Articles, Thanks and News
Ladies,
I just wanted to say THANK-YOU all for the wonderful awards that were given out at the Memorial Day Week-end races at Ceres. You all out-did yourselves for that race. Being as I had both my horse "Courtney" and Larry's horse "Reme" in the open and had 2 chances at the saddle, I was able to win it and boy was I excitied. This is one saddle that I will use, as the one last year was such a bitter-sweet win and it will remain in the house and un-used. Looking forward to getting it broke in so that this year at the finals I will use it. Again, just wanted to let everyone know how "Happy" I am with the saddle and the way the race was run.
Thank-you,
Stella, Courtney and Reme
Dear Charleen and ACBRA Members,
Just wanted to send a note to thank you for your support of the Care-ousel Silent Auction today at Diamond Bar Arena.
It is great appreciated!
Thank you
Sunny Arbogast
Care-ousel Volunteer
Thank-you to all who helped and supported the 2nd Annual “Pay It Forward” Barrel Race! The tears were incredibly hard to hold back as we presented the check for $3,000.00 to the Craycroft Unit atChildren’s Hospital. Two patients from the unit came out just to say “thanks for helping us”……. It made all of the hard work worth it!!
Again THANK-YOU! We are already planning for the 3rd Annual race!
> Hi, I am Jade Ynzunza (12 yrs old) from Gilroy,
> CA. My horse Plumb Willy and I received a Junior Top Ten
> award at the finals this year and we would like to thank you
> for all the great stuff that was in it. It was a great
> weekend. The race ran fast and the facility was awesome!!!
> We look forward to racing there again this year! Thank you
> again for the award.
>
> Love,
>
> Jade and Willy
Generosity is alive and well!
Barrel racers showed that in tough times we all pitch in. At the ACBRA News 10 Coats For Kids race on 11/29/08 at Lisle’s arena in Hilmar over 300 coats were donated as well as over $600 raised for additional coats in the silent auction. A huge Thank You is due to Robin Clark who coordinated all of the sponsors, coat drive, awards and silent auction. Robin did a fabulous job! The following sponsors donated money or items for the silent auction: Walco Int., Danelle Fenley, Michelle Crook, Endless Summer Boutique Sharon Cimpanelli, Petal Pushers Florist Lisa Coppens, Rocking B Leather Tina Burke, Conlin Supply Co, Best Ever Pads, News 10 Jodie Moreno, Hope Chest, Klassy Kowgirl Creations, Karen and Kristy Monschein, Cowgirl Glitz Julie Curry, Garton Tractor Henry Rodriguez, Martin Land and Cattle, Cowgirl Consignment, Oakdale Feed and Seed, Cowgirls Don’t Cry, Marcie Wooster, Shirley Wooster Custom Shirts, Knudsen Nursery, Back Alley Trading Co., Walls Ranchwear by Walls, 413 Strengthgear, Dr John Bystrom Escalon Chiropractic, Ritzy Ragz 4 Kids Designer Consignment, The Empty nest, Mike and Maria Herndon, Tractor Supply Company, Stewart Street Hair Company, Starbucks Bambi Seavers, and Ropers Sports News. The ACBRA would also like to thank Randy for working the tractor and keeping the ground in great shape, Lori Blair for all of her arena help, Mr Glaze for working the gate and to the young man that was helping Mr Glaze I apologize for not getting your name but we appreciated your help. Without our sponsors and volunteers the race would not have been the success that it was.
