President's Message

Submitted by Dan Moriarty

Greetings,

As I sit writing this message, it is Memorial Day and I'm thinking about family and many friends that have passed over the years. I think about the impact and effect those people had on me as I was growing up (if I really ever did!) and how many of those peole were involved with horses to some degree. Something about horses is a lifetime affair or passion that never really goes away and has a impact on you and those around you. Many people I meet today have trouble understanding how I'm so involved with horses (I grew up with 'em so you could call it a "childhood afflection" like chicken pox or something), but before long they come to the realization that to get my full attention, you gotta love horses. I also know that you members have that same passion with your horse and those friends, neighbors and people that know you have the same thought, what's with horses? Well, there's nothing so challenging or soothing as being with your horse. Sometimes you could "wring" his neck and a minute later- give him a "slobbery" kiss (well maybe a hug!). Those friends just don't know what they're missing! I've got to think this relationship with the horse has got to add years to our life, it better, considering all the years I've put into it!! Pease join me in thinking back to those family and friends that have passed and all they mean to us.

On another note, I hope all is going well and everyone is busy with their horse/horses, having another adventure of some kind. I know some times that dreaded four letter word "work" gets in the way of having fun with your horse and friends. Hope to see "you all" out there!!

Well it's time to get out there to the horse...

Until next time, Happy Trails!!
Dan

Job Openings

Per the WSH Bylaws the WSH Secretary/Treasurer and the WSH Horse Show Division Director positions both must be renewed every 2 years. Applications/Resumes are now being accepted for the following two positions:

WSH Secretary/Treasurer

Job Description: Duties to include but are not limited to-processing memberships, handling all financial transactions of the organization, filing taxes, updating the website, publishing the monthly e-newsletter and hard copy Canter, answering phone calls, scheduling and preparing documentation for board meetings, promoting WSH by attending events throughout the State. Assist Convention Chair with coordinating the Annual WSH Convention. Preparing promotional materials, brochures and handouts.

Requirements: Must have excellent communication skills, be proficient in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher and Peachtree. Be able to work a variety of hours. Must have previous secretarial and finance experience. Must be self motivated and able to work with little or no supervision.

Salary: $1700
Hours: Vary

Submit your resume and cover letter to Jean Garcia at PO Box 1794, Orting, WA. 98360; or fax 253-872-6564 by August 31, 2008

Horse Show Division Director

Receives pay of $400.00 monthly, reimbursed for mileage and motel for attending recognized Horse Show clinics and meetings plus a $25.00 per diem.

Duties:

• Approves Horse Shows and collects all show fees
• Corrects prize lists
• Collects fees from exhibitors who sign-up for year-end awards and forwards paperwork to Points Keeper
• Provides Show Stewards with necessary supplies
• Attends all Board Meetings
• Organizes and facilitates Horse Show and Show Secretary clinics as needed
• Member of Awards Committee, Budget Committee, Merit Committee, and Rulebook Committee
• Prepares and presents financial statements for the Horse Show Division quarterly and annually at Convention
• Sends out all correspondence in regards to the Division
• Makes sure all Horse Show Division details regarding Convention are attended to (including preparing winners, notifying winners, presenting proposals to Convention and Canter)
• Reports and pays fees to the WSH Sec./Treasurer all wages, social security, etc., who will provide a 1099, using the WSH account numbers

Terms of Contract:

• The position of Horse Show Director will be for a 2-year term.

Submit your resume and cover letter to Gloria Marley at 181 Youngs Grade RD, Yakima, WA 98908 by August 31, 2008.

