April 25, 26, 27 - Canterbury Park
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WSCA : Organization, Scope & Purpose 

The Western Saddle Clubs Association is a non profit equine group dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable experience to all participants of equestrian activities, to promote good horsemanship and sportsmanship skills and practices, to enrich members’ experiences with their horses and also to promote the use of horses for personal and family enjoyment and competition. WSCA saddle clubs offer a myriad of exciting competitions and events throughout the season, culminating in the annual Western Saddle Clubs Association Championship Show. This event, historically presented at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, is a 5 day show highlighting both pleasure and game classes with many of the most competitive horse/rider combinations in our part of the country.

The Western Saddle Clubs Association, Inc., was officially organized in 1955. Four years earlier the Minnesota State Fair horse show had included Games and Drills & Square Dance competition for the first time. Saddle Clubs enthusiastically supported the new program. Fair management, astonished by the response, began working with Saddle Clubs to present only the best-qualified riders. At the same time, the Saddle Clubs recognized a need for uniform rules at open shows in the Upper Midwest.

From an original roll call of twenty-one clubs, the delegate controlled WSCA has grown to include more than 250 clubs with over 15,000 individual members. From the first meeting, WSCA promoted trail riding, and support for 4-H and other youth programs. Affordability and family involvement was in the forefront in 1955; those ideals remain intact today.

Events Description & Summation of Skills:

All of the events you will see today began by training young horses through basic exercises at the walk and trot. Speed is not the first condition of this type of riding. Gradual progression through a series of lateral bending, collection, rating and gymnastic conditioning routines produce the quality of ride sought out in a competitive game horse.

Pole Weaving- Riders race against the clock while weaving a series of six poles, requiring tight turns, balance and quick responses from both horse and rider. Pole horses need to be able to respond quickly and change direction rapidly. The most competitive horses are schooled in flying lead changes at each pole and enhanced lateral flexibilty to navigate turns and weaves.

Barrel Racing- A fast-paced test of speed and precision, where horse and rider navigate the cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. This event highlights agility, control, and connection between each horse/ rider combination. While calm and focused pattern training is essential in the foundation of any horse’s career, barrel horses develop into athletes conditioned into delivering explosive bursts of speed. They are able to accelerate quickly and maintain high levels of momentum throughout their pattern. These horses are often focused, with a strong willingness to please. A key role of the rider in an effective barrel racing team comes in creating the “pocket” their horse will navigate around the barrel. The pocket is the space between each barrel and the horse/ rider combination. If a rider doesn’t plan their pocket well, the result can be an overly tight turn from their horse and a knocked barrel.

Jumping Figure Eight- A combination of speed and skill, where riders negotiate a figure eight barrel course including two jumps, testing their ability to maintain control while challenging the limits of speed. Success in this event, in training or competition, depends on consistent rhythm, balanced turns, impulsion and straightness. Horses who excel have a rider who is able to maintain a balanced seat and consistent rhythm, even through tight turns through both left and right circles. Strong impulsion (or forward drive coming from the horse’s haunches) and good straightness are essential to the strong and reaching jump needed to both start and finish the event.

Rescue Race- An absolutely thrilling team event in which horse and rider race across the arena to pick up a second rider and dash back together across the finish line. This crowd-favorite event demonstrates teamwork, timing, and sometimes daring horsemanship!  Here, strong teamwork and quick decision-making are key elements of the ride. A successful team is led by a rider who has developed a high level of connection with their horse, allowing them to accelerate and turn close around the jumper. A skilled jumper will use the momentum of the horse’s movement to help lift them up onto the back of the horse. While the judge will oversee all aspects of the ride, a couple of key moments occur as the team crosses the jump line toward home. After this jump line, the jumper’s feet can no longer touch the ground. The judge will also carefully watch the team cross the timer, ensuring that the jumper is “astride” the horse. This means that their knee is over the horse’s spine. If it isn’t, the team will be disqualified.

