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WET MOUNTAIN VALLEY SADDLE CLUB (WMVSC)

September, 2022 Newsletter

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

Meetings Schedule


Members' Meeting:  Annual Meeting Monday, October 3rd at 5:30 p.m. with food provided if you RSVP (else bring some). We will vote on 2023 Directors, remainder of this year's and 2023 meeting schedule, and talk about our NFR (National Finals Rodeo) Watch, Sponsor Thank you, and Fundraiser on Dec. 10th! Location: Wet Mountain Valley Saddle ClubYou do NOT have to be a member to attend.  Come check us out!
Rodeo Committee Meeting: TBD, Location: Wet Mountain Valley Saddle ClubRodeo Committee meetings are as announced.

Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting: Tuesday, October 18th, 5:30 p.m. Location: Wet Mountain Valley Saddle ClubBOD meetings are planned for the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
2023 WMVSC Directors

We anticipate 1 director opening for 2023. Throw your name in by emailing Ileen at ileen1968@gmail.com. Voting is during our annual meeting in October with a 1-year term starting January 1st, 2023. If voted in hopefully you can attend the remaining Board meetings until then as well.

Remember that all directors and committee members must have current WMVSC memberships.
Last Gymkhana Weekend


 
The final two gymkhanas of the WMVSC Gymkhana Series will be on October 8th and 9th, beginning at 12:00 PM both days. Entries will be from 11:00-11:45 AM. The contestants have all worked really hard during the series and there are many tight races for the final all around awards. Even if you haven’t taken part in the other gymkhanas, you are still welcome to join us for the final two. The events will be barrels, 75 up and back, flags, poles, and goat tying.

We need volunteers for the weekend as well.  Can you help out?
Please contact:


Keely at keelysmith719@gmail.com or
Sydney at sydneyacamper@gmail.com for more information

Reminder: You must attend 4 of 6 gymkhanas to be eligible for awards! We jackpot each event and give daily all around awards as well!
Jim Ward Obituary
 
Jim Ward, formally of Westcliffe passed away 9.19.22 in Tucson, AZ. He and his wife Lin owned Hair Experts on 2nd street for 19 years. He was active in the Saddle Club and competitive trail riding NATRC. Jim loved his mountain home and friends until health took hi
m to lower elevations.
 
Born in South Bend Indiana in 1942, Jim started his career in hair developing the Windjammer Salons then moving to Fl where he had three salons. He met and married his wife Lin in 1985 and moved to Manhattan, KS., where they took Lin’s salon of 6 employees to two salons with 60 employees. 2001 brought semi-retirement in Westcliffe until 2019 when they moved to Tucson.
 
Active in competitive trail riding, Jim rode three horses to multiple National Championships before retiring to trail riding in 2019. He was riding his horse up until 4 weeks of his passing.
As an International Performing Artist for Redken Labs NYC, Jim traveled and taught hair cutting, barbering, and styling in almost every state and multiple Countries; South Africa was his favorite.

He is survived by his wife, Lin Ward, niece Julie Smith and her husband Ed, great niece Morgan Sosnowski, two cousins and lots of good friends from all over the country and the world whom he adored.
 
American Legion Wreaths
"Celebrate Our Sangres" Weekend

Location: at the Saddle Club
Dates: Friday, Sept. 30, 10 AM – Sunday, Oct. 2,1 PM

Public is WELCOME!


Space is limited - 𝐑𝐒𝐕𝐏 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 to rmbch.info@gmail.com All invited. Camping details below.
 
𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐖
Camping is free to any 2022 Rocky Mountain Back Country Horsemen (RMBCH) members or 2022 and 2023 members of Wet Mountain Valley Saddle Club (WMVSC). Non-members camping is $20/night for one horse/rider team. Note: you can join RMBCH for the rest of the year for $25 individual or $30 family. ($26/$31 if paying via credit card) and/or the WMVSC for $30 individual or $50 family which includes the remainder of this year and 2023.

In an effort to celebrate the work of our amazing volunteers, we want to invite you to a fun weekend of riding and camping and musical entertainment in Westcliffe.

Each day will have at least one guided ride at one of our three different adopted trails: Lakes of the Clouds, Macey Lake, and North Brush. Ride leaders will announce the night before each ride which trail they are doing and the ride start time, as well as details about the trail and the way they like to ride. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 - 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐈𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐓𝐕'𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭. Most of these rides are 10 miles or longer, and a full day experience, so plan ahead. If you are interested in leading a ride, please reach out to rmbch.info@gmail.com.

Several other trails will be opened by our local Forest Service team so guests can also choose to explore these on their own (options include Cottonwood, Venable, Horn Creek, Dry Creek, Lake Creek Road, South Colony, Music Pass, and more). If you are unfamiliar with the area, we recommend riding at least one day with a seasoned Sangres rider before venturing out on your own. On our scale of 1-7 for trail difficulty, these out-and-back mountain trails range from 4 to 6, so plan on having a well-conditioned horse and intermediate or better riding skills. We always recommend shoes for these trails, but you know your horse best.

