Submitted by Jessie McLaughlin
It is finally summer...can you believe it? I think this year will definitely be one to remember...snow in June...my goodness. The good news is that the grass is green and show seasons are now in full swing. I hope everyone is having as good of a time with their friends, family, and horses as I am this year. Before you know it Convention will be here. I want to thank those involved in planning this year's Convention...I'm sure we're going to have a great time in Richland. Youth Merit is still looking for at least one contact person from each Zone, please volunteer...these kids truly are our future in WSH. It is also time to begin thinking about Bylaw changes. Should you have any, please don't hesitate to e-mail them to Dale McLaughlin at as soon as possible. The earlier he can get started on the process, the easier it is for everyone. Have fun this month and enjoy the sun...we've definitely waited long enough for it.
The other day I had a dream,
The perfect flag run by our team.
Could it be that we'd be first?
The title, the glory, the thirst.
The clock revealed our precious time,
Now the wait, our view point prime.
Team after team, yet our time stood strong,
One final team, their run went wrong.
The championship was ours, some last things to do.
A plaque, a photo, and a sponsor thank you.
Our hearts pounded with pride, stronger the love for our horses grew,
The feelings that came with this championship for all of us were new.
Our team became eight that day, not just four,
Four riders AND four horses, a true team to adore.
Could it be that this dream really came true?
A plaque on my wall reminds me that on that day in '98 we took the blue.
This summer..shoot for your dream and make it one to remember!
Jessie McLaughlin
Vice President
Per the WSH Bylaws the WSH Secretary/Treasurer and the WSH Horse Show Division Director positions both must be renewed every 2 years. Applications/Resumes are now being accepted for the following two positions:
Job Description: Duties to include but are not limited to-processing memberships, handling all financial transactions of the organization, filing taxes, updating the website, publishing the monthly e-newsletter and hard copy Canter, answering phone calls, scheduling and preparing documentation for board meetings, promoting WSH by attending events throughout the State. Assist Convention Chair with coordinating the Annual WSH Convention. Preparing promotional materials, brochures and handouts.
Requirements: Must have excellent communication skills, be proficient in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher and Peachtree. Be able to work a variety of hours. Must have previous secretarial and finance experience. Must be self motivated and able to work with little or no supervision.
Salary: $1700
Hours: Vary
Submit your resume and cover letter to Jean Garcia at PO Box 1794, Orting, WA. 98360; or fax 253-872-6564 by August 31, 2008
Receives pay of $400.00 monthly, reimbursed for mileage and motel for attending recognized Horse Show clinics and meetings plus a $25.00 per diem.
Duties:
Terms of Contract:
Submit your resume and cover letter to Gloria Marley at 181 Youngs Grade RD, Yakima, WA 98908 by August 31, 2008.
Submitted by Kathy Lewandowsky
By the time you receive this issue of the Canter, our ride season will have officially started. I am busy working on finishing my move, so that I can attend the first ride, Shadow's Dance, at Capitol Forest next weekend. It's been a horribly busy spring for me. I think I need to go to a ride, so I can relax a little. I apologize for the short article, but I really gotta run! Hope to chat with you around the campfire.
Our current ride schedule is listed below and on www.wshorsemen.com
Pilchuck CTR at Pilchuck Tree Farm in Arlington, WA on July 11-13, 2008 on the Lake Armstrong tract. Open/AHA 30 miles on Saturday. Novice/CP 15 miles on Sunday. Ride Manager- Kathryn Lewandowsky at 425-737-4594 or for more info regarding this ride. It will be a benefit ride for the division.
Green Mountain CTR will be managed by Lynne Mahoney and is scheduled for Aug. 15, 16 & 17. It will be a tough mountainous ride near Bremerton, WA. They have an excellent campground. The trails are very challenging. So your novice horses/riders do need some trail experience. More details will be available later or contact Lynne at Lynne Mahoney, 360-769-8451 or
Our first two CTR's, Shadow's Dance and Pilchuck CTR have been also sanctioned by AHA. They can be used to earn Sweepstakes points for AHA and also to qualify your Arabians & half-Arabians for the Region V AHA CTR Championship ride. It will be held in Kalispell, Montana again and is planned for Sept. 8, 2008. You can get more info about their rides at www.triarabian.org.
