Laurel Saddle Club

REGION 1 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Laurel Saddle Club

This month I am pleased to highlight the Laurel Saddle Club of Billings, Montana. They have two major Working Equitation events planned for 2021, including a Cattle Trial at one event (see their events in the calendar listings above). The Laurel Saddle Club is a USAWE Affiliate Organization with a great back-story which is why I selected them as the Region 1 Member Spotlight feature for January 2021.

The story is really one of two pathways crossing. USAWE member Jody Anderson first learned about Working Equitation about 10 years ago from her Dressage instructor who was dabbling in Working Equitation and introduced it to her students. That instructor didn’t continue on with Working Equitation as a discipline, but Jody had caught the WE bug and pursued it on her own.

Jody and some friends traveled to Platteville, Colorado to the Circle Star Arena for some intensive 3-day WE clinics and trainings since there were no local options at that time that they were aware of. Chris Stanko, Kitty McLaughlin and Lauren Gueswel were a great help in laying the foundation that Jody and her friends needed to get Working Equitation started locally. Trisha Reed was also a helpful asset locally as time went on.

Although there was a small group of people forming a love for Working Equitation in Billings they were finding it challenging to get more of the Eastern Montana Appaloosa Horse Club interested because of the lack of area WE events.

In another part of town, the Laurel Saddle Club, a Cowboy Polo club, was finding itself in the end-stages of existence, with a board who was looking for some way to hand off the facilities and organization to new leadership. One of the Laurel Saddle Club board members happened to also be on the Eastern Montana Appaloosa Horse Club board, and so the conversation began…

These two organizations currently exist as two separate entities, but the members of both Boards work very closely with each other. They are in the process of reimagining what was formerly a Cowboy Polo club into something new and different, with Working Equitation as a key component of what they are all about. They are currently rehabilitating and upgrading the Laurel Saddle Club facilities for Working Equitation events in addition to other events.

What a great story! It really shows how just one person can make a difference and what can happen when people work together. Billings, Montana has historically been primarily rodeo-centered. Breed shows in the area have been dwindling, and there is not much else available for riders who are not involved in rodeo. Billings is a town of about 100,000 people and has the potential to support any size equine event.

The Laurel Saddle Club has the goal to be one of the biggest Working Equitation clubs in Region 1. They would like to host a USAWE Regional Show at their facility when those get underway. 2021 will be an inaugural year for the Laurel Saddle Club in many ways. Let’s help them get off to a great start. See if you can make it to their show on June 5-6, 2021.

Be a part of something great happening in the Big Sky area of Region 1.