The Saddle Club is between 20-60 minutes from the various trailheads so you will want to plan on being able to transport horses to and from the camping (it’s on CR 241, Lake Deweese Rd)

Schedule (subject to change)
Friday -
Late morning ride with Hillary. Time and Location TBD.
6pm Meet and greet happy hour + Appetizer Potluck.
Non-alcoholic beverages provided by RMBCH.
Please bring your own chair.
If you'd like something other than soda/tea/lemonade feel free to bring your own beverage!
Saturday -
Morning - Led Rides.
6pm Happy Hour
7pm Entertainment provided by Creigh Johnson
Sunday -
Morning - Led Rides. Good fellowship with great riders.

Weekend Regulations:
  • All dogs are to be leashed or stay at your campsite.
  • No dogs are allowed on trail rides.
  • No stallions
  • No open campfires, but self-contained pellet or propane is acceptable.
  • Please do not hobble your horse or leave it untethered.
DO
  • Plan to clean up after your horse in or out of the corrals, pick up behind your trailer, and bring your own bucket for water.
  • Bring your own food
  • Hunter orange/pink is strongly recommended for you and your equines, as it will be hunting season.
  • Check the weather forecast before coming; anything is possible this time of year in the Sangres.
Camping Details:
Will be hosted by WMVSC on our club grounds. Restrooms and water are available with plenty of space for independent rig camping (portable corral, electric fence, trailer highline, tent or LQ, etc). No hobbles or untethered horses, please plan for high-tie / portable corral or tying to the trailer during your stay.

WMVSC members - we could really use some volunteers to help out with this event!  Are you available any of the days or parts of them?  If yes, please email rmbch.info@gmail.com with your availability.  Thank you!
NFR (National Finals Rodeo) Watch, Sponsor Thank you, and Rodeo Fundraiser!

December 10, 2022 at the Wet Mountain Valley Saddle Club Building
Save the date! 

We will have the NFR watch, Kid's table to decorate ornaments, Raffles, Food, Beverages (adult and otherwise), and a Live Band - DANCE!

2022 Westcliffe Stampede PRCA & WPRA Rodeo Sponsors get in free, others $10 with 10 and under free

 
More information to follow!
Tractor Needed

The Wet Mountain Valley Saddle Club is looking for a TRACTOR for maintaining the saddle club grounds.
  • 80-100 horsepower
  • 4x4
  • Cab
  • Maintained and in good operating condition
  • Loader with bucket
  • 3 point hitch
  • Draw bar hitch
  • Working power take off
Should you have one to donate or for sale, please contact Scott at 719-371-0347. We are a 501(c)(3) organization.

Members' Rides & Clinics

Check out pictures of our previous adventures on our website!

Get with Connie DeCamp at Desert_delite@msn.com if you have ideas for next year rides / camping.

 
2023 Memberships

RENEW OR BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! 2023 Memberships include the remainder of 2022 as well.

All members must complete and submit a membership form and completed waiver before their membership is valid.  Hint:  Download the form and complete in Adobe Reader, then save to your hard drive before emailing to WetMountainValleySaddleClub@gmail.com, or... ​print and mail them with your check (if not using PayPal here) to the address on the membership form or bring them to the next members' meeting.
PLEASE NOTE A CURRENT MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR ALL BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS. 
Membership Form and Waiver Here:
MEMBERSHIP FORM

2023 Membership Pricing (Promotional Price until the end of 2022):
Individual $35 ($30)
Family $55 ($50)
Business $75 ($70)
Trainer $150 ($145)
Lifetime - Individual $500
Lifetime - Family $750
Individual & Family Membership
• Use of Arena and Trail Obstacle Course
• 25% rental discount for Building & Arena
• 10% off any Saddle Club sponsored on-site Clinic

Business Membership Benefits
• Family Membership Benefits plus
• Monthly Business Ad in Newsletter and on Website
(must send Ad to WetMountainValleySaddleClub@gmail.com)


Trainer Membership Benefits
• Business Membership Benefits plus
• Use of Arenas for Lessons
• Articles on Website​

Lifetime Membership Benefits
• Individual or Family Benefits plus
• Membership Plaque, Brass Plate to be displayed in Club Building
• Free Admission to Rodeo and all Saddle Club sponsored on-site events
• 50% discount for Building & Arena rental for your events
• Preferred Parking and Seating at Stampede PRCA Rodeo when available
Board of Directors
  • Scott Camper, President
  • Julie Lotesto-Smith, Vice President
  • Ileen Squire, Secretary
  • Mary Mowery, Treasurer
  • ​Sydney Benesch, Director
  • Ed Smith, Director
  • Keely Smith, Director
  • Jessica Mace, Director
  • Doug Karl, Director
Current Director contact information is available at our website.
Our Business Members
Our Rodeo and Club Sponsors
​Visit the Custer County Colorado Tourism site!  VisitCusterCounty.com
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Copyright © 2022 Wet Mountain Valley Saddle Club, All rights reserved.


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