Competitive Trail Division

Submitted by Kathy Lewandowsky

Hi all! Finally a few nice days. I hope everyone has been able to get their horses out some. I know I am really getting anxious to get to a ride. Steve and I just purchased a new place and my plans are to be all settled in before the first ride in June. That would be Shadow's Dance at Capitol Forest. Again, our format for most of the rides will be to have the Open Division ride on Saturday and the Novice and CP Divisions ride on Sunday. If you have never been to a CTR and want to see what happens at a ride, I encourage you to try and make it to the ride on Saturday and watch all that goes on. You can set up your campsite and watch all the final judging on Saturday. Then get your horse checked in for Sunday's ride. On Saturday evening we do an around the campfire clinic to try and answer all your questions. If you get there early on Saturday, you can also volunteer to help with the P&R's and really see what happens out on the trial. This has been working really well for new people so don't be shy. You and your horse will have a great time I am sure.

Details on our current ride schedule is listed below and on www.wshorsemen.com

Shadow's Dance WSH/AHA CTR will be June 28-29th at Capitol Forest out of Fall Creek Campground. Open Division/AHA 20-30 miles, Novice 15-20 miles. Contact Andrea Hurn at 253-405-8659 or by e-mail at for more information.

Pilchuck CTR at Pilchuck Tree Farm in Arlington, WA on July 12-13, 2008 on the Lake Armstrong tract. Open/AHA 30 miles on Saturday. Novice/CP 15 miles on Sunday. Ride Manager- Kathryn Lewandowsky at 425-737-4594 or for more info regarding this ride. It will be a benefit ride for the division.

Green Mountain CTR will be managed by Lynne Mahoney and is scheduled for Aug. 15, 16 & 17. It will be a tough mountainous ride near Bremerton, WA. They have an excellent campground. The trails are very challenging. So your novice horses/riders do need some trail experience. More details will be available later or contact Lynne at Lynne Mahoney, 360-769-8451 or

I am still working on getting our rides dual sanctioned by the Arabian Horse Association this year in order for all you riders with Arabians to get your horses qualified for the Region V Championship CTR. It will be held in Kalispell, Montana again and is planned for Sept. 8, 2008. You can get more info about their rides at www.triarabian.org.

A very exciting event this year will be the Rocky Mountain Challenge. It will include the Canadian National AHA CTR Championship along with the Canadian National Championship which is open to all breeds of horses. That event will be July 31-August 4th near Calgary, Alberta, Canada. For more information on this ride you can visit www.canadiannationals.org.

Can't wait to see everyone at a ride soon.or out on the trail.
Later, Kathy & Nick (& Steve, but you probably won't find him out on a horse trail)

Horse Show Division

Submitted by Dawn Spencer

I hope you are having a great Show Season. We have had several shows now, and the season is well under way. Even considering the price of gas, horse shows are a great place to spend time with your friends, horses and family. It is a bargain anyway you look at it.

The following are shows coming up in the next 2 months. If you would like contact information for these shows you can go to our website www.wshorsemen.com. The website also has premiums that you can download to enter the show. Remember the calendar for the complete Show Season is on the website.

Please see the WSH website calendar for upcoming Horse Show events and meetings.

Games Division

Submitted by Melissa Stockman

Well the show season has finally kicked off. The April shows were rained out (and rescheduled). The May shows have been well attended. We've seen many helpful people at the shows especially the new comers. Speaking of new comers - we have seen LOTS of new faces. WSHGD proves again that we are a great family organization! Speaking with the Rules Committee, we have new officials now working on filling their cards. We do really appreciate all of you getting your cards as we can never have too many officials!! Well the plans are made for the WSCS. Once again the WSCS will be located in Moses Lake at the Grant County Fairgrounds on August 22-24. We have lots of fundraisers going on, but we are always open for any ideas. If you have any ideas feel free to contact me. Just a quick memory from this last weekend at the North Country Riders Show. It was Mother's Day weekend and we had five mother/daughter Two-Man Stake teams run. It is truly a place for the family to be. I was very proud to be one of those teams with my daughter, Courtney - boy did she do a great job! Happy riding, sounds like we will be going from cold riding in sweatshirts and coats to sweating to death. Oh well, at least we are riding - Melissa Stockman.

Washington State Championship Show

The committee has been hard at work determining the new "face" of the WSCS. Please see the information below regarding this year's show.

