Articles

Articles, Thanks and News

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!!!

Best Wishes,

Robin Clark

4/5/08

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

Oakdale, CA

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

CASH and PICS DUN IT

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

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

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

12-25-05

Dear ACBRA:

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

This was my first ACBRA season and I had so much fun. This is my
favorite
orginization I have ever been with. Thank you for such a great
weekend at the
Reno finals I had a blast.
From,
Sara Honegger