In Step with Golden State
Newsletter of the
Golden State Versatility Ranch Horse Association
MARCH 2021
Happy New Year to our Versatility family!
I hope everyone has been making the most of all the dry weather we have had so far this year.
While Covid is still with us, we are figuring out ways to get our shows held and have managed to come up with a full calendar. Please check our GSVRHA.org website, or this newsletter, for current 2021 listings.
Unfortunately, the popular March Show in San Martin has been cancelled due to the COVID restrictions in Santa Clara County. The Ione show April 16-18, now put on by Running T Ranch, is going to be our first show of the season. This covered arena and grounds has undergone some great improvements such as permanent stalls and water!
To start off the new season I wanted to make you all aware of AQHA and/or WSVRHA rule changes that may affect you. Here is a quick run down but for more detail you can check the newly updated rulebook for 2021 at WSVRHA.com.
- We now officially have a Limited Open subdivision. Check it out and see if it applies to you.
- AQHA has initiated a new ROOKIE division that is like our NOVICE division. Now when you enter a WSVRHA show that runs a concurrent AQHA show, you no longer have to enter 2 different cow classes to be in the all around.
- There are now youth options for each division.
- Intermediate Division riders are no longer required to step out of this class. You may stay indefinitely.
All of this is such exciting news! VRH is growing across the country and just keeps getting better. Here’s to a great 2021- Let’s go have some fun!
Your President,
Kathy Torres
GS Members Out & About
Catching Up With Laurel Laba
Many of you will remember VRH competitor Laurel Laba who rode with our president Kathy Torres. Recently she and her husband Mark moved to Florence, Montana to retire. She agreed to an interview for this newsletter.
- So Laurel, why Montana? We reached our long term goal to retire and chose Florence, in the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana, moving in September 2020.
- What about those Montana winters? It’s been quite an adjustment for my California horses. Fortunately this winter has been relatively mild. Their winter wardrobe has grown by necessity-they each have three different weight winter blankets plus neck covers.
- How is it different trail riding in winter? Many horses have snow pads to prevent snowballs in the horse’s hooves. Some riders use bohrium nails in the shoes for traction.
- How about show horses? Sliders can be a challenge as they are dangerous for outdoor turnout. Often show horses stay indoors all winter and riders need access to indoor arenas.
- How’s the VRH scene there? We don’t have a local club so VRH enthusiasts must attend AQHA events. Sometimes it’s necessary to travel quite a distance for a VRH show.
- Where was your latest show? We just returned from the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, South Dakota. There were over 40 entries and professionals such as Matt Koch from Colorado, and Kirk Hall from Wyoming, were there competing in the Open/Cowboy Division.
- How did you do? VRH Rookie All-Around!
- What do you want your California friends to know about your new home. Versatility is alive and well East of the Rockies. The shows have a fun, relaxed atmosphere where everyone was willing to help one another.
Ride for the Brand
Golden State Logowear Apparel
Youth VRH Schooling Show
Co-Sponsored by Golden State and the Carmel Valley Trail & Saddle Club
A youth schooling show will be held March 27 (rain date April 3) at the Carmel Valley Trail & Saddle Club. There will be four classes–Flagwork, Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, Ranch Reining–and three divisions–“Never Shown in VRH Show”, “Have Shown in VRH Show”, and “Walk-Trot.” If you are a GS member you will have gotten an email with the details. View the GS Calendar for more information or to enter online.
Odds & Ends
Board Member Challenge
In last month’s newsletter readers were challenged to name all nine of the GSVRHA Board Members. The first successful member would get a $25 Visa card. No one was successful, but special kudos to Heather Bryant who tried just about every iteration of members possible! Our Board Members are:
- Kathy Torres, President
- Andrea Pasek, Vice President
- Kelly Saunders, Treasurer
- Meghan Carr, Secretary
- Cori Vowell, Member
- Jen Harden, Member
- Kim Schnittger, Member
- Dawn Poston, Member
- Sarah Clifford, President Emeritus
Need Your Help
Please send ideas for our newsletter. Also pictures!!! Around the barn, schooling, at shows, goofy horse pictures, dogs, candids, send what you have. All feedback is welcomed. Contact Dawn Poston at [email protected].
ERRATA!
There was a date error regarding the Golden Hills Farm Show in Paso Robles in last month’s newsletter. The correct dates are July 9-11, 2021.
2021 Show Dates
Date | Name | Location | Show Rep |
---|---|---|---|
March 27 | CVT&SC/GSVRHA: Youth Schooling Show | Carmel Valley, CA | Dawn Poston |
April 16-18 | GSVRHA: Running T Ranch Horse Roundup | Ione, CA | Jen Harden |
May 21-23 | GSVRHA/AQHA: Central Coast Ranch Horse Classic | Carmel Valley, CA | Kelly Saunders |
June 17-20 | AQHA: VRH World Show | Guthrie, OK | n/a |
July 9-11 | GSVRHA: Golden Hills Farm VRH Show | Paso Robles, CA | Sarah Clifford |
August 13-15 | GSVRHA: Carmel Valley GSVRHA 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 |
Show Representatives = Show Helpers
- Who are the Show Reps?
GSVRHA Board Members - How else can I find out who the Show Rep is for a specific show?
- On the entry form
- Facebook posting
- Ask the show manager
- Name of Show Rep will be posted at each show office
- What is the role of the Show Rep?
The role of the Show Rep is to be a resource for the show manager from beginning to end of the process, and to act as a liaison between competitors/judges/show management. The show rep is there to help make the show and showing as problem free as possible.
Quote of the Month
Theodore Roosevelt: 26th president of the United States
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”