Vol 1 No 7

Letter from the Editor

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 250th birthday to our great United States of America. It is humbling to remember what our Founding Fathers went through to procure independence for this country. Those who signed the Declaration of Independence literally risked their lives doing so. Founder Ben Franklin said, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we will all hang separately.” So, on July 4th, take a moment to think about their sacrifices, and the sacrifices of so many others, to assure the continuance of our wonderful country.

A $2000 scholarship is being offered to Western State Youth! Details in this issue. We need to get the word out; the time frame is very short.

Summer and show season are going strong. In this issue we report the results of the Carmel Valley Versatility Challenge and preview the Inter-Mountain Versatility Summer Show and the Silver State Circuit. As in past editions, we will spotlight a Western States Board member and this month it is President Kathy Torres.

Have you filled out and submitted your horse I.D. Form? It’s important and easy! Check it out.

One of the Western States most fun and competitive families is moving out of state. Read on for details.

There’s lots to do in July, I hope you’re out there doing it!

Train hard, compete easy!

Dawn Poston
Editor

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

Suzanne Dorrance Memorial Youth Scholarship

$2000 To Be Awarded

Suzanne Dorrance was a Carmel Valley local and member of one of the area’s most historic cattle ranches. As a supporter of not only Ranch Versatility, the Trail & Saddle Club, and its youth members, but also western heritage and capturing the western way of life through photography, this scholarship seeks to honor her devotion to the ranch horse industry by supporting and growing youth participation in competitive equine events.

WSVRHA, the Carmel Valley Trail & Saddle Club, and the Suzanne Woodard Living Trust will sponsor a $2000 scholarship for a youth member (under 18 years of age) of Western States Versatility Ranch Horse Association. The window for this is quite short, application process begins July 1st and is due July 20th. If you know youth who would like to apply for the scholarship and do not belong to WSVRHA direct them to the membership section of the web site, wsvrha.org. It’s not too late to join. The scholarship application can be found at wsvrha.org.

The Application packet will require:

1. Essay. One page essay describing how the scholarship would be used to help achieve their equine goals and why Ranch Versatility and showing horses is important to them.
2. Photograph. Suzanne was an accomplished photographer, often focusing on western heritage and life. The application packet must include a digital photograph taken by the applicant that depicts the essence of Ranch Versatility (whatever that means to them).
3. Application Form. Click here to download/view.
4. Picture: Include a picture of the applicant and their horse together.
5. 1 Letter of Recommendation

Two members from each board (WSVRHA & Carmel Valley T&S Club) and Adrianna Ribeira (Trust Executor) will meet to review the applications and vote on the winner which will be announced at the Central Coast Ranch Horse Classic Sunday of the show, August 9. Winner need not be present to win.

Carmel Valley Versatility Challenge

All-Around Champions

Dry All-Around Champions

What’s Happening in July?

Inter-Mountain and Silver State

Show producer Kathy Torres is serious about having you visit the lovely little mountain town of McArthur for the Inter-Mountain Ranch Versatility Summer Show. A drawing for a $100 gas card will be held for the first 15 entries, another drawing for a $50 gas card for those signed up for the Saturday clinic!

The fairgrounds where the show is held has made some impressive improvements. They have remodeled the three livestock barns by the cutting pen into larger and brand-new stalls and have put new and improved ground in the indoor pen. Competitors will get to experience that new ground as some of the classes will be held in the indoor arena.

Adjacent to Burney Falls, the McArthur show is a perfect set up for a family getaway. The area is rich in opportunities for hiking, fishing, boating, golfing, trail riding and amazing food at the Fall River Inn.

It’s always a good show, hope you can make it!

The Silver State Gamber’s Choice will be held at the outstanding Winnemucca Event Center, featuring two climate-controlled arenas for your showing pleasure. AQHA and Western States sanctioned there’s something for everyone, great prizes and $$ pay outs.

There will be WSVRHA division payouts for each show-a total of four sets of payouts. Along with the $100 payouts, each WSVRHA division All-Around winner will receive a personalized belt buckle to be ordered after the show.

For the VRH AQHA All-Arounds, SADDLES will be awarded! (There must be at least 3 exhibitors to qualify, so tell your friends to enter up!) There will be Circuit awards for all divisions.

To make staying there even better, there is group code for booking at the Winnemucca Inn (775-623-2565, features the All-American Grand Café and has dog friendly room options) and Winner’s Inn (775-623-2511, features the Star Broiler Restaurant and many reviews mention “great salad bar”). Use “NQHA” for a special horse show rate.