Laurel Saddle Club Facebook Page

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LINKS	Updated	Description
Banner		Order the USAWE Banner using the form provided in the link. All banner orders must be submitted at least 20 business days (4 weeks) before your needed date.
Course Design Approval Guide	12/23/2022	Covers basic course design requirements. EOH and Speed courses must be reviewed/approved by a licensed official.
Current Members		Show Manager is required to validate rider’s entry form’s USAWE membership number. List is updated by the Membership Committee
Dispensation Certificate Application – MS Word Dispensation Certificate Application – PDF	11/1/2020	Riders with disabilities use this form to apply for a Dispensation Certificate that approves the use of adaptive equipment and other allowances.
Dressage arena dimensions		Provides Dressage arena dimensions and diagonal measurements to aid in setup.
Emergency Plan (sample) – MS Word Emergency Plan (sample) – PDF	4/25/2022	Emergency Plan instructions prepared by Safety Coordinator. (Competition Manual 4.3)
Entry Form (sample) – MS Word	2/2/2022	First page can be modified as needed. Second page cannot be changed. (Competition Manual 4.3)
Entry Order – One Day Show (L1 – L7) – MS Word Sample	3/24/2022	A sample Entry Order (Start List) for Show Managers
GIRA.io User’s Manual	1/10/2023	For competitions that want to use the GIRA.io online scoring/placing program. Use GIRA to select show participants, create your show’s Entry Order (Start List) and personalized Dressage, Ease of Handling, Speed, and Cattle Scorecards, score/place each Division and Performance Level and download Show Results in the format needed by Results@usawe.org
GIRA.io Quick Reference Guide	1/10/2023	For those familiar with GIRA who just need a checklist of steps.
GIRA.io Show Entries	1/27/2022	Instructions on setting show up to accept show entries using the GIRA online software program.
Guest Judge Card Application	1/24/2021	Judges must hold a current WE Judge License issued by their country’s national WE organization and apply for a USAWE international Guest Judge License.
Horse Recording Form		All horses competing at USAWE licensed competitions must be registered with USAWE. Complete the horse recording process on our Membership page or use the link to the left for a direct connection to the form. List is updated by the Membership Committee.
Insurance – address to use when requesting a certificate of additional insured for USAWE as required for licensed shows		USAWE 5006 Forsyth Place Boulder, CO 80303 Email a PDF of the insurance policy to Competitions@usawe.org
*Judge Evaluation form		Show Manager uses this online form to assess Judge(s) performance. (Competition Manual 7. 2)
Liability Release Form	2/21/2022	USAWE Release, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement may be used for licensed competitions.
Licensed Official Confirmation & Contract – MS Word Sample	3/24/2022	A sample licensed official confirmation & contract
Logo (USAWE)		To use for prize lists & show advertising for USAWE licensed competitions. Visit Corporate Records for the USAWE Brand Logo Guidelines Questions? Contact the Marketing Committee
Non-member Voucher		Non-members can use a One-Time Voucher to cover the non-member fee at a single licensed (non-championship) show (one per lifetime). Names will automatically appear on the Membership Info voucher list so show secretaries can verify voucher status.
Obstacle Specifications Checklist.pdf	9/7/2021	List of obstacle specifications (per performance level) for EOH and Speed course setup/reset. Useful for Judge, TD and ground crew.
Planning Your Show Schedule – Recommended Time Allotments	3/24/2022	Recommended time allotments to help Working Equitation show managers plan your show day (Entry Order, Ride Times, Breaks, Course Setup for Performance Levels, Course Walks, Protest Filings, Awards, etc.) for Dressage, EOH, Speed, and Cattle Trials.
Prize List (sample)	1/29/2022	Suggested basic information to be included in a prize list. (Competition Manual 4.2)
Protest Requirement Summary	10/20/2021	A synopsis of protest requirements and time limits. (Competition Manual 5.3)
Recorded Horses		Show Manager is required to validate show entry’s USAWE horse recording number. List is updated by the Membership Committee.
Results Submission Guide	11/27/2021	Provides instructions for submitting show results. Updated for the 2022 show season.
*Results Sheet – WE Competition (non Gira)	11/27/2021	Use this form to report show results for a WE competition (Dressage, EOH, Speed, Cattle trials). If you use the GIRA online scoring program, download and send in the Excel file that program provides instead. Email Show Results (manual excel or GIRA file) to Results@usawe.org

Scoresheet, EOH – MS Word Scoresheet, EOH – PDF Scoresheet, Speed – MS Word Scoresheet, Speed – PDF Scoresheet, Cattle, Individual – PDF Scoresheet, Cattle, Team – PDF	Revision 5, 12/1/2021	Non-GIRA Scoresheets Secretary can manually enter EOH and Speed obstacle data in advance, as well as competitor data. Secretary manually enters Cattle trial competitor data.
Show Entries – Google Form	3/24/2022	Instructions to create an online Working Equitation show entry form using Google Form
Show Entries – Google Form Sample	3/24/2022	A sample Google Form online Working Equitation show entry form
Tack and Attire Checklist	9/25/2021	Useful for Technical Delegate, Paddock and Gate Steward.
TD Duties and Responsibilities	10/28/2020	A list of duties the Technical Delegate (TD) should complete at all licensed WE competitions.
*TD Evaluation form		Show Manager uses this online form to assess TD performance. (Competition Manual 7. 2)
TD Report worksheet		TD can use this worksheet to keep track of information during a competition that can later be used when filing the online Technical Delegate Report Form.
*TD Report form		TD uses this online form to report on licensed competitions. (Competition Manual 7.1 )

