ACTRA California Chapter will hold their State Finals in Cathy’s Valley, Red Bluff and King City this year.

On January 16, 2008 the California Chapter met at the Farmers Den restaurant in Turlock, CA. The first meeting of the New Year was very positive from beginning to end.

It seemed that the financial report got things off on the right foot. Secretary Mike Sweeney reported that memberships were up 30% from last year at this time. The team contributions from last year to this year were over 200%. What a great start to a new year!

On the National scene it was reported that several new sponsors were coming on board with sponsorship programs that would not only help the Chapters, but the arena operators as well. New sponsors this year are Skyline Silversmiths, Cactus Saddles and Ropes, Fast Back Ropes, Heel-o-Matic, Silver Legacy, Spin to Win Rodeo and Off The Beaten Path Photography. Other expected sponsors from previous years are, Professional’s Choice/Wrangler, Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, Reno Livestock Event Center, The Trailer Specialist and Steer Gear. This is definitely the best start ACTRA has ever had starting a new year.

It was also reported that the Roping Show on RFD TV would be featuring the 2007 ACTRA National Finals the first of each month, starting in February.

The next item on the agenda was bids for 2008 Chapter Finals sites. President Bob Blair stated that the Board should decide on where the primary Finals should be held. The bids were from Angels Camp, River Oak Arena and Coyote Springs Ranch in Cathy’s Valley. Since Coyote Springs representatives were there, Bob asked them to make their presentation first. Theresa Castaldi co-owner of Coyote Springs along with her staff from the ranch made a very nice proposal. Bob asked them to step outside while the other bids were read from Angel’s Camp and River Oak Arena. After a lot of deliberation the Board made the decision to go to Coyote Springs Ranch for the primary Finals September 25^th thru the 28^th, 2008.

The next site to be considered was the Northern California Finals. Doug Schreter presented several proposals from various Fairgrounds in Northern California. All of them were some what costly as were the Fairgrounds in Red Bluff. As a possible alternative, Doug presented a proposal to go to Les Shanks Arena and use Billy Holland’s cattle. It was a turnkey proposal, which would save ACTRA a considerable amount of money. It was the Boards decision to except the proposal from Les and Billy. Red Bluff Finals dates are September 12^th thru the 14^th, 2008.

Next the Board considered going back to King City. Since those Finals were well attended and financially sound, the Board voted to go to King City September 17^th thru the 19^th, 2008.

Members may attend any or all of the Finals, provided they are qualified and by going to any one will qualify a Member for the National Finals in Reno, October 20^th thru the 26^th, 2008. Having the sites and dates for all the Finals in California set by 1/11/08 was a great accomplishment.

Next was a long list of arenas applying for memberships. The following arenas were awarded full time memberships; Coyote Springs, region 5, Flying O Arena, region 6 Circle N Arena, region 6 Lawson’s Arena, region 7. Part time arenas; S Bar J Cattle Co, region 6, Dan Branco, region 5, George Porter’s Arena, region 6, Squaw Valley Roping, region 6, Lane Anthony, region 6 King City, region 8.

Check out ACTRA’s new web site at www.actra.org

It’s hard to believe things could get much better than last year, but…let the fun begin!