Trail Talk

January 27, 2019 By Brandy Von Holten

All Around Cowgirl: Respect, Grit, and Girl Power

All-Around Cowgirl: Respect, Grit, and Girl Power
By Brandy Von Holten
Women from all walks of life with an age range of 17-70, gathered to determine the All-Around Champion at Von Holten Ranch in Mora, Missouri. The All-Around competition was divided into a Top Farm Hand and a Top Working Ranch Hand. The All-Around Champion had to do both the Farm Hand and Working Ranch Hand events.

The women competed in the following events: Hay Stacking, Shooting, Tire Changing, I Can Drive That, Farm Girl Relay, Rough and Rugged Obstacle Course, Bareback Pleasure, Barrel Racing, Goat Bloomer Race, and Modified Cattle Sorting.

Now, this was not just any competition, this was a bonding moment for this group of women for a lifetime. You see, last year’s champion and reserve champion entered for a friendly rematch. Both ladies quickly came to the agreement that they were competing for second this year when a female carpenter from Illinois entered. Little did they know that a Kansas first timer was in the buckle standings until the second day of competition and a former rodeo queen came here to rumble! The scores were not posted until the awards ceremony after all the dust settled. Everyone arrived Friday and the competitions were Saturday and Sunday with a taco bar Saturday night, with beef supplied by Lucas Cattle. The laughter, the stories, the love, the understanding, were all rolled into one weekend that will shape and mold each competitor into an even better person. You see, we had a woman enter that had just received her prosthetic leg less than two weeks earlier. She had lost a limb due to an automobile accident caused by a lady texting and driving. When you see a person that would do anything to be in your shoes, you let go of all of that “I must win at all cost” mentality. You do not complain because you know that someone else’s struggles are greater than yours. You cheer for your competitors, because you realize that life can change in a blink of an eye. You appreciate the moments you have been given in your life and live in the NOW! The lady that lost her leg did not win the competition, but she won the respect of every competitor there.

As if this competition did not have enough of the “feel goods”, this year was won by last year’s champion. Did I mention she is 56!!! There were four cowgirls in the 50+ division with the “most experienced being 70”!! Of the four 50+ cowgirls, they placed either 1st or 2nd in each event!

Not only did the champion return to win back-to-back years, but so did the reserve champion. It is so much more mentally difficult to remain a champion than it is to become a champion. Typically, people self-doubt themselves so much that they mess themselves up and crash and burn. Not these two women. The entire weekend was a nail biter.

Lessons that were learned at this competition: It isn’t over until it is over. Women are stronger than they could ever imagine. Age is just a number. Grit will get you through tough times. Do not judge a book by its cover.

Top Farm Hand
Champion: Alison Magee
Reserve Champion: Abby Bromwich

50+ Farm Hand
Champion: Karen Peck
Reserve Champion: Roxanne Seeger
Top Working Ranch Hand
Champion: Karen Peck
Reserve Champion: Ariel Weinman
All Around Cowgirl
Champion: Karen Peck
Reserve Champion: Abby Bromwich

Meet the cowgirls from the 2018 All Around Cowgirl:

Abby Bromwich
Age: 30
Hometown: Moscow Mills, MO
Occupation: Riding instructor

Alana Bryan
Age: 70
Hometown: Climax Springs, MO
Occupation: Bada$$

Alison Magee
Age: 27
Hometown: Brighton, IL
Occupation: Union carpenter

Ariel Weinman
Age: 26
Hometown: Brighton, IL
Occupation: Marketing specialist

Caity Midyett
Age: 27
Hometown: Topeka, KS
Occupation: Riding instructor

Diana Garren
Age: 35
Hometown: Auburn, KS
Occupation: Accountant

Karen Peck
Age: 56
Hometown: Lawson, MO
Occupation: Welding artist

Kari Lindhorst
Age: 24
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Occupation: Critical Care Nurse

Megan Heyer
Age: 17
Hometown: Troy, MO
Occupation: Student

Pris Gardner
Age: 38
Hometown: Topeka, KS
Occupation: Animal behaviorist

Roxanne Seeger
Age: 60
Hometown: Wentzville, MO
Occupation: Barrel racer

Ryann Kidd
Age: 27
Hometown: Shawnee, KS
Occupation: Patient care tech pediatric E.R.