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WSCA Presentation Riders
 

Annie Mickelson’s love for horses began at age 6 and never faded.  Her mom led her and her pony 2.5 miles down the road to their first WSCA show in 2005 and the rest is history.  Annie has competed in the WSCA games at local competitions, Champ Show, and the State Fair ever since!  Annie’s favorite event is pennant race, a test of skill and precision for both rider and horse. Over the years, she’s competed on various talented horses, but Rocky is her heart horse.  He is a 14 year old solid APHA, out of Strait Firewater and Annie's high school barrel horse Plainly One Lady.  Rocky was born on Annie's farm and is the horse that everything has come easy with.  Rocky is her first pick for riding both inside and outside the arena.  Outside of WSCA, he excels at skijoring and Omoksee because he is always focused and willing to work.

As a long-time member of the Silver Buckle Saddle Club, Annie has had the privilege of serving in various roles on the executive and general board over the past 20 years. She recently led the relocation committee as the club sold its grounds in Plymouth, MN, and began rebuilding in Greenfield, MN—a project that was both challenging and rewarding.  In WSCA, Annie was part of the WSCA Royal Court and currently serves on the Rulebook committee.

Looking ahead, Annie is especially excited to share her passion with her daughter, with hopes of one day competing together in team events. For Annie, it’s not just about the ribbons or the titles—it’s about the community, the memories, and the joy of sharing the sport with others.

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Aurora Brooks is a 14 year old cowgirl from southern Minnesota. She has been showing in WSCA pleasure and games for the last six years. Today she’s riding her all around POA gelding Wills Hogan AKA Freckles. Auroras favorite events are pennant, jumping figure 8 and ranch pleasure. When she isn’t showing at a WSCA show she enjoys starting colts, roping, goat tying, sorting, and jumping. The highlight of her WSCA career is winning poles, key, barrels, jumping figure 8, and pennant at champ show last year. Aurora’s favorite part of WSCA if the open and friendly people weather they are competitors or spectators everyone is helpful and encouraging and the wonderful friends she has made while showing.
 

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Hello, I'm Charlotte Murphy, the 2024-2025 WSCA Princess. I've been involved with horses my whole life and am a fourth generation member of the Elk River SC. My love for horses has inspired me to pursue a career with them as a farrier.

Jessie's Fancy Glo or Jesse for short is a 20 year old quarter horse mare. She's been my partner for over 10 years and loves to run. She originally belonged to my grandfather and
was passed onto me when he passed.

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Dustin Heck has been a member of WSCA since 2010 and competitively shows in all gaming events. In fact, it’s how he met his wife, Teresa. He is exhibiting today with his horse, “Cash”, a registered quarter horse. Dustin also currently serves on the WSCA board. His favorite event is ribbon race or rescue race.

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Hello! My name is Emma Crane, and I am an 11-year-old 5th grader at Rockford Middle School. From the very beginning of my life, I have been passionate about riding horses. Over the years, I've had the pleasure of riding some truly amazing horses, and today I'm thrilled to introduce you to my current equine partner, Gypsy. Gypsy is an 18-year-old Quarter Horse mare who has been my trusty companion for the past two years. Together, we compete in various games and events in WSCA and 4H. Gypsy is an all-around horse, excelling in multiple disciplines, which makes her a perfect match for me. Recently, I've also started roping off her, and she has proven to be a fantastic breakaway and heel horse. Our journey together has been incredibly rewarding, and we've proudly earned numerous ribbons, buckles and other prizes. As we continue to grow and compete, I'm excited to see what the future holds for us. Gypsy and I are ready to take on new challenges and achievements together.
 

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Meet Evie Mickelson, a fearless 5-year-old who’s already living life in the fast lane! She wants to canter and go fast. The only problem is Mom can't keep up as she runs alongside!  Evie's logged many hours in the saddle, riding double with her mom on many trails. She's shown her mom’s childhood pony, Smokey, from 2021 to 2024. Smokey’s been around the block—literally—carrying not just Evie’s mom, but her grandma as well, through countless WSCA classes.

This winter, she picked out her very own pony, Buckshot, a 6-year-old Gypsy Vanner Cross Pony with a heart as big as his charming personality. Buckshot may be new to the WSCA games, but he’s already got the perfect partner in Evie. Buckshot likes that Evie brings him carrots, and Evie likes that she can be crazy, sing, and ride double, while Buckshot barely bats an eye.

So, look out, WSCA world—Evie and Buckshot are coming for you and they’re ready to take the ring by storm!

