MHC Scholarships:

     Each year the Michigan Horse Council awards three scholarships to members.  These scholarships may be awarded to high school seniors or any member pursuing a degree in any field of study.  The Michigan Horse Council member scholarship is in the amount of $1000.  The application for the 2012 member scholarship can be found on the MHC web site at www.michiganhorsecouncil.com
The 2012 Michigan Horse Council member scholarship recipients are as follows:

Korena Langereis of Holton, MI  Korena Langereis of Holton, MI Korena was a member of Holton Happy Hustler’s 4-H group.  She attended both Muskegon Community College and Lake Erie College and plans to transfer to Michigan State University.  Korena plans to major in veterinary technology.  Future plans include, earning her degree in veterinary medicine, specializing in horses.  Korena also hopes to become a 4-H leader and high school equestrian coach in the future.
Jennifer Holsem of Grandville, MI.      Jennifer is a senior at Calvin Christian High School in Grandville, MI.  She plans to attend either Calvin College or Hope College majoring in nursing.  She has participated in Kent County 4-Hand Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association.  She has also participated in mission work that has taken her to Guatemala and Africa. In her scholarship application, Jennifer stated, “I know that somehow my involvement with medicine will intersect with my love for horses and animals.  I have a desire to become a competent and compassionate nurse that is committed to give back to my community.”
Kendi Kamps of Hamilton, MI   Kendi is a member of the Michigan State Pony of Amercas Club and FFA.  She was part of the state champion livestock judging team.  Kendi has also volunteered in FFA elderly food collections and mentoring others.  She is a graduate of Hopkins Public Schools and is currently attending Kalamazoo Valley Community College.  Kendi plans to transfer to Michigan State University, all 2012, where she plans to major in animal science.  Her future plans include becoming a large animal veterinarian, specializing in equine science.  Kendi hopes to continue to stay involved with equine by training POAs.
MHC/MIHA Scholarships: Each year the Michigan Horse Council sponsors two of the three Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association scholarships, in the amount of $500.  The 2012 recipients are as follows:  Kodi Rubino  (MHC sponsored) Coldwater, MI District 15 Coldwater Team Abby Westhouse (MHC sponsored) Grandville, MI District 16 Hundsonville Team   Kaitlyn Searing is the 2012 recipient of the MIHA sponsored scholarship.     Kaitlyn is from Coldwater, MI and is on the District 15 Coldwater Team.  Kaitlyn is a senior at Coldwater High School.  She plans to pursue a degree at either Olivet College or Central Michigan University.  Kaitlyn plans to double Major in Criminal Psychology.  She shows at equestrian shows, 4-H and Open shows.  Kaitlyn volunteers at Community Fire Department and the local Food Pantry. 4-H Scholarships 4-H scholarships are awarded in the amount of $500 each year at the Michigan 4-H Championship show, held here at Michigan State University.  The 2012 4-H scholarship recipients are as follows: Jacob Myers of Howell, MI Jacob's future plans include attending community college next year in preparation to attend a 4 year university the following year.  He is currently considering a future in business administration or mathematics.  He plans on still being active with his 4H group, Ultimate Horsepower, as well as actively competing in NBHA. Jacob proudly rode for the Hartland Equestrian team all 4 years of high school. Ariel Filonczuk of Dansville, MI Ariel is a member of the Dansville Wranglers 4-H club.  She attended Dansville High School and graduated with honors in May of 2011. Ariel now attends Lansing Community College and has enrolled for MSU’s 2012 Fall semester. She is currently studying Animal Behavior and Psychology.  Not only does Ariel continue to participate in Dressage, but she is also a JV player and the barn manager for the MSU Polo Team.  She hopes to try out for the varsity team, next semester. Ariel plans to continue her equine interests in dressage.  Her future plans include training horses and teaching people equestrian skills.    Other Scholarships In addition to the scholarships already mentioned, the Michigan Horse Council also funds the following scholarships: Michigan State University Scholarships - 1 scholarship in the amount of $1,500 for a student enrolled in the Horse Management program at MSU's Institute of Agricultural Technology. - 1 scholarship in the amount of $2,000 for a student pursuing a Bachelor's degree with an equine emphasis. -1 scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to a student pursuing  a DVM with and intent to      practice equine medicine in Michigan. The Michigan Horse Council has established an endowment at Michigan State University to fund these scholarships.    Should you or your family wish to contribute to this endowment or assist in establishing future endowments at Michigan State University or other Michigan colleges or universities please contact the Michigan Horse Council Philanthropy Chair for details. Additional information regarding the Michigan Horse Council scholarship programs can be found on the web at www.michiganhorsecouncil.com Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients.  We look forward to your continued and future involvement in the Michigan horse industry.

