The Wisconsin Ranch Horse Association (WRHA) is a new and fast-growing organization that started with eight members in February 2008, and has grown to 94 members. On Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24, the organization held its second horse show at Showtime Arena in Deerfield. The show was a great success with 200 entries considering the weather was not very cooperative with thunderstorms on Saturday. However, the members and participants moved ahead with the show, and we received many very positive comments about the show from both old and new members.
In addition to having 200 entries, there were 21 new American Ranch Horse Association members, 14 new WRHA members and 19 horses registered with ARHA. Plus, this was the first time that the organization decided to have a double judged show. The judges were Terry Kendall, of Wisconsin, and Mary Ann Cash, of Missouri. They both had their work cut out for them over the two-day event that started with halter, showmanship, horsemanship, ranch riding, Western riding and reining, and ended Saturday with trail. Sunday started with cutting and working cow, and ended with ranch roping. This organization really has something for everyone including Jackpot classes.
WRHA awarded high-point awards for the youth, amateur and all age divisions. In order to be eligible for the high-point awards, you must be a WRHA and ARHA member. The Youth High Point Award was presented to Moriah Auch, with DBR Goldstar Mercedes; Amateur High Point Award went to Tammy Cutsworth, with Zipped Me Twice; and the All Age Divisions High-point Award went to Dennie Matney, with Snorty Dry.
WRHA is now working very hard on their next event to be held on Aug. 22-23, again at Showtime Arena in Deerfield. This will be another double judged show, and the judges will be Mona Prater and Jeane Grace, both of Missouri.
The ARHA registry is open to all registered Western stock-type horses, such as Quarter, Paint, Appaloosa, Pinto, Buckskin and Palomino horses. In order to get your horse registered with ARHA, you will need to bring a copy of the front and back of your horse’s registered papers, whether it is registered with the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, etc., the day of the show you want to attend and the fee of $15 to register your horse with ARHA.
You must also be a member of ARHA prior to showing; membership cost is $30 for an individual, $40 for a family, $40 for an amateur, $45 for a ranch, $20 for a youth or $300 for a lifetime. You can join and register your horse the same day you show. The benefits of being an ARHA member are as follows:
• Receive a membership card with your name and membership ID number.
• Receive a current rule book and an official ARHA decal.
• Receive special member rates on work processes.
• Members receive a quarterly issue of ARHA’s newsletter Riding the Range.
• Receive three free ARHA Web site classified advertisements.
• Members can take advantage of various discounts offered by ARHA affiliates and sponsors.
What is unique about this organization is that the horse is judged on its natural appearance and movement. No fake tails, banded manes or hoof polish are allowed. No silver halters, just a simple leather, rope or nylon halter, and working tack on horses is required. A simple button-down Western shirt, hat and jeans are what the participants and exhibitors wear.
From my personal experience of attending the ranch horse shows, they are pretty down-to-earth and low-key. I don’t feel rushed in trying to get my horse ready as I don’t have to worry about hoof polish, the goop that you would normally put on their face, banding or putting her fake tail in and making sure that it is level and secured. I don’t have to rush to change into my next outfit when going from halter to showmanship and back to riding. At the ranch horse shows it is one outfit for the entire day. The exhibitors and show committee are friendly, and willing to help answer any questions that you may have.
Another aspect of this organization is that you can work toward national points and achieving Registry of Merit, ARHA Champion, ARHA Ranch Horse Champion, Superior Event Horse, ARHA Super Ranch Horse, Performance Versatility Award, Honor Roll titles and ARHA High Point Horse.
Another exciting feature that was introduced this year with WRHA was that you can work toward year-end awards. In order to be eligible for the year-end awards, you had to nominate your horse prior to the start of the show on May 23. You also had to pay a $10 nomination fee per class that you wanted to nominate your horse for, such as halter, showmanship, ranch riding, Western riding, reining, working cow horse, ranch roping, lead line and cutting. WRHA will be awarding grand and reserve champion per class at the end of the year.
The organization always welcomes new members or people to come, watch and see what this exciting new organization is all about. We hope to see more smiling and new faces in August!
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