Once the fog lifted the race began. 94 contestants participated with Pam Ross and Leandra Spence being first and second with only 5 one hundredths of a second between them. The race had $1000 added and paid 5 monies in each division. The results were as follows: 1D 1st Pam Ross/Leo winning $471, 2nd Leandra Spence/Bruce $374, 3rd Sheena Robbins/Shorty $277, 4th Stephanie Dehner/Annie $180, 5th Susan Davis/Ruler $82. The 2D was won by Chris Rose/Jewell winning $412, 2nd Katharine Sinclair/Geoffory $327, 3rd Marla Kertzman/Moccasin $242, 4th Deanna Horner/Snazzy $157, 5th Kelly Kutchera/Youcouldbeastar $73. The 3D was won by Pam Baily/Doc Shasta winning $324, 2nd Aimee Sawyer/Rio $257, 3rd Chris Rose/Sting $190, 4th Kaitlyn Lane/VooDoo $124 and 5th Kelly Hoffman/Dunny $57. The 4D was won by Kellen Shade/Doxie winning $265, 2nd Ariel Diggan/Junior $210, 3rd Krysta Buchanan/Bub $156, 4th Renee Clopton/Harley $101 and 5th Jamie Wearin/Maggie $46. Betty Grohl and Kristy Monshein were ‘best dressed’ winners. Shelly Pelowski won the award for the most coats donated of 29! Way to go!
Thank you so much to all of you who bid and won items in the silent auction. Your generosity is amazing. The ACBRA was very proud to be a small part of the News10 Coats For Kids donation drive.
> > Robin, THANK YOU!!!! Your award table and silent
> > auction items were out of this world! And I know
> > that having this race as a Coats For Kids helped the
> > ACBRA draw the number of contestants we did! I am
> > working on an article for the Racer's Edge and
> > Ropersportsnews so as soon as you have the number of
> > coats and some pictures please send them so I can
> > attach to the article.
> >
> > Thanks again for all of your help with this race and
> > all of the others in the past that you have been a
> > part of!
> >
> > Joyce
Dear All:
What can I say?...............I am just so thrilled with how today went in part because of each and every one of you!!!!!!! It is because of you that we were able to have great awards and draw close to 100 riders today.......THANK YOU!! I know that vendors get so saturated with requests for "free stuff".........so thank you for agreeing to help me out because it feels so good to have collected probably about 300 coats...( I am too tired right now to count them all and I have to so Jodie has a correct count) for the Salvation Army and News10 Coats for Kids Drive.
I was setting up the prize table and when I went over to the timing shack ( if you know me you know this) and saw huge garbage bags piled full of NEW (yes lots of new ones!!!) and gently used coats, well you know I got all choked up because people just really come through!!! YOU just have to love that!!!
So Charleen, Joyce, Marie, Lesli & Ida Mae, thank you for allowing me to come to your race and help out News10 .....thank you for answering all my emails promptly and answering all my questions.
To all the vendors thank you for giving me the opportunity to make this day special for 100 people.
It certainly was special............if you could have seen the smiles on everyone's faces you would know what I am talking about.
Jodie, we will be sending pictures along to you at News10 so you can see what we can do out here in Oakdale and the Central Valley areas!!!!
To top off the day we collected over "600.00" in the silent auction for the Salvation Army for the Coats for Kids drive. This day could not have gone any better...............except I hit a barrel..................LOL.
Thank you for your support!
YOU are all a part of this successful day!!!
Sincerely,
Robin Clark
Hi Charleen......
Thanks for all your hard work and also Nathan's at Coarsegold on Sunday. It was a really nice barrel race and the weather wasn't bad either. I guess they (committee?) won't let you make the ground as good as it could be, but Nathan did a great job of packing and trying to keep it even for everyone. I didn't hear who all won since I was out on the hill icing Blue, but I hope you got a share?
I was really thrilled to win the 2D and a buckle! Sometimes it works and other times it doesn't! The ladies that presented the buckle were very nice and patient, as I was the last one to get there. They asked if i would tell others and be back next year.... I said I most certainly will!
Thanks again and thanks to the Coarsegold Rodeo Committee.
Charlene
Dear Charlene, Ida Mae, Joyce, Lesli, Lisa, Marie, Vera, Nathan and Susie:
I wish to thank all of your for your time and effort for the 2008 ACBRA Finals.
I know these events take a lot of time and dedication to make them successful and you
all did a spectacular job.