Sharon Philipps
Age: 59
Hometown: Troy, MO
Occupation: Custom embroidery

Shawnie Peck
Age: 28
Hometown: Lawson, MO
Occupation: Ranch hand

We would like to say a heart felt THANK YOU to Lucas Cattle Company in Cross Timbers, MO, Diamond R Equipment in Higginsville, MO, and Mellor Trailers in Boonville, MO for their support in an all-women’s event! Please support those that support the farming and ranching industry.

Next year’s All-Around Cowgirl Challenge is scheduled for September 7-8, 2019. It is expected to be another high energy fun packed weekend with the cowgirls being able to enter as individuals or as a team! Hope you join us for a little yeehaw and heck yeah!

January 27, 2019 By Brandy Von Holten

NASMA Versatility Trail Program 2018 All Stars

NASMA Versatility Trail Program 2018 All Stars
By Brandy Von Holten, VTP Chair
The North American Saddle Mule Association that will become the North American Saddle Mule and Donkey Association in 2019, would like to take a moment and recognize the Versatility Trail Program (VTP) goal setters and smashers!
We all know our mules and donkeys are more mellow with “wet saddle pads”. The more we can throw their way and the more time we spend with these amazing animals, the better our lives in turn become. The VTP is a collective group of people from all over that enjoy developing a versatile steed. If you too would like to get involved and set some goals, go to www.nasma.us A yearly membership is $30 and a one-time VTP membership is $30. For your time to count in the VTP, you must be a current member. Easy as pumpkin pie!
2,000 Hours
Robin Morris 3,491
Toni Sheads 2,771

1,000 Hours
Erika Tanney 1,819
Cindi Slemp 1,119
Peggy Hamilton 1,017

750 Hours
Rhonda Cole 783

500 Hours
Pete Shiflett 719
Margie Johnson 711
Madison Iager 680.5
Miranda Iager 680.5
Misty Valdez 675
Cherie Kopasz 612
Susan Stafford 587
Vernon Bacque 559.75
Yvette Bacque 559.75
Rhonda West 508
Ashley Major 506
Kathy Tipton 502

250 Hours
Roberta Shiflett 495.5
Joanne Bethume 362.5
Elisha Iager 358.5
Emma Steelman 356
Donna Tibbs 325.75
Tom Cochman 320
Edgar Slemp 294.5
Joyce Bell 268.5
Shannon Hoffman 266
Patti Abendshein 250

100 Hours
Jane Johnson 213.5
Dora Psiakis 210
Maria Crank 203
Carol Andra 171.5
Amy Gee 162
Debbie Brewer 145
Frank Wooten 132
Breanna Briggs 130
Sandra Hyder 115.5
Brandy Von Holten 101
Shannon Moeller 101

50 Hours
Brenda Lehman 98
Stephanie Brooks 95
Cassie Lawrence 86
Ruthanne Hansen 79.5
Kristen Stolee 53
Robert Polley 53
David Kline 52
Sally Kurmu 51.5
Heather Bauer 50.5

