September 2026 Newsletter
Hello PSHA Family! It has been a busy couple months as we had to relocate State Finals and then went almost directly into Interstate. I can’t be more grateful for our family.
The way you rallied around the move of State Finals. The way that you regrouped and came back and rode as a dynamic and fast family to take Interstate for the 4th straight year!
Our Family was nothing short of AMAZING!!!
State Finals: Thank you to Melonie and Kelbi for making things happen. Thank you to all of you for the open mind, open hearts and hard work to make the event happen. It was actually amazing. The memories of the competition and unity will long be one of my most cherished memories of this organization.
The last couple years, Tanya Plagerman has made stories at Interstate with Jiminy and Lizzy cleaning up, then a record Key Race run. This year she had 3 horses qualifying in Group 1. This year there were several amazing stories but the wins by Gabriyela and Bandit lead the way. Congratulations on riding 13 of 15 events and scoring fast time points in ALL 13 events, running away with Individual Event Horse and All-Around Horse awards. Truly exceptional!
We can’t say thank you enough to George and Mitzi Frick for their time, effort and flexibility that allowed State Finals to happen. Another reminder of what we’re capable of! It was an amazing success!
See more below from Melonie about State Finals and Junior Royalty.
Interstate: I believe that the unity that we displayed at State Finals and the Family strong attitude that we’ve been building over the last few years was on full display at Interstate. It was nothing short of a team effort. Saturday afternoon was a dominant performance, especially by our Juniors. Throughout Saturday we took home a lot of buckles. While Oregon made a game of it early Sunday, our Seniors took the lead and did well in Keyhole but absolutely slammed the door in Senior Poles. Then the Family took over in the rescue, 2M3B and Team Flags. It was so impressive to see the entire family rally and support each other! Way to GO … WASHINGTON!
Congratulations to Queen Maddy on her 2-year run as interstate Royalty. She did an amazing job representing Interstate and our Family.
Also, a big congratulations to Gabriyela Hernandez and Kelbi Bower for both winning their FIRST INTERSTATE SADDLES!!!! I have to admit as accomplished as both these two are, I was a little surprised it was the first saddle for both at Interstate! Also, I have to commend Nita Stockwell for her team spirit and Family selflessness allowing Kelbi to ride Zeena all weekend. I think that saddle may spend part of the year at Nita’s house!
Interstate wasn’t without a couple of scary moments. Please keep Jason and Denae Perkins as well as Trevor Stewart in your thoughts as they recover from a couple scary wrecks. Rally around our family and support them in prayer and whatever way we can.
Convention: Convention is booked. I apologize for the late info, but it has been a bit of a journey securing a date that is available, allows the State saddles to be ordered, made and delivered, and accommodate my work travel schedule. I appreciate your patience.
Convention will be November 14 at Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale, WA.
- Rooms are available for Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th.
- Here are the details to book a room:
- Directions for guests to book online
Go to https://book.onagilysys.com/wbe/group/1168/SilverReefCasino/auth
Enter Group Code BKG2075
Enter Password 10142026
Click Book Now
Enter your stay dates
Click Book on the room type
Enter Guests name
All rooms need to be booked by 10/14/26
- Tentative Schedule:
- General Meeting: 9am
- Rules Committee meeting to follow
- Judges and Timers Meeting: 1PM
- Bar opens – social hour: 5:30PM
- Dinner and Banquet: 6PM
- Dinner cost is still being dialed in, but it should be between $30 and $35.
The deadline for rule proposals has passed. And there will only be a couple of proposals.
With that we’ll have plenty of time to talk about the year. What went well. What we can do differently and better!
Also, Next year is our 20th year as PSHA. And we’ll have some things to talk about for State Finals.
Please remember this is also the time that we elect our officers for the coming year. If you’re interested in being an Executive Officer, on the Rules Committee or the Nominating Committee, please reach out to Me, a member of the executive or Nominating Committee.
For your notes, those people are:
Jamie Parks Lesa Bland
Emma Murphy Kelbi Bower
Shannon Fadden Kirk Weinz
Lauren Garret
That is all I have for now, but please be ready for more on Convention and proposals in the weeks ahead.
See you at Convention on November 14!
Jamie
Here is a note from Melonie about State Finals and Junior Royalty!
STATE FINALS 2026
WOW! It was a wild adventure, but it was ALL WORTH IT! May be one of my favorites of all time! You all blew me away with your kindness and willingness! THANK YOU to Kelbi for helping me keep my sanity and helping make for a smooth pivot! Thank you to ALL of you that helped with EVERYTHING!! We have the BEST horse family there is! I really believe we have such a unique organization in the way we all rally and support each other and I’m thankful to be a part of it!
I have heard a lot of feedback about location! Let’s continue this discussion at convention!
As we mentioned, Jamie and I are looking towards a different season of life so as of now my plan is to stay as the State Final Chair for the 20th Anniversary of PSHA for State Finals 2027 and then hand over the reins. I would love to teach some folks all the things as I’m planning all year so if you are interested, please reach out! This really should be a “committee” of folks. If you have a certain piece you’re interested in, don’t be worried that you must take on the entire process. Let’s chat!
JUNIOR ROYALTY 2026!
THANK YOU!
Bristol Sutcliffe, Isis Davenport, Emma Chapman and Rosemary Rudolph!!
These girls knocked it out of the park AGAIN!! Raising just over $7600!!!! It was really fun to be able to waive the $4 per state event ride fee because of their efforts! I know you all appreciated it too! Make sure you thank them when you see them! The MAJORITY of their funds are raised OUTSIDE of our membership. I’m so proud of these girls and definitely see some Interstate Princesses in the making! If you know of anyone interested in joining we would love to have them! Reach out to myself or any of our Jr Royalty committee members; Kelbi Bower, Maddy Olson and Andrea Croft. Or any current Junior Royalty girls.
With all that I’m ready to make 2027and 20th Anniversary Bash the BEST ONE YET!!! We need sponsors! Attached is the 2027 Sponsorship form. Please feel free to share with all your friends, family and local businesses!
-Melonie