EMBARRRASS — The Embarrass Region Fair Association gave a revised proposal to the North Woods Saddle Club at a meeting on Aug. 18, and the two groups are getting closer to an agreement. While the fair association owns the land the horse arena sits on, the saddle club owns the arena fencing, panels, and gates. The fair association wants ownership of this equipment, which would enable them to pursue grant funding for arena improvements, which both groups agree is required. This would also clear up some issues with insurance and liability.
“This proposal had the majority of things the saddle club had brought up with us,” said fair board chair Sarah Wallert-Ramponi. The fair board had created an arena committee, which hosts its own horse-related events as well as working with the saddle club. Saddle club members have been invited to be part of the arena committee.
The fair board’s proposal would transfer ownership of the corral panels, man gates, corral gates, t-posts, and wooden posts to the fair association. In exchange for the equipment, the saddle club would get use of the arena for five years for their five regularly scheduled annual horse events. The saddle club would need to clean the arena after events. Rental fees for any additional use of the arena are still to be determined. The saddle club will need to provide the fair association with proof of insurance. The agreement does not set a value on the equipment.
Under this agreement, the saddle club would continue to maintain their ownership of the announcer and concession stands, grill, two sets of bleachers, jump stands and jumps, barrels, and portable toilets.
Once the fair association acquires funding and/or donations to build a new announcers stand, concession stand, and bleachers, the saddle club would need to remove the existing structures.
The agreement would require arena users to sign a waiver before using the arena. The arena would remain unlocked to allow for such use. Area riders often use the arena for practice and lessons. The arena is also used for other horse-related events. Maintenance of the arena would be the responsibility of the fair association, but volunteer assistance would be greatly appreciated.
The saddle club will be voting on the agreement. While members noted the agreement addressed most of their concerns, they had questions about what would happen to the arena equipment if the fair board dissolves. Fair association board members said they couldn’t put a stipulation that the equipment would revert to the saddle club in the agreement, for legal reasons. But they noted that even if the association stopped sponsoring the fair, the fair association would still exist to oversee the Timber Hall grounds.
Board members noted that the fair association is a community organization and wants to act in good faith.
The two groups also discussed possible changes and upgrades to the arena itself, including increasing its size.
The two groups will meet again on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at Timber Hall, and they hope to finalize the agreement, which then will go to the fair association board for final approval.