In Step with Golden State
Newsletter of the
Golden State Versatility Ranch Horse Association
JULY 2021
Dear GSVRHA Members,
Is it July already? July is a busy month in the horse show world and it’s no different for Golden State. We have a new show at a new-to-us venue July 9-11 at Golden Hills in Paso Robles and hope to see many of you there.
In this issue we have candid shots from the AQHA VRH World Show in Guthrie, OK and a heartwarming piece about how GS President Kathy Torres was helped in Gallop, NM. Also there is news about the venue for our WSVRHA Championship Show in Las Vegas. The results from the Central Coast Ranch Horse Classic in May are in this issue, along with some candid pictures. Noted judge “Bozo” Rogers lets us in on his feelings about Ranch Riding and Ranch Trail and we catch up with amateur Bruce Blodgett. We have an update on Taimane Faiaipa’u’s High School Rodeo Finals and information about the very popular and newly renamed* VRH Show in August at the Carmel Valley Trail & Saddle Club. Lastly, an update on SB 287 and what you can do to help.
Your comments and suggestions are welcomed. What would YOU like to see in this newsletter? Also, please share any candid or showing pictures you might have.
Let’s go have fun and show our horses!
Dawn Poston, Editor
Send comments, concerns, & ideas to [email protected]
In Memory of Peter Smoot
This issue of “In Step With Golden State” is dedicated to our friend Peter Smoot
It is with great sadness that we report the sudden passing of our friend and fellow competitor Peter Smoot June 24. He and Dillion (Starlight Dillon) were a force to be reckoned with in the Novice Division and in fact he was Novice All Around Champion at the recent Central Coast Ranch Horse Classic. We offer our deepest condolences to Peter’s wife Kim and his daughter Jessica. He was one of a kind. His kindness, his goodwill, his willingness to help, and his unfailing good grace and humor, will be very missed by all.
*Clifford Horse Training VRH Show Now The Peter Smoot Memorial VRH Show
In honor of Peter Smoot, the August show now is the Peter Smoot Memorial VRH Show. Peter was an excellent student, loved learning more about his horse/ riding/showing in VRH. He always asked great questions and absorbed and used every bit of the answers. It’s very fitting that the popular Carmel Valley show, with its cool weather, pleasant sunshine, great footing, amazing camping, and awesome prizes be named for him. We hope to see you at Carmel Valley Trail & Saddle Club August 13-15 for a memorable competition .
Entry information will be on gsvrha.com very soon. Keep checking! See you there.
AQHA VRH World Show
Lazy E Arena @ Guthrie, Oklahoma
Here are candid shots from before the show began. Show pictures and results will be in the next edition of our newsletter.
Fellow VRH Competitor to the Rescue!
It’s a long, three-day haul to Guthrie, OK. Imagine pulling in to Gallop, NM with your “check engine” light on and losing power fast. That very thing happened to Golden State President Kathy Torres, pulling her LQ with two horses on board. Followed by Sarah Clifford, she limped into the dealership in Gallup–repair shop not open on a Saturday. She remembered fellow competitor Rebecca Winfield lived in Gallup. A phone call to Rebecca and a truck was on its way! They hooked up the trailer and said “bring it back when you’re going home.” Imagine that. It’s the western way and aren’t we so blessed to be a part of the Versatility community. Thank you Winfield family!
October @ Las Vegas: WSVRHA Championship
New Covered Arena for Western State Finals
If you missed out on the fun at the AQHA World VRH Show in Guthrie, OK, you have another chance. Plan to attend the spectacular WSVRHA Championship show in Las Vegas at Horseman’s Park to be held October 21-24. New this year is a beautiful covered arena. Details will be forthcoming but be sure to make plans now to attend!
Central Coast Ranch Horse Classic
Results from May
AQHA Open
Champion Sarah Clifford
Reserve Debby Sanguinetti
Limited Open
Champion Erin Corey
AQHA Amateur
Champion Jen Harden
Reserve Champion Rachel Clifford
AQHA Limited Amateur
Champion Alexi Connell
Reserve Heather Bryant
AQHA Rookie
Champion Peter Smoot
Reserve Kim Smoot
AQHA Youth
Champion Taimane Faiaip’u
Reserve Christian Scanlan
Select
Jen Harden
Kelly Saunders
WSVRHA Open
Champion Sarah Clifford
Reserve Debby Sanguinetti
WSVRHA Advanced Amateur
Champion Jen Harden
Reserve Rachel Clifford
WSVRHA Intermediate
Champion Kim Donlon
Reserve Renee Jackson
WSVRHA Limited
Champion Alexi Connell
Reserve Heather Bryant
WSVRHA Novice
Champion Peter Smoot
Reserve Jessamy German
WSVRHA Youth
Champion Christian Scanlan
Reserve Kensley Hennessey
Ranching Heritage
Champion Sarah Clifford/It’s Remedy Time
Jr Horse
Champion Heather Bryant/ Stylish In My Boots
Reserve Lydia Lawson/WFR Little Boon Doc
From the Judge’s Perspective
Fielding “Bozo” Rogers: Ranch Riding & Trail
In the ranch riding and trail classes, I am personally picky about there being a natural, efficient way of getting through the obstacles. The obstacles and how they are performed, should look like a maneuver that might be performed on a ranch. Anything fake looking, such as a rider’s arm being stiff with the elbow locked, wouldn’t be how that rider would ride five miles across the pasture. They could not hold that position that long! I don’t like to see a horse excessively lowering their head, or slowing way down at the logs. If I slowed down at every log I encounter, I would never get across the pasture. Every obstacle and how the rider rides that obstacle should reflect how it would be done on a ranch. Keep that in mind as you show your horse.
