Vol 3 No 2

First Show of the Year

Preview of the Cinch Up Productions Event

Tony Agredano, known for setting the standard for all the shows early in the year, is poised to do his magic again March 19-20 at Thorson’s Arena in San Martin. With three arenas he can have several clinics going simultaneously and he’s gotten star power with clinicians Lyn Andersen, Sandy Collier, Bobby Cotta and Andy Holcomb. What a day it will be. More star power are judges Ramona Koch and Karen Arlin.

If you’ve attended one of Tony’s shows you know you never go away hungry. He’s busy getting a good menu going so that competitors are well nourished and warm from within. This show always fills fast so keep an eye on your email and enter right away. You don’t want to miss this one.

Attention all Youth competitors! Tony is sponsoring several full All Around Youth entries for his March Show. Contact Dawn Poston at [email protected] for more information.

Summary from the President

GSVRHA Luncheon & Awards

President Kathy Torres began the day by giving an update on club activities. She explained that Golden State would like to give more saddles next year, hoping to grow our membership, and is working toward fundraising opportunities and sponsorships.

She asked members of our club to join a committee. (Contact Dawn Poston for Fundraising and Sarah Clifford for Membership.) Kelly Saunders gave the Treasurer’s Report and informed the group that Golden State financials can now be found on our web site.

President Torres also explained the often-confusing relationship between the National Ranch & Stock Horse Alliance, Western States Versatility Ranch Horse Association, and Golden State Versatility Ranch Horse Association.

The National Ranch & Stock Horse Alliance is like the “parent” organization. The organizations in the second set of boxes are members of the NRSHA. Notice that Western States Versatility Ranch Horse Association is one of those organizations. The boxes under WSVRHA are “affiliates” of Western States. Notice that our club is one of the Western States affiliates. What does that mean and why do you care? When you enter a Golden State show (or any of the other affiliate shows under WS) the points you earn go to Golden State and Western States. Both have year-end awards. Western States points and money earned become part of your registered horse’s permanent record-which in turn increases their value! Your Western States membership automatically provides you membership in the NRSHA and any Western States shows attended qualify you for the NRSHA World Show. Which whether or not you go, the fact you qualified goes on your horse’s permanent record. Another value enhancer!

Year End Winner

If It Weren’t For Walk/Trot I Would Never Have Shown

This interview is with Jayme Williamson, Golden State Walk/Trot Year 2021 End Champion. Her story is interesting and she personifies why we have the Walk/Trot Division. Read on and find out why.

1. Hi Jayme, tell me a little bit about yourself.

I rode horses growing up in Salinas off highway 68. My sisters and I mainly rode our horses in the hills and trails up and down San Benancio. After marrying my husband at 19 and moving into town I sold my horse. After raising our 2 children and running our own business we retired. For a Christmas gift my husband gave me a gift certificate for a horse ride at the beach. That started my journey back to riding horses.

2. When did you resume riding?

At the age of 58 I started looking for a trainer to help me with this journey. I was given the name of Jamie Walker at Walker Performance Horses. I had no clue what I was doing! But I fell back in love with riding horses. I took lesson with Jamie for the first 6 months on Jamie’s horses (my whole body was smiling driving home each and every time) then decided to look for my own horse.

3. What prompted me to ask you to do this interview was something you said to me some time ago. You said, “If it weren’t for the walk/trot division, I never would have shown my horse.” That’s powerful stuff. Tell me more about that.

Jamie has been working with me with my first horse and then the horse I now have, Austin. Jamie gave me the encouragement, positive feedback and encouraged me to start showing. She felt I would be a perfect fit for the walk/trot division. I do have a couple of fears with the cattle but with the walk/trot it sounded like I would be able go at a much slower pace and try to build up my courage. If it wasn’t for the slow pace of the walk/trot I am not sure if I would have competed.

4. What were you feelings walking into the show pen for the first time?

Honestly my first event in the show pen was trail, I was so worried about remembering the course the nerves went away. My biggest fear was the cows as I was warming up my horse I told myself I could just ride away and no one would even know. But then I told myself I would know. I had to tell myself to put on my big girl panties and deal with it! LOL

5. You were very successful, how did that make you feel?

Winning the overall for the walk/trot division at the Carmel Valley Trail and Saddle Club was overwhelming but it has made me want to push myself to confront my fears and then move on.

6. Tell me something about your partner (your horse) and your trainer. How have they influenced your decisions to show?

My horse Austin (Boons Royal Remedy) has given me the confidence that I can do more than I ever thought I could. He is gentle and patient with me when I am trying to conquer a new skill that Jamie has put in front of me. I know he is able to be so much more than I can give him right now in the show arena. When my trainer Jamie thought that Austin and I would be the fit, I did not think that I could do Austin justice. Jamie thought we would be the perfect pair. Jamie has always listened to my fears and insecurities on my journey on a horse. She has inspired me to succeed always with positive reinforcement. Even though I am older than my trainer I have told my husband that “I want to grow up to be just like her” I am having a great adventure and feel that I am being guided on the right path with Jamie.

7. What’s next for you? (I’m hoping you’ll consider doing the Novice!)

I am planning on showing in the novice division and taking the clinics this year, slowly at first.

Thank you Jayme for sharing your thoughts with all of us.

Quote of the Month

Karen Salmansohn – Self help book author and designer