Seems like there are many good reasons to head for Winnemucca July 16-19.

Blast From the Past

Sparrowk VRH Show 2016

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago (ok just ten years but it seems like an eternity) Bev Sparrowk held a VRH show at her ranch in Clements. There was one arena, all the classes were held on one day, and a truly wonderful time was had by all. Camping was the way to go!

As you can see by the annotation on the picture, this image was taken by long time Golden State/Western States member Suzanne Dorrance, who passed away earlier this year. At that time her daughter Mei Mei (second from left) was showing in the Youth Division. In recognition of Suzanne’s dedication to versatility and the western way of life, Western States, the Carmel Valley Trail & Saddle Club, and the Suzanne Woodard Living Trust are giving a $2000 scholarship to one fortunate Western States youth member. See details in a related article in this newsletter. It is the hope of the organizers that this will become a yearly memorial honoring Suzanne and providing support to the youth.

Western States Board of Directors

Meet Kathy Torres

Kathy Torres has been training ranch and show horses for over 35 years. She had a training barn in the San Francisco South Bay since 1993 but recently relocated to the beautiful Fall River Valley (McArthur) in 2022. There she and her husband Danny have owned a small ranch since 2021. She currently runs her training business there where she trains, shows, gives lessons and sells a lot of consigned horses.

Kathy and Danny run their cattle business in the north part of the state and attend brandings and help their neighbors whenever they have time. All training horses get a well-rounded education making them fit for both ranch and show life.

Kathy has been a long-time director of Western States and currently serves as President. If you haven’t met Kathy yet introduce yourself at your next show!

Like Columbo Said, “Just One More Thing”

Horse I.D. Form Required

Along with membership you must submit a “Horse I.D. Form” for each horse you show in WSVRHA events. Many of us have neglected to fulfill this simple task (this Editor guilty as charged). I went to the web site, clicked on “About”, then “Membership”, then “Horse I.D. Form” (or you can click here). It took less than two minutes to complete the application and submit. No cost involved. The form asks for basic owner information, if the horse is Ranching Heritage or Jr Horse*, and registration number if registered. Then push “Submit.” Done. Almost immediately I received an email message, see below, saying it was a done deal. Do yours now, make Cady happy!‬

*PS In order to track Ranching Heritage and Jr Horse points the horse must have an I.D. and the boxes must be checked.

Western States Finals

There Are Questions, We Have Answers!

Q: Are there a minimum number of Western States shows I must attend to show at the Western States Finals?
A: No. There are two full shows and even if you haven’t attended enough to qualify for year-end awards, you can still show and receive show awards.

Q: How many shows must I attend to qualify for year-end awards?
A: Three.

Q: Do the two shows at the Western States Finals count toward year end awards?
A: Yes!

Q: How are year-end points calculated?
A: Competitor’s five best shows will be used to calculate year end division champions.

Q: Is it just a Western States VRH show?
A: No, it is also an AQHA and AQHA Ranching Heritage sanctioned show.

Q: Do I have to be a Western States member to show in the AQHA and Heritage Show?
A: No (but you’re there, why not join and show in Western States as well?)
Q: Isn’t Winnemucca a long way away?
A: Not really. It can be done in a day. Obviously it depends on where you’re coming from. For example, miles to Winnemucca from:

San Francisco, CA 553
Carmel, CA 481
Modesto, CA 368
San Luis Obispo, CA 594
Sacramento, CA 296
Tuscarora, NV 99
Las Vegas, NV 469
Salt Lake City, UT 353

Q: Is there money being paid out?
A: Yes, as of this writing $5500! Stay tuned, hoping for more.

More questions? Contact Kathy Torres at ktversatilityhorses@gmail.com

Adios, Ciao, Au Revoir, Bye Bye

The Wilbur Family is Moving

Fierce competitors Emily, Piper and Rio Wilbur (and dad too) are packing up the horses and the dogs and all the rest and are moving to Bozeman, Montana! They are already set up with trainer Gary Cooper and plan to continue showing in that neck of the woods. Emily promises they will come back to visit and attend some of our shows, for sure Winnemucca Finals, and we sure hope they do. As a big fan of VRH, Emily plans to scope out the local horse show world and maybe help them begin versatility events! Go Emily.

We wish them all the very best and hope they are very happy in their new home.

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.