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Lucas Heck also has been showing since both his parents could place him in a saddle. Lucas has shown both in the pony classes and the peewee classes. Today, Lucas is exhibiting as a peewee rider on his horse, “Cowboy”, a registered paint horse. Lucas inherited Cowboy from his Mom and they have made a great team. Lucas’s favorite event is rescue race with his Dad and speed dash.
 

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I'm Ruby Brandsted and this is my horse Twix. I am 12, she is 9 and this is our third summer riding together. I've spent the past few years training her on rodeo events and our favorite is barrels. This past December we competed in the Jr. NFR and placed 8th overall.

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Shania Sather is a 14-year-old cowgirl from Western Wisconsin. Her family has been involved in the Western Saddle Club Association for over twenty years. She started riding lead line at local game shows when she was just three years old and ran at her first WSCA Champ Show when she was five. Today she is riding her grade POA Appaloosa horse Salvador who has been her main stay since she was six. Shania’s favorite events are pennant and jumping figure 8. When Shania isn’t attending game shows she enjoys working with the rest of her horses and cattle on their farm as well as trick riding and Roman riding. The highlight of her WSCA career so far has been winning pennant race at the WSCA Championship Show. Shania loves the tough competition of the WSCA and embraces the camaraderie and friendships she has with her fellow riders.

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Sydney Schneider is a Junior at Waconia High School. She has been competing in WSCA horse shows since was 3 years old. Currently She shows Western and English on her pleasure horse and shows the speed events on her horse Sister, who she is riding today. Sydney and Sister compete in everything from Ranch Riding to Egg and Spoon, Poles, Barrels and more.  One of her favorite parts of competing is the life long friendships she has made along the way. She also enjoys the connections that are made between the horse and rider. There is so much trust that goes into ridding horses. After High School she isn’t sure what she exactly wants to do but she is planning on continuing to ride horses at the collegiate level.

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Teresa Heck has been showing since she was in 5th grade in both WSCA and 4H. These are both her passions and she enjoys teaching and helping youth develop their horsemanship skills. She is exhibiting with her horse, “Swift”, a registered quarter horse. Her favorite events are pole weaving, jumping figure 8, ribbon race and 4-in-line.
 

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Zoey Heck has been showing horses since the day her parents could place her in a saddle. Zoey competes in the adaptive riding program. This is a more recent program WSCA has adopted to ensure inclusiveness for all family members to compete and she has quickly become a well known rider because of it. Zoey especially loves showing and hearing all of the people cheer for her, if it wasn’t evident by her contagious smile. Zoey’s favorite event is barrels.

WSCA Presentation Announcers

Lynne Jensen-Nelson is a lifelong member of the Western Saddle Club Association. She lives with a small herd of horses and her husband Dean in Prior Lake, MN on a place they call "Horse Power Farm." Over the last 50+ years, she and her family have been proud to support WSCA as active members, delegates and volunteers. Her father Doug Jensen was president of the WSCA board of directors, a respected judge and ring steward for the WSCA portion of the MN State Fair. Her mother, Kay Jensen, was the chairperson for the WSCA Championship Show, an active competitor into her mid-70s and still helps out whenever she can. Lynne, along with her sisters Lori and Lacy and nieces Lily and Lana, participate in various individual and team events at horse shows throughout the region. In 2025, she is gearing up to compete in the speed events with her APHA mare, "Spice." When not immersed in the horse world, Lynne wears another hat as the owner of Conversion-omics Speakers & Consultants based in Minneapolis.

 



Paul Hanson's place in the horse world started when his 5-year-old daughter wanted to ride a horse. What was a dad supposed to do?  Some family “friends” stepped in and she was riding a horse. Many lessons and a couple of shows later, the Hansen’s were hooked.  We had no idea we were being adopted by a whole new family. The WSCA. At this point Paul had two riders as his son joined in the fun. Next came a horse, a trailer, a bigger truck, more shows, Champ Show and leadership for other families joining the “family”.  Paul has been President of the Little Mountain Wranglers Saddle for 8 years and on the WSCA Board of Directors for the past 3 years. He strives to learn a little more at every show he helps manage or announces, whenever he watches his LMW team participate at shows and in every conversation. As a professional Paul deals with sports injuries and rehabilitation. This training reasons to why Paul has an interest in the health and rehabilitation of lame and injured horses.