Vol 4 No 9

Newsletter of the
Golden State Versatility Ranch Horse Association

OCTOBER 2023

Letter from the Editor

Dear Members,

Greg Ward is reputed to have said, “If your hat comes off, your head better be in it.” I guess that tells us how important it is to keep our hats on! If Greg Ward said it, it’s his mouth to God’s ears, it must be true. So how do we keep our hats on and heads in them? Read on for some ideas. Marty Raynor has some advice for becoming a better competitor. She tells us about learning to scribe and how it was beneficial.

The season is winding down, but the competition remained up for the Central Coast Fall Classic. Pictures and results follow. President Kathy Torres’ Inter-Mountain Ranch Rendezvous pulled in a quite a number of new members from the northern part of the state and a fair number of the same ol’ faces. Results & pictures in next month’s edition. Speaking of new, this newsletter has a new feature—a marketplace. The what/how explained in this issue.

The Golden State and Western States points/standings through the Central Coast Fall Classic are up on the respective web sites. There are some tight races for those year-end saddles. The Finals in Las Vegas are double judged and count toward the Western States year end awards (saddles and much more!). For Western States it’s your best five shows, for Golden State it’s all your shows. It’s nail biting and “keep your eye on the cow” time! If you haven’t entered, read on in this issue as to why you should.

Dawn Poston
Editor

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

This is what brought this editor to Versatility and what keeps her in Versatility. Respect, support, and caring for fellow competitors is the hallmark of our sport. We’re blessed. Here Candice Terry and Bryan Jaeger, fierce competitors in the Intermediate division, congratulate each other. The whole world could learn from them and our club.

Flying Hats

What Can We Do?

If you’ve ever had your horse, or the cow spook at your fallen hat, or just suffered the shame of your hat coming off, the following may be of help.

It is said that the legendary Greg Ward told his students “if your hat comes off, your head better be in it!” While that may seem extreme, this writer did lose a cow class because her hat came off, and rather than stepping on it like any self-respecting cow should do, the cow spooked off the fence and a disastrous chase ensued. So we all want to keep them on.

The flying hair of shame

In Claire Hanssen’s wonderful Facebook group “Non-Pro & Co” the question was asked “how do YOU keep your hat on?” Here are some of the answers, sources & editorial comments added:

  • Duct tape (if you use this method, I think you have to leave your hat on forever as the tape will remove your skin!)
  • Hair spray on forehead. Recommendations:
    • Aqua Net (an old fashioned hair spray that honestly will glue concrete together)
    • Aussie Scrunch Extra Hold (Aussie.com)
    • Big Sexy Hair Powder Play Volumizing & Texturizing Powder. Keep your hat on AND be sexy! (www. ulta.com)
  • Stampede String (a fashion statement for a few of us)
  • Toupee tape (3M Clear Double Sided Wig Adhesive/Hair Toupee tape www.sunshinetape.com)
  • Wig tape (coloryoung Wig Tape www.amazon.com)
  • Fashion tape (amazon.com)
    • Fearless Body & Clothing Tape
    • Secret Sidekick Clothing & Body Tape
    • Breast & Instant Boob Tape (who knew?)

So there you have it-methods for keeping your hat on endorsed by other horsemen and women. I’m still wondering about “instant boob tape.” Really?

Another Way To Learn

Every Competitor Should Scribe

By Golden State Board Member Marty Raynor

At the recent Clifford Horse Training Show at the Carmel Valley Trail & Saddle Club I had the opportunity to scribe for the Ranch Riding and Ranch Cow Work classes. Karen Arlin was the judge of those classes. Karin was very patient and, prior to the start of each class, reviewed the scoring and scribing process with me. Her taking the time to do this increased my confidence and our ability to work together. Karin also graciously answered my questions throughout the day.

I learned so much about what the judges are looking for in the arena, what gets a competitor pluses and minuses, the importance of avoiding the dreaded penalty points and how tie breakers are chosen.

I wish I had scribed at a show when I first started competing. I recommend that all competitors, seasoned and new, seek an opportunity to scribe. Not only does it support GSVRHA & WSVRHA, but the education you’ll receive will improve your showmanship tremendously. It was a fun experience with the benefit of getting to watch GSVRHA friends!

Marty and “Shine”

Central Coast Fall Classic

Results

The weather was absolutely perfect—mostly high overcast, a little sun, but not cold. Just right for the horses. Once again, Dawn Meinhold knocked it out of the park with her awards—like Best Ever pads for each division winner. The new cutting pen was perfect. The ground in the big arena was as good as it gets. As is her custom, Dawn provided a sumptuous free competitor barbeque Saturday night. So fun to sit in the barn aisle to eat, drink and socialize with friends. We look forward to many opportunities in the future to compete at Dawn’s amazing ranch.

Walk/Trot Champion Piper Wilbur and Reserve Champion Linnea Aldrich. They’re the future of our sport!

Youth Champion Angelo Greco, Reserve Champion Joy Aldrich. Also, the future of our sport. Check out the cool prizes.

