Newsletter of the
Western States Versatility Ranch Horse Association
JUNE 2026
Letter from the Editor
Dear Readers,
How’s your Summer going? I hope you are getting to lots of shows and are planning to attend our Western States Finals in October. In our last issue questions and answers about the event were presented. If you missed it, all past issues can be found on our web site. This month, member Bev Sparrowk tells us why it’s a good thing to attend the Finals and about her experience. She’s also a poet and we’re sharing one of her poems for you to enjoy.
You may have seen Marty Simper’s Rope Handling videos on our Facebook page. If you didn’t, or would like to see them again, they are now on our web site at https://wsvrha.org/videos/. Marty is also the subject of our monthly series “Meet the Board Members”.
Change is inevitable and the Western States Board is no exception. One valued board member resigned, another valued member has joined. Details in this issue. Heads up that there will be more changes to the Board for 2027. Who out there would like to help lead our organization into the future? You will be asked for nominations later in the year. Be thinking!
The Central Coast Ranch Horse Classic has a very special event this year-a Fence Shootout. No reining, just down the fence, $2000 and a buckle to the winner. Read on for more details about this special event and the show.
At the end of the newsletter there’s a quiz. Can you answer correctly how much money will be paid out at this year’s Finals? There’s no prize for a correct response except go to the Finals and win some of it! Along with some great prizes for the shows and for year-end awards.
Happy Summer Showing!
Dawn Poston
Editor
Send comments, concerns, & ideas to JumperDawn@aol.com
Summer means roses, lots of roses.
What’s The Big Surprise at the 2025 Western States Finals?
A Member’s Perspective
By Bev Sparrowk
The following is my recollection about the Finals in 2025. I don’t expect any changes in all the good stuff so 2026 will probably be just as good, if not better, than 2025.
The biggest surprise for me at the 2025 Finals was how good the money payouts were! I won over $500 and was more than happy with that big fat check. Others did better than I and won considerably more. I understand there’s even more money up for 2026!
My trip to the Western States 2025 Finals in Winnemucca began by inviting a group of friends to layover at our Sierra Valley Ranch—we had lots of fun that evening but by morning we discovered snow on the ground and blustery cool weather. Despite trepidations about the trip, we set off for Winnemucca and were pleasantly surprised by comfortable conditions there when we arrived.
Competitors had their choice of different kinds of stalls for their horses—older barn with enclosed stalls, open airy stalls, and pipe corrals. The LQ parking was wonderful. Full hookups under big, shady trees, very close to the stabling. For those without LQ’s there were plenty of hotels in town.
The cattle were great! They were supplied from local feed yards and handled by experienced cattlemen. They also show reined cow horses and knew how to handle the cattle so that they were good for the competitors. That was a big plus.
Along with the money the prizes for each show (2 Western States/2 AQHA), circuit awards, and finally the year-end awards were wonderful. Very nice jackets were given for the All-Around winners. The awards for 2026, chosen by Awards Chairperson Renee Jackson and committee members Janie Welch, Debbie Weishem, and Cady Schroeder, will be just as good and maybe better!
Overall, I really enjoyed the 2025 Finals and plan to be there for 2026. I hope to see you there.
Editor’s note: Examples of awards will be show-cased in next month’s newsletter. Stay tuned.
You Do?
From “Under My Hat” by Bev Sparrowk
Western States member Bev Sparrowk is not only a formidable competitor, but she’s also a poet. As a ranch wife she knows what the life entails. Read her entertaining description that should be required reading for anyone thinking to become the wife of a cattle rancher.
So, you’d like to be a rancher’s wife
And share this life of his
You’re tired of living all alone
And being known as “Ms.”
You want to ride the range with him
Forever, at his side
And so you up and told the man
You’ll gladly be his bride.
Now I wouldn’t burst your bubble
Or rain on your clam bake
But there are several pitfalls
To this step you’re going to take.
Are you prepared to rise and shine
Three hours before the sun?
And cook a ten course breakfast
For him and everyone
Who might be working on the place
Or just stopped by awhile?
Can you do that each day, all week
And do it with a smile?
And after cleaning up the mess
Before first rooster crow
Can you start lunch, feed leppy calves
Then comb your hair and go
To town for parts and feed and salt
In a truck whose death was due
Ten years ago, but he “fixed it up”
And gave the thing to you
Are you prepared for heifers?
They calve, you know, sometimes
Usually, though, you calve them
‘Cause they can’t make up their minds
Old ranch wives can tell you tales
To make your hair turn white
Heifers only try to calve
In the middle of the night.
And it has to either rain or snow
Or they won’t fool with it at all
Unless your husband’s stuck in town
And you’re the one on call
Of course, the one in trouble
Won’t think she needs your help
She can die alone or lose her calf
Just fine all by herself.
Are you prepared to ride the range
(the romantic part, you know)
In clouds of dust behind slow cows
Or when it’s ten below?
Those are the days you’ll get to ride
One of the boys will be down
‘Till it cools off or it warms up
You’re the next best help around.
Are you prepared for children
Whom townfolks think deformed
Because the kids have lariats
Attached to their right arms?
And when they speak their first words
You’ll wish that they were mute
The words the cowboys teach them
Aren’t really all that cute.