I sent off my registration for the Rocky Mountain Challenge this week. I'm excited. The Canadian ride I went to last year was very well run. I am excited to ride in an area I haven't been before. Their rules are somewhat different than ours, so I have been reviewing their rulebook so that I will know what to expect. It will be Canadian Championships for Competitive Trail, Endurance and Ride & Tie with all the events happening between July 31-August 4th near Calgary, Alberta, Canada. For more information on this ride you can visit www.canadiannationals.org.
Be sure to check out the Washington State Horsemen website for a complete list of all upcoming CTR Rides as well as Officer Contact Information.
Can't wait to see everyone at a ride soon.or out on the trail.
Later, Kathy & Nick (& Steve, but you probably won't find him out on a horse trail)
Submitted by Dawn Spencer
Congratulations to everyone who have had success at the shows so far this year. The Season has been going smoothly as I knew it would.
By the time you read this the Year End Award (YEA) Benefit Show in Ellensburg will be done. I'm sure, just like the past years, the show will be a success. We thank all of the exhibitors for their participation.
The Rulebook committee would like me to encourage you to send in your rule proposals early. The committee will be meeting in July to review the proposals they have received so far to make sure the reference and wording are correct. This way we will be better prepared & more accurate for the Horse Show Meeting at Convention.
While you are at the horse shows, check to see if there are any corrections to the premium at the show office. Sometimes, there are updates or corrections that should be posted for the exhibitors information.
The following classes do not have 3 Exhibitors entered. If you would like to enter or know of any one that would qualify for any of these classes please contact the Horse show Director at or sign up with your Show Steward at the next show.
| Code | Class Name | Exhibitors Entered |
|---|---|---|
| AP02 | App. Youth, English All Around 17 & Under | 2 |
| AR01 | Arabian Halter A System | 1 |
| AR02 | Arabian English A System | 1 |
| AR03 | Arabian Western A System | 1 |
| AR10 | Arabian/Half-Arabian Native Costume | 0 |
| AR11 | Half-Arabian Halter A System | 0 |
| AR12 | Half-Arabian English A System | 0 |
| AR13 | Half-Arabian Western A System | 0 |
| BK01 | Buckskin Halter, Mares/Fillies | 1 |
| BK05 | Buckskin Youth A System | 0 |
| DR04 | Pleasure Driving Horse/Pony, Jr. Ex. | 1 |
| EQ23 | McCleave Good Seat and Hands Medal 17 & Under | 2 |
| FT01 | Fox Trotting Model | 0 |
| FT02 | Fox Trotting Three Gaited | 1 |
| FT03 | Fox Trotting Two Gaited | 0 |
| HD07 | English Pleasure Hunter Type, Thoroughbred | 0 |
| HD08 | English Pleasure Hunter Type Wa. Bred | 0 |
| HD10 | Hunter Hack | 1 |
| HJ01-HJ09 | H/J Classes | 0 |
| HJ10 | Regular Working Hunter | 1 |
| HJ11-HJ17 | H/J Classes | 0 |
| MI02 | Mini Horse Halter, Stallions | 0 |
| MO01 | Morgan In Hand | 1 |
| MO02 | Morgan English Pleasure | 2 |
| NSH1 | National Show Horse | 0 |
| PA01 | Paint Halter Horse | 2 |
| PL01 | Palomino English Horse | 1 |
| PL02 | Palomino Western Horse | 1 |
| POA1 | POA Halter | 1 |
| POA2 | POA English | 1 |
| POA3 | POA Western | 1 |
| PO02 | Pony Driving Jr. Ex | 0 |
| PO03 | Pony Driving Sr. Ex | 0 |
| PO04 | Pleasure Pony, English or Western | 0 |
| PT01 | Pinto Halter C/S/G | 0 |
| QH05 | Quarter Horse Youth Hunter Under Saddle | 0 |
| QH06 | Quarter Horse Amateur | 1 |
| QH07 | Quarter Horse Youth Western | 1 |
| LL01 | Lounge line 3 & Under | 1 |
| RH01 | Non-Pro Reining | 0 |
| RH02 | Open Reining | 2 |
| RH03 | Reining 1st or 2nd year Horse | 1 |
| RH04 | Reining 1st or 2nd year Rider | 1 |
| SB01-SB03 | Saddlebred Classes | 0 |
| WT02 | W/T Pleasure English 10 & Under | 0 |
| WT03 | W/T Equitation English 10 & Under | 0 |
| WT06 | Mary Ann Bonwell W/T Trail 10 & Under | 1 |
| WE01 | Welsh Halter | 0 |
Please Note: The classes not listed above have at least 3 exhibitors. However, at least 3 exhibitors who are signed up for State Points in a particular class have to participate one time at a show in that class.
