Vol 6 No 4

Letter from the Editor

Dear Golden State Members,

Even if you aren’t “old as dirt” you’ve probably heard of Roy Rogers’ famous palomino Trigger. As a kid I was in love with him, Fury, Flicka, and of course, the Black Stallion. Apparently, Trigger was “housebroken”. A Nobel prize to the person who can housebreak my horse! It’s kind of interesting to learn more about Trigger, and you will in this issue.

Breaking news! Horse Protection Act regulations delayed. Read on for the details.

This month we’ve got some pictures for you from the Sun Circuit, Art of the Cowgirl, and results from Cinch Up Productions Versatility Challenge. Next stop for Golden State members, Way Out West in Ceres.

Thanks to our sponsors, there will be more money for payouts at each of our shows! Details in this issue. We can always use more $$, the sponsor packets are on the web site, and we hope everyone will get involved.

We are so fortunate to be a part of this amazing versatility community, let’s all get out there and show and maybe tell someone that they make our lives just a little bit better by being a part of the community. You certainly enrich my life, so thank you!

Sincerely,

Dawn Poston
Editor

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

We All Remember Trigger

How Did His Career Begin?

Golden Cloud made an early appearance as the mount of Maid Marian, played by Olivia de Havilland in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). A short while later, when Roy Rogers was preparing to make his first movie in a starring role, he was offered a choice of five rented “movie” horses to ride and chose Golden Cloud. Rogers bought him eventually in 1943 and renamed him Trigger for his quickness of both foot and mind. Trigger learned 150 trick cues and could walk 50 ft on his hind legs. They were said to have run out of places to cue Trigger. Trigger became such a ham that as soon as he heard applause, he would start bowing and ruin that trick. He could sit in a chair, sign his name “X” with a pencil, and lie down for a nap and cover himself with a blanket. Rogers’ most carefully guarded trade secret was to get Trigger housebroken. “Spending as much time as he does in hotels, theaters, and hospitals, this ability comes in might handy and it’s conceded by most trainers to be Trigger’s greatest accomplishment.” —Glenn Randall, wrangler with Hudkins Stables.

Although frequently confused with a Tennessee Walking Horse, his sire was a Thoroughbred, and his dam was an unregistered grade mare, also a palomino. Movie director William Witney, who worked with Roy and Trigger on numerous films, provided an alternative lineage, asserting that Trigger’s sire was a “registered” palomino stallion, despite the absence of any known palomino registry at the time of Trigger’s birth, and that his dam was sired by a Thoroughbred and out of a “cold blood” mare.

His horse was so important to Rogers that when he purchased a “Best Wishes for the New Year” advertisement in Variety, he signed it “Roy Rogers and Trigger”. Trigger was ridden by Rogers in many of his motion pictures, becoming much loved by the youthful audience that saw him on film and in Rogers’ 1950s television series with his wife, Dale Evans, who rode her trusty buckskin Quarter Horse, Buttermilk.

Roy Rogers made many personal appearances with Trigger in tow. More than once, he escorted him up three or four flights of stairs at hospitals to visit with sick children, according to his autobiography Happy Trails.

Good News

Horse Protection Act Regulations Delayed

The following taken from The Fence Post– “Your Trusted Source for Ag News & Information”

USDA/APHIS announced that the Horse Protection Act will delay the amendments of the final rule to Feb. 1, 2026. The American Horse Council recently sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins, Michael Watson, administrator USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Sarah Helming, deputy administrator USDA-Animal Care requesting postponement and opening a comment period for input on the HPA. The comment period opened March 21, 2025, and will be open for 60-days. AQHA will share more information soon regarding how members can share their commentary.

Western Justice reported earlier this month that the implementation and enforcement of new rules under HPA encompasses all breeds of horses, all horse show events from local horse shows, state fairs, and 4-H shows to Pony Club, Polo, and Dressage to regional and national association and affiliate horse shows and more. The new rules will also have an impact on all horse sales.

According to Western Justice, “The new rules would expand the scope of the HPA far beyond its original intent when it was voted into law in 1970. In plain words, the new language amounts to an egregious overreach, impacts the personal privacy of U.S. citizens involved in the horse industry, and will put an unprecedented burden on horse sale and event producers by requiring detailed inspections and paperwork for every horse entering and exiting an arena or sale ring.”

• The rules (delayed until 2026) also require event and sale producers to accommodate the following:
  Notify USDA’s APHIS that they are holding a horse show, event or sale within 30 days prior to the event and keep the records on hand for 90 days after the event.
• Allow free and uninhibited on demand access by Horse Protection Inspectors to show records, sale records, event information, barns, tack rooms, horse trailers, stables, stalls, arenas and all other show or exhibition grounds.
• Verify the identity of each horse entered at a show, exhibition, sale or auction and its inspection status before and after it enters the arena or sale ring.
• Submit all records, including personal information about horse owners, trainers and exhibitors to the USDA and keep track of HPA violators and prohibit them from participating in events, shows or sales.
• Event organizers can either hire a USDA Horse Protection Inspector or provide the inspection services themselves. Regardless, the event or sale management is still required to conduct inspections before and after the horse enters the arena or sale ring and submit all records to the USDA within five days of the event.

Go to the following web site for the complete article:
https://www.thefencepost.com/news/horse-protection-act-final-rule-delayed-to-feb-1-2026/

Sun Circuit

Golden State Members Have Fun in the Sun!

Morgan Holmes & Monster Truk

Reserve at Art of the Cowgirl

Bev Sparrowk’s niece, Morgan Holmes and her amazing horse Monster Truk, were Reserve Champions at the recent Art of the Cowgirl Competition. Rah Rah Rah Morgan!

Cinch Up Productions Spring Versatility Challenge

Another Great Event

If you’ve attended one of Tony Agredano’s shows you know that his hospitality is top notch, and it wasn’t different at this show. With the addition of Jessica Lawrence as Secretary, the bar was raised for communication and efficiency. The cattle were fresh for the clinics and for the competition! The divisions were full of very competitive horse/rider teams. Even the rainy weather couldn’t dampen the great mood at the show. Thank you, Cowboy Tony, for another great show!

This May Be the Year to Go!

Lots of $$$ to be Awarded at the 2025 AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships

Speaking of $$$

Golden State Increases Payout Monies to Show Producers

Keep those sponsorships coming! Recently the Golden State Board was able to increase the payouts at each show from $250 to $400! (For the first two shows, monies will be added to their payouts in 2026). We’re hoping to get enough sponsors to keep increasing the payouts until it’s serious money. Thanks to all who have donated and/or secured sponsorships! Please give your business and your thanks to our sponsors.

WSVRHA
NRSHA
KT Training
Clifford Horse Training
Molly’s Silver
Riding Warehouse
Harris Ranch
Pioneer Equine
Conlin Supply
Molly Virginia
Steinbeck Equine
Daggett Creek Kennels
Twin Pine Casino
Sparrowk Livestock
Dawn Poston/Steve Bloch

It’s An April Happening

Be Sure to Attend!

Marketplace

Got Extra Stuff?

Remember the Marketplace

Just a reminder about 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 123-456-7890. Or ISO 2 horse LQ. Slant load with generator. Call Ann at 123-456-7890.
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.

Quote of the Month