Thank you.
I hope to be seeing all of your soon.
Gayle Lewis and TABs
Hello, I just wanted to write a letter about what I saw at the finals this year. Unfortunately, I did not get to participate this year (family obligations) but I went over to watch on Sunday. I was so impressed with the way the vendors were set up (I spent way too much money, but hey I didn't enter, so I needed to help my association!) The way they were set up side by side, made me want to shop! Then with all of that room for warming up horses, the ground looked good! I could actually hear,
clearly the announcer on the loudspeaker! It looked like a well thought out, great place to hold the finals for ACBRA. I went home and told my husband that I was so sorry that I missed out this year
... and it was in our own backyard! I just wanted to let you know how impressed I was and I hope you consider having it at the
Salinas Sports Complex again next year. You and all of the board of ACBRA are just awesome! Take care and I'm sure I'll see you at some races!
God Bless,
Stephanie Ferrasci
Salinas, CA
To the ACBRA Board of Directors,
I would like to thank you very much for a great finals. Everything was awesome, the arena setup, the added money, the awards, the ground and the weather there in Salinas is wonderful. Definitely at great place for the finals and I hope it can continue to be there. Thank you to the tractor drivers that worked hard all weekend to keep the ground good, to the announcer that kept the race running smoothly and to all the sponsors. Thank you to all the board of directors for all their hard work throughout the year that makes it possible for the barrel racers to have a great event like this to compete at.
Sincerely,
Stacey Freitas
HI CHARLENE, I WANTED TO THANK YOU AND ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS FOR AN AWESOME
FINALS!! ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THIS ASSOCIACION PRODUCED AN
EXCITING AND IMPRESSIVE SHOW. THE SALINAS ROEDO GROUNDS OFFERS DIVERSE
ACCOMIDATIONS THAT MADE THE WEEKEND SO ENJOYABLE. THANK YOU TO THE GROUND
CREW WHO HAD TWO TRACTORS GOING TO SPEED THE DRAGS AND KEEP FOOTING PERFECT.
THEY EVEN WORKED UP THE TRACK SO WE HAD AN ENDLESS WARM UP AREA. WITH THE
EXTENSIVE P A SYSTEM, THE EXCELLENT ANNOUNCING BY STEVE "DYER" COULD BE
HEARD FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE GROUNDS. IT WAS SO FUN TO HEAR WHAT WAS GOING
ON IN THE ARENA FROM WHEREVER YOU WERE. IT WAS ALSO EASY TO JUDGE WHEN YOU
WERE UP. THE NO CAMPING FEE AND LOW STALL FEES HELPED TO EASE THE FINANCIAL
BURDEN. SHOWERS WERE OFFERED ON THE GROUNDS. " HATS OFF" TO THE CREW THAT
PUT TOGETHER THE DINNER BANQUET, WE ENJOYED IT ALL. THE AWARDS WERE
BEAUTIFUL AND CLASSY. I'M PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS ORGANIZATION. THANKS
AGAIN TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS THAT MAKE THE ACBRA THE
ELITE IN BARREL RACING. PATY RAINE
Dear Editor:
I want to thank Pam Ross, Monica and Duck Burgess, John Kilmartin,
the
ACBRA board of directors, and all who were involved for sponsoring such
a
grand benefit barrel race for Geri Lisle on May 4. What beautiful
weather
we had and the ground was excellent! The two tractors (drivers) made
for
fast and effective drags. What could have been a very long day,
because of
the large number of entries, went quickly.
I was happy to be among the winners and am very proud of my "pink
bling"
headstall that I won! Thank you! It was wonderful to see Geri there
and to
visit with her. We all had the opportunity to autograph a freshly
painted
Red, White and Blue barrel that was presented to Geri with the
proceeds.
It was a great day..... and again, Thank you!