Check the WSH Website Calendar for all of the upcoming Shows most of the premiums are also included on the site under Divisions/Horse Show/Forms and Downloads.
Submitted by Melissa Stockman
Well it is hard to believe but we are getting close to the end of the season. We have just three weekends of shows left. Still time to get those five times in to qualify for the Championship show, especially since all three shows are at different arenas. We still could use sponsors for the WSCS. If you know of anyone that can help us out we would love to add them to our list of sponsors. We have just added an event to our Championship Show - we are now having a 4D Barrel Race starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday the 23rd. Sharon Fouts is heading this up so if you would like to help her out just let me know and I will give her your name and number. Thank you Sharon!! I will have stall reservations out in the next two weeks so look for those via e-mail. Keep riding hard and enjoy those horses! Any questions or if you want to help with something at our Championship Show get with me I would love the help - Melissa Stockman.
The committee has been hard at work determining the new "face" of the WSCS. Please see the information below regarding this year's show.
Riders must obtain a five-time average (with at least one time coming from an alternate arena) in order to be able to compete at the WCSC. An individual can ride multiple horses in individual events in the horse's correct classification. Team events - individual can ride with multiple partners but not on same horse (Team 1 = Rider A Horse A with Rider B Horse B. Team 2 = Rider A Horse C Rider B Horse D).
There will be a "State Champion" plaque in each event in each age division given to the rider with the fastest time overall. Classification (A, B, C, D, Buck, LL) places 1st through 5th will be given in each event. Riders receiving at least one placing throughout the show will receive a certificate at end of weekend with placings and times recorded on it. The committee is currently working on the possibility of medallions in place of the certificates.
Times placed in appropriate age divisions after show. Points figured according to place. High Point awards will be decided according to sponsors collected. With one saddle sponsor received, saddle will go to "all around horse"; with two saddle sponsors collected saddles will go to High Point Junior and High Point Senior up to eight saddles covering all eight age divisions.
After the WSCS, the committee will e-mail out a flyer to all riders that placed listing how many points they received and what each point is worth (per point value). They will have a list of awards they can choose from. This award will then be purchased by committee member Crysti Gray and presented at State Convention in Richland in November.
How are we going to purchase all of these awards? With help from you! If you are in need of a sponsorship form, please contact Melissa Stockman at or via phone at (509) 276-9862.
This year's theme is "A Barrel of Fun!" The committee is currently working with an artist to pull together a wonderful design which we hope to release in the next newsletter. What a wonderful theme knowing that in WSHGD we truly do have a barrel of fun each time we ride and play together.
Once the artwork is finalized, we will be getting an order put out in the next newsletter for WSCS merchandise including t-shirts, sweatshirts and more. In order to avoid spending extra funds and ending up with a box full of unsold merchandise, we will be taking pre-orders this year so stay tuned and don't miss this chance to buy WSCS items!
Five openings still remain for a gaming clinic given by Melissa Stockman. The date is June 24 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at 3211 S Stateline Rd in Liberty Lake (Crysti Gray's). Potluck lunch complete with available grill. The cost is $50 and proceeds go to WSCS.
A big thank you to all of those that have helped / participated in WSCS fundraisers throughout the season including the chicken fried steak dinner at the Deer Park Eagles on May 23 and the Mike Watkins equine massage auction earlier this month. A fundraising lunch was held at shows this month and Crysti Gray has been serving lattes at the shows generating funds as well. Thank you everyone!
Social Networking is the latest way to get and share information with "fans". If you are familiar with "MySpace", "Facebook" is very similar. WSHGD has a Facebook page where information can quickly get out to fans, videos and photographs can be shared, and topics can be discussed in an open forum. If you are comfortable with MySpace, please give Facebook a try. If you are on Facebook, simply search "Washington State Horsemen - Games Division" and become a "fan" so that you too can be notified of the latest happenings. The only restriction is that you must be 13 years of age or older to set up a profile / account.