Horse Qualification

Riders must obtain a five-time average (with at least one time coming from an alternate arena) in order to be able to compete at the WCSC. An individual can ride multiple horses in individual events in the horse's correct classification. Team events - individual can ride with multiple partners but not on same horse (Team 1 = Rider A Horse A with Rider B Horse B. Team 2 = Rider A Horse C Rider B Horse D).

Event Awards

There will be a "State Champion" plaque in each event in each age division given to the rider with the fastest time overall. Classification (A, B, C, D, Buck, LL) places 1st through 5th will be given in each event. Riders receiving at least one placing throughout the show will receive a certificate at end of weekend with placings and times recorded on it. The committee is currently working on the possibility of medallions in place of the certificates.

High Point Awards

Times placed in appropriate age divisions after show. Points figured according to place. High Point awards will be decided according to sponsors collected. With one saddle sponsor received, saddle will go to "all around horse"; with two saddle sponsors collected saddles will go to High Point Junior and High Point Senior up to eight saddles covering all eight age divisions.

Final Awards

After the WSCS, the committee will e-mail out a flyer to all riders that placed listing how many points they received and what each point is worth (per point value). They will have a list of awards they can choose from. This award will then be purchased by committee member Crysti Gray and presented at State Convention in Richland in November.

Sponsors

How are we going to purchase all of these awards? With help from you! If you are in need of a sponsorship form, please contact Melissa Stockman at or via phone at (509) 276-9862.

Theme Ideas

The committee has received several theme ideas for this year's WCSC event. They would like you to vote for your favorite via sending an e-mail with the number of the theme that you like the best to by June 5. Here we go...

1. A Barrel of Fun
2. Celebrating Progress
3. Come Have a Hay-Day
4. Discover the Fun
5. Family Fun
6. Family Fun in the Summer Sun
7. Family Fun for Everyone!

2008 Permanent Number Registration

Have you registered your permanent number for the 2007 / 2008 season? In order to re-register your permanent number (i.e. C215, R050, N021) please contact Terri Lowry at or (509) 292-8866. Riders in the Northeast Zone are asked to contact Sharon Kelsey at or (509) 276-6725 to obtain an "R" Number. Forms are currently available on the WSH website at www.wshorsemen.com. If you are in need of a new number, please contact your Zone Games Chair. All riders must register (or re-register) their numbers prior to competing.

Judge's and Timer's Clinic

Timers and Judges - your cards have expired! A rule change was made for 2008 that allows the Judge's and Timer's Clinic to be given in an electronic form. This change allowed the WSHGD to save the rental money for the Ellensburg Clinic and allows all of our officials (and want to be officials) to save on gas. Currently, 26 WSH Members have requested tests. We will list each month the judges and timers that have successfully passed the test so that show committees may be apprised of the qualified officials in their areas.

The 2008 rulebook (full-page version) has been published on the WSH website at www.wshorsemen.com. Click on "Divisions" then "Games" then "Forms and Downloads" to access the full-page version. A smaller version (one that you can cut and place into your existing rulebooks) will also be available there shortly. If you are interested in becoming a timer or judge, here's what to do.

1. Join WSH.
2. Request a test by e-mailing with your WSH number and a scanned copy of your current judges or timers card (if you are currently a judge or timer).
3. After verifying your WSH membership status with the WSH Office, one of the Rules Committee Members will send your test via e-mail. There will be four different tests administered depending upon your current status as an official.
   1. Student Timer (for those just beginning the process of becoming an official). This test must be passed with a score of 100% to obtain a Student Timer's Card.
   2. Timer (for those 16 and over that currently have a First Timer's Card). This is a modified test that highlights rule changes that you will need to be aware of as well as focuses on areas of concern (i.e. arena sheet completion).
   3. Student Judge (for those 16 and over that currently have a First Timer's Card and desire to become a judge). This test must be passed with a score of 100% to obtain a Student Judge's Card.
   4. Judge (for those 16 and over that currently have a Judge's Card). This is a modified test that highlights rule changes that you will need to be aware of as well as focuses on areas of concern (i.e. course measurements).
    