Charlene Jespersen
Dear ACBRA Members and Board:
I would like to thank all 33 Contestants, families and
members today that helped raise $336.00 for Geri Lisle. That is
simply awesome, amazing and you all are just phenomenal people!!!!
Such great support!!!!
Tina Burke was so nice (always is for these causes) to donate a gorgeous
Custom Lisles Spring Series Custom Bronc halter. Congratulations to
the lucky recipient and thank you so much for your support!!!
I would also like to thank Gary Miller at Bit N Spur in Salinas CA,
Lisa Bollin of Cowgirl Tuff Co, Best Ever Pads, Ropers Sports News,
Tina Burke, and Jodie Moreno of News10 in Sacramento for their very
appreciated support. YOU all mean so much to me!! Thank
you. I would also like to thank Karen Monschein for all her
generosity for allowing me to pick out stickers from her store to decorate all
the bags.
What a great day ...............congratulations to Ivetta Borba,
Jaycee David, Mary Jo Camera- Barker, Cheryl Luman, and Kristie Monschein on
winning "thee gorgeous" Series Buckles... they were spectacular!!!
And thank you Geri, Lori, and Amanda for allowing me the privilege to help
out. It was a great day!!!
|
To the ACBRA Board Members,
I just wanted to drop a line to say thank you for the President’s Day barrel race at Diamond Bar Arena. The weather was beautiful all weekend, the ground was great and there was a great turnout. Thanks to the crew for all their hard work to keep the race moving. Thank you also for the bucket filled with goodies that I was fortunate enough to win for placing in the average, my horses loved the carrots and I love the picture frame.
Thanks again – Stacey Freitas
Paying It Forward for Children's
Four Central Valley women join forces to help the
oncology patients at Children's Hospital Central
California
Wednesday, December 26, 2007 – In an effort to help
children battling cancer, four Central Valley women
united to "pay it forward" and raise money for The
Craycroft Cancer Center at Children's Hospital Central
California.
Inspired by an episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show"
that focused on acts of kindness and the principles in
the Rhonda Byrne book "The Secret," Lisa
VanMater-Benham, Katy Benham-Cramer, Stacy Hampton and
Jodi Rodriguez formed the "Pay It Forward Barrel
Race." The initial horse race, held Nov. 24 at the
Central Valley Saddle Club in Reedley, raised $3,000.
In addition to the barrel race, there was a silent
auction and a raffle.
The $3,000 donation was made to The Craycroft Cancer
Center in honor of Jodi's daughter Alex, who lost her
fight against cancer in 2005 at the age of 16.
"Because of what Jodi had gone through in losing Alex,
it just seemed like the natural thing to do," said
VanMater-Benham.
The barrel race drew people from Los Angeles to the
Bay Area to the Central Coast. The organizers hope to
make it an annual event.
> A Very Big Thank You to Lisa Benham, Stacy Hampton,
> Katy Benham and everyone
> involved with putting on the "Pay It Forward" Barrel
> Race in Reedely. The
> story behind this event is very inspiring and it was
> touching to see
> everyone come together and put on such a great
> barrel race with fabulous
> awards. Thank You to all the sponsors, the
> photographer, and the people who
> donated their time to make the race run so smooth,
> and who were generous
> enough to give the proceeds to the Children's
> Hospital Central California
> It was a beautiful day and well worth the drive, I
> was lucky enough to win
> one of the gorgeous buckles which was presented in a
> beautiful "Pay It
> Forward" wooden case. It was great to be part of
> such a wonderful cause and
> hope more barrel races are put on with proceeds
> going to similiar
> organizations in need.
Thank You again and Happy Holidays!!!
Rashell Fehlman
I want to thank Lisa Benham, Stacy Hampton and Katy Benham, the originators of "Pay It Forward" ACBRA 4-D barrel race held in Reedley November 24. The proceeds of this race went to Children's Hospital Central California.
There was a good turn out of racers and a great crew working keeping the race moving. Thanks to our wonderful friend and photographer, Debbie Mann, pictures were taken and made available for purchase at the end of the race with those proceeds going to Children's Hospital as well.