WSHGD would like to congratulate Ought to Be a Dancer ("Ambree") on her Repeat Seven A performance. Ambree is owned and ridden by Melissa Stockman. Even in the rain, this talented horse can achieve great things. Ambree needed one "A" time in poles, figure 8, and barrels to finish her requirements and she did it in all three events that day completing the accomplishment with a 20-second pole run in the rain at the Valley Renegades Show earlier this month. Way to go!
Connlee Gray competed in mid-May at the Ride the West Extreme Trail Challenge and placed at the top. See, there truly is a reason why we drag those cowhides around and do the things that we do...it's to make great extreme trail challenge horses. Connlee is an Intermediate Rider in the Northeast Zone...great job!
Bob Coe has had a tough month, even ending up at the hospital near the end of May due to complications from his diabetes. In an e-mail, his daughter Terri (WSHGD Times Keeper) wrote that he was mad as h-e-double hockey sticks because he was going to miss the show that weekend. Bob...we're hoping to see you at the July Valley Renegades Show!
Melissa Miller was riding one of young horses and broke her leg at the end of May. This likely puts her out for the season but being the great sport she is, she immediately e-mailed for a Timer's Test. Heal quick.
Timers and Judges - your cards have expired! A rule change was made for 2008 that allows the Judge's and Timer's Clinic to be given in an electronic form. The 2008 rulebook (full-page version) has been published on the WSH website at www.wshorsemen.com. Click on "Divisions" then "Games" then "Forms and Downloads" to access the full-page version. A smaller version (one that you can cut and place into your existing rulebooks) will also be available there shortly. If you are interested in becoming a timer or judge, here's what to do.
What if you do not have access to a computer or Adobe Acrobat (pdf)? Simply send a request to the Rules Committee Chair (Dale McLaughlin) at 7210 E Fairview Ave - Spokane Valley WA 99212-1526 along with a copy of your current WSH card and your 2007 WSHGD Judge or Timer card. We'll be happy to send out a printed copy of the test for you to complete.
The following officials have requested and passed their 2008 tests. Contrats!
(May also First Time, Second Time, Steward)
Coe, Bob - Northeast Zone
Cook, Hebron - Olympic Zone
Fonville, Linda - Northeast Zone
Johnston, Valerie - Northeast Zone
Kelsey, Sharon - Northeast Zone
Knutson, Robin - Northeast Zone (student work completed)
Lowry, Terri - Northeast Zone
McLaughlin, Dale and Jessie - Northeast Zone
Price, Jeff - Northeast Zone
Richmond, Dick - Olympic Zone
Richmond, Judy - Olympic Zone
Robb, Katrina - Olympic Zone
Stockman, Darrin and Melissa - Northeast Zone
Thorp, Kim - Northeast Zone
(May also First Time or Second Time)
Hutton, Terri - Northeast Zone
Parnell, Richard - Northeast Zone
Huber, Diane - Northeast Zone
Lowry, Don - Northeast Zone
Lowry, Kimberlee - Northeast Zone
Hutton, Tom - Northeast Zone
Lowry, Mary Jane - Northeast Zone
McLaughlin, Emma - Northeast Zone
Stockman, Courtney and Wyatt - Northeast Zone
Valderrama, Cheyenne - Northeast Zone
We truly appreciate each of the individuals above taking the time to request, complete, and return their tests. The electronic version is working well and we're thrilled to be able to offer the "clinic" to officials all across the State. Thank you again WSHGD member for being so willing to try something new!
Are you in 4-H or FFA? Are you participating in horse shows, games shows, or riding trails? Many of the things that you do in 4-H will also count for WSH's FREE Youth Merit program. By riding in shows...you could be earning points towards great awards! If you are interested in participating in the Youth Merit Program, please complete a registration form and mail it to their Youth Merit Chair (East - Jessie McLaughlin or West - Patti Seldal). Go to www.wshorsemen.com and click on "Membership" and then "Forms and Downloads" to download a registration form. The workbooks are also available on the WSH website.