4. Open completing the test, you may e-mail the test back to the Rules Committee or send it in. If you have problems with the e-mail version, we suggest that you print it off and send it in, or simply e-mail the answers (in correct order) to . The test will be corrected and if a score of 100% is reached, an official's card will be sent with further instruction for those needing to complete student work. You will hear from the Rules Committee within 4 days. If you do not, please send an e-mail (without test attached) letting us know that it was sent.

What if you do not have access to a computer or Adobe Acrobat (pdf)? Simply send a request to the Rules Committee Chair (Dale McLaughlin) at 7210 E Fairview Ave - Spokane Valley WA 99212-1526 along with a copy of your current WSH card and your 2007 WSHGD Judge or Timer card. We'll be happy to send out a printed copy of the test for you to complete.

JUDGES

(May also First Time, Second Time, Steward)
Coe, Bob - Northeast Zone
Fonville, Linda - Northeast Zone
Johnston, Valerie - Northeast Zone
Lowry, Terri - Northeast Zone
Price, Jeff - Northeast Zone

STUDENT JUDGES

(May also First Time or Second Time)
Hutton, Terri - Northeast Zone

FIRST TIMER

Lowry, Don - Northeast Zone Lowry, Kimberlee - Northeast Zone

STUDENT / SECOND TIMER

Hutton, Tom - Northeast Zone Lowry, Mary Jane - Northeast Zone McLaughlin, Emma - Northeast Zone Valderrama, Cheyenne - Northeast Zone

We truly appreciate each of the individuals above taking the time to request, complete, and return their tests. The electronic version is working well and we're thrilled to be able to offer the "clinic" to officials all across the State. Thank you again WSHGD member for being so willing to try something new!

WSHGD Enters Social Network World

After attending a sponsorship / marketing seminar in St. Louis earlier this spring, Jessie McLaughlin took part of her new found "knowledge" and built a Facebook page for WSHGD. This is not a substitute for the WSH website (www.wshorsemen.com), it is a supplement. What she found out at the seminar is that Facebook (similar to MySpace) reaches a different target audience than typical websites and other traditional advertising. It allows for easy updates to your page's "fans" and has features similar to blogs where one can post information on the "wall". Facebook was developed by Harvard students and was originally open just to those with an "edu" e-mail account. It was later opened up to the rest of the world and its features are clean and concise making navigation through it extremely user friendly. If you are comfortable with MySpace, please give Facebook a try. If you are on Facebook, simply search "Washington State Horsemen - Games Division" and become a "fan" so that you too can be notified of the latest happenings. The only restriction is that you must be 13 years of age or older to set up a profile / account.

Newsletter

Glad News

Dawn Bonser, daughter of Mark and Smoki Bonser from Elk, WA graduated from the WSU Veterinary Program this month. Dawn has competed in WSH on and off for several years, when rodeos or vet school didn't interfere. She will be going to Oakdale, CA in June to begin a year-long internship with Pioneer Equine (www.pioneerequine.com). This clinic specializes in equine lameness of performance horses - cutters, reiners, and barrel racers. She should have a wonderful specialty when she is finished. She then plans to return to the Northwest area to practice equine veterinary medicine. Congratulations Dawn - we are so proud of you!

Brenda Dormaier reports that her daughter, Marrisa, took first place at the State FFA trap shoot in Wenatchee during the April 19-20 weekend. Her team took second overall. Way to go Marrisa! We are also thrilled to see her riding after her knee injury.

Whitney Kelly, daughter of Kevin and Laurie Kelly, had her baby girl -- Lucchese Nichole Elizabeth Ford on Tuesday May 6, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. She weighed 6.76 pounds, was 18.5 inches long and it has been reported that she is "just a doll". Mom and baby are home and doing fabulous.

