Vol 6 No 2

My Editorial for the Golden State Membership

This month, my opening letter to you is an editorial! There’s been a lot going around about the impact of the new “rules” for the Horse Protection Act (HPA) that was to go into effect February 1 but has been suspended until April 2, 2025. I have done considerable research and listened to the podcast featuring Chris Dawson, Russell Dilday, Dave Duquette of the Western Justice Center, & Scott Dorenkamp of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). It’s a complex issue but here is part of my takeaway.

The HPA was passed by Congress in the 70’s specifically to address “soring” (a hideous practice of using caustics and mechanical devices to purposely injure the horse to enhance their gait) in Tennessee Walking Horses.

The revised Horse Protection Act (HPA) broadens anti-soring regulations from gaited and racking horses to all breeds. Broad, vague language has industry leaders concerned. These revisions may, and in the case of these, expand the law to an originally unintended meaning. For example, the act of “soring” has become a “sore horse.” Imagine the implications of that! USDA APHIS (Animal Plant & Health Service) lead veterinarian Dr. Aaron Rhyner publicly asserted he could “see where riding a horse could be considered an act of soring.” Notice where this is headed?

As the aforementioned sinks in, imagine how the following could impact show producers. The revised Act requires one inspector (must be a veterinarian or vet tech) for every 100 horses shown. Daily services of the inspector are to be valued at $1000 per day. Consider a big show of 300-500 horses. 3-5 x $1000/day. You do the math. Non-compliance results in large fines to the horse show producer! Also, everyone involved with the show (secretary, judges, vendors, sponsors, venue owners) can also be held responsible. And here’s the particularly egregious part, what the inspector says goes. There’s no higher power, no appeal. If the inspector determines it to be so, the little white spot on my horse Fred’s side could be considered a “sore horse” from a spur and I would have no recourse whatsoever except to hire an attorney and sue. It is likely that, human nature being human nature, every inspector will work hard to keep that good per diem and find lots of “sore horses.”

I personally, think this has very scary implications and that we all need to pay attention. It’s so crazy that it’s attractive to think “oh it can’t possibly mean that.” When we become aware of the relationship of some of the people on these committees have to the animal rights organizations, the intent becomes very clear. Remember the mantra of many of them is “better dead than bred.”

What can we do? Inform ourselves and then start hollering. A good place to start is Western Justice westernjustice.info and the podcast I referenced earlier (Cowhorse Full Contact “Interview with Dave Duquette on the Revised Horse Protection Act, January 15, 2025.”) The first 15” goes slowly as they are kind of yukking it up, but then they get into the meat of the matter. You can also sign the petition at ruralamericainaction.com. Another informative group is americaunwon.com. Western Justice is a David and Goliath group fighting this battle for all of us. I personally have joined ($25) and I hope you will too. At my age, I’m at the winter of my show career, this doesn’t affect me as much as those who come after me—but imagine a world with no horse shows small or large. Unthinkable!

Get involved, the other side depends on us being asleep at the wheel.

As you show this month and next, imagine a show world like I’ve described above, imagine the entire industry like that as this extends to racing and horse sales, anything involving horses. Vow to learn more. At the very least, join Western Justice Center. Best $25 you’ll ever spend.

Sincerely,

Dawn Poston
Editor

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

We Have Great Partners!

Thanks to Our Sponsors

We are grateful to Harris Ranch, Conlin Supply, Sparrowk Livestock, and Premier Equine for their generous contributions to our “Pay Outs” fund. As a result of their generosity, we will be able to increase monies paid at all Golden State Shows during 2025. Please give them your business and thank them when you are able. Thank you also to the board members (Meghan Carr, Candice Terry, Bev Sparrowk) who secured these donations!

Speaking of sponsorships, everyone needs to be involved! That means YOU! Please go to our web site for our sponsorship packet and resolve to give a copy to at least two potential sponsors in your area. Veterinarian, feed supply, farrier, trainer, etc. Maybe even you would like to become a sponsor. No amount is too small, and it all helps. See the following article and note what was paid out at the Ranch Horse Spectacular Show in Corning.

