Karen Griffiths

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Photos by Karen Griffiths Cutline: Peninsula Junior Rodeo competitors Lillian Bond and Jasper practice Breakaway Roping (meaning she releases the rope after she throws the loop around the steer’s head instead it staying attached to her saddle horn and backing up to keep a tight connection between horse and steer)) using a “dummy” steer pulled by a Quad driven by her mom Jennifer Bond.

HORSEPLAY: Kids come join PJRA; learn the ropes, riding

CALLING ALL BUCKAROOS, cowboys and cowgirls! It’s time to saddle up and join our local Peninsula Junior Rodeo Association! Dream of riding a bucking bronc… Continue reading

 

Sequim Equestrian Team won 1st place in 10 events at its second of three Washington High School Equestrian Team meets, held Feb. 24-26, at Grays Harbor Fairgrounds indoor area. Competing with borrowed horses in Showmanship were Katelynn Sharp, left, with Nikki (coach Keri’s horse) and Celbie Karjalainen with Pistol.Sequim Equestrian Team won 1st place in 10 events at its second of three Washington High School Equestrian Team meets, held Feb. 24-26, at Grays Harbor Fairgrounds indoor area. Competing with borrowed horses in Showmanship were Katelynn Sharp, left, with Nikki (coach Keri’s horse) and Celbie Karjalainen with Pistol (Coach Katie’s horse). (Photo courtesy of KATIE SALMON-NEWTON)

HORSEPLAY: Cold weather for Washington High School Equestrian Meet

ARE Y’ALL TIRED of the freezing cold temperatures? March 20 is officially the first day of Spring. I think I speak for most of us… Continue reading

 

Photo by Donna Hollatz Cutline: After Robin Hall County Park closed due to a Nov. windstorm which fell a large amount of big trees — causing a dangerous situation to the public — BCH Peninsula Chapter member Tom Mix, left in green hat, led a Sawyer Training and Certification Day at the park. Here, members are taught techniques for using a cross-cut saw. Training also included using a chainsaw.

HORSEPLAY: Like chainsaws? Sawyer training may be for you

TRUTH BE TOLD, I’m a bit fearful when we’re faced with freezingly cold, strong, gusty winds blowing in off the ocean from the west. I… Continue reading

 

Submitted photo Cutline: Sequim’s WAHSET Cattle sorting team of Katelynn Sharp, left, and Riley Smith at a recent practice in Port Orchard

HORSEPLAY: Sequim WAHSET takes top spots at first meet

Sequim’s cowsorting team swept the event, with first place going to Libby Swanson and Celbie Karjalainen, second to Sydney Hutton and… Continue reading

Submitted photo Cutline: Sequim’s WAHSET Cattle sorting team of Katelynn Sharp, left, and Riley Smith at a recent practice in Port Orchard
Photo by Sherry Baysinger Cutline: Larry Baysinger dismounts his horse Scout to clear fallen tree branches off a trail in Mt. Mueller. Davidson, his mules, is fitted with a pack saddle designed to carry his chainsaw on top, an axe (the yellow axe handle is seen sticking out of the pack box) and other tools, and even two small chairs he and his wife to sit on when taking a break.

HORSEPLAY: The keepers of Mt. Mueller

THE “KEEPERS OF Mt. Mueller,” is how I refer to Larry and Sherry Baysinger. For more than 30 years, the two avid horsemen have viewed… Continue reading

Photo by Sherry Baysinger Cutline: Larry Baysinger dismounts his horse Scout to clear fallen tree branches off a trail in Mt. Mueller. Davidson, his mules, is fitted with a pack saddle designed to carry his chainsaw on top, an axe (the yellow axe handle is seen sticking out of the pack box) and other tools, and even two small chairs he and his wife to sit on when taking a break.
Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: The Steffen family with their BLM mustangs from left: Glamour (4), Sierra Steffen, Freesta (4), Stardust (5), Marisa Steffen, Tahani (5), Lucy (2), Eliza Steffen and mom Erica Steffen with Big Guy (1). The girls are taking part in a 100-day training competition with some of the mustangs, and at the end will show their new skills at the Teens and Oregon Mustang Showdown, held during the Northwest Horse Expo in Albany, Oregon March 24-26. On the evening 26th the mustangs in the competition will be auctioned off.

