The sponsorship committee and the IRHA members have done a good job working on obtaining sponsorship for this year. You will see many more banners advertis-ing our sponsors. Please give them your patronage when you are looking to make purchases. GOOD LUCK! to all the IRHA members competing at the World Show. Please support your fellow members at the show.

Shawn Kent IRHA President Look forward to riding with all of you soon. Until then – "Sit tall in the saddle, Hold your head up high. Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky. And live like you ain't afraid to die. And don't be scared, just enjoy your ride." - Sony Tillis and Sam Weedman

www.indianaranchhorse.com • indianaranchhorse@yahoo.com

Indiana RanchIndiana RanchIndiana Ranch Horse AssociationHorse AssociationHorse Association

Official Newsletter • Volume 5 • Issue 2

I would like to personally thank each one of you for two successful shows to start off 2011! Averaging close to 80 horses and 400 entries per show is amazing. We have been blessed with many new members. Keep up the good work promoting our association. Don't for get to call your friends from past shows that didn't make it and remind them they were missed. We have been able to secure a deal with the folks at the Rochester, IN facility and now have perma-nent cattle pens in place. A special thanks to all who worked so hard to help us build those at the last minute before the June show. We will con-tinue to work with Henry County over the next few months. If you know any of the board members there please encourage them to work with us. Talks are still underway with regard to a Regional Show in 2012. Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin have been discussing the possibility of a joint show late in the 2012 season. More info to come as this progresses. If you have ideas or would like to help spearhead this please let us know.

From the President’s Saddle

Greeting IRHA Members: We are half way through our show season, with just two shows left: • September 24 & 25: Rochester judged by Matthew Davidson • October 15 & 16: New Castle (DOUBLE JUDGED) judged by Marvin & Wil-

liam Butler NOTE: The entry form included in this newsletter will only be good for the Sep-tember Rochester show. Please DO NOT use this entry form for the October show as it is double judged and entry fees are different. Entry forms for October will be posted directly after the September show on IRHA’s website. It will also be included in the next newsletter. To view October’s show bill and entry fees, visit IRHA’s website. IRHA officers and committees have been working hard all year, organizing everything for the shows from helping set up pens for cattle, to ordering awards. No charter could ask for a harder working group of people than right here in Indiana! Thank you to EVERYONE who took a few moments of their time and volunteered to help out, no matter how big or small the job was… YOU are appreciated! Thank you to everyone who brought in food Friday evening at Rochester for the pot luck supper. Please think about the September show as well. We will have another pot luck supper that Friday evening. Details on this will be announced closer to show time. Chili sounds good that time of year...BUT, feel free to email me and tell me what you’d like to have for supper Friday evening at Rochester. Everyone is welcome to make requests. Our youth membership has grown more this year than ever before, and what a great group of kids we have! In year’s past, I remember only seeing just a handful of youth show. IRHA is really a great organization to teach young people responsibility, leadership skills, the rewards of friendly competition and how to work with and care for horses. See you all in September! Nancee Ward IRHA Secretary nanceeward@gmail.com

www.indianaranchhorse.com • indianaranchhorse@yahoo.com

Congratulations to our Weekend High Point Award Winners! New Castle—May Open / All Age

Bandy Russell & Badger’s ER Drifter Phil Ward & Spark O Lark AJ

Amateur

Bandy Russell & Badger’s ER Drifter

Youth 13 & Under Jesse Kent & Smart Haida Anne

Youth 14-18

Greg Owen & Dualin Laila Finale

Winners received custom knives and engraved cowboy halters

Rochester—June Open / All Age

Rose Snyder & Death Wish

Amateur Kammi Kern-Norton & THF Hollywood Crome

Youth 13 & Under

Emma McDaniel & Whiskey Izabella

Youth 14-18 Greg Owen & Norfleets Jesta Beaut

Winners received Mayatex saddle blankets with engraved corners

THIS FORM MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE SEPTEMBER SHOW!

September 24, 2011

Price reduced

to just $12 per

entry!

NO CATTLE FEE!

