Vol 1 No 6

Letter from the Editor

Dear Western States Members,

Our first article, written by Youth competitor Rio Wilbur, highlights the popular ambassadorship program provided to youth by Professional Choice and how youth can apply for next year’s program.

Can you guess who tied the knot? Read on to find out!

Summer showing is upon us, and we will all be traveling with our horses. This month we look at the “must haves” for safe travel. The NRSHA World Show in Guthrie required days of travel. In this issue we tell you how Western States members did there. As we continue our introductions of Western States Board members, this month meet Mike Lund.

Navigating the social media scene is a skill unto itself. Read on to find out how you can help promote our great club. While you’re doing that, check out the great merchandise we have available online.

It’s been a long haul with the injury to my sternum but I’m happy to report that I’m back in the saddle and was able to show Fred in the Carmel Valley Versatility Challenge! Results from that show will be in our July edition.

Happy showing everyone.

Dawn Poston
Editor

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

Youth Ambassador for Professional Choice

Meet Rio Wilbur

Popular youth rider Rio Wilbur was recently chosen to be a “Youth Ambassador” for Professional Choice. It is a wonderful honor for a very nice young lady.

Being a Youth Ambassador to Professional’s Choice means to me that my horse Beau and I get to represent Professional’s Choice when we go to a horse show. When I wear a logo patch and Beau wears things from Professional’s Choice, it makes me feel proud and gives me courage. My goal this year is to win in my division. I’m sure Professional’s Choice’s cool new stuff will encourage me and Beau to win because it makes me happy when I wear it and it helps Beau’s performance by keeping him comfortable and showing his charm. Ranch Versatility shapes me as a rider by preparing me and Beau for jobs that we may need to do someday.

By Rio Wilbur

The following is from Lina Betts, Content Marketing Manager for Professional Choice.

The Professional’s Choice Youth Ambassador Program was created to support the next generation of equestrians who are passionate about horses, dedicated to their discipline, and committed to representing the values of horsemanship, sportsmanship, leadership, and academic excellence both in and out of the arena. The program gives young riders the opportunity to become part of the Professional’s Choice family while representing the brand at rodeos, horse shows, jackpots, clinics, community events, and across social media throughout the year.

In addition to representing the Professional’s Choice brand throughout the year, ambassadors have the opportunity to connect with fellow young riders who share the same passion for horses and the equestrian lifestyle. The program is built around encouraging confidence, leadership, and positive representation while helping ambassadors grow both personally and within the industry.

Applications for the 2027 Professional’s Choice Youth Ambassador Team will open December 1–31. Full application details, requirements, and program information will be available closer to December on our website and social media channels.

If you have children, know youth who ride, or train youth, mark your calendars to check their web site in October or November for information on applying. This is a great opportunity for young persons. Just ask Rio!

Wedding Bells in Carmel Valley

Congratulations to Amy & Bryan Jaeger!

Our very best wishes to popular and well-liked Western States competitors Amy (formerly Larson) and Bryan Jaeger. In a stealthy move, family only, Amy and Bryan wed at the Tasting Room at Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley. They are always kind, friendly and a delight at our shows; we wish them the happiest and very best life together. Shown below with their beautiful families.

National Ranch & Stock Horse Alliance

World Show in Guthrie

Congratulations to our intrepid travelers who made the three day haul to Guthrie, Oklahoma and each were very successful. A particular shout out to Amateur Tammy Reitzell-Burgin and Chromed Out Rockstar who came away National Amateur All Around Champions. Woo Hoo! Rachel Clifford and 21-year-old Very Smart Cowpony were 9th in the Amateur All Around and Sarah Clifford and Cee My Foolish Tangy were 6th in the Open All Around. Jeannie McDevitt and Tanks A Million were very competitive in the huge Limited All Around.

Traveling With Horses?

What Are the Must Haves?

If you’re showing, you’re going! “Civilians” just don’t know how much work, responsibility, and stress is involved in getting our thousand-pound athletes to the show and home again safely. We teach them to load and haul quietly, we drive carefully and defensively, we’re excited about getting to a show, and sometimes we worry.

What can we do to better equip ourselves to do all of that . . . better? We can start with a solid first aid kit. Recommended:

1. Thermometer (often the first sign of sickness is a temperature-normal for a horse is 99.- 100.5. A temperature exceeding 101.5°F is generally considered a low-grade fever.)
2. Stethoscope (A healthy, calm adult horse typically has a resting heart rate of 28 to 44 beats per minute (bpm). While traveling, a horse’s heart rate may increase slightly due to excitement, nervousness, or the physical effort of balancing, but it should remain relatively close to this range.)

