In this issue:

Tawney Explains point system

Gigi tells us about Green classes

Our spotlight on Quinn Selner

2013 Membership form

Newsletter September / October 2012

from our PRESIDENT

The saddle circuit is complete for the season; take a look at the standings page on the web for all year-end award winners. Congratulations to all the competitors for an exciting finish to the MWRHA circuit. The board is making plans for 2013 show season. We will have a new location for South of the Border next year, it will move to Gordyville. As much as everyone loves to show outside we can’t bank on Mother Nature. From the results of the sample survey most would rather not show in Roscoe. The saddle circuit will remain in place for another year for the Rookie II. The board is discussing another idea that could potentially place a saddle into any one of the first place award winners in the future. Everyone would have the chance to win the year end saddles. Will keep you posted on the details. Keep your eyes open to the web for the newsletter and other important information that is coming out. Please take a look at the NRHA Eligibility Changes for 2013. You will have to know whether you are eligible to show based on money you have made. The rule changes go into effect January 1, 2013. Example of this would be the Limited Non-Pro which changes to read “Earnings cap $10,000 in Lifetime in all categories except 3, 7, 9, 10, 11 & 12.

Also in this months newsletter read about the money made in Green Rider does not affect you moving into rookie. From the survey at Roscoe it appears there is interest in the off season for a clinic. Board is looking into options. This year we would like to encourage everyone to try to attend the Annual Meeting which will be in conjunction with the Awards Banquet. Will try to come up with a central location and we would like to have a guest speaker that would be of interest to everyone. Will keep you posted. Keep looking for updates on our web page. Tentative dates for the meeting/banquet are the afternoons of January 19th or 20th or January 26th or 27th. Good luck to everyone representing the MWRHA at the regional affiliate finals. Kathy Dam

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Dear MWRHA Member,

We wanted to include a brief write-up with our

newsletter explaining how the Year-End Awards were calculated for 2012

since previously the club has calculated dollar earnings.

Below is an outline of how points were calculated for each class:

Points were calculated based on a 6 point max sliding scale

1st place was awarded 6 points, 2nd place 5 points, 3rd place 4 points,

4th place 3 points, 5th place 2 points, and 6th place 1 point

In the event that there were less than 6 entries, the sliding scale

starts at the number of entries

o Example: 4 entries – first place earns 4 points, second place

earns 3 points, etc.

In the event of a tie, the points for those placings are combined and

then divided by the number of individuals that tied

o Example: 3 way tie for 3rd, 4th and 5th place. Points to be

combined would be 4, 3 + 2, totaling 9. Divided by 3

individuals, with each individual earning 3 points each

0 scores will earn points in the event that there were less than 6

entries that received an actual score

No Scores do not earn points regardless of the number of entries in a

class

The MWRHA Board felt that by changing to a point system, this

would create a more level playing field regardless of the size of the show or

the amount of added money. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to

email me at MWRHA@dls.net.

Sincerely,

Tawney Denn

To All interested in Our Green 1 and 2 Classes Many of you competed and enjoyed our newly sanctioned Green Classes this year. As always when experiencing something "NEW" we are going to be learning from it. One of our members that showed extensively in our green classes this year, brought to my attention that she had competed in the green levels one and two and her money earnings exceeded $700. She was feeling bad because she thought with her earnings of 700 plus She may have "Rookied Out". Her question was....Did she rookie out?.....meaning she now goes to Limited Non Pro class ? She may have missed Rookie years? She was left with the feeling ...She does not have enough show experience and possibly not enough horse to compete in non pro levels ? F Y I Even though our Green Classes are sanctioned by NRHA they are not AS OF YET approved classes to compete at the AFFILIATE SHOW. GREEN 1 and 2 Monies do not carry forward. They are category 10 classes. Meaning once you have made your $100+ earnings in green for that year YOU MOVE ON TO ROOKIE CLASS THE FOLLOWING YEAR A GREEN RIDER MOVES ON TO ROOKIE Classes NRHA is going to be working on Green Classes making it to the Affiliate show bill in the near future. That will be very exciting for our Green riders. Please if anyone has any questions or concerns about classes and /or new rules , feel free to bring it to our attention, We are more than willing to help find the answers with you. There is always something to learn about the rules and classes. Our club is very excited about bringing new experiences and events into 2013. There is much to enjoy with our horses and the sport of reining. Gigi Challas

In the Spotlight with Quinn Selner

MWRHA had a chance to get to chat a little bit with Quinn Selner. Quinn lives in Plymouth, IN with her husband Jeff and her 5 year old son Reed. When Quinn isn’t riding her 4 year old Gelding Whiz Top Yankee, she is working as a High School Moderate and Severe Special Education Teacher. Quinn was 3rd in Non Pro, tied for 1st in Intermediate Non Pro, 1st in Limited Non Pro, 1st in Novice Non Pro I, and 2nd in Novice Non Pro II this year with Toppy in MWRHA. WOW! Way to go Quinn!

MWHRA: How many horses do you show reining? QUINN: I only show 1 horse, Whiz Top Yankee, although I enjoy riding my Dad's reiner, Whiz Good to Go for fun. MWRHA: How long have you been reining? QUINN: I have been riding reiners on and off for 17 years. I began showing NRHA seriously 5 years ago. MWRHA: How would you describe the sport of reining in one word? QUINN: Exhilarating MWRHA: When did you first decide to ride reining? QUINN: I was always interested in reining. My family had been friends with Ed Fear and Dottie Smith for years. My last year in youth, 1995, my dad decided to call Ed. Dad bought a reiner that we could share. MWRHA: Do you have a Trainer? QUINN: This year, Randy Fowler, has been a tremendous help. We (my Dad and I) keep the horses at my barn most of the time. We take them to Randy to get ready for the shows and he helps us at shows. Randy has brought my reining to a new level. I am always learning new things from Randy and Shannon Fowler.