Can your horse

perform a simple

reining pattern?

Can you unbridle

and bridle your

horse?

Does your horse

ground tie? Can you

pick up his feet?

Can you throw a

rope?

Does your horse have

good cow sense?

Working Ranch Horse Classes Special Offer!

Working Ranch Horse combines all the skills a good

ranch horse should have. Don’t pass up this offer at the next show in September at Rochester!

Can you answer yes to any of these? If so, then WE WILL SEE YOU IN a WORKING RANCH

HORSE CLASS IN SEPTEMBER! Please refer to your 2011 ARHA Rulebook for complete rules on this class

2011 IRHA Awards Program

IRHA is dedicated to providing quality awards in recognition for its members’ hard work and achievements. Each program we offer has a set of criteria that members must meet to qualify for the award. Whatever skill level, there is some-thing here for all members. Weekend High Point Awards • Based on one horse / one rider combo / division • Must be current IRHA member in good standing • Must compete in at least one cattle class per show • Awards the top point-earning competitor in Amateur, All Age, and Youth Divisions at each show Year-End Overall High Point Champions • Based on one horse / one rider combo / division • Must be current IRHA member in good standing • Must attend all three out of the four IRHA shows in 2011 • Must compete in at least one cattle class per show • Top two point-earning competitors in Amateur, Open, and both Youth Divisions (Champion and

Reserve Champion) High Point Champions receive buckles, Reserve Champions receive jack-ets.

IRHA Rookie of the Year • Rules are parallel to ARHA’s rules in the 2010-2011 Rule Book • Must be first year ARHA & IRHA member and first time Amateur or Youth card holder (members

who only qualify for open/all age divisions do not quality for this award) • Must attend 3 of the 4 IRHA shows • Member must not have earned ANY breed association points prior to this year (open, youth,

amateur or novice, subject to verification by IRHA) • Member must sign up at the first show, or email IRHA with their name, division (Amateur or

Youth) they are showing in, and the name of the horse they are showing for the award • Awards are based on total points accumulated on a one horse / one rider combo per calendar

year • One AMATEUR ROOKIE of the YEAR and one YOUTH ROOKIE of the YEAR will be awarded • In the event of a tie in the same division, the award will be given to the competitor winning the

points in the greatest number of events, followed by the greatest number of wins High Point Class Champion Awards • Must be a current IRHA member in good standing • Top point-earning members in each class will be awarded certificates at the end of the year Sportsmanship Award This is a special award which IRHA will honor a member who displays the character, spirit, attitude and behavior that embodies the very mission of ARHA. This member displays honesty and fairness in everything he or she does and treats others, regardless of status or skill, with respect. Be they horseman or horsewoman, this individual observes and plays by the rules and conducts him or her-self with true sportsman-like manners at all times. A true sportsman or sportswoman values the fellowship and camaraderie of others more than the glory of the win, which he or she accepts gra-ciously, but accepts a loss with the same smile and dignity that comes with victory. This individual should be seen as a role model to all and will be awarded accordingly at the Year End Awards Ban-quet.

IRHA Year-End Division High Point Champions will be

awarded buckles.

IRHA Year-End Division Reserve High Point Champions will be awarded

embroidered fleece jackets.

Four divisions awarded include: Open, Amateur, Youth 13 & Under

and Youth 14-18

It is not too late… to join IRHA and earn awards!

If you have attended all the shows to date, or have only missed one of the shows, and you have enough points, you can still qualify for year-end awards if you join IRHA NOW! Membership forms are included in this newsletter as well as on our website. Remember, you can also run for office and vote for your officers when you join IRHA!

2011 Shows Offer Classes with Added Money!

Each show this year has a MINIMUM of $250 added, to be split between each of the jackpot classes: ranch riding, cutting, ranch cutting, ranch reining and ranch trail. No less than $50 will be added to each of these classes, plus, any sponsor-ships these classes attract will go into the pot. Sponsorship forms are available to print from the website. We can use all the spon-sorships we can get. The more sponsor-ships, the better the cash prizes and high point awards we will have! Entry fees for these classes are split with 50% of the entry money going toward the prize pot, and 50% going to the charter. Depending on the number of entries, jack-pot classes generally pay two to three places. Added money is a nice way to off-set the cost of showing for top competi-tors.