North Country Riders tried something new at their May 10-11 show that seemed to be received very well by the buckaroo and leadline riders. Show chair, Melissa Stockman, designed an 8.5" x 11" form and printed it on cardstock. At the top it listed the Club Name, Show Date, and a "thank you for playing" note. It had a place designated to put a photo on to commemorate the day and another area to adhere special stickers that she'd printed with all of the placings for each event (as well as some participation stickers for those with No Times or beyond 5th place). At the end of the event, the placings were called off and the kids were able to come and collect their stickers then adhere them to their sheets at their rigs. Great idea - thanks for sharing!

2008 Show Approvals

Show Committees -

• Please be sure to send your show approval forms with payment to the WSHGD Secretary, Jessie McLaughlin.
• The cost of approving a show is $10.00 per day.
• New approval forms are available on the WSH website or you may contact Jessie McLaughlin at to obtain one.
• Don't forget that the forms must be received, along with payment, at least 30 days prior to the event for the best advertising of your dates.
• Forms should be mailed to WSHGD Show Approvals, c/o Jessie McLaughlin, 7210 E Fairview Ave, Spokane Valley WA 99212-1526.
• You will receive confirmation via mail / e-mail once your date has been approved.

WSH Royalty Court Update

We are pleased and excited to announce that the following WSH Members are running for the 2009 WSH Royalty Court.

Ally Banks from Puget Sound Zone
Shelby Hedlund from Puget Sound Zone
Kaila Ludwig from Puget Sound Zone
Daniel Timmons from Zone One
Melissa Welch from Zone One

The Horsemanship portion of the contest will be held at the YEA Show in Ellensburg June 28-29 come out and meet them and show them your support.

The 2008 WSH Royalty Court will also be hosting a Hot Dog Luncheon at the YEA Show for all participants and their families. Stop by and meet the Court as well as have some lunch.

Youth Merit

If you haven't already heard, a fun challenge has been put out there for all of the Zones to see which one can bring in the most money by Convention for the Youth Merit Program. So far Zone One is in the lead. Youth Merit is a great program that benefits the youth of Washington State Horsemen. It is a free program for the participants, so we need the help of the Zones and Divisions to fund the awards that are given out at Convention. For more information on this contact the Youth Merit Directors in your area.

There will also be a Silent Auction at the YEA Show in June where all proceeds will go to the Youth Merit Program. We are still in need of items that can be auctioned off. If you have something to donate, please contact Christine Oliver-Hammond.

Dressage Division Report

Submitted by Mary Brady

"Mardi"

Mardi is a 17.1 hand Dutch/Thoroughbred gelding that I bred and raised. Originally, I purchased a stud fee from Iron Spring Farm for a Dutch Warmblood stallion named Rampal.The plan was to breed my dressage mare, Bally Miss, so as to have her offspring. Unfortunately, Bally could not be bred, so I purchased another Thoroughbred mare named Easy Gait. We went through the ordeal of semen shipments from the east coast. Finally, Easy Gait, or "Breezy" as we called her, foaled a big, dark bay colt.

Mardi was rambunctious in the beginning. He and I have been through alot together. I later had Tanya Striebeck do ground work with him using the Buck Brannaman training method.He learned ground manners and respect.

In earlier years, I showed him at the Peteton Farm schooling shows. We did some clinics with Jeremy Beale. For the past two years, we have gone to John Elliott for our lessons.Last year, we competed at First level in the WSH "B" system and also in the LPSDC awards system. Mardi scored a 64.4% at First level. This year, we will again compete at first level but will also plan to ride some second level tests.

If any of you have articles you'd like to submit, or stories and pictures of you and your horse, I'd love to hear from you. Let's make it interesting and get some more news from around our state.

Good luck to all of you at your shows!

Morgan Division Report

Submitted by Sondjia Edwards

Congratulations to the Majestic Morgans Youth Club members who participated in the Youth of the Year event at the Key Classic Morgan Show! Maxi Gumprecht was Champion with Taylor Widawski Reserve Champion. The group also sold horse and dog treats made by Maxi's mom to raise funds for their club. Many thanks to Patti Lebon for all her help and to the Forster family who sponsored prizes.