HORSEPLAY: The Steffen family is all in for the mustangs

WILD MUSTANGS! WHAT comes to mind when you read those words? Perhaps pictures or movies of them rearing up and fighting hard not to be… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: The Steffen family with their BLM mustangs from left: Glamour (4), Sierra Steffen, Freesta (4), Stardust (5), Marisa Steffen, Tahani (5), Lucy (2), Eliza Steffen and mom Erica Steffen with Big Guy (1). The girls are taking part in a 100-day training competition with some of the mustangs, and at the end will show their new skills at the Teens and Oregon Mustang Showdown, held during the Northwest Horse Expo in Albany, Oregon March 24-26. On the evening 26th the mustangs in the competition will be auctioned off.
Photo by Karen Griffiths As OPEN enters its 16th year, the local horse rescue organization is reaching out to the public to ask for more donations, because for the first time, the 2022-year end finances showed a deficient. Co-founder Diane Royall, left, with horse trainer (and her daughter) Kate Tibbits, board member Glenda Cable and Co-founder Valerie Jackson stand in front of OPEN’s used tack shop at 251 Roupe Road in Sequim. Open by appointment only, all proceeds go to help horses in. For an appointment or other inquiries call and leave a message, including your name and phone number, at 360-207-1688.

HORSEPLAY: Olympic Peninsula Equine Network looks for support

BY NOW OLYMPIC Peninsula Equine Network, or OPEN, runs like a well-oiled machine. But even a well-oiled machine needs more new oil to keep it… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths As OPEN enters its 16th year, the local horse rescue organization is reaching out to the public to ask for more donations, because for the first time, the 2022-year end finances showed a deficient. Co-founder Diane Royall, left, with horse trainer (and her daughter) Kate Tibbits, board member Glenda Cable and Co-founder Valerie Jackson stand in front of OPEN’s used tack shop at 251 Roupe Road in Sequim. Open by appointment only, all proceeds go to help horses in. For an appointment or other inquiries call and leave a message, including your name and phone number, at 360-207-1688.
Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: It’s common for horses in advanced stages of osteoarthritis to refuse to allow a hoof to be lifted off the ground due to high pain it causes. After watching a farrier on YouTube use a 2 x 6” board to stand the hoof on it with a side overhanging the edge, which allowed enough room to slide a file under to rasp off excess hoof. Lacey would only stand on the board a few seconds at a time, finding it more comfortable to have her leg lifted up and stretched forward to rest on the hoof stand so the undercarriage could be worked on.

HORSEPLAY: Hoof trimming for the arthritic horse

I REMEMBER CLEARLY the day my beautiful palomino Lacey refused to let me pick up her left front hoof to be cleaned. The sky was… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: It’s common for horses in advanced stages of osteoarthritis to refuse to allow a hoof to be lifted off the ground due to high pain it causes. After watching a farrier on YouTube use a 2 x 6” board to stand the hoof on it with a side overhanging the edge, which allowed enough room to slide a file under to rasp off excess hoof. Lacey would only stand on the board a few seconds at a time, finding it more comfortable to have her leg lifted up and stretched forward to rest on the hoof stand so the undercarriage could be worked on.
Submitted photo Neon Riders 4-H Club’s Ruby Coulson stands in front of the renowned Saddlebred Horseman Tom Moore’s statue fresh from her win in the Individual Presentation Contest for her slide-show and speech, “Equine Regenerative Therapies.” at the 4-H National competition in Kentucky. Billed as the Largest Youth Equine Education Event in North America, it’s a huge accomplishment for the young woman from Sequim.

