Vol 4 No 5

Letter from the Editor

Dear Golden State Members,

I am struck over and over again by wonderful sense of community that exists within the Golden State Versatility Community. Everyone is very competitive, wanting to do their best, while at the same time cheering for and helping their competitors. This editor has experienced several disciplines of showing horses and can tell anyone who asks that versatility stands alone in “the one for all, and all for one attitude” so prevalent at our shows. It is to be admired and appreciated. The whole world could take a lesson.
As a Club, we love fun. Help us put on another interesting and entertaining social event- “realistic trail”, read on to offer ideas for obstacles.

Our newest show venue, Diamond Bar Arena, and newest show managed by Harlee Burtschi and Kelly Engel, Way Out West, are on their way to be among competitor favorites. In this issue, results, and photos of the event. Ditto the ever-popular Central Coast Ranch Horse Classic in Carmel Valley.

Golden State VRHA will have talented representation at the AQHA VRH World Show in Guthrie, OK this month. Best of luck to Kim Barrington, Heather Bryant, Sarah Clifford, Bryan Jaeger’s Jewel’s Smart Remedy ridden by Sarah Clifford, Stephanie Lewis, Jennifer Ray, Debby Sanguinetti with two horses, (one VRH, one Ranching Heritage), Christian Scanlan, Jody Smith, and Candice Terry. Results and pictures in our July edition.

Golden State’s good friend Barb Schulte offers some wisdom regarding preparation this month. When you see her, thank her for being generous with her writings!

Dawn Poston
Editor

Send comments, concerns, & ideas to JumperDawn@aol.com

This is what it’s all about-love, respect, gratitude-words describing versatility competitions! Advanced Amateur Champion Rachel Clifford and Reserve Kim Donlon congratulate each other.

Let’s Have A Social

The Realistic Trail Challenge

Everyone loves a good social and Golden State has had a few memorable ones. Who can forget the Golden Girl vs. Wyoming Girl Challenge at Ione a few years ago? Kathy Torres and Sarah Clifford squared off in a course set by Jen Harden and Bev Sparrowk. Let’s create a new “social” and do it again! This editor is thinking about a “Realistic Trail” course. Each obstacle needs to be something we do on our horses in our real lives. I’ll go first. How many of us have side passed our horses over and leaned way down to put our training check through our trainer’s truck window? Or, carried at least 3 really drippy, really cold waters over to our friends waiting in the hot sun?

Your turn! Submit some “obstacles” to JumperDawn@aol.com and let’s put this thing together at one of our shows this year. The Realistic Trail Challenge!

WOW!

Way Out West Hits It Out of the Park!

Most of us were wowed by the WOW show put on by Harlee Burtschi and Kelly Engel. For those who had never been to the Diamond Bar Arena, we were in for a pleasant surprise. Well-planned layout, stalls and LQ parking great, green grass, lots of shade, a cook to order snack shack, real bathrooms, a feed store with clothes and tack (and ice cream cones) an owner provided Friday night dinner, and the list goes on. Kudos to GS Show Rep Jessamy German who worked very hard helping competitors and management alike.

Barbara Schulte Shares Insights

Mental Preparation

With Barb’s permission, we are sharing some insights she had while watching top competitors at a big cutting show in Fort Worth. Over and over again she noticed a pattern among people who excel. She feels these four factors set folks apart from other competitors.

1. They take nothing for granted. No matter how accomplished they are, they don’t think, “Oh, I’ve got it now, so no need to go the extra mile.” No, they go two extra miles instead – every time!
2. They mentally rehearse the technical skills, mindsets, and physical presentation strategies to prepare for their horse and upcoming ride. They visualize, plan a script, etc.
3. As they do this mental rehearsal and planning, they fully notice and acknowledge what they feel confident about and own it. These are their strengths, and they know the incredible power of constantly building on them.
4. Instead of feeling anxious about the less developed skills of their horse or themselves, or things they feel uncertain about, they think about how they will navigate them if those areas arise. They also physically practice them, of course, but having a game plan in their mind for these spots of uneasiness reverses the anxiety train. Now they know what to do, if need be, and they slow down in that part of their ride to do their job – physically and mentally.

Central Coast Ranch Horse Classic

Always A Favorite

The weather and venue were picture perfect. This was the first show since the footing in both arenas was washed out by the January 9 flood. Through the generosity of members and the community, monies were raised to replace the footing and it was ready to go for the show. As Bev Sparrowk reported, “no slips, no stumbles, no falls” all weekend.

Although essentially an AQHA show, the Carmel Trail & Saddle Club graciously allowed the show to be sanctioned as a Golden State Show as well. This allowed our membership to have the opportunity to show and accrue more points at a reduced cost. As a result, only division championship awards were offered.

Tony Agredano Does It Again

Great Clinicians-Great Judges

Quote of the Month

Craig Cameron (b 1949) is an American horse trainer. He won the Road to the Horse colt-starting contest in 2010 and has been inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

GS members need no reminder. We take fun very seriously!