Newsletter of the
Golden State Versatility Ranch Horse Association
July 2024
Letter from the Editor
Dear Golden States Membership,
Do you want $20,000 as prize money for Golden State Shows?
The question of how to improve our shows, how to increase our membership and how to keep moving forward to excellence is ever before your Board of Directors. Were you at the April Way Out West show? Harlee and Kelley amassed a fair amount of sponsor money and distributed it among the competitors. Is there a correlation between that and the large number of contestants who entered? None of us can say for certain, but we can say, and do recognize, that many of our members have been asking for prize money. We are endeavoring to answer that ask!
Our fund-raising chair Candice Terry has been hard at work developing a sponsorship package and contacting businesses for contributions. Have you seen the packet? If not, go to our web site and download now. So far $3500 has been amassed to distribute to the remaining 2024 shows. Are you interested in more prize money? It’s essential that our membership gets involved in asking those in their communities to become sponsors. There’s no magic wand, no paid fundraiser employee, and few who just offer us money out of the blue. We all have to get involved.
So, ask yourself, “what can I do, what individuals or businesses in my sphere of influence should I be asking to become a sponsor?” In this editor’s opinion, most people/businesses are happy to help they just want to be asked. It may seem scary at first, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. (in this issue, see tips for fundraising). In two decades of fundraising, I’ve only been turned down twice in a face to face ask!
Imagine if every one of our 200 members were to get just $100, we’d have $20,000 to distribute to our competitors. $200 each would be $40,000. It adds up pretty quickly. Ask!
Don’t hope the other guy does it. If not you, who?
Dawn Poston
Editor
Send comments, concerns, & ideas to JumperDawn@aol.com
Inter-Mountain Versatility Challenge
Results
Prize money reigns again! The Inter-Mountain VRH Challenge had amazing support from the community of MacArthur and Falls River—over $3500 for prize money. Show manager Kathy Torres added $$$ to buckles and nifty prizes. Those who got checks came away pretty darn happy. Getting sponsors and offering prize money is becoming a very desirable trend in Golden State shows.
Open Champion: Samantha Scanlan
Open Reserve: Karin Hiltbrand
Advanced Champion: Christian Scanlan
Advanced Reserve: Janie Welch
Intermediate Champion: Candice Terry
Intermediate Reserve: Renee Jackson
Limited Champion: Gail Kolber
Limited Reserve: Giana Martin
Novice Champion: Jeannie McDevitt
Novice Reserve: Sherri Greco
Youth Champion: Josie Barnett
Youth Reserve: Rex Reynier
Select: Jody Smith
California Rocks
NRSHA & AQHA in Amarillo
California went to Amarillo ready to kick booty and take names. When the dust settled, Californians were prominent in the All-Around Awards in every division.
There were many questions about the move from Guthrie, OK to Amarillo, TX, but this editor found that Amarillo answered the call beautifully. It’s not as pretty as Guthrie, but the stabling was much better and cooler for the horses. Amarillo didn’t have the beautiful outdoor Ranch Riding and Ranch Trail course, but the two show pens were separated by a large “breezeway” and about a minute’s walk apart. The Amarillo Trail course was held outside on grass but a big rain the day before made the going muddy and some of the competitors grumbly (the show committee has some improving to do before 2025!) The food concession was mundane at best, but a chat with AQHA officials elicited a response of “we’ll be better next year.” The merchandise vendors were good and conveniently located around the mezzanine of the large event center so competitors could shop and watch! It appears to have been a satisfying trek for most of those who made it to Amarillo. All Around results:
Bryan Jaeger: AQHA & NRSHA All Around Reserve Limited Amateur
Amanda Johnson: AQHA & NRSHA All Around Third Limited Amateur
Jen Harden: NRSHA All Around Amateur Fourth
Sarah Clifford: NRSHA All Around Open 10th
Jennifer Ray: AQHA All Around Senior 10th
Candid photos follow. Awards pictures will be in next month’s newsletter.
What’s Happening in July?
New GSVRHA Show Moves to September
No Golden State shows are scheduled. The Santa Clara Quarter Horse Breeders Association show in climate friendly Watsonville is July 24-28 with a full day of Versatility on the 24th. Go to aqhbofscv.net for more information and to enter.
Just to make our lives even MORE complex, the Western States sanctioned Nevada Quarter Horse Association Silver State Circuit & VRH-RHC show is July 25-28 in Winnemucca. Go to showofficeservices.com for more info and to enter. Both are great shows, one wishes they would consult with one another before setting dates!