IRHA SPONSORS DOG & SUDS PARTY AT WORLD SHOW

IRHA will be sponsoring the Dog & Suds at the ARHA World Championship Show in Ohio. We will be grillin’ and chillin’ with some wieners and refreshments on Wednesday evening, July 20 at 7:00 pm at the Gazebo. If you would like to assist with the party and represent IRHA at the World Show, please contact IRHA to make arrange-ments.

IRHA Needs Your Help! The charter needs everyone to pitch in and help during each show. If you have even just a few spare moment s of your time, we can use the help! Jobs Available: • Stall / Shavings Assistance • Panel / Tarp Set Up • Panel / Tarp Tear Down • Gate Keeper (open & close entry gate) • Ranch Cutting Panel Set Up & Tear Down • Barrels & Poles Set Up & Tear Down • Trail Set Up & Tear Down Please email Shawn Kent at skent@kententerprises.net or call him at 317-716-9558 if you are able to help at any show. Most of these jobs only take a few moments. Your help is much appre-ciated!

Sponsorships & Awards IRHA’s awards for 2011 are being funded by sponsors as much as possi-ble. Our Sponsorship and Award Com-mittees have been working hard to ob-tain sponsors and select appropriate awards throughout the year. We are always accepting new sponsor-ships. Yours would be greatly appreci-ated. There are different levels of gifting for all budgets. In return for your contri-bution, your name will be announced at each show, and you will have an oppor-tunity to display your business materials at each show. If you have any questions, you can con-tact any of our Sponsorship Committee Members, listed on the last page of this newsletter. A Sponsorship form is also included in this newsletter.

www.indianaranchhorse.com • indianaranchhorse@yahoo.com

Jackpot Classes Feature Optional Side Pots

IRHA is offering optional side pots to each Jackpot class this year. We are giving all en-tries more chances to win some cash! • The cost to participate in the optional

side pot is $5 per entry • Only those who sign up will have a shot at

the side pot • If the total side pot is between $5 and

$20, winner takes all - 100% of the side pot goes to the highest placing partici-pant that signed up

• If there is more than $20 in the side pot, it will be split 60/40 between the top two placing participants that signed up

• This pot is a completely separate prize from the main jackpot, and is optional

• Your entry fee will be taken at the gate before the class begins and MUST be in CASH!

• NO REFUNDS once entry has signed up unless entry scratches the class and does not show

For more information, contact IRHA. IRHA is proud to offer these side pots as a benefit to the patrons of its shows. IRHA does not financially benefit from the side pot as 100% goes to winning participants. This is our way of saying… THANKS FOR SHOWING WITH US! Between the May and June shows, exhibi-tors have earned over $100 extra by joining in the side pots.

www.indianaranchhorse.com • indianaranchhorse@yahoo.com

Equine Business: Understanding Equine Laws

By Nancee Ward While this article is mean to be informative, it is not meant to be legal advice. It serves as a guide into understanding more about laws re-garding equine activities and the risks involved. Please consult an equine lawyer for any legal advice. Some of us board or train on the side for extra income. For others it is a means of a steady paycheck. Whether it is your hobby or your main business, each state has its own laws regarding business involving horses. If you are making any money at all from equine activities, it does not matter if you consider it a hobby or a business, the IRS wants a chunk of what you make and it is a business to them. Inform your CPA of your intentions regarding the potential income you may receive and what the best way to handle it is. At the end of the year, be honest with your CPA on how much you made, and what your expenses were. Keep accurate records of all income and ex-penses. Remember, it may be only a hobby to you, but Uncle Sam wants his share, too. If you are thinking about boarding, breeding, giving lessons, hauling horses, or training, con-tact a lawyer that specializes in equine law for advice. They can fully prepare you with infor-mation and legal contracts that will help protect you in case of an accident or injury to a client or a horse. Screen potential clients. Don’t let just anyone with a horse into your barn or onto your prop-erty. Do a background check. Ask for refer-ences from previous stables. Ask questions. Did this boarder pay on time? Did they make extraordinary requests? Did they follow the rules? Was their horse destructive? This infor-mation is important to find out. Do not be afraid to turn down a potential boarder if you feel un-comfortable with their history. Have ALL clients sign Release and Hold Harm-less forms, all necessary contracts, as well as your facilities rules. Be sure and allow the client to read through all parts of your contracts and ask them if they understand the terms. If not, you must be able to explain what the contract spells out, what is expected from each party, and what will happen if either party defaults. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