How to Check Your Horse’s Heart Rate
Locate Pulse: Use a stethoscope directly behind the left elbow or find the facial artery along the jawline.
Measure: Count the beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4.
Monitor: Check the horse 10–15 minutes after loading to establish their travel baseline

3. Antiseptic solution
4. Gauze
5. Cotton batting/vet wrap/standing wraps
6. Wound ointment
7. Duct tape
8. Electrolytes
9. If recommended by your veterinarian, Butazolidin and Banamine with instructions for when to use and dosages (check expiration dates before setting out traveling.)

Obviously, an extra halter and lead rope, just in case your horse breaks his (or you decide to buy another horse! It happens.) If your horse wears specially made shoes, carrying an extra pair can be a good idea.

Water buckets and water from home if your horse is a picky drinker. Hay nets and extra hay to keep them busy.

It’s useful to keep all your horse’s paperwork in a binder or a folder so everything is in one place. Coggins and health certificate are required for state-line crossings. Vaccination records and proof of ownership are always good to have available. Hard copies go in the folder, digital set on your phone.

If you’re going into Canada, be sure to check out the border crossing you will be using to determine if the personnel needed for checking horses is present when you are planning to go across. If they aren’t, plan to wait until they are!

It’s not rocket science to know to keep your gas tank above ¼, better to fill up when it’s at the ½, but most of us don’t have that kind of discipline! Also remember to keep an extra quart of oil. Most of our trailers come with spare tires, remember to check the air in it frequently. Keep a tire pressure gauge (and know how to use it), jumper cables (ditto), wheel chocks and reflective triangles. Instructions on how to change a trailer tire always helpful if you haven’t done it a lot.

See “In Step with Golden State” Vol 5 No 10 (November 2024).

A crowbar and hammer could possibly save the day, keep them accessible when traveling. Don’t forget the fire extinguisher and a pair of pliers. A small tool kit couldn’t hurt.

Finally, don’t forget your sense of humor as our ponies give us many opportunities for our patience to be tested and “are you serious?” to become our mantra. Above all, enjoy the ride, traveling with our horses is part of the package when we compete.

Western States Board of Directors

Meet Mike Lund

Mike Lund is a retired professor from the Cal Poly Equine program. After his time at Cal Poly, he trained and showed horses. He also has been a popular, and sought after clinician, and judge for Ranch Versatility and NRCHA. He was involved in NRCHA Premier Events for eight years. He has been involved in versatility in California since its inception; first with Golden State Versatility RHA and currently with Western States. In addition to being a very involved and valued board member he is also the Director in charge of the Western States judges. He puts on another hat in October as the Show Manager for our Western States Finals. He says, “I believe the WSVRHA people are the most fun and friendly in the horse business.” That is high praise for a man with the amount and quality of experience in the western horse industry.

Social Media

Why We Need Your Help

Our Media Director Katie Moon has been doing a great job with Facebook and Instagram. What? You haven’t seen anything? Or you rarely see anything? If you’re not, there’s a reason. It’s what this editor calls, that “Algorithm Thing.” In short, the more people that engage with WSVRHA media, the more our page will show up on their feed. And on others’ feeds. It takes time and persistence to build a following, but a larger following means tangible outcomes for our club (more entries, more sponsorships, more opportunities for growth). So . . . please help us. If you’re on either of those platforms, follow our page and be sure to ‘like’, ‘comment on’, and ‘share’ our content. That will increase the possibility/probability of our club being seen and promoted online.

Western States Merchandise

Ride For The Brand!

Western States has some really nice, branded merchandise available for sale. Some items will be available at select shows; all items are available online. Profits from sale will go to providing more and better awards and $$$ for cash prizes. So, buy big, ride for the brand, and support our Club. Go to our web site wsvrha.org, click on “Shop” and check out the online store.

What’s Happening in June?

Preferred Stabling at NRSHA

We all know the quality of the Lawrence Show Management events! They are kicking off summer showing with a WSVRHA (Dry All Around only) and AQHA show at Rancho Murietta. See calendar for details. Be there! Also, in June, is the AQHA VRH World Show in Amarillo, Texas. Quite a few of our Western States members will be attending. We send our best wishes to all of them. Bring home those world championships!

We would like to extend a special thank you to all of our sponsors. In addtion to the businesses listed above, we are grateful to Jen Harden, Josie Driscoll, Bill and Debby Sanguinetti, and Paula Taylor. For information on becoming a Western States sponsor, please click below:

Quote of the Month

Learning From a Legend

Many of us watched in horror as Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic comeback dream died within 12 seconds of her leaving the start line. From her hospital bed, her words are valuable for all of us who compete.