If April showers bring May flowers, the Rocky Mountain Breeders Association (RMBA) has another April
delight that always brings the fun. The “Intro To Ranch Horse” clinic was held on April 23-24th, 2022. The clinic was changed up for 2022 from a one-day clinic to a two-day clinic. As always, the clinic was full. Facilities were the same locale of both the Saddle Peak Equestrian Center and the VL Arena of the Belgrade, Montana, area.
The clinicians were Tye MacDonald of MacDonald Training and Jess Holloway of Holloways Pretty Good Horse Barn, each located in the Gallatin Valley. Both have experience training, coaching, and showing as well as being clinicians. Tye has also been a long-standing Ranch Horse Competition show judge for the RMBA.
The clinic riders all had a great time, learned a lot, and for some, had their first introduction to RMBA activities. The clinic is the perfect lead-in to the Ranch Horse Competition show season, which starts in May. The first show weekend of the series is May 14-15, 2022, and will be held at the Saddle Peak Equestrian Center outside of Belgrade, Montana.
Many thanks go out to all the volunteers and donors who made the clinic weekend a great one. From sorting cows and running gates, to food, in addition to all the many hours of planning that go into any event, it really is the village that pulls these things together. If you run into these fantastic folks including during events, let them know you appreciate all they do.
A New website for the RMBA
This year, the RMBA has a new website. All the same great information everyone has come to expect on the website, but a few more highlights to enjoy. One of the top items exhibitors will find in regards to show entries for the Ranch Horse series
is that while you can still enter old school on the printed paper entry forms, you can now also enter on the website via SaddleBook. This electronic option can ease the entry process including payment.
Whether entering on the website or with paper entry, pre-entry continues to be highly recommended. In part, due to the need for arrangement of cattle. Some of the shows from 2021 had record breaking show numbers and we’re hoping to see that trend continue on; thus, having entries early allows the RMBA to have the right number of cattle available.
The same great class roster is available for 2022. Stallion Stakes classes are offered and eligibility is tied directly to the current year Stallion Service Auction. It is open to participating stallions, as well as their offspring. The Stallion Stakes classes are a limited eligibility set of classes.
Year End Awards
Most classes offer Year End High Point Awards. To be eligible for Year End awards, the horse/rider duo must show in a minimum of four shows. Riders can show more than one horse. For any horses not owned by the exhibitor where the owner is not a part of the same membership, the owner must also be a current year member in good standing.
A membership reminder for shows, the RMBA has made a change to membership requirements. Effective starting in 2022, all exhibitors are required to be members in good standing. In the event there is a single youth in the household who wants to show, but no other family members are planning on also showing, a Youth Membership is available for $20/year. For an adult, families, ranches, and businesses there is a regular Membership at $50/year. The latter offers, for an additional $10, for trainers to advertise on the website. Trainers can list their specialty and whether they’re available to judge, give lessons, or as a clinician.
Our Deepest Condolences
On another note, we offer our deepest Condolences to Aimee and Kyle Jameson of KxA Quarter Horses in Sun River, Montana. Earlier this spring their stallion, Dynamites Golden Pep, sustained a pasture injury and they lost him. Such accidents are always tough. The RMBA offers up many “Thanks” to the Jamesons as they had nominated Dynamites Golden Pep into the 2022 Stallion Service Auction.
Have foaling news? Family highlights? Graduations? A new horse? Send in your tidbits to Jan either by phoning (406) 266-4992 – landline or (406) 521-0001 – cell. You can also send information and photos along via email at 2684hwy284@gmail.com.
Take a spin around the new website, let us know what you think! Our website address is www.montanarmba.org. You’ll also be able to keep tabs on the RMBA activities, interesting information, and up-to-the-minute items on our Meta [Facebook] page at “Rocky Mountain Breeders Association.”
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