EQUINE LAWS CONTINUED Only allow the client to sign all contracts if they under-stand and accept the terms of the contract. Come to an understanding of what each party expects and stick to it. No matter if the potential client is your best friend, next door neighbor, relative, or a complete stranger, have EVERYONE sign contracts and release forms. Many times, boarders who cannot pay the full board will offer services in exchange for boarding a horse. For some stables, this can be a good deal, but for others, it just does not work. For the most part, if you have a boarder that asks to do chores in exchange for board, there is usually a reason, and it’s usually financial. Try and work with your client to resolve the issue first before resorting to exchanging services. Perhaps allowing a small credit on their bill will help them through, or ex-tending their pay date a few days will remedy the prob-lem. If the problem is ongoing and your client is request-ing extensions each month, this can be a burden. It is not a good idea for a stable to allow a client to get so far behind in bills that they can never pay. Pretty soon, you will own the horse, and be stuck with an animal that may not bring much at a sale if you want to re-coop your losses. Find out what the lien laws are in your state or county regarding livestock. If your client has a his-tory of not being able to pay in full or on time, you may want to sit down with the client and approach the sub-ject of ending the relationship. Often times, the stable finds out that when the client is allowed to do barn chores in exchange for board, the work performed is not up to the stable’s own expecta-tions. Perhaps the client works slower than expected. Many things can go wrong when clients are put in charge of barn chores. This can also cause problems with other boarders, who are usually pretty picky about who feeds and handles their horse. This is understand-able. All equine facilities should have their respective state’s Equine Liability signs posted in all areas where equine activities take place. In some states, it is required that each door or entrance to the facility have signs posted. Find out what the posting rules are on signs depending on what state you live in. Keep copies of all signed contracts on hand in case you ever need to remind your client of certain obligations each party has and if either party is in default. Make sure that if your clients are allowed to bring guests to the facility that the guests have also signed the proper release forms for engaging in equine activi-ties. Even if they are only a spectator, especially minor children, they must sign release forms. If your clients are minor children (such as in the case of giving lessons), have both parents sign the release forms, as well as the child. There have been cases where only one parent or guardian signed a release form and the child was injured. The parent that signed the release form was hesitant to bring up a lawsuit, however, that did not deter the other parent from filing one. So, if it is possible, have BOTH parents or guardi-ans signs all necessary forms. You, as the facility owner, always have an obligation to see to the safety and well-being of the client, the client’s horses and the client’s property. Legally, you also have an obligation to stop any actions that you deem unfit, or unsafe at all times. If you neglect this obligation, and an

accident occurs, your client may have legal grounds to sue you, usually referred to as “gross or willful negligence.” This type of negligence is defined as an action done towards another for per-sonal gain. Your client would have the burden of proof, of course, in trying to prove you intentionally caused the accident. An example of this would be a stable neglecting to stop a rider from riding a horse that is too advanced for the rider’s level of skill. Another example would be allowing a client to work with a horse that has known disposition to be dangerous and not in-forming the client of this. The opposite, legally called “ordinary” negligence, is defined as an action which was not intentionally caused, but occurred within the normal realms of an accidental situation. An example of this could be a stable giving a lesson and the horse spooking at a distant, sudden noise and the rider falling and injuring them-selves. In a normal situation, this would be seen as ordinary neg-ligence, of no fault of the stable. It is in a horse’s nature to spook at sudden noises and if neither the rider nor the stable could foresee the accident occurring, there is usually no fault involved. This, as well, would also have to be proven should a client de-cide to sue the stable. In either case of negligence, we all have our due diligence when it comes to horses and our guests, whether they are receiving lessons, have a horse in training, boarding, or just visiting and watching from a distance. Purchase the proper insurance for your facility. Not having insur-ance can mean the difference between keeping what you’ve worked hard for and losing everything you’ve worked a lifetime to build. Having contracts in place does not prevent an angry client from trying to sue you, however, it does do a couple of different things to your advantage: • it makes it harder for the client to find an attorney willing to