Zone Presidents...we are STILL asking for your help to appoint someone to the position of Zone Youth Merit Advisor as soon as possible to represent your Zone. We have some zones working diligently on raising funds for this year's Youth Merit Awards. The program is in need of approximately $2,000 to cover this year's awards and would welcome help from clubs, Zones, Youth Merit members, and, well...everyone! Each Zone with active Youth Merit kids are being asked to coordinate fundraisers this summer to assist in offsetting all of the wonderful awards the kids will be earning this year. Please e-mail Jessie McLaughlin at and let us know about your fundraisers (when, where, what, etc.) as well as how they were received.
Fund Raising...Zone One has raised over $200 with their monthly raffles at their Zone meetings, tack sales, and by selling pattern books for $5.00 each at the Early Bird Open Show. The pattern books will also be offered at Wine Country and maybe at the Goldendale Quad. The Northeast Zone kids sold pop at the May and June games shows and have generated over $100. A big "thank you" to Robin Knutson who so graciously donated the start-up pop for the sales. We would love to recognize other zones that are working towards raising money for the Youth Merit yearend awards. Please let us know! For those that have contributed to this great program...thank you!
This month we've got some good news to report. Proud Mom Crysti Gray stated in a recent e-mail, "Just wanted to share...at the Xtreme Trail Ride at Ride the West, there was a 13 and under division...our little WSH chickies came to play! Holly Wheaton was first (no surprise to anyone who has watched her do trail!), Madison Casto was second and Connlee Gray was third! Yahoosie! It was really fun to watch these young ones whip thru this difficult course!" CONGRATULATIONS!
The 2008 U.S. Savings Bond Speech Topic is "Horses of Foreign Origin". Youth Merit Members at this point level will be allowed to select any breed to write their essay on after receiving prior approval from one of the Youth Merit State Co-Chairs. Last year's topic was "Horse Power Today" and we'll be including one of the essays in the next few issues of the Canter. One of the 2007 U.S. Savings Bonds essays was written by Melissa Welch (Zone One). Melissa was 16 years old in November and attends East Valley High School in Yakima Washington. She is now a senior. She is also involved in Yakima County 4-H, JROTC, Cross Country, Track, and Powder Puff Football at her school. Her speech was on "What you could expect from a Show Hunter".
"What you could expect from a Show Hunter"
By Melissa Welch
The show hunter has long and low movement, meaning the horse should have a long, sweeping stride that covers maximum ground per minimum effort. There is not much flexion of the horse's joints as it moves; ideally the majority of the movement occurs from the horse's shoulder and hip. The action of the field hunter is efficient: the horse does not waste energy bending its legs any more than it has to. This relates back to the hunt field, where the horse had to work for several hours on end, often galloping, and inefficient movement would tire the horse more quickly. The show hunter moves smoothly and freely, pointing its toes as it floats over the ground. It should not have excessive knee action, nor should its strides be short and choppy, both of which would make its movement less efficient. The horse should be forward, so it could jump if needed, but no faster than necessary.
The horse must always be in a balanced frame. This, too, relates back to the hunt field, where a horse had to be balanced in order to cope with the changing terrain, sometimes sudden change of direction, and surprising fences. The frame of the show hunter differs from that of dressage horses, eventers, and show jumpers, as it travels in a long and low frame, with its head moderately extended. Its frame is more "stretched out" than horses competing in dressage, eventing, or show jumping, but the horse should not be on its forehand. The riders of show hunters often ride on a slightly looser rein than seen elsewhere to facilitate this type of movement, and the horse carries its head just in front of the vertical. Although the horse is in a long and low frame, it should still be able to collect its stride when asked. The horse must also be proficient at lengthening its canter stride while still maintaining its tempo and rhythm.
The walk of the show hunter is free and ground-covering; the trot should be balanced and flowing. The canter should be moderately collected. The horse should have a long galloping stride (12 feet is the expected length), but it should still be balanced and rhythmic. A good show hunter must possess an excellent jumping form. The forearm should be parallel or higher with the ground, and the knees and lower legs should be even. The horse should not be lazy with its lower legs, but should tuck them under its forearm as it clears the fence, clearly bending its fetlocks and knees. The horse should not throw its body or legs to one side, but should stay perfectly straight over the fence. A good show hunter should show a great roundness over a jump. This is often described as the horse taking the shape of a dolphin jumping out of the water, with the horse's back up, and its head reaching forward and down over the fence. A show hunter often has better jumping form than many eventers and show jumpers, as the latter two disciplines do not judge on the jumping form of the horse, but only whether the horse can get over the obstacle.