Novice winners! Sherri Greco, 1st place Cutting & Cow Work, Sherri Coll Novice Reserve Champion, Adrienne Mongi 1st place Reining, Jessie Smoot Novice Champion, Josie Driscoll 1st place Ranch Riding, Amy Larson 2nd place Reining

Kim Smoot Limited Reserve Champion, Jody Smith Novice Champion, Emmie Smith, and 3rd place All Around Rachel Clifford (who showed her young horse Zinnie!)

Intermediate Champion Heather Bryant, Reserve Intermediate Champion Candice Terry. They need burros to carry home the loot!

Kelly Saunders 1st place Cutting/4th All Around, Kim Donlon 1st place Trail/3rd All Around, Jen Harden Advanced Amateur Champion, Dawn Poston Advanced Amateur Reserve Champion.

Open winners! Ali Stephens, all the way from Arizona, 3rd All Around, Jim Brumfield Open Reserve Champion, Jeanne Raede owner of “Boomer” the amazing mule ridden by Jim Brumfield, Sarah Clifford Open Champion, Julie Yuhas 1st place Ranch Riding

Judge Jimmy Stickler and his wonderful scribe Jenna Fitzpatrick.

Angelo Greco doing a great job in the Cutting

Piper Wilbur and mom Emily Wilbur. Versatility is a family affair!

Sherri Coll makes a great cut!

Sherri Greco looking fabulous in the Cutting. It takes a village-Jen Harden in the corner and Sarah Clifford turning back.

Results

  • Walk/Trot Champion – Piper Wilbur
  • Walk/Trot Reserve – Linnea Aldrich
  • Youth Champion – Angelo Greco
  • Youth Reserve – Joy Aldrich
  • Novice Champion – Jessie Smoot
  • Novice Reserve – Sherri Coll
  • Limited Champion – Jody Smith
  • Limited Reserve – Kim Smoot
  • Intermediate Champion – Heather Bryant
  • Intermediate Reserve – Candice Terry
  • Advanced Amateur Champion – Jen Harden
  • Advanced Amateur Reserve – Dawn Poston
  • Open Champion – Sarah Clifford
  • Open Reserve – Jim Brumfield

Marketplace!

Members Can Buy and Sell

Last month we told you about a consignment store, this month we’re adding a feature exclusively for Golden State members. If you have something to sell, are in search of something (ISO), or just like to shop, we hope the Marketplace will work for you. A few guidelines:

  1. Submit your ad to JumperDawn@aol.com
  2. Wording of ad limited to four areas of information. Item, brief description, cost, contact information. Example: Ranch Saddle. Bob’s 16 ½ seat, fully engraved, good condition. $2500. Call Ann at 111-111-1111. Or ISO 2 horse LQ. Slant load with generator. Call Ann at 111-111-1111.
  3. You may list anything you like as long as it’s ranchy! Clothing, saddles, chinks, equipment, trailers, ranches, etc. Horses only if they belong to you.
  4. Ads will run one month. To continue, must be resubmitted.
  5. “In Step With Golden State” retains the right to edit or reject ads that don’t fit the guidelines.

Where Do You Stand?

Golden State and Western State Points

As of this writing, both Golden States and Western States are current. Remember, for Golden State Year End Awards, all shows are counted. For Western States Year End Awards, the competitor’s best five shows are counted.

To check points, use the links below.

Golden State Standings
Western States Standings

WSVRHA Championship Shows October 19-21

Reasons To Go To Las Vegas

  1. It’s TWO Western States shows and two AQHA shows in one (ride once, judged twice), and one Ranching Heritage Show (ride once, judged once).
  2. It’s at a great venue Horseman’s Park, www.equineeventlv.com. Twenty acres of arenas, barns, RV hookups, picnic areas, plenty of parking. Excellent footing, covered arena, spacious stalls.
  3. First time ever, Championships Shows and Year End Awards Banquet at Sam’s Town Saturday night.
  4. Ranch Riding Freestyle Friday night with free taco truck dinner sponsored by the affiliates.
  5. Amazing awards for each show, circuit winners, AQHA winners, and year end winners. A few of the prizes are pictured here:
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST

6. Once again, the infamous & fabulous “Ranch Riding Freestyle” will be held. No entry fee, sign up when you get there. Guidelines:

  • Routines, 2”-3 1/2” long, must include all the required maneuvers for a Ranch Riding pattern (Walk/trot/lope in each direction, extended trot/lope at least one direction, square stop, back up, change of direction).
  • Other “maneuvers, props, obstacles” are permitted & encouraged.
  • A “forward & ranchy” way of going encouraged.
  • Costumes/music are optional but encouraged.
  • Music is the contestant’s responsibility (IPad, phone), and he/she must provide someone to be in the announcer’s stand to start/stop music.
  • Creativity, originality, and eye appeal will be considered in the judging.
  • In summary, have all the required maneuvers, be creative, have FUN!

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.

Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963) American former professional basketball player and businessman.
Champions don’t become champions when they win an event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it.

2023 Calendar

Show Dates

For more information, click here to view the complete calendar in a new window

Date Name Location
Oct 20-22 WSVRHA Finals Las Vegas, NV