January 27, 2019 By Brandy Von Holten

Mule and Rider Pair Win National Mounted Archery Competition

Mule and Rider Pair Wins National Mounted Archery Competition
By Brandy Von Holten
JoJo, a 9 year old Missouri Fox Trotter John mule, is rocking the mounted archery world! A national mounted archery competition was held Oct 26-28, 2018 in Mora, Missouri. With mounted archery just now making its way into Missouri and Kansas, every competitor present was able to say that it was their first competition!
Let’s take a step back and do a quick explanation of how mounted archery works. MA3 (Mounted Archery Association of the Americas) is the only mounted archery association in the USA that can report to the IHAA (International Horse Archery Alliance). The IHAA is a global mounted archery organization that oversees each country for rankings, competitions, and championships. A ranking is a way to verify an archer’s accuracy and speed; kind of like a belt testing in martial arts. The ranking system has two divisions, both of which require the equine and rider to canter the entire time and shoot without the reins being held. There is a S1-S6, which stands for Student. The other ranking is an HA1-HA8, which stands for a Horse Archer. In 2018, MA3 and IHAA added a walk and trot division.
Rankings can also be used for competitions. This way the archer can compete and move up in rank at the same time. Missouri has one official MA3 chapter (club) called the Country Tough Mounted Archers. They consist of a group of men and women from MO, KS, IL and CO. To nurture a new club, the national competition was centered around growth. Five archery and mounted archery events including ground shooting, stationary shooting, buck shot (one arrow, 1 dollar, winner takes all), mystery shot (odd shots from the ground), walking mounted archery, and cantering mounted archery. Each of the events had an advanced, intermediate, and novice category. However, with mounted archery being this unique sport the names of those categories were changed to sharp shooter, dragon slayer, and warrior!
Brandy Von Holten and JoJo won the Sharp Shooter title in cantering mounted archery, walking mounted archery, and ground shooting. They also won the Reserve Sharp Shooter in stationary shooting. Brandy is now a S4 ranking. The Warrior Champion in stationary shooting also used JoJo when their horse decided archery was too must to handle for one of the three days.
Brandy and JoJo are the first mule and rider pair to win a MA3 national competition.
Now, if you own a mule, you must know they are filled with quirks, surprises, and little loveable moments. JoJo and Brandy were disqualified three times; twice for breaking down from a canter to a trot, and one time because JoJo stopped and relieved himself on the course.
Mules are proving themselves to be valuable in yet another sport, all while being a species unto themselves!

January 27, 2019 By Brandy Von Holten

Legal Bits and Training Aides in ETS, CT2V, and ASHA

Legal Bits and Training Aides in ETS, CT2V, and ASHA
By Brandy Von Holten
Bits can be tricky, and you can find yourself disqualified very quickly if you do not understand the rules about bits and training aides.
Before we talk about bits, let’s discuss training aides. Tie downs, cavessons, and running martingales are training aides. They are meant to help in small doses in training, not to become a permanent fixture in your equine’s tack. If your horse requires a tie down to not look like a T-Rex, then it is time for that equine to go back into training. If your horse requires a cavesson to not look like it is chewing bubble gum, maybe the bit is not right, maybe the horse has dental issues, or maybe that is just your equine’s personality.
In general, having a bit that is just average is typically a good rule of thumb. If you are making statements like “my horse won’t stop unless I have a bigger bit” or “he throws his head up unless I have a tie down on”, this is the first problem. Bigger is not always better, band-aides do not fix underlying problems, and there are no short cuts to good horsemanship.
Here are a few bits that are typically illegal and why, no matter which association you are competing in.
• Mechanical Hackamore (not a bit): Most people think they are being nicer since it does not have a bit, but this bit-less bridle can turn into a torture device quickly since it consists of a metal or hard structure on top of bone that is only covered by thin hide.
• Tom Thumb: This is a shank bit that many confuse as a snaffle since it is broken. This bit does not have the ability to warn the equine about a request before it immediately goes into using leverage.
• Gag Bit: This is a common bit in barrel racing and roping. A gag bit is designed to increase pressure past the limitations of a standard snaffle. A lot of people use a tie down in combination with a gag bit. This is a huge red flag of an equine needing more training. Other gag bits include the Wonder Bit.
We will start with ETS which stands for Equine Trail Sports. ETS is an obstacle organization that has options of either riding on the trail with various amounts of miles or in an arena. ETS is one of the most relaxed associations about tack requirements regarding the bridle. All that is required are reins to be on both sides and you cannot use any training aides such as tie downs, cavessons, and running martingales. You can even ride your equine in a halter if you place reins on both sides of the equine. ETS literally has no bit requirements or limitations.
CT2V, Country Tough Trail Versatility is a new and upcoming association that is a combination of trail riding, obstacles, and a horsemanship pattern. No martingales, tie downs, or cavessons are allowed. Cavessons are allowed if rider is using English tack. In CT2V, no gag bits or mechanical hackamores are allowed; and curbs must be flat chain or flat leather. A crop, whip, or over and undering are permitted if done with slight contact. Anything deemed as more than light contact will warrant a disqualification.