LINKS	Updated	Description
Amateur Status	1/20/2022	Excerpts from USEF Rule 1306 that defines amateur vs. professional status.
Banner		Order the USAWE Banner using the form provided in the link. All banner orders must be submitted at least 20 business days (4 weeks) before your needed date.
Competition Manual	5/12/2022	Competition Manual includes requirements for show organizers and managers in planning and conducting a show licensed with USA Working Equitation (USAWE).
Course Design Approval Guide	11/11/2021	Covers basic course design requirements. EOH and Speed courses must be reviewed/approved by a licensed official.
Current Members		Show Manager is required to validate rider’s entry form’s USAWE membership number. List is updated by the Membership Committee
Dispensation Certificate Application – MS Word Dispensation Certificate Application – PDF	11/1/2020	Riders with disabilities use this form to apply for a Dispensation Certificate that approves the use of adaptive equipment and other allowances.
Dressage arena dimensions		Provides Dressage arena dimensions and diagonal measurements to aid in setup.
Emergency Plan (sample) – MS Word Emergency Plan (sample) – PDF	4/25/2022	Emergency Plan instructions prepared by Safety Coordinator. (Competition Manual 4.3)
Entry Form (sample) – MS Word	2/2/2022	First page can be modified as needed. Second page cannot be changed. (Competition Manual 4.3)
Entry Order – One Day Show (L1 – L7) – MS Word Sample	3/24/2022	A sample Entry Order (Start List) for Show Managers
Final Competition Placement, Individual – MS Word Final Competition Placement, Individual – PDF Final Competition Placement, Team – MS Word		Scorer enters data from individual scoresheets to determine final placement (to be used by competitions not using Gira.io online scoring system and where an Excel file is not a viable option). Note: Final results must be submitted to Results@usawe.org using the official ‘Results Sheet’ Excel document.
Gate Steward Duties	11/11/2021	Describes duties related to tack and attire checks and blood checks.
GIRA.io User’s Manual	1/10/2023	For competitions that want to use the GIRA.io online scoring/placing program. Use GIRA to select show participants, create your show’s Entry Order (Start List) and personalized Dressage, Ease of Handling, Speed, and Cattle Scorecards, score/place each Division and Performance Level and download Show Results in the format needed by Results@usawe.org
GIRA.io Quick Reference Guide	1/10/2023	For those familiar with GIRA who just need a checklist of steps.
GIRA.io Show Entries	1/27/2022	Instructions on setting show up to accept show entries using the GIRA online software program.
Guest Judge Card Application	1/24/2021	Judges must hold a current WE Judge License issued by their country’s national WE organization and apply for a USAWE international Guest Judge License.
Horse Recording Form		All horses competing at USAWE licensed competitions must be registered with USAWE. Complete the horse recording process on our Membership page or use the link to the left for a direct connection to the form. List is updated by the Membership Committee.
Insurance – address to use when requesting a certificate of additional insured for USAWE as required for licensed shows		USAWE 5006 Forsyth Place Boulder, CO 80303 Email a PDF of the insurance policy to Competitions@usawe.org
*Judge Evaluation form		Show Manager uses this online form to assess Judge(s) performance. (Competition Manual 7. 2)
Judge Feedback form		Judge uses this online form to provide the Competitions Committee pertinent information regarding competitions where they officiated.
Liability Release Form	2/21/2022	USAWE Release, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement may be used for licensed competitions.
Licensed Official Confirmation & Contract – MS Word Sample	3/24/2022	A sample licensed official confirmation & contract
Logo (USAWE)		To use for prize lists & show advertising for USAWE licensed competitions. Visit Corporate Records for the USAWE Brand Logo Guidelines Questions? Contact the Marketing Committee
Non-member Voucher		Non-members can use a One-Time Voucher to cover the non-member fee at a single licensed (non-championship) show (one per lifetime). Names will automatically appear on the Membership Info voucher list so show secretaries can verify voucher status.
Obstacle Specifications Checklist.pdf	9/7/2021	List of obstacle specifications (per performance level) for EOH and Speed course setup/reset. Useful for Judge, TD and ground crew.
Paddock-Steward-Duties-.pdf	11/11/2021	A list of duties the Paddock Steward should complete at all licensed WE competitions.
Planning Your Show Schedule – Recommended Time Allotments	3/24/2022	Recommended time allotments to help Working Equitation show managers plan your show day (Entry Order, Ride Times, Breaks, Course Setup for Performance Levels, Course Walks, Protest Filings, Awards, etc.) for Dressage, EOH, Speed, and Cattle Trials.
Prize List (sample)	1/29/2022	Suggested basic information to be included in a prize list. (Competition Manual 4.2)
Protest Requirement Summary	10/20/2021	A synopsis of protest requirements and time limits. (Competition Manual 5.3)
Recorded Horses		Show Manager is required to validate show entry’s USAWE horse recording number. List is updated by the Membership Committee.
Results Submission Guide	11/27/2021	Provides instructions for submitting show results. Updated for the 2022 show season.
*Results Sheet – WE Competition (non Gira)	11/27/2021	Use this form to report show results for a WE competition (Dressage, EOH, Speed, Cattle trials). If you use the GIRA online scoring program, download and send in the Excel file that program provides instead. Email Show Results (manual excel or GIRA file) to Results@usawe.org