A show hunter is not only judged on movement, but also on temperament and manners. Thus, the show hunter should always be relaxed and calm, yet attentive to its rider. It should be responsive to invisible signals and look relatively easy to ride. Although the qualities of the show hunter are based on those of the field hunter, the modern show horse is slightly different from its more rugged counterpart in the field. The field hunter must be tougher and more durable, with great stamina, to cope with the difficulties of a long day of hunting. The field hunter must also be extremely brave, as it often has to jump solid objects, and other natural obstacles such as stone walls, ditches, banks, and hedges, and must occasionally go through water. In some countries, fences may be made of barbed wire. Unlike the show hunter, the field hunter must travel over varied terrain. In some ways, a good field hunter is more closely related to a good eventer, rather than a show hunter, as the cross-country phase of eventing includes ditches, banks, water, brush, and varied terrain. The show hunter is a magnificent animal sweeping strides, moving smoothly and freely. If you would like more information on a Show Hunter, just go to www.google.com and type in Hunter over Fences or Show Hunter. There are numerous sites that will offer you good information for you to learn more about this seat.
Submitted by Karen Foster
The Canal Zone meeting location has been changed. We will now meet at the Kitsap Saddle Club on the 2nd Tuesday of January, March, April, June, September, October, and November at 7 PM.
The Canal Zone Benefit shows in May and June were once again sponsored by the Munch & Crunch club. The weather was good and all had a great time. We now are looking towards the Year End Awards Banquet which will be the Saturday after Thanksgiving at the Parkwood Community Club in Port Orchard.
Submitted by Terri Bertelson
Here are the dates of the remaining shows that are scheduled for Olympic Zone. Come out and have some fun. June 22, 2008, at Baker Stables. July 6, 2008, at Clallam county Fairgrounds. This will be our benefit show. July 20, 2008, at Clallam County Fairgrounds. This show will be double judged. Aug 3, 2008 at Baker Stables and Sept 7, 2008 at Baker Stables. For more info on these shows you can call Baker Stables at 360-457-6039, Jeff Doane at 360-460-5513 or e-mail .
This month we had to move our meeting to the Wagon Wheel Restaurant due to a fire at our normal meeting place. We are unsure where the meeting will be in July, so be sure to check with Teri prior to the meeting.
We are excited about our upcoming Benefit Show being held August 16-17th at Frontier Park. Our members are hard at work getting donations and sponsorships. We are working really hard on getting some really nice awards and High Points. We hope to see everyone there. The premium is currently available on the Washington State Horsemen website or you can request one from Teri at or by calling 253-537-1486.
We are also happy to report that members from the Lope On In Club will be manning the WSH booth at the upcoming Celebrate the Horse Expo being held at the Puyallup Fairgrounds July 5th and 6th. This will be a great opportunity to get WSH out there to more people.
Submitted by Holly Ferguson
Valley Riders are Jumping Into Wine Country! Due to a large increase in requests for Hunter Over Fences Classes, Valley Riders of Zone One are convinced that adding some of these classes to the schedule at the Wine Country Dual Open Show would be a good thing for all Washington State Horsemen (WSH) riders statewide.
So all you folks passionate about fence classes can now jump for joy because on August 22, 2008, at the Yakima State Fair Park, there will be a "Jump Into Wine Country Dual Horse Show" starting at 6:00 pm with six Hunter Over Fences classes plus a championship class with two judges, Kathy Norton and Leslie Killpatrick! Check this schedule out!
But wait! Don't jump to conclusions! There's more! Starting first thing at 8:00 a.m. on August 23, 2008, at the Wine Country Dual Open Show, we will have the same class list but with judges Sherri Williams and Leslie Killpatrick. With the addition of a second dual show prior to the Wine Country Show, participants and their horses will be able to show in front of four judges, qualifying them for WSH Year End Awards in these classes. Also, we have added a Hunter Over Fences High Point award, sponsored by Lisa Parker and/or Homeport Farms. If you are one of those riders who have wanted the Hunter Over Fences Classes to come back, now is your chance to jump right in and sign up!
For entry forms or more information, please email Larry Zable at or call (509) 452-7368.