HORSEPLAY: Sequim student wins first at 4-H Nationals

WHO’D A THOUGHT the day would come when stem-cell therapy would be used to improve the healing of tendon and suspensory ligament injuries in horses?… Continue reading

Submitted photo Neon Riders 4-H Club’s Ruby Coulson stands in front of the renowned Saddlebred Horseman Tom Moore’s statue fresh from her win in the Individual Presentation Contest for her slide-show and speech, “Equine Regenerative Therapies.” at the 4-H National competition in Kentucky. Billed as the Largest Youth Equine Education Event in North America, it’s a huge accomplishment for the young woman from Sequim.

PENINSULA HORSEPLAY: Learn how to hike, bike or motor near horses

“WELL, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, surprise!” I’m hearing Gomer Pyle’s catch phrase from the 1960s Andy Griffith TV show going through my head when thinking of the… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: A crowded room greeted Washington State Park’s Miller Peninsula planners when they hosted an Open House Tuesday in an event room at the 7-Cedars Hotel. Local residence were there to voice their concerns and opposition to the State’s plan to turn the well-used multi-use community park set in its natural surroundings into a recreational tourist attraction with 127 camp sites — some large enough for big Recreational Vehicles — and even a lodge style hotel.

HORSEPLAY: Miller Peninsula planners hear an earful from equestrians

THE HUNDREDS OF people in attendance were packed like sardines into the Blyn-Bay event room at the 7 Cedars Casino hotel Tuesday evening during the… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: A crowded room greeted Washington State Park’s Miller Peninsula planners when they hosted an Open House Tuesday in an event room at the 7-Cedars Hotel. Local residence were there to voice their concerns and opposition to the State’s plan to turn the well-used multi-use community park set in its natural surroundings into a recreational tourist attraction with 127 camp sites — some large enough for big Recreational Vehicles — and even a lodge style hotel.
Photo by Karen Griffiths Ranahan Pony Club members Asha Swanberg (age 13), left, Elise Sirguy (12), Libby Swanberg (15) and Danica Pacilel (13), with sisters Sierra (17), Marissa (15) and Eliza Steffen (9) gather for a lesson at Serenity Farms, located off Blue Mountain Road.

HORSEPLAY: Horse rallies provide competition, education, fun

ARE YOU READY to rally? For Libby Swanberg, rallies are one of the most thrilling aspects of being in the Ranahan Pony Club, a chapter… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths Ranahan Pony Club members Asha Swanberg (age 13), left, Elise Sirguy (12), Libby Swanberg (15) and Danica Pacilel (13), with sisters Sierra (17), Marissa (15) and Eliza Steffen (9) gather for a lesson at Serenity Farms, located off Blue Mountain Road.
Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: A Competitive Mounted Orienteering’s competition was held at Layton Hill Horse Camp last weekend. Organizer Wendy Brundle, left, along with one of this year’s top prize winning teams — the Free 4 Alls —in the long course competition Brianna Bell, Darcy Jaxon and Melissa Rogers.

HORSEPLAY: Horseback treasure hunts offer fun for all riders

how cool is that? The Competitive Mounted Orienteering (CMO) organization is just that —… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: A Competitive Mounted Orienteering’s competition was held at Layton Hill Horse Camp last weekend. Organizer Wendy Brundle, left, along with one of this year’s top prize winning teams — the Free 4 Alls —in the long course competition Brianna Bell, Darcy Jaxon and Melissa Rogers.

HORSEPLAY: The right thing can be hard to do

SHE MADE THE right call. Though some may question it, or even chastise her for it. After months of agonizing, she came to the conclusion… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: BCH Buckhorn Range member, and Jefferson County Assessor Jeff Chapman, left, with fellow member Bob Hoyle and State Representative Mike Chapman discuss some of the problems and possible solutions to keeping dedicated multi-use trails open to horses, along with preserving the ruralness of Miller Peninsula State Park for “our kids and future generations,” emphasized M. Chapman.