Scoresheet, EOH – MS Word Scoresheet, EOH – PDF Scoresheet, Speed – MS Word Scoresheet, Speed – PDF Scoresheet, Cattle, Individual – PDF Scoresheet, Cattle, Team – PDF	Revision 5, 12/1/2021	Non-GIRA Scoresheets Secretary can manually enter EOH and Speed obstacle data in advance, as well as competitor data. Secretary manually enters Cattle trial competitor data.
Scribe Duties	10/28/2020	Useful for Scribe.
Show Entries – Google Form	3/24/2022	Instructions to create an online Working Equitation show entry form using Google Form
Show Entries – Google Form Sample	3/24/2022	A sample Google Form online Working Equitation show entry form
Tack and Attire Checklist	9/25/2021	Useful for Technical Delegate, Paddock and Gate Steward.
TD Duties	10/28/2020	A list of duties the Technical Delegate (TD) should complete at all licensed WE competitions.
*TD Evaluation form		Show Manager uses this online form to assess TD performance. (Competition Manual 7. 2)
TD Report worksheet		TD can use this worksheet to keep track of information during a competition that can later be used when filing the online Technical Delegate Report Form.
*TD Report form		TD uses this online form to report on licensed competitions. (Competition Manual 7.1 )
USEF GR1306 Professional/Volunteer Status	USEF 2022	Each rider is required to declare their professional or amateur status upon renewing their USAWE membership each year. Riders must comply with USEF Rule GR1306 that defines amateur and professional status.

USAWE Logo design by Alexandra Crippen of Crippen Designs.

The logo represents the four trials of Working Equitation and highlights the diversity for which the sport is known in the United States.

The first image depicts a mule, being ridden in Western tack and attire in the Dressage trial.
The second image showcases an Iberian horse in traditional Iberian tack and attire performing in the EOH trial.
The third image shows a horse of indeterminate breeding and a rider in English tack and attire, competing in the Speed trial.
Together, all three riders represent a team competing together in the Cattle trial. Although the cow is not shown directly, the three teammates are working in concert. The image is intended to elicit the feeling of excitement and movement as the team moves their designated cow toward the holding pen to the far right, off the page. (Think of it as a “silent cow”, much as the letter “e” at the end of a word is often referred to as “the silent ‘e'” in recognition of its existence without being read aloud).

Images used on this website with permission of owners. Please observe the copyright privileges of the individual image owners and do not use the images from this website without express permission from the individual owners of the images. Thank you for respecting the work and rights of others.

Member Spotlights

Laurel Saddle Club

REGION 1 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Laurel Saddle Club

Back to Main News Page

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