The ASHA (American Stock Horse Association) has opened its doors in 2018 to all equine, including mules and donkeys. The ASHA is a versatility competition that includes Stock Pleasure, Stock Trail, Stock Reining, and Working Cow Horse. Here are the bit requirements:
• Any age of equine can be shown in a snaffle, bosal, or curb bit.
• When you use a bit, the mouthpiece must be at least 5/16” and not more than ¾”in diameter measured one inch from the cheek and it must be smooth.
• Shanks cannot be more than 8 1/2” in length.
• Ports cannot be any higher than 3 ½”.
• Split reins are to be used on all bits except for a Romal is acceptable with a curb bit.
• Closed reins are not allowed except as standard Romal reins or mecate reins which include a tie rope with snaffle bit or bosal.
• Curb straps are required for curb bits and the curb chains or straps must be at least ½” in width and must lie flat against the horse’s chin.
• No wire curbs are permitted and absolutely no iron is permitted under the jaw.
• Other prohibited equipment includes tie downs, cavessons, gag bits, mechanical hackamores, and running martingales.
The big idea is that if you are having an issue with your horse, the answer is not to “bit up”. The goal is to have an animal that understands what you want and is compliant. Masking issues rather than putting the time into the training to reach the same goal is not going to result in a safe or enjoyable ride. If you decide to compete, read your rulebook. Give the host a call if you have any questions to help make your competition excursion as fun as possible.

January 27, 2019 By Brandy Von Holten

CT2V, a Breath of Fresh Air

CT2V, a Breath of Fresh Air
By: Brandy Von Holten
As a trail riding facility owner and equine event host, I have noticed trends, highs, and lows. It appears that people want more these days when it comes to their expectations from their equine. There was a huge spike in obstacle competitions in the past, but now there is a transition from obstacles to versatility. Most of the time versatility involves cattle events. CT2V, Country Tough Trail Versatility, is a versatility that does not involve cattle events. CT2V is a combination of trail riding, a ranch horsemanship pattern and obstacles. What this creates for the competitors is an environment that reaches past just obstacles, just patterns, and just trail. CT2V is the versatility for the new safe trail equine with built in opportunities for charitable monetary gift giving and excitement for those thrill seekers. Here’s the normal schedule for a CT2V weekend:
Friday
Three different 1 ½ hour long training sessions that are for small groups that focus on the ranch horsemanship patterns. There is also an informative meeting where people sign up for their ride out times and are assigned a competition number.
Saturday
We start the day off with the trail riding competition in small groups. We try to place gaited horses together, and slower paced equine together just to ensure an enjoyable ride for guests. Everyone breaks for lunch. Afterwards, the ranch horsemanship competition takes place in the arena to some up beat music! The ranch horsemanship competition flows quickly, which give us ample time for Cowboy Roulette!!! This is by far the most entertaining part of CT2V. Competitors enter an event before they know what they have entered. The winner takes half! Hilarious!
Sunday
This is a well-organized day that consists of two events: obstacles and equine soccer. After the final competitor has gone in obstacles, it is number crunching time for the host. This is the perfect placement for a quick game of equine soccer. The winning team gets to choose a charity to support.
The feedback that we are receiving is overwhelmingly positive! Competitors appreciate the low cost, love the excitement of Cowboy Roulette, and love giving back to a charity. At the last CT2V, a young lady joined the competition that had cerebral palsy and was legally blind. This same lady is also starting medical school in the fall. The CT2V competitors were so blown away by this lady’s tenacious spirit that they decided to give the money raised from equine soccer to her!
We are actively looking for additional host for Country Tough Trail Versatility in every state! Contact us at countrytough@yahoo.com