Our M3 (Midnight Mountain Manege) Youth Group is very active getting ready for their 1st Annual Stick Horse Rodeo. It sounds like the Wild Wild West lives again. They will also be participating in the Youth of the Year Event at the Spring PNW Morgan show. Our Youth President, Sondra Edwards, has been selected as Miss Earth from Washington and has chosen animal welfare as her cause in the National Pageant.

Also, did you know that Country Supply (countrysupply.com) will donate five percent of their products' purchase price to Morgan youth if you enter the Country Care Code "amhayouth" when you make a purchase?

Bye, gotta go ride my Morgan!

Don't forget:
PNW Spring Show - Tacoma Unit #1, Spanaway - May 23-25.

Evergreen Zone Report

Submitted by Gina Dorcas

When Your Horse Hands You Lemons, Learn To Juggle!!!

Not really, but I thought it would get your attention. As some of you know my horse, Shayne, injured himself (a tear in his right front suspensory ligament) and we're currently re-habbing. I'd never wish this on any horse person, but I thought I'd share what I've learned or managed to take out of this forced downtime.

1. If you can only hand walk your horse - We focused on showmanship presentation, straight lines, good stops, square set ups and obedient backing. We also worked on serpentines, figure eights and side passing.

2. No turn out - I added a stall toy that cost nothing and brought him a great deal of entertainment. A plastic milk jug with rocks in it hung from the window bars. He chewed it (I've had to replace it at least weekly) and he worked very hard to push it through the bars to hang on the outside of the stall & then waited for someone to push it back in for him! We also did as much hand grazing as the weather permitted. A relaxing time for both of us.

3. Walk only under saddle - forced me to focus on my aids. He didn't feel badly enough to not want to work so it has been up to me, with Lisa Freimark's invaluable assistance, to find ways to keep his mind occupied and his body working. I've used my legs & seat more than I ever have before. Also lateral work, backing and ground poles have saved our sanity.

We've been lucky and will probably make it back into the show ring this year. In the interim I'm going to enjoy being a show mom and volunteering at the shows. See you there! Deb Lemeshko - Evergreen Zone President

Join us June 1st at Bridle Trails Park in Kirkland Washington for our Annual Benefit Show!!! The weather has been great and so have our shows!!

More information visit our website www.evergreenzone.org. Check us out!!
Our next meeting is June 5th, 7:00 at the Snohomish Alfy's Pizza!
Here's to Summer... Gina Dorcas.

Prairie Zone Report

Submitted by Georgina Fair

Spring greetings from PR

Hope this finds you all saddled up and heading down the road - although at 4$+ per gallon that might get a bit tough. But we will try anyway.

Just a quick notice that the annual PRZ Benefit show is scheduled for July 5th and 6th at The Trails arena. We are dual judged this year and having English on Saturday and Western on Sunday. If you need information contact Georgina at and I will get info out to you.

We have already had our first show here in Olympia. Many thanks to Karen Lunan for a nice show. Our appy members traveled to sunny California for a show and came away with some nice placings. Pinto group has their first big show under their belts and Paints are going strong too.

PRZ has 2 young ladies participating in the Jerry Prigge Finals show royality court. Anna Barker daughter of Denise and Steve Vessey and Shelby Felder daughter of Heather Melton are new to the event this year. They are both working hard to gather points toward their awards. Good luck to both.

PRZ meetings are being held the first Tuesday of the month at Nickelbys this year. With the exception of July and August. November meeting is being held after convention so we can get convention information to members.

Diane and Tom Williams have finished their home and are finally moved out of the motorhome. Diane sez "thank the Lord" They endured storms, builders delays, floods in Chehalis and pregnant mares through all this. They are stronger people than I am!!

Willie Hansen is off to Hawaii in July for a much needed vacation. Staying in some swanky place I am sure. Maybe she will come home with a nice tan and a crate of pineapple - Yummmm!

Well short but sweet this month. Again if you want info on the Benefit show in July contact me and it will get to you pronto.