All of the awards were fabulous, thanks to the many gracious sponsors. I was pretty thrilled to be among the winners and I love the beautiful wooden frame I received for my award.
Again, thank you.
Charlene Jespersen
Dear ACBRA Board Members
*Past and Present*
I finally found a moment to sit down and write this thank you note. I have been meaning to do this for a few months now but well, I’m usually very pressed for time.
First off, I have been an ACBRA member since as far as I can remember, maybe 17 or 18 years now. I joined the association, in probably, it’s second or third year. My first finals, was in Paso Robles and the finals awards were done by round robin. There was maybe about 30 prizes on that table total. Nothing real fancy, I was just happy to win my blue nylon halter with ACBRA written in decorative glue. The ACBRA was the first association to be formed in California if I remember right, not counting the WPRA/GRA. That’s right - No NBHA, No AmWest, No PacWest or BRn4d. My hauling buddy and I had to drive 2 hours over to the valley just to go to a jackpot race. Good ol’ Blueberry Hill arena, I don’t even remember if there was any added money. I talk of the old days because wow we are truly spoiled now. There are so many races to choose from what with all the different associations, the added money and so many nice locations. Okay now I will get to the point.
I have been on the board for a few months now and have gotten to see first hand what an exorbitant amount of work and attention that is involved with keeping this association going, while always hopeful the members are happy. Not even mentioning how many years have gone by without me writing the essential "Thank You" letter. So I say it to you now -
"A GREAT BIG HUGE THANK YOU" to every one of the hard working and determined board members (past and present) who have dedicated endless hours and efforts to the ACBRA. You have brought this association to the current level at which it resides while always striving to bring your members more. I’m just sorry I didn’t say it a little sooner. Yes - my eyes are finally opened.
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes To You All,
Susan Pieterouiski
ACBRA Membership Secretary
To Robin Clark
Thanks for the leg work you put into finding all these wonderful sponsors and donator to make our races that much more special.
The Bronc Halter was beautiful that Tina Burke made and donated. And congratulations on winning it. What a nice touch.
ACBRA Board Members
Dear ACBRA Board Members
I would like to say thank you for all the hard work you have done this past year. It does not ever go unnoticed as it may appear sometimes! I had a real enjoyable year and Im looking forward to this new season. I also want to say thank you for the really cool awards I received for 9/10 in the UN3500 category.
I also want to ad that I really enjoy doing the web site for ACBRA and its members, and I hope to continue as long as needed.
And finally, I would like to Congratulate 2 little girls who did a AWESOME job this year and who even did BETTER at the finals this year (07). Tawne Haynish, who won her first saddle and who is doing such an awesome job this year and to Carly Clark, who stepped up and showed how its done this year as well.
Congrats Girls, couldnt have happened to any nicer young girls!
Marie Bunker
Dear ACBRA:
I would like to thank ACBRA for putting on a great finals in Reno this past weekend.
My horse had an abscess on Monday and with the great care of Dr. Seabaugh at Pioneer Vet and my step-dad, Rodney, I was able to run in the finals and win some money. I want to thank Hansen's Western Gear also for the beautiful headstall I was able to win for being 5th in the average for my category.
It was really fun this weekend and I can't wait for next year!
Carly Clark
08/07
Hi All,
I would like to thank you for all your hard work and doing such a great
job at the finals. It is so nice to have the opportunity to run at that
kind of money in the category format at such a nice facility. Also, thank
you for the nice breastcollar and blanket I received for placing in the
average.
I am looking forward to next year.