HORSEPLAY: Fairs, 4-H and camping for horses on the Peninsula

AFTER THE WORLD as we knew it came to a screeching halt at the height of the pandemic, it sure was nice to see how… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: BCH Buckhorn Range member, and Jefferson County Assessor Jeff Chapman, left, with fellow member Bob Hoyle and State Representative Mike Chapman discuss some of the problems and possible solutions to keeping dedicated multi-use trails open to horses, along with preserving the ruralness of Miller Peninsula State Park for “our kids and future generations,” emphasized M. Chapman.
Karen Griffiths/For Peninsula Daily News A fine mesh fly sheet from OPEN’S used tack shop that covers the body, belly and neck, plus a fly mask, has proved the best combatant for my horse Lacey’s allergic reaction to the saliva from flying insect bites. The sheet and mask are sprayed with horse insect repellent before putting them on her. Her companion Sunny has no allergic reaction, so she just wears a fly mask to keep the flies out of her eyes.

HORSEPLAY: Horses can be allergic to bug bites, too

DON’T YOU JUST hate to go outside at dusk and get attacked by biting insects? I know I do. While their bites do sting and… Continue reading

Karen Griffiths/For Peninsula Daily News A fine mesh fly sheet from OPEN’S used tack shop that covers the body, belly and neck, plus a fly mask, has proved the best combatant for my horse Lacey’s allergic reaction to the saliva from flying insect bites. The sheet and mask are sprayed with horse insect repellent before putting them on her. Her companion Sunny has no allergic reaction, so she just wears a fly mask to keep the flies out of her eyes.
Submitted by Katie Newton Cutline:4-H horse club pre fair show high point winners at the Clallam County Fairgrounds are, front row from left: Taylor Maughan, Savannah Bolton, Asha Swanberg, Lila Torey. Back row from left: Ruby Coulson, Katelynn Sharpe, Aiden Johnstad

HORSEPLAY: 4-H horse club gears up for county fairs with pre-show

HELPING HANDS ARE ever so important as we age, thus I was tickled pink to see Olympic Peninsula Equine Network (OPEN’s) founders Diane Royall and… Continue reading

Submitted by Katie Newton Cutline:4-H horse club pre fair show high point winners at the Clallam County Fairgrounds are, front row from left: Taylor Maughan, Savannah Bolton, Asha Swanberg, Lila Torey. Back row from left: Ruby Coulson, Katelynn Sharpe, Aiden Johnstad
Karen Griffiths / for Peninsula Daily News Samantha Parks weaves through the team pole bending competition at a PSHA competition held last weekend at the Crosby’s Arena in Agnew.

HORSEPLAY: Horses, riders enjoy weekend competition

IT WAS SO good to see the many familiar faces last weekend at the Patterned Speed Horse Association (PSHA) Agnew Riders show, including Ady Crosby… Continue reading

Karen Griffiths / for Peninsula Daily News Samantha Parks weaves through the team pole bending competition at a PSHA competition held last weekend at the Crosby’s Arena in Agnew.
Photo by Kris Lenke BCH Buckhorn Range member and Dutch Oven “Queen” Kim Merrick serves dessert to Martin Knowles (WTA) and fellow chapter member Larry Sammons during a LaBar/Skok trail clearing work party.

HORSEPLAY: Horse groups join forces to clear trails

BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN’S local chapter trail warriors rock! If you walk, run, bike or ride any of the trails used by horses on the North… Continue reading

Photo by Kris Lenke BCH Buckhorn Range member and Dutch Oven “Queen” Kim Merrick serves dessert to Martin Knowles (WTA) and fellow chapter member Larry Sammons during a LaBar/Skok trail clearing work party.
Courtesy of Donna Hollatz BCH Peninsula Chapter members enjoy friendship and a hearty breakfast before their annual Rhody Ride at Miller Peninsula.

HORSEPLAY: Annual ‘OPEN the Trails’ fundraiser slated in July

HEY! SOME LOCAL horse owners are scrambling to find feed for their stock animals. I was told by more than one hay seller that we… Continue reading

Courtesy of Donna Hollatz BCH Peninsula Chapter members enjoy friendship and a hearty breakfast before their annual Rhody Ride at Miller Peninsula.