See ya down the road!

Zone One Report

Submitted by Holly Ferguson

Show Season in Full Swing! Since the last report in February, Zone One show riders have already been quite busy with a full show schedule. First there was one schooling show the end of March, run by the Central Washington Quarter Horse Association (judge Genny Miller), and two schooling shows in April at Dan Stark's arena in Moxee. The second was the Valley Riders schooling show on April 12 with judge Robert Aycock and the third on April 19 was the We Love 4-H Schooling show with judge Sherry Williams. This was our schooling show series and high point awards were given out at the end of the series. There were about 30 riders/handlers present at each show. We thank all the riders and handlers for participating, especially all of the young riders! We really appreciated your support and we hope you had fun at the schooling shows!

At the end of April, we had the 5th Annual Early Bird Dual Open Show at the Yakima State Fair Park. Judges were Karaly Maione and Tim Phillips. The weather was perfect and we had 43 participants in 93 classes with a total of 345 entries. Lots of great pictures were taken by Kaufholtz Photography (www.kaufholtzphotography.com). It's a rarity to see anything horse related on the news, but we managed to get about 5 minutes of video from Sunday's classes on the local news!! Valley Riders appreciate all the help and support for this show, including Nea Welch-Timmons; Dawn Spencer, the Show Steward; Larry Zable, the show manager; Leo Spencer, the announcer; Chelsey White; Miaya Noffsinger; Linda Pittner; Linda Spurlock; Rose and Christopher Kelley; Gloria Marley; Tessa Yeaman's dad; Daniel Timmons; Holly Ferguson; Leah Toney from Gloria's 4-H club; Paul Katz; Karen Wade; and all the other parents and friends who pitched in where needed. We had just as many non-members who helped at this show as we did members and we are grateful for all of you. High point winners appear in the next section.

This show is the first of a three show series; the other two are the Goldendale Quad on June 13-15 and the Wine Country Open Show on August 23 and 24. High point awards will be given out at each show and there will also be series High Point winners at the conclusion of the Wine Country Open Show. For the Goldendale Quad, you should have received the premiums by now but if you didn't, contact show manager Dawn Spencer at , phone 509-773-3047 or contact the show secretary Arlys McDonald at , phone 509-261-0208. Get your entries in by June 5!!

High Point Winners for Early Bird Dual Open:

13 & Under Champion: Kalah Hedlund riding Skips Golden Gift

14-17 Champion: Jennifer McInnis riding Slick Autumn Wind
R. Champion: Desiree Atchley riding Caffeine Addiction

18-30 Champion: Sondrea Garcia riding Quary
R Champion: Amanda Katz riding I'm An Obvious King

31-49 Champion: Robyn Harden riding Sun Dun Illusion
R Champion: Bonnie Schuchman riding Justa Lil Red Rebel

50 plus Champion: Elaine Phillips riding Snips Robin
R Champion: Mary Schnellman riding WH Ima Delight

Junior Horse Champion: Jennifer McInnis riding Slick Autumn Wind
R Champion: Shelby Hedlund riding Fashionably Gifted

Senior Horse Champion: Melissa Welch riding Softail Heritage
R Champion: Bonnie Schuchman riding Justa Lil Red Rebel

Walk Trot Champion: Nicole Rasmussen riding Stylish Fashion

English Horse Champion: Robyn Harden riding Sun Dun Illusion
R Champion: Melissa Welch riding Softail Heritage

Western Horse Champion: Elaine Phillips riding Snips Robin
R Champion: Bonnie Schuchman riding Justa Lil Red Rebel

All-Around Driver/Handler Champion: Lori Phillips with Deacon O'Taneum Hill
R Champion: Tara Sandall with JSH Whiskers Li'l Moose

All-Around Driving Mini/Pony/Horse Champion: Lori Phillips with Deacon O'Taneum Hill
R Champion: Tara Sandall with JSH Whiskers Li'l Moose

Long Ears Champion: Christina Klein with Dynamite Get R Dun

Congratulations to all the High Point Winners!! I have an announcement from Nea, the President regarding the champion awards: If anyone did not get their award cup at the Early Bird show, please contact Nea Welch-Timmons at 509-594-9799. She can either bring it to the Goldendale show or mail it to the recipient.