Ranch Spectacular

Results

Youth Member Iandoli Commits to Division-I Ranch Team

West Texas A&M!

(Published in the Carmel Sandpiper. Reprinted with permission) BY OLIVIA FORT

Having spent 14 years riding, Elizabeth Iandoli will join the West Texas A&M University Ranch Horse Team where she’ll compete in collegiate shows, demonstrating horsemanship skills that are required for working on a ranch.

Iandoli announced her decision to join the Division-I team on Sept. 6, following a visit to the university’s campus and an invitation from head coach Lance Baker, who has led the team to numerous individual and team championships and says he only invites students capable of competing at high levels.

“After evaluating her videos and determining that she and her horse were at an appropriate skill level, we asked her to come for an official visit to interview with us,” Baker explains. “This meeting is to ensure that the student is a good ‘fit’ for the team.”

Collegiate ranch teams are very competitive, with only 16 schools from 10 states competing in the national championships. Team members are required to perform in ranch riding, ranch trail, rein work and cow work, demonstrating a diverse skill set.

“Ranch riding is my personal favorite and what I’m best at,” Iandoli says.

Ranch riding is where horse and rider are judged based on their ability to perform a pattern that includes navigating obstacles while handling changes in speed and direction.

As part of the team, the CHS senior will compete in a series of Stock Horse of Texas shows, in which the team took home the Collegiate World Team Championship title in 2023. They also compete in other shows throughout the year, hosted by the National Reined Cow Horse Association and the National Intercollegiate Ranch and Stock Horse Association.

The Central Coast Ranch Horse Classic youth champion started riding equestrian in Massachusetts, but after moving to California when she was 8, she transitioned to Western. In April 2024, she began training with Sarah Clifford in Carmel Valley, who has trained numerous acclaimed and titled cowgirls and cowboys, as well as their horses.

“Sarah is a super positive trainer, which makes working with her enjoyable,” Iandoli shares. “She knows a lot about horses and training.”
The future West Texas athlete’s commitment to riding is evident in her routine, maintaining a rigorous training schedule and keeping up in school, all while competing in multiple shows across California and Arizona.

“It’s definitely tough,” Iandoli explains. “I’m often gone for weeks, and then I come back and I have a lot of work to make up.”
Iandoli looks forward to an active year at West Texas A&M University, filled with training, horse shows and bonding with her new teammates.
“Elizabeth is an outstanding young lady with a strong work ethic and desire to help our team achieve further success,” Baker says, “and we look forward to her being a Buff’.”

The following is from the National Ranching Heritage Center:

He was the cowboy’s bit and spur maker. Billy Klapper was a cowboy, who made real cowboy gear for real working cowboys over more than six decades. Billy forged a career making the most sought-after bits and spurs by those in the know. His bits had balance and to have a Klapper bit was to have an unequaled connection between horse and rider. His spurs were true one-piece spurs–intricately polished and adorned but made to be worn on a daily basis. In fact, it was Billy’s one-piece design that was so rare in today’s modern era of manufacture. Starting with Model T axles from another manufacturing era, Billy would work with a small coal forge to shape the steel–just one piece of it–into the curves of a bit or the body and shank of a spur. Billy’s pieces will go on as some of the most collected bits and spurs in ranching history. His dedication to craft and function put him in a class all his own, and he stands as inspiration for the next generation of bit and spur makers.

Rest in Peace | Billy Klapper, 1937-2024

Barb Schulte and Sandy Collier Clinic

Be Unstoppable!

Our good friends Barb and Sandy are providing an opportunity for competitors to take their riding & showing to another level. Looks like a lot of fun!

Join Sandy Collier & Barb Schulte
in Thorson’s Arena in Morgan Hill, CA
March 13-15, 2025
Learn what It takes for both YOU & YOUR HORSE to be SUCCESSFUL
in the Show Pen during an all NEW clinic experience…
show – work on skills – plan for success!

Quote of the Month