Out and About
Amateur Bruce Blodgett
In 2018 our fellow GS competitor Bruce Blodgett moved to the Pacific Northwest. He agreed to an interview to let us know what’s going on with him now.
Why Washington? We’ve always liked the Pacific Northwest. Since I was involuntarily retired we decided it was a good time to move closer to our boys. We moved to Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island in June 2018.
What about that Washington weather? Western Washington weather is very dynamic. It can be raining in the morning, sunny in the afternoon, and then raining again at night. So far it’s been a little cooler than Central California but moderate and pleasant overall.
How is winter riding different? Riding outdoors in the winter is not possible due to the mud. Most barns have covered arenas to address the winter weather. The barn I board at has an indoor arena so I can ride regardless of the weather, though the temperature can be down in the 30’s and 40’s.
What’s going on with showing and VRH in the PNW? Showing has been the hardest adjustment. None of the Washington shows have specific VRH classes or cow work. I’ve had to piece it together using AQHA Ranch Riding, Reining, and Ranch Trail classes. To get true complete VRH shows I’ve had to go to OQHA shows in Eugene, Oregon.
Where have you gone lately? OQHA Classic in Eugene, OR (VRH) and CWQHA in Moses Lake, WA (non-VRH).
How did you do? OQHA Classic: Circuit Champion VRH Ranch Trail Limited Amateur, Reserve Champion VRH Ranch Reining Limited Amateur, and All Around Reserve Champion VRH Limited Amateur. CWQHA: 1st Amateur Reining, 1st Level 1 Amateur Ranch Riding.
What do you want your California friends to know about your new home? Versatility Ranch Horse is alive and growing in Washington. The shows are fun and relaxed, people are friendly and helpful. I talk up VRH any chance I get and I have gotten several people at my barn interested in it.
Thank you Bruce for bringing us up to speed on your new home. We wish you the very best in all your showing endeavors!
High School Rodeo Finals
Taimane Faiaipa’u : Cowgirl Tough
Versatility youth Taimane Faiaipa’u had a setback one week before the High School Rodeo Finals but it didn’t slow her down a bit. Her steady mount Mucho developed an abscess and with one weeks notice she had to find a replacement mount and get ready! Trainer Kathy Torres loaned her Melody (Opus Smart Cat) for the Cutting, and Cione Neesen loaned her Piko (Mr. Tulare) for the Cow Horse. She just missed the short go in the Cutting but made it in the Cow Horse. She came into the Finals in 10th place and moved up to finish 6th! She is the epitome of cowgirl tough and we’re all proud of her.
State Bill 287
Committee Meets July 5! Please Support!
SB 287 has been assigned to the Assembly Transportation Committee. Here is the link to the list of Assembly Members on the committee and their “contact me” links:
https://atrn.assembly.ca.gov/membersstaff
Here is the support letter portal link:
https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/
Just like we did for the Senate process, we need to contact these elected Assembly Members with our requests for their support of the bill. As always, thank you for your time and effort to help each other as we work together to get this done!
Click below for a letter template if you would like to use it. Be sure to add your name and city to the bottom. Or just write “please support SB 287”.
2021 Calendar
Show Dates
For more information, click here to view the complete calendar in a new window
| Date | Name | Location | Show Rep |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 9-11 | GSVRHA: Golden Hills Farm VRH Show | Paso Robles, CA | Sarah Clifford |
| August 13-15 | GSVRHA: Peter Smoot Memorial Clinic & Show | Carmel Valley, CA | Meghan Carr |
| Sept 4-5 | GSVRHA: Paso Pastures Playoff | Paso Robles, CA | Dawn Poston |
| Oct 1-3 | GSVRHA: Central Coast Fall Classic | San Luis Obispo, CA | Mike Lund |
| Oct 21-24 | WSVRHA Year End Finals | Las Vegas, NV | Kathy Torres |
Quote of the Month
Diana Scharf Hunt, Writer and Motivational Speaker
“Goals are dreams with deadlines.”