The Year of the Donkey

Here is the update on Long Ears showing in Zone One. Christina Klein has taken Larry the donkey to a couple of shows already, including the Early Bird Open show. There he was in the line up with the other horses in the showmanship classes. Christina has also shown her very large MULE in the Valley Riders schooling show back in April. She plans on showing Larry the donkey as much as she can. I told her that she should train her molly mule over fences because it is so leggy but she wasn't into it. Zone One has added a Long Ears Perpetual Award to their Year End Awards.

Horse Trading News

Earlier this year, Valley Riders member Melissa Welch acquired a new horse named Softail Heritage (Harley). Melissa and Harley showed in a couple of the schooling shows and then they showed at the Early Bird Dual Open. Judging from the High Point results, in which Melissa and Harley secured the High Point Senior Horse and Reserve High Point English Horse, this is a winning partnership! Look for Melissa and Harley to compete in the rest of the Zone One approved shows during this season! Also, Valley Riders members Rose and Christopher Kelley have acquired a new modern Shetland pony named Talking Tree's Thief of Dreams, and we hope to see this new pony at some of the future WSH shows. Christopher Kelley will be showing his new classic Shetland named BC Slick As Ice at the Goldendale show, so look for this flashy pair in the driving classes! Are there any other new horses out there in Zone One land? I can talk about them in a future report.

Youth Merit's Mention

This year, Valley Riders began a monthly raffle at their meetings to benefit Youth Merit. On March 8th, there was a booth to benefit Youth Merit at a local tack sale. At the Early Bird Open show, Valley Riders sold 20 pattern books for $5.00 apiece that went to benefit Youth Merit. So far, the club has accumulated a total of $246 to benefit the state Youth Merit program!! Pattern books will be available for sale at the Goldendale Quad (we hope) and the Wine Country show; proceeds will go to benefit Youth Merit! Thanks for all the contributions to this great state program! This year, Zone One has two new Youth Merit members, Miaya Noffsinger and Matthias Callaway!

WSH Royalty

We also have two Zone One youth running for 2009 WSH Royalty: Melissa Welch and Daniel Timmons. Currently Melissa Welch is serving on the 2008 WSH royalty team as runner-up to the queen. She is hoping to secure the "crown" for next year, but is in competition with her half brother, Daniel Timmons! This should be an interesting race!!

Welcome!

Valley Riders club welcomes new and returning club members! New members are Patricia Deccio (Nettleton), Deanna Sylling, Cindy Mears, Coesett Kroboth, Janet Downs, Jaelle Downs, and James Markardt. Returning members are Linda Pittner and Sherri Peckman. We welcome you to Valley Riders and Zone One and wish you the best in the coming year! We hope to see a lot of you at the horse shows and at other Zone One functions!

From the Horse's Mouth. I end this report with two famous quotations, both with relevance to horse racing. The first quote is from W.C. Fields (who probably didn't own a horse): "Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people." You might like this quote better from jockey Steve Cauthen: "The horse weighs one thousand pounds and I weigh ninety-five. I guess I'd better get him to cooperate." On June 7, the big horse named Big Brown has great potential to make history if he wins the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown. Let's hope that jockey Kent Desormeaux can get him to cooperate!!

Valley Riders meet the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm at Magic's Pizza in Selah, WA. Our newly elected 2008 officers are: Nea Welch-Timmons, President; Kindra Eliason, Vice-President; Linda Pittner, Secretary; Christopher Kelley, Treasurer; Linda Spurlock, Points Keeper; Holly Ferguson, Canter Reporter; and Lori Phillips, Membership Person. Kathy Norton is Zone One Director to the State. Call 509-594-9799 for more information on Valley Riders.

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