Sincerely,
Leslie Moore
08/07
Hi Charlene
Thank you for all of your hard work in putting the finals on. The awards and
banquet were both very nice. Tom is already wearing our new buckle! I
appreciate all that you and the other association members do for us. I was
wondering if in 2008 the finals were going to be held in California? I would
like to recommend changing arena venue for the following reasons: 1) A large
majority of the competitors and the major sponsors hail from California, 2)
The price of fuel has went up tremendously, 3) The lack of camping
facilities in Reno ( horses and horse trailers are parked on the asphalt,
which is dangerous), 4) More stable arena ground conditions that an indoor
arena can provide. There are several excellent equine facilities in
California with indoor arenas. For example: Rancho Murrieta,Tulare, King
City, Santa Rosa, Norco, City of Industry, Burbank , and Griffith Park. In
the past the California ACBRA state finals was held at the Clovis Rodeo
Grounds which turned out very well. These are just some ideas. I heard
several other competitors sharing the same concerns. I also noticed a large
number of vet releases as well in all the categories. I know it is a new
board and a new year, and I am hoping you can share this letter at your next
meeting.
08/07
Dear ACBRA board members-
I just wanted to write a note to say thank you.
I love my bronch halter. It is funny thing becasue I asked my mom if I could buy one before we left Reno, she said yes we will get it on Sunday. I didn't have to buy one after all and boy does it look good on Radar. I just wanted to say thank you for the plaque "Fallen Friend, for Skeeter" It was very unexpected and made me cry. The poems was written by my sister Riley right after we lost him. No one will ever know how much we love and miss him. Don't get me wrong, Radar is a great horse too, but he has to fill some pretty big shoes. I am glad he is forgiving and so willing to please me, hopefully by next year, we will be very competitive and constant in our barrels, like my mom says, Radar is still a baby and not seasoned yet... "give him time and you two will become a great team".
My saddle is great and I love the seat. We have already begun to turn the stirrups so I can start to use it on Radar, boy he looks good in it too! OH, the neat carpet.... it looks great in our living room. I gave that to my mom for all the things she does for me. Thank you again for all the support and great awards.
Brittney Fielder and Radar
08/07
Dear ACBRA board members-
I just wanted to extend a warm thank you on behalf of my self and "Skeeter". I didn't have any idea what was in store for us on Saturday night. As Mary read the poems, I looked at my mom and she smiled at me and was crying. As I continued to look around the room, there were a lot of people who knew Skeeter and they too were crying. This little horse showed me what courage and heart was all about. I can only hope as time goes on, I too will have the courage and heart to go on as well. But, I do have to say, I have another great partner... PICS DUN IT... his name says it all. He did it again for us. The money we won paid back my entry fees and the rest went in to our college fund! Thank you for adding the same money to the junior category.
I love the bags and goodies because everything is very usable. It is not like some things you win and have to hang on the wall or a picture that you can only look at.... this stuff is for my horses and me. I like those kinds of awards. This was my last season as a junior and it was awesome to run at some good money.
I am so proud of Tawnee Haynish and Twister too! Look out Jackie, he likes her more! LOL... Don't worry, we did the same thing to our mom... we took Pic and he runs great for us too! I do look forward to bringing up some younger horses and competing against the big girls. Until next year. Thank you!
Riley Fielder and
08/07
To the ACBRA Board:
I just wanted to thank the ACBRA board you for all your hard work this past
Memorial Day weekend. This weekend would not have happened without ALL the
board's dedication to this association. Big events like this don't just
simply "Happen" by themselves. I know from past experience that it takes
months of preparation and coordination to produce these big races. A HUGE
thank you to Nathan and Mark for the perfect ground conditions. The ground
held perfectly through over 700 runs through the weekend. The awards were
great and and 5 lucky people walked away with brand new saddles!! Congrats
to them all and to all the money winners this weekend. I had a great time
and am looking forward to seeing you all at the finals.
Lori Blair-Harvey
07
Hello,
I had to sit down and write out a great full thank you and appreciation letter to Lori Blair and Geri Lisle and the ACBRA.