take their case, knowing there are contracts involved; • it reminds the client that there are certain terms that are ex-

pected from each party; • it makes it more difficult for your client’s attorney to build a

case against you in court, knowing there were certain terms each party agreed to.

Remember, be honest in every aspect of the activity you are engaged in. Be careful of who you do business with. Keep busi-ness just that...business. And keep friendships separate. Keep things fair. What’s good for one, is good for all. Don’t give special perks to clients. This can cause problems. Learn the equine laws in your state, and your county and make sure you are able to conform to those laws BEFORE getting in to the business. Be sure you can explain any part of the contract to a potential client. Not understanding something yourself could lead to problems down the road. Start off small at first. Only take in a couple of horses and see how you manage. If you are able to manage a small number and you are enjoying the benefits of the business, you can always increase your business. Don’t take on too much at once that you cannot dedicate the time to care for the horses you board or train, or the client that you agreed to give lessons to. Consult an experienced lawyer first. They can set you up prop-erly so that you have the tools you need to start your business legally...and be legally prepared!

www.indianaranchhorse.com • indianaranchhorse@yahoo.com

2011 IRHA SPONSORS IRHA wishes to thank all our sponsors for

their much appreciated contributions.

AGI Products Bloomingdale, IN

866-227-3210 www.agiproducts.com

Murphy Trailer Sales 3000 Industrial Blvd

Crawfordsville, IN 47933 800-939-7288 765-361-8803

Bruce Murphy & Rob King

Jeff's Automotive Jeff Tilden

214 W Walnut Street Akron, IN 46910

574-893-7216

Discount Boots & Tack Matt Main

Seymour, IN 812-523-3728

Sliding E Stables Gary & Angie Eason

13939 S 400 W Romney, IN 47981

765-339-4380 geason@tds.net

Pike Lumber Company, Inc. 719 E Front Street Akron, IN 46910

574-893-4511

Homestead's Backyard Grille Mike & Renita Weaver

Silver Lake, IN

Macy Elevator 2787 W 1350 N Macy, IN 46951

Wisconsin Ranch Horse Association Show Dates

www.wisconsinranchhorse.com July 9-10

September 3-4 October 15-16

Ranch Horse Association of Michigan

Show Dates www.miranchhorse.com

July 9-10 August 6-7

September 10-11

2011 IRHA Show Pictures Courtesy of Ron & Cheryl Bluett and Melissa Heffelfinger Photography

OFFICERS President - Shawn Kent skent@kententerprises.net Vice President - Rick Landes landes21@hotmail.com Secretary - Nancee Ward nanceeward@gmail.com Treasurer - Bandy Russell bandyrussell@gmail.com Charter Rep - Kammi Kern-Norton kkernnorton@gmail.com

COMMITTEES Bandy Russell Awards / Sponsorship Committee bandyrussell@gmail.com Kammi Kern-Norton Awards / Sponsorship Committee kkernnorton@gmail.com Phil Ward Awards / Sponsorship Committee philward2011@gmail.com

Terry Kaufman Show Committee tlkoxford@gmail.com Charlie Swingley Show Committee charlie@charlieswingley.com Greg Warner Awards / Sponsorship / Show greginindiana@kconline.com

IRHA STALL RESERVATIONS : stalls@indianaranchhorse.com

Mailing Address 9428 W. 550 S. Manilla, IN 46150 www.indianaranchhorse.com indianaranchhorse@yahoo.com

“The Cowboys” September 2010