Are you prepared for horses
With just one goal in life
To see which one will be the first
To dump the boss’s wife?
Are you prepared for broken nails
And flies and sunburned lips
Bad prices, drought and bankers
And snow up to your hips?
If you’re prepared to see the stars
And miles of open land
And know that you were meant to share
It all with just one man
Then you’re prepared to live a life
Saved only for a few
You’ve passed the test, you’ve won the right
To say to him, “I do”!!!
Big Win for Western States Member
Salinas Open Hackamore
We’re a versatility group and it’s not often that we highlight the winner of a NRCHA event, but this is pretty special. Western States member Josie Driscoll’s cool little horse Outlaw Double Dualed, piloted by the capable Cara Hencraft of Johnston Performance Horses, won the Open Hackamore at the Salinas Rodeo. If you’ve shown at Salinas or just watched, you know that it’s one of the most challenging venues there is, not to mention the caliber of the competition. Cara and “Dually” made it look easy. Congratulations to all. We’re proud.
Meet Marty Simper
Board Member
AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year (2025) Marty Simper doesn’t remember a time when he wasn’t riding. Son of a professional rodeo rider his parents have pictures of him helping gather cattle as “a baby.” He states up front that horses and riding are “all I know how to do and all I want to do.” Recreation, apart from riding/training/showing, is gathering with like-minded friends and family for a branding. Life is slower and he can relax. Still with horses!
Marty, wife Jodi, and son Stihl are off to the Netherlands in August for Marty to do an AQHA clinic. Jodi often says the only way she gets to go on a vacation is if Marty is doing a clinic!
When asked what he likes best about Versatility he answered, “versatility reminds me of what it was like when I was a kid. You had one horse and you did everything with it.” He feels the sport of versatility is bringing people into the sport who aren’t necessarily after the big prizes but really want to enjoy their horses. Versatility lets them do that. He also commented on the welcoming nature of versatility shows and competitors.
Marty echoed the sentiments of many of us when he said, “the horses mean everything to me. You love them, they love you back, and they’re always there for you.” He’s a horseman’s horseman. The AQHA Professional award demonstrates his standing in the AQHA community. Three candidates are chosen from the nominees and those three are voted on by the 600+ professional horseman peers. He was the winner!
When asked if he wasn’t a horse trainer what would he do, Marty told this editor, “Walmart Greeter.” Why? “Because being a Walmart Greeter is like being a horse trainer. People come looking for something and want to find a friendly face. ‘Shampoo?’ ‘Aisle 5, have a good day.’”
OK Marty we follow your drift, but we all know you are so much more than a Walmart Greeter and we’re so proud to have you as part of the Western States Board of Directors. So, keep on training and, of course, greeting with a friendly face.
Meet New Board Member
Katie Moon
We are thrilled to announce Media Director Katie Moon as our new board member! You’ve probably seen her work, she has been doing such a great job getting Western States, “out there,” increasing our ever-important media presence. Katie has a long history in reined cow horse and versatility, works with and for Sarah Clifford, and is engaged in the ranching activities of the Lonely Bull Cattle Company. She’s a lovely woman, inside and out, and we are fortunate she has agreed to increase her presence in helping Western States.
Amy Larson has served our organization well in her tenure as a board member and we are so sorry to see her step away. Thank you, Amy, for all you have done for all of us in Western States.
Exciting Event at CCRHC
Fence Shoot Out
The Central Coast Ranch Horse Classic is always a competitor favorite. Great venue, weather, footing, restaurants, & great place to visit! With Bozo Rogers judging this year will be no different. Or will it?
YES. On Friday evening before the show, Buckin’ Heart Quarter Horses is sponsoring a “Fence Work Shootout.” Open and amateurs competing together for a first-place prize of $2000 & a buckle. That’s serious money! Not to be left out, 2nd gets $1000 and 3rd gets $500.
Be sure to enter this great show and be there Friday night. The Shootout starts around 5:00 pm, there’s complimentary wines sponsored by Galante Vineyards, a silent auction with many trainer lesson certificates (Lilla Bell, Cynthia Cantleberry, Brendan Clark, Sarah Clifford, Johnson Performance Horses, Ramona Koch, Jon Love, Billy Martin, Jennifer Ray, Kathy Torres, etc.), 25# tub of Platinum Performance, restaurant gift certificates, Debb Mann photo packages, Kinect Physical Therapy gift certificate, a new saddle blanket, and other cool stuff; and if we get it together, maybe some snacks! Definitely, there will be fun.
The show itself is AQHA, Ranching Heritage, and Western States qualified, generously sponsored by Lonely Bull Cattle Co. Go to the wsvrha.org web site calendar and enter now. Hope you make it; it’s going to be a doozy!
How Much Money Will Be Paid Out at WSVRHA Finals?
Multiple Choice Question
- $1500?
- $2500?
- $3500?
- $4500?
- $5500?
- More than any one of the above as sponsorships continue to come in
The answer will be posted on the Western States Facebook page very soon.
Sponsors
New Sponsors = Better Payouts!
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
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thought.
2026 Calendar
Show Dates
For more information, click here to view the complete calendar in a new tab