 2010, a Fifty Year Celebration was held at Lloyd Harnisch's party barn.  Many former members attended and were recognized.  Several original members were in attendance which included:  Laurane Wendt, Delores Williams, Adeline Cummings, Scotty Sutliff, and Jim and Maxine Berger.  The member that has belonged the longest was Kathy Pauly-Smith-Mikesell.  A small ceremony took place along with a great potluck dinner, a band and lots of pictures and reminiscing.

Contact Information

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Menomonie Saddle Club or have questions regarding our activities or web site, please email the president at the email address listed below.

Telephone

715-235-4065

Postal address

Menomonie Saddle Club, Geri Wendt, E7207 430th Ave., Menomonie, WI  54751

Electronic mail

General Information: geriwendt@yahoo.com
 

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Last modified: 12/29/09