MWRHA: Who is your biggest fan? QUINN: My biggest fan at the show is my dad, Larry McCollough. We help each other get ready to show and talk a lot about ways to improve our runs. My husband and son are extremely supportive, but normally stay home to take care of the barn and other animals. MWRHA: Does your family come to shows with you? Do they have "jobs" at the shows? QUINN: My dad and I are horse show partners. When my son is older, I am sure he and my husband will come to the shows more often. Reed cannot wait to be big enough to show. He already watches our videos and critiques us. He likes to remind us what we need to work on when we are riding at home. It is possible that we may have 3 generations showing some day. Also, my husband is a really good rider. He used to show horses. I would like to get him involved and

MWRHA: Tell us about your other achievements: QUINN: I have been showing seriously for about 25 years. I showed mainly AQHA during that time. I have placed at the Congress, World, and have a horse be 3rd in the nation in AQHA year end points. I have shown halter, all-around, and reining horses. My favorite horse was Willy Te Wiffic, a youth World Champion hunter under saddle horse, who carried me to many big wins. My first reiner, Gun Starts Top Gun was awesome. I won the first reining class I ever showed in at the Gordyville Breeders Classic in 1995. Lil Ruf Ray, who I showed until this year, earned several high point year end awards in InRHA, IlRHA, and MWRHA, MWRHA: What was your favorite show in 2012? QUINN: My favorite show in 2012 was probably the one day show in Leland at Jason Donahue's barn. It was nice to go somewhere new. It was a very fun and relaxing. MWRHA: What are your goals for 2013? QUINN: My goals for 2013 are to improve my scores by working out all of the 'little things'. MWRHA: Who do you consider a "role model" or someone you look up to in reining and why? QUINN: This is tough. There have been several in my life. Ed Fear got us started and brought the fun into reining. Some of the best memories are riding and showing with Ed and Dottie Smith. My dad and I still get teary eyed talking about Ed. Dottie and Jena are still our 'oldest' friends at the reinings. Currently, I am inspired by Randy Fowler. I had always seen Randy ride, but working with him is an experience. He is so detailed and specific in his riding and training. He spends huge amounts of time helping me. I consider us both perfectionists, so our personalities mesh. I feel like Randy is pushing me to the 'next level' as a reiner and that is something that I am striving for. MWRHA: If you could pick ONE show that would be the ultimate to qualify for what show would it be? QUINN: I have qualified for the AQHA Amateur World Show, but haven’t ever taken a horse. Someday, I would like to show there and be competitive enough to possibly make the top 10.

If you received this newsletter in the mail MWRHA

does not have your email information if you

would like to send us your email contact

Jodi at (309) 251-5645 or jodis@mailptg.com.Midwest Reining Horse Association

Check out our website! MWRHA.com

I would like to show there and be competitive enough to possibly make the top 10.

MWRHA: What was the most inspirational moment you've had with your reining career? QUINN: My most inspirational moments were last summer. I was struggling with Lil Ruf Ray. I was making silly errors. At the Illinois State Fair, I finally got my act together marked a 72. That broke our streak of bad luck. I showed for 3 months after that and scored several 72's. We were doing so well, that I had the opportunity to sell Ray last fall. MWRHA: What have you learned through your experiences that you would have loved to have known at your first show? QUINN: I have learned that if I make a mistake during a run, forget it and keep showing. Just because you made a mistake, it doesn't mean you still can't mark a decent score.

MWRHA: What do you think is the best way to get new people involved in the sport of reining? QUINN: I think the 'Ride a Reiner' program that Brett Walters has been promoting/supporting is great exposure for the sport. I also think the Green level classes are a good way to get started. MWRHA: Do you serve on the board or as a volunteer for any organizations? QUINN: I am a board member for the Indiana Reining Horse Association and also a board member for the Indiana Quarter Horse Amateur Association. MWRHA: What advice do you have for new people getting into the sport? QUINN: My advice is to have perseverance. Starting as a reiner can be very frustrating. It is hard to get all of the parts of the pattern to fit together. But, when you finally get a good run, it is extremely rewarding. Midwest Reining Horse Association would like to thank Quinn for taking the time from her busy schedule to let us dig in to her life a little and get to know her and her family! THANKS QUINN! We will post pictures of Quinn and her new trophy saddle after the banquet. Larry McCollough, Quinn’s dad was 3rd in Intermediate Non Pro, 3rd in Limited Non Pro, 2nd in Prime Time Non Pro, and 2nd in Rookie II. Nice Job Larry!

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Please send completed application and check payable to:

MIDWEST REINING HORSE ASSOCIATION

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2013 MEMBERSHIP FORM

lifetime ($200) single ($30) family ($45)

Midwest Reining Horse Association Board members

PRESIDENT: Kathy Dam 708.380.2364 VICE PRESIDENT: Tawney Denn 847.863.6654 SECRETARY: Jodi Summer 309.251.5645 TREASURER: Dottie Smith 219.742.0122 BOARD MEMBERS: Albert Burton, YOUTH CONTACT 847.226.0031 Gigi Challas, NRHA LIAISON 708.476.0461 Lori Hedges 217.801.1630 Martin Melgoza 708.525.0166 Ed Gomez 630.638.4951 Gary Todd 815.459.3487