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

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HORSEPLAY: Sequim WAHSET takes top spots at first meet

FIRST, SECOND, THIRD — Sequim’s cowsorting team swept the event, with first place going to Libby Swanson and…

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.

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HORSEPLAY: The keepers of Mt. Mueller

THE “KEEPERS OF Mt. Mueller,” is how I refer to Larry and Sherry Baysinger. For more than 30…

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.

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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…

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.

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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…

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.

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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…

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.

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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…

Life

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…

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.

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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…

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.

Life

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…

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.

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HORSEPLAY: Horseback treasure hunts offer fun for all riders

A TREASURE HUNT on a horseback ride through the woods — how cool is that? The Competitive Mounted…

Life

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.

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.

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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,…

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.

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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…

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

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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…

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.

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HORSEPLAY: Horses, riders enjoy weekend competition

IT WAS SO good to see the many familiar faces last weekend at the Patterned Speed Horse Association…

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.

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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…

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

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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…

Courtesy photo High school equestrians Maggie Anderson, left, Sydney Hutton, Libby Swanberg and Joanna Seelye prepare to enter the arena for the Grand Entry at Washington High School Equestrian Team (WAHSET) State Finals.

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HORSEPLAY: Port Angeles and Sequim high school equestrians place at state finals

SEEMS LIKE FOREVER and a day since I rode horseback, yet when my desire to just get up…

Courtesy of Hannah Grace Congratulations to Heron Pond Farm owner/trainer Christine Headley, riding Gordy, for receiving The Dressage Foundation’s $1,000 grant from its Trip Harting Fund for Pony Club Members and Graduates.

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HORSEPLAY: Port Townsend horse trainer, coach wins $1,000 grant

IT’S DISHEARTENING WHEN I visit Miller Peninsula State Park and see cars parked in slots for horse trailers.…

Submitted photo Sequim and PA’s high school equestrian teams merged to compete as one in Freestyle 4’s Drill Team, placing 1st in meet 3 and winning a gold medal are Joanna Seelye, left, Libby Swanberg, Maggie Anderson and Sydney Hutton with coaches Katie Newton, left, and Keri Tucker. Watch them compete live at state finals May 19-22 by visiting https://www.wahset.info/stream-links and clicking on District 4.

Life

HORSEPLAY: PA, Sequim equestrian teams head to state meet

LET’S ALL CHEER and congratulate the Sequim and Port Angeles equestrian teams on their Washington State High School…

    Best of Olympic Peninsula

    Best of Olympic Peninsula