Is It August Yet?
The Clifford Horse Training Show is Coming
What To Do in Winnemucca?
Try The Picon Punch
The Picon punch cocktail embodies Nevada. Burning, bitter, sweet. The cocktail requires a love of browns, history and a little heat.
Drinking it is a rite of passage for newcomers. But you don’t just go drink a Picon Punch by yourself and suddenly become a Nevadan. You drink it with friends who dared you to try a new experience that everyone else seems to hate.
At first, you grimace from the burn, but by the end, you order another and force others to do the same.
For the uninitiated, the Picon Punch is a Basque-American cocktail made of grenadine, a strong bitter orange liqueur and club soda stirred together with cheap brandy and a lemon peel added to the top. Sounds inviting, right?
Many people seem to know of the concoction at least in passing. They hear that at first you hate it, then two drinks later you’re hooked or on the floor. Again, very inviting!
“The first two are the Picon, the third one is the punch,” it’s been said about the cocktail.
Like living in the desert, it’s a love-hate experience. See you in Winnemucca, perhaps at the Martin Hotel, and let’s give Picon Punch a try!
Thanks to the Reno Gazette
Asking for Sponsors? Sounds Hard.
Is It?
In a word, no. Follow the steps below and become a success in getting sponsorships.
- Select your prospects. Start small, begin with your existing connections and move outward.
- Prepare the ask. See below for a sample.
- Make the ask. Gird your loins and just do it!
- Follow through. After the ask, check in with them for their answer.
- Say thank you. A short note is classy.
Here’s short script this editor has used in the past:
“Hi, my name is _______ and I compete in a sport called ranch versatility. It’s the fastest-growing equestrian sport in the US. The organization I belong to is GSVRHA and our awards are funded almost entirely by sponsors. May I give you our sponsorship packet? It outlines levels of sponsorship and the perks we offer our sponsors. Any level of help is truly appreciated. Please consider becoming a sponsor for our sport. I appreciate you taking the time to look at it and please call me if you have any questions.”
Above all, remember that people enjoy helping others. When you ask people to sponsor our events, you’re simply tapping into that human impulse. Now that you know how to do it don’t let anything stop you!
DIDJA KNOW?
There Are NO TIES in Versatility!
Even if the scores or points reflect a tie, ties do not stand in versatility! Every tie is broken either by total penalty points or a pre-chosen obstacle or maneuver. In the rulebook there are suggested obstacles and maneuvers for tiebreakers for each event, but the judge typically chooses their own tie-breaker. So, if you tie with Cowboy Bob in the Novice Trail with 72 points each, the judge will award the class to the person who has the fewest penalty points or highest score in a pre-chosen obstacle or maneuver. The tiebreakers are noted in the line below each of the boxes where the obstacles are noted and above the Penalty/Content boxes.
All-Around ties for a competition or year-end awards are decided by the highest placing in the Ranch Cow Work class in the applicable division.
Keeping You on Your Toes
Editor Wrong AGAIN!
The new Golden State Show in Corning is September 14 and 15. I just keep demonstrating my humanness . . . . you’re welcome.
Sad News
Simper Family Benefit
Recently Jodi and Marty Simper lost their young son Oak in a tragic accident. The Simpers are a mainstay of WSVRHA, he is the president of the Utah Quarter Horse Association, and they are both loving and supportive members of the entire versatility community. There’s so little we can do in the face of this tragedy. But we can come together, show them love, and help with the expenses they are facing. Please give generously. For more info go to
Items for silent auction may be sent to 1692 N Main St, Genola, UT, 84655 prior to July 13.
Quote of the Month
Horses don’t think the same as humans. Something that’s most unique about the horse, that I love, is not what he possesses but what he doesn’t possess-and that is greed, spite, hate, jealousy, envy or prejudice. The horse doesn’t possess any of those things. If you think about people, the least desirable people to be around usually possess some or all of those things. And the way God made the horse, he left that out.
2024 Calendar
Show Dates
For more information, click here to view the complete calendar in a new window
Date | Name | Location |
---|---|---|
Aug 9-11 | Clifford Horse Training Versatility Challenge | Carmel Valley, CA |
Aug 31 – Sep 1 | Central Coast Fall Classic | San Luis Obispo, CA |
September 14-15 | Rolling Hills Equestrian Center | Corning, CA |
Oct 17-19 | WSVRHA 2024 Championship Show | Winnemucca, NV |