Pics Dun It and I attended your barrel races for the '2007 Buckle Series' at Lisle's Arena in Hilmar, CA and man did it rain on that last day, we were soooooo cold! We are glad every one cowboy and cowgirl up to beat this miserable weather! Even my little sister Brittney was hot on my heals with her horse "Radar", man she ran a 17.0? I was an 16.8.... YIKES. I had better look out for these two down the road. The buckle series went very well and ground conditions were great. I did have the pleasure of excepting the 2007 Junior Champion Buckle in your series on behalf of my 17 year old gelding "PIC". Thank you to Lori and Geri for getting the races put together and the great awards collected as well. The tractor driver, even getting wet, did his job. Once again, Thank you for a very beautiful buckle! Man what a great weekend we had this time!
Riley Fielder
& 'Pics Dun It'
Hilmar, Ca
Hilmar High School - Freshman
07
Hello to the people who put on the ACBRA (Staff and Arenas).
My name is Brittney Fielder. I am 10 years old and live in Hilmar. I wanted to say thank you for all of the very nice people who supported and gave me much needed hugs when I was dealing with a sick friend. My wonderful and best friend "SKEETER" lost his life January 14, 2007.
When my sister and I fed that morning he was up and playing with the other horses and eating his breakfast. When we got home from town, we noticed he was laying down. When we got him up, we both noticed he was very sick with Colic. He spent the weekend in the hands of a great vet friend, Dr. Sweet in Waterford. Unfortunately the rupture was in a place the vets could not save his life, so, we had to say goodbye to our best friend and extreme rodeo boy.
I have met some great new friends this year with in the ACBRA and have enjoyed riding my boy "SKEETER" with the ACBRA. Between my sister and I, "Skeeter" has been a member of ACBRA for 10 years! He helped both of us step up and become better riders. Thank you Skeets!
I can only say "THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS AT THE ACBRA, ITS MEMBERS, AND STAFF, FOR YOUR SUPPORT, COMFORT, CONCERNS, PRAYERS, AND GREAT HUGS" during this awful time.
I would also like to Thank Cheryl Luman, for breeding his mom and dad and bringing him "The Mosquito" into this world, he was one of a kind.
I wanted everyone to know his last ACBRA 4-D was at Lucky B the weekend before we lost him. He gave me and so many people watching a scare (I guess I should keep my self in my saddle when turning a barrel), some screams (between my mom and Pam, I think I gave them both heart attacks), lots of laughing (they couldn’t believe what they just saw), and our last ACBRA 4-D paycheck (everyone clapped).
I can only hope he has a great rider way up high in the sky and they are doing what he loved to do.........."RUN, TURN, AND BURN!" I will miss him dearly.. Good bye to a great teacher!
Thank you,
Brittney Fielder
Hilmar, CA
Hi Joyce....
I just read the email with all the new officers listed. You are going to be a busy (busier) woman this year! Congratulations - I know you will do a great job!
Please express my "thank you" to the ACBRA Board of Directors for all the wonderful awards I received for the end of the year in the Under $1000 Category. It was a close race at the end of the season since I was unable to compete due to an injury. Fortunately, I hung in there for the last hole, which made me very happy!
I missed being at the Reno Finals and I want to Thank Charleen Ornallas for bringing my awards back with her. Again, thank you, and I will look forward to seeing everyone in the new year.
Yours truly,
Charlene Jespersen
THANK YOU AND GOOD-BYE:
Winning the saddle in the open division this year is both surreal and a bittersweet ending to 2 wonderful years in this organization:
We're moving to Ridgefield Wa. It's hard to leave ACBRA and "barrel racing heaven" here in the central valley of CA. where else but with ACBRA would I have had the honor of riding and competing with some of the best barrel racers in the west? I might've lost my shirt at most races, but Ive learned from the best.
Where else could I have attended 90 races without ever leaving my local area? (Pam was right when she told me a few years ago that I'd learn to make time for barrel racing!) So for those 90 races I want to thank the Hilmar arena operators Lisle's, Fielder's, and Burgess' for running rain or shine, with freezing temps or when hot enough to melt glass, in fog or wind, snow or hail or tornadoes.......(!? Yes, Lora would!!!)
