Lucille’s Restaurant and Bar hosted the 2007 OKRHA year-end awards banquet
and annual membership meeting. Over 85 members of all ages enjoyed dinner
and camaraderie, dancing the night away to the great country music band,
Canyon Creek. Built in 1894 as the Oklahoma State Bank building, Lucille’s
historic building and legendary dance hall served as the perfect location for
OKRHA’s 6th annual membership meeting.

When OKRHA’s female members call themselves “cowgirls”, they have Lucille
Mulhall to thank. The phrase “cowgirl” was coined to introduce Lucille at
Madison Square Garden in 1905 as a woman who could rope, ride and do ranch
work alongside men. In a presentation to Lucille’s owners, Jason and Rerri
Roselius, Lucille Mulhall was made an honorary member of OKRHA.

The evening began with the OKRHA general membership meeting. Incoming OKRHA President, Tami Wagman, presided. Treasurer, Carole Hoffman, gave the treasurer’s report showing that OKRHA is in good financial position. The
group discussed OKRHA’s revised show calendar which included moving the Tulsa Ride and Slide up to February 22-24 and adding a Derby. OKRHA also moved up its Lazy E show in Guthrie, Oklahoma to May 17 and 18 due to the NRHA Derby moving to June.

Tami Wagman discussed measures being taken with the Tulsa fairgrounds to obtain a second show and warm up arena for the 2008 Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic, Aug. 28-31, to alleviate scheduling problems. Paula Pidcock, OKRHA’s youth coordinator, discussed plans for the youth program. After an open forum to discuss member ideas and questions, the 2008 Officers and Directors were elected and the meeting was adjourned.

By that time everyone was plenty hungry and jumped in line for some fried chicken and mashed potatoes. While members enjoyed their dinner, year-end awards were announced. OKRHA year-end award winners received beautiful buckles. Second and third places received $100 and $50 gift certificates from Drysdales. All attendees were put in drawings for John Deere hats and shirts, donated by John Deere. Special thanks to Kim Dergo for helping to arrange for these items. Also given away were rain “Reiner Gauges” and lots of OKRHA hats, shirts and jackets from OKRHA events throughout the year. Few people left empty handed.

Special plaques were presented to Steve Hudson and Howard Pidcock in honor of their many years of service as OKRHA board members and volunteers. Thanks guys! (But you are not off the hook). OKRHA also recognized Carole Hoffman for her dedication to OKRHA as treasurer and show secretary, a huge job done by a very talented person.

OKRHA would like to say a special thank you to Jean Brainard who organized the awards banquet. Great job, Jean! Everyone had a blast. Thanks also to Laura Robinson for ordering the beautiful buckles and to Howard Pidcock for being our photographer. To see more pictures of the banquet and the award winners go to
www.okrhaphotos.shutterfly.com. The password is “Slide”. Hope to see even more people at the banquet in 2009!