Bill Zettel, Michigan Trail Riders Association

     With his recent retirement from the Michigan Trail Riders Association (MTRA) Board of Directors  “Wild” Bill Zettel has proven to be the longest of any volunteer board member.  MHC wishes to honor his many years of service to the trail riding community of Michigan.
Bill had horses all his life and enjoyed trail riding when he discovered MTRA as a younger man, in 1969.  MTRA was in its fledgling years, the group having only just been created in 1963.  Bill spent some time enjoying the trails with the group, and on his own, and determined that he was going to give back and help out.  His kind of help proved so valuable that in 1977 Bill was elected to the Board of Directors, and he has held his directorship ever since!   That’s 35 years of volunteer service for the camps and trails for equestrians in Northern Michigan!  Don’t let his nick name of “Wild” Bill fool you – this man has a real git ‘er done attitude.
      In those 35 years of service Bill has been instrumental in every camp that MTRA has located, developed and used.  He has assisted in locating and mapping out camp placements, he has used his two hands and his equipment to bring those camps to life by cutting trees, removing stumps, leveling sites; he has dug countless picket pole holes, he has trimmed tree limbs threatening to squash horse, human or rig.  Bill has helped prepare fire rings for these camps, he’s developed new or has re-routed trails as necessary, and he has been a positive interactive force working with the Michigan Department of Conservation back in the 60’s, and continuing that positive interaction and shared solutions with what later become the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  Bill has also had an excellent working relationship with the Federal Forest Service.  For many years Bill and his family made sure that South Branch Camp, and the trail between it and McKinley Camp, was kept clear and well marked, ready for equestrian and non-motorized use.  This trail includes many boardwalks that over the years Bill has replaced, as well as watering areas that need constant vigil for erosion control.  While Bill is well versed in trail clearing and maintaining, we know  for fact he has bushwacked his own trail, more than once, back in the day!  How many trail riders were surprised to have “Wild” Bill and his Appaloosa looking roan Quarter Horse, Lucky, pop out of the trees on their right, cut across the trail, and after a greeting, disappear into the woods to the left!
Bill has made excellent use of the trails and camps he has worked so hard to build.   In his 43 years of membership Bill has earned 44 trophies for completion of the Shore to Shore crossing.  He made most of those crossings on Lucky, but more recently Bill has enjoyed taking the alternate route necessary for a different all wheel drive vehicle – he has been driving a single, pair and trio of Appaloosas across the state of Michigan with friend and fellow driving enthusiast Randy Davisson, earning more trophies for successful crossings.  Bill and Randy can be seen around MTRA camps sporting their Viking helmets while they drive – this keeps their hair nice and neat, of course!  The pair has even been earning money on their way across by picking up pop cans and redeeming them for the deposit, keeping the state clean as they go!
Bill has been paying it forward to the next generation for all of his 35 years of service.  His family of son Ed and daughter Julie were introduced to riding – and hard work! – at early ages with Dad Bill.  Each of his children has earned multiple trophies while riding with him, and now Bill is showing his grandchildren the fun of camping and cross state horse riding.  Grandson Elon and Granddaughter Danielle are often seen on the rides and work bees with Grandpa Bill.
Wild Bill has a special place in his heart for the youth of MTRA and often volunteers to be a judge and to help out at the fun events going on with the youth in camp on the second June rides.  In this way he is helping to bring the next generation of trail riders into the MTRA community.  At work bees he has been seen showing a youngster how to wield a crowbar to remove rotten boardwalk boards, how to hammer in a new board, and how each person, no matter their age or ability, can be helpful to the work process.
Bill’s knowledge of boardwalk and bridge building, including his expertise at rail notching, has been a welcome education for the newer members of all ages with MTRA.  Bill is also well versed in beaver wrangling and beaver dam relocation exercises.  When you meet him on the trail be sure to ask him about the many times he has assisted the Federal Forest Service in the finer art of beaver management!
Bill’s sense of humor and ability to laugh at himself, his calm demeanor, the way he inspires young and old, his constant giving

Joan Spindler, Shiawassee County

     Joan Spindler served as leader of the Rangers 4-H Horse Club for more than 40 years. Since the beginning of Joan’s leadership in 1960, the Rangers have seen more than 30 grand or reserve champion winners. Joan has provided leadership and training to these club members who have not only won awards in the show ring but have gone on to work in the agriculture field and many other professions as well. Spindler excels in developing youth for the future and to that end has worked to groom members for leadership positions. Five previous members have returned as Rangers co-leaders and four have gone on to start their own 4-H clubs. One previous member said, “Joan gave us the tools to succeed, but she also made us value the feeling of satisfaction of earning any award we might have won by our own sweat and hard work.”
Joan Spindler of the Shiawassee County Farm Bureau was awarded Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) 4-H Excellence in Agriculture award at MFB’s 2011 Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids. The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of Michigan 4-H volunteers or groups who have exhibited excellence in 4-H youth education and leadership development in the areas of 4-H beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, horses, horticulture, crops and soils, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine and veterinary science. The honoree is awarded $1,000 to help advance Michigan 4-H youth development programming in an agriculture program of their choice.

Mike Foote, Michigan Horse Council

     Mike has donated countless hours to the Michigan Equestrian Community. He serves on several DNR committees (State Parks, Snowmobile and Trails Advisory Committee, and Equine Trails Subcommittee), working to insure that land continues to be available for equestrian use,  He has used his personal vacation time, and put in many hours attending meetings throughout the state. He has also represented MHC at the annual Michigan Farm Bureau Meeting, as well as many other state organizations.
Mike served as district chair for the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association; represented Michigan at meetings of the AHC committee, Coalition of State Horse Councils, and provided input on many legal issues affecting the Michigan Equine Industry. Mike also represented MHC and the Michigan Equine community, when he traveled with the Michigan Multijurisdictional Mounted Police unit that participated  in the Presidential Inaugural Parade in  Washington, DC in 2009.
Mike is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and is employed by Bissell, Inc. in Grand Rapids. Mike is a member of the Ionia Horse Trails Association, and enjoys spending time camping and trail riding. He also is a member of the Kent County Sheriff’s Department Mounted Division.