April 5-19, 2022 • The WRANGLER, Horse and Rodeo News 51
Rocky Mountain
Breeders
Association
PRESIDENT
Jane Mersen
(406) 539-3992
jmersen@kkmlaw.net
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Tristram Hokenson
(406) 209-7302
tmhokens@outlook.com
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Ruth Hall
(406) 586-0506
cowgirlruth@gmail.com
SECRETARY/NEWSLETTER
Jan Finn
(406) 266-4992
2684hwy284@gmail.com
TREASURER
Wendy Dellinger
(805) 432-2950
wendydellinger@hotmail.com
DIRECTOR AT LARGE
Kristy Sheehan
(406) 396-2415
kristyandjason@blackfoot.net
RMBA News
Spring is in the air! At the Rocky
Mountain Breeders Associa on
(RMBA) its longer daylight hours,
warmer temperatures, foals and
calves and lambs playing, and a
busy clinic and ranch horse event
schedule.
There are some changes to
membership requirements everyone
should take note of that were voted
on and approved at the March
Directors' Zoom mee ng.
Membership has been required
for many years to be eligible for
Year End Awards, though not a
requirement for showing at the
ranch horse shows. There are some
changes; membership will become
a requirement to show for all sets of
riders with some iden fied melines.
For those who fit on the single
a d u l t / f a m i l y / r a n c h / b u s i n e s s
memberships, you'll be able to show
at the May show without joining the
RMBA. Shows a er that, membership
will need paid before exhibi ng. This
change should help ensure that any
riders who plan to show for Year End
awards will have their membership
eligibility criteria met. Points start to
accrue once membership is paid and
current. Joining earlier allows riders
to meet the membership criteria and
start earning points.
Youth are included in the
membership changes, with a li le
different meline. Youth will be able
to show without joining at a show
throughout the season, in part due
to school and sports schedules.
Joining earlier is also a benefit for
youth riders who may be interested
in showing for Year End awards. If
a youth rider is not part of a family
membership, there is a cost-effec ve
$20/individual youth membership
available and the entry fees are less
for the Youth classes.
The element of showing at a
minimum of 50 percent of available
shows for Year End award eligibility
remains. This applies to all ages and
classes that have a Year End award,
which is the vast majority of the
classes offered.
For those who are members,
audi ng of the "Intro To Ranch
Horse" clinic with clinicians Tye
MacDonald and Jess Holloway at
the Saddle Peak Equestrian Center
outside of Belgrade, Montana,
is available. Space for auditors is
limited. Bring your chairs and your
enthusiasm!
As an associa on, a Records
Reten on schedule was established
and approved. The Paint PAC
program criteria were considered
and remains an op on for the Paint
exhibitors.
The new website refresh is looking
good for an April launch. The goal is
to have it live prior to the April 23-24
"Intro To Ranch Horse" clinic. There
will be some updated access to
programs, new op ons, and a fresh
look. Along with the same great
promo on of the breeder and horse
programs the RMBA is synonymous
for.
There is always a need for
volunteers at events, so look to see
a volunteer list on our Facebook
[Meta] page and if you're on our
e-distribu on list.
We're also looking for loads of
photos and video for the Facebook
page as events start rolling through.
If you're one of the people who
are snapping pictures and/or can
upload video to our Facebook
page, include who the author of
the photo(s)/video(s) are and who
the rider (and horse name) is, too.
We love to celebrate member
accomplishments!
Keep an eye on our website at
www.montanarmba.org and the
Facebook [Meta] page at "Rocky
Mountain Breeders Associa on."
Invite all your friends and family to
"Like" and "Follow" our page; have
them invite their friends, too!
Have dbits to share? Call Jan at
(406) 266-4992 – home phone or
(406) 521-0001 – cell phone. Or, send
an email to 2684hwy284@gmail.
com with your informa on. Foaling
news, upcoming gradua ons, new
addi ons, the works! Have photos to
go with? Send them along, too!
PROUDLY PRODUCING SOME OF THE BEST
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Come Pick Out Your Next Performance Champion
Visitors Always Welcome
OPEN OPEN SPEAR RANCH SPEAR RANCH
Dennis McDonald
Owner & Breeder
www.openspearranch.com
Breeding "Cow Horses with Cow Sense" 48 Years
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Sweetshot Playgun • Open Performance OM Heading Points In Heeling & Barrels
Foundation Sires: Boonsmals Kandy Man by Peptoboonsmal LTE $80,000
Smoothasacat and Playgun
OPEN SPEAR RANCH
856 Tony Creek Rd, Melville, Montana 59055
406-537-2333 Ranch Office
McdonaldsGoldenArchesAQHA@gmail.com
www.openspearranchstallionstation.com • www.openspearranch.com
Visit us on Facebook for daily updates • cowhorseforyou@facebook.com