Wine Country Dual Open Show Coming Soon!! The show premiums will soon be mailed out for the Wine Country Dual show happening on August 23 and 24 at the Yakima State Fair Park. We will have a diversity of classes at this show, including equitation, pleasure, driving, reining, hunter over fences, halter, showmanship, trail, and breed classes. Something for everyone! If you don't get a premium in the mail, please contact Larry Zable at or call (509) 452-7368 and he will send you one.
Reports from folks who attended the Goldendale Quad Show indicate that it was a highly successful show. This horse event benefited from great weather and good attendance. A full report from this show, including High Point winners will be in the next Canter.
New Horses, New People. First, let's discuss the new people. Emily Rowe (Marley) and her husband Aaron are the proud new parents of a baby boy, Jakob Ole Rowe, born March 26 at 5 pm, 6 pounds 10 oz, and 21 inches long!! Congratulations to them and to Gloria Marley, a newly minted grandmother! Are there any other new horses out there in Zone One land? I can talk about them in a future report. In the meantime, your humble reporter is happy to say that she is now riding her two-year-old Appaloosa, Peppsi, a.k.a. Pepper Etchings, and she hopes to do some schooling shows and the State Fair with him this year.
This year, Valley Riders began a monthly raffle at their meetings to benefit Youth Merit. Besides the ongoing monthly raffle, Valley Riders held a tack sale and sold pattern books at the Open Shows to raise money for Youth Merit. The current balance for donations to benefit the state Youth Merit program is $265!! Pattern books will be available for sale at the Wine Country show; proceeds will go to benefit Youth Merit! Our Youth Merit fund-raising is going so well that Zone One challenges all other WSH Zones to a competition raising money for WSH Youth Merit!! The winning Zone gets to throw a banana cream pie in President Dan Moriarty's face at the fall convention!! My notes say that he has already agreed to this - I hope these notes are accurate!! Hope you like bananas, Dan!!
We have just one Zone One youth running for 2009 WSH Royalty, Daniel Timmons, as Melissa Welch has dropped from the race. Currently Melissa Welch is serving on the 2008 WSH royalty team as runner-up to the queen.
Meeting place change for July's meeting! Zone One will be meeting at Shari's in Union Gap on July 2, 2008, because Magic's Pizza is closed for remodeling.
From the Horse's Mouth. I found two good quotes while grazing on the Internet - enjoy!
"You can lead a horse to water but you can't stop him from rolling in it."
"If you don't know where you're going, the horse will decide for you."
Valley Riders usually meet the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm at Magic's Pizza in Selah, WA. Our newly elected 2008 officers are: Nea Welch-Timmons, President; Kindra Eliason, Vice-President; Linda Pittner, Secretary; Christopher Kelley, Treasurer; Linda Spurlock, Points Keeper; Holly Ferguson, Canter Reporter; and Lori Phillips, Membership Person. Kathy Norton is Zone One Director to the State. Call 509-594-9799 for more information on Valley Riders.
Valley Riders club welcomes new and returning club members! New members are Patricia Deccio (Nettleton), Deanna Sylling, Cindy Mears, Coesett Kroboth, Janet Downs, Jaelle Downs, and James Markardt. Returning members are Linda Pittner and Sherri Peckman. We welcome you to Valley Riders and Zone One and wish you the best in the coming year! We hope to see a lot of you at the horse shows and at other Zone One functions!
From the Horse's Mouth. I end this report with two famous quotations, both with relevance to horse racing. The first quote is from W.C. Fields (who probably didn't own a horse): "Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people." You might like this quote better from jockey Steve Cauthen: "The horse weighs one thousand pounds and I weigh ninety-five. I guess I'd better get him to cooperate." On June 7, the big horse named Big Brown has great potential to make history if he wins the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown. Let's hope that jockey Kent Desormeaux can get him to cooperate!!
Valley Riders meet the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm at Magic's Pizza in Selah, WA. Our newly elected 2008 officers are: Nea Welch-Timmons, President; Kindra Eliason, Vice-President; Linda Pittner, Secretary; Christopher Kelley, Treasurer; Linda Spurlock, Points Keeper; Holly Ferguson, Canter Reporter; and Lori Phillips, Membership Person. Kathy Norton is Zone One Director to the State. Call 509-594-9799 for more information on Valley Riders.