And what other group, including people who've never met me, would send letters and packages to my soldier son in Iraq at christmas. He and other soldiers are still impressed by you all for that.
Thank you to those of you that prodded me on and coached me while I learned to race - I'm going to miss riding with you all. I hope you'll not take this as a hollywood invitation: If any of you go north to Ridgefield for the BTM races, Ill have an extra corral and you can plug in at my place! Just look me up in the phone directory. And who knows, maybe Ill see you again in Reno- I'd like to get some co-sanctioned ACBRA races going in the Vancouver, Wa area!
And Ive got to thank those great board members who work their fannies off for us with no pay, and all the sponsors..........and fianlly thank you for the wonderful awards that I won in the open division: the water proof ACBRA jacket is just what Ill need up there where it never stops raining (!?), the other goodies will come to good use, but the saddle? What can I say?..............they'll probably bury it with me when my time comes!
God Bless you all,
Lettie Reich
Hi Charleen, I have not had the opportunity to meet you yet in person but I wanted to tell you what a great job you are doing keeping up with the points. This is a huge undertaking and I wanted to say thank you. Please pass on to the rest of the officers that you all hold thankless positions and I want to thank you all for putting forth the effort and hard work it takes to make this association successful.
Thank you,
Paty Raine
5-12-06
Mary,
I just wanted to let you guys know how happy I am with how the whole evening
turned out. I was so nice to get to know all of you and you ladies put on a
heck of a race. The ACBRA is a very professional orginazation, that is the
reason I chose you and I was not dissapointed. I am in the process of
getting the addresses of the buckle sponsors for you. I hope that it works
out for us to do this again next year, I really would like to see this grow
into something great for all of us. I really want Pam to know that I am very
thankful for her help with getting the ground the best we could and the
ladies that ran the booth and for your hard work at the sign up shack. I am
hoping to make the Memorial day races.
Take Care
Kellie
Thank you for the beautiful Category Award I received at Robin's 'Coats for Kids' barrel race at Lisle's Arena in Hilmar on December 10. The holiday mug, bowl and plate are adorable and I was thrilled to be among the winners on my new horse, YO. I would enjoy having a complete set of dishes along that line.
It turned out to be a great day for the barrel racers inspite of the weather threatening us with rain. It was also a fun day and Robin was so pleased with the turn out and all the coats that were received.
Again, thank you.
Charlene Jespersen
12-17-05
I would like to thank the ACBRA Board of Directors and each and every member who ran today at the Christmas Race. It was amazing what you all did to help out with the News10
Coats for Kids Drive and we at Conlin Supply Company, and me as a member of the ACBRA, would like to thank each and every one of you for participating and helping us collect "162" coats!!! We could not believe the amount of coats we collected and we thank you so very much! Thank you for all the new coats, and all the gently used coats. Everybody brought such nice coats. I am so grateful to all of you!
A special thank you to Betty Grohl who brought 22 coats and won the prize of a new pair of Wranglers, Conlin Ball Cap, Cowgirl Tuff Co. Sweatshirt, and rope halter. Thank you also to Cathy Vallerga who brought 17, as did Lora Fielder....Cathy won the draw and won an NFR garment bag and rope halter. Lora Fielder and Krista Delgado, with 14 coats, won Conlin polar fleece headbands. Thank you for your hard work!!!! Special thank yous also to Kim Offner, Amanda Valente, and Kim Hettrick who also brought a lot of nice coats. And thank you to all of you who took the time for this cause!!!!
We have over 900 coats as of today...we have until Wednesday morning to make the magic number of 1000. Because of all my fellow ACBRA members efforts I am confident we will make it to our goal.
Thank you so very much!!!!!
Robin Clark
Conlin Supply Co.
Coordinator -- News 10 Coats for Kids Drive
