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Karen Griffiths

Photos by Katie Newton Lila Torey and Timber are ready to compete in Huntseat Equitation.

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HORSEPLAY: Sequim equestrian team puts riders on top

ANOTHER EXCITING COMPETITION for the Sequim Equestrian Team.

Sequim equestrian team’s drill team at WAHSET District 4 first competition of the season were Kenzi Winters on Yoke, left, coach Katie Newton, Lucas Seeyle on Ruby, team captain Asha Swanberg, drill captain Katelynn Sharpe on Millie, Kaija Johnson, assistant drill captain Paisley Morris and Lila Torey on Gus. The event was held Jan. 25-26 at Grays Harbor Fairgrounds.

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HORSEPLAY: Sequim High School equestrian team takes firsts

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE Sequim Equestrian Team for bringing back several first place wins at the Washington High Equestrian…

Karen Griffiths When farrier Chris Niclas began transitioning from steel to plastic composite horseshoes, he discovered the overall health of those horses improved.

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HORSEPLAY: Hoof care with Chris, part 1: plastic replacing steel

DID YOU EVER think you’d see horses wearing plastic shoes? It’s true, more horses can be seen wearing…

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HORSEPLAY: Ponies: Little packages with lots of personality

PONIES — THEY’RE BOTH sugar and spice, naughty and nice! I just adore them. I got my first…

During freezing weather an exterior hot-cold frost-free water faucet helps to wash mud off a horse’s lower legs and hooves, soak hay and to melt ice off the top of a frozen water trough. Here, Lacey enjoyed a warm shower in the spring with this faucet by Woodford. (Karen Griffiths/For Peninsula Daily News)

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HORSEPLAY: Horse care during the Olympic Peninsula winter

‘TIS THE SEASON many are gathering inside in a warm home, perhaps in front of a toasty fire…

During Living Well Farm’s Halloween Party students, such as Autumn Silva, with Penny, wore costumes and took part in fun events like apple bobbing, obstacle course and pumpkin carving.

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HORSEPLAY: Horses, riders both ‘Living Well’ at riding school

WHO’S LIVING THEIR best life at Living Well Farm Riding School? It’s the horses of course! I asked…

Some of the many dogs rescued by Fox-Bell Farm Humane Society. Be sure to visit its Facebook page. (Submitted photo)

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HORSEPLAY: Robot repairs and Fox-Bell news

NO HORSING AROUND for me this month as I’ve undergone a successful left knee replacement surgery thanks to…

The Freedom Farm Hoof Beats competition team at the Cascade Horse Show in Cle Elum includes Lily Robertson on Ruby, left, Zeus with Daniella Dam, EllyAna Dam on Harriet, instructor Mary Gallagher and Isabella Greimes on Pixie. (Kimi Robertson)

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HORSEPLAY: Freedom Farm Hoof Beats team finishes season

I HAD MY left knee replaced this week, which understandably left me with little energy to write Horseplay,…

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: Banner, 20, is a very kind, attentive gelding who arrived at OPEN in a state of neglect. After he spends more time recovering, he will be sent to Fox-Bell Farm for some retraining and then be available for adoption through OPEN.

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HORSEPLAY: Olympic Peninsula Equine Network survives, still helping horses

HAVE YOU HEARD the rumor? I did. I’m happy to squelched the gossip here: Olympic Peninsula Equine Network…

Submitted photo It’s hunting season. To avoid getting accidently mistaken for big game follow Judy Dupree’s example of donning a bright, fluorescent orange or pink vest to alert hunters you’re in the area.

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HORSEPLAY: Use caution while riding during hunting season

BEWARE RIDING MOUNTAIN trails this time of year, because chances are, someone else is nearby stealthily stalking a…

Photo by Helen Shrewman Prize riders Michelle Neville, on Ellie, (Spanaway) left, Mary Quinn, on Scarlet, (Tahoma) and Camille Rucker, on Fancy (Rainier) take a break along the trail at the Snack Water Stop (set up for the ride by Peninsula Chapt).

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HORSEPLAY: Trail rides are an adventure for rider and horse

THE COWBOY SPIRIT was alive and well during the wildly successful Spirit Prize Ride at Sage Horse Camp…

Photo by Katie Newton Neon Riders 4-H Senior division riders who did well last weekend at the Washington State Fair were Katelynn Sharpe, left, Kenzi winters, Elise Sirguy and Paisley Morris. Not pictured is Showstoppers 4-H Brooklyn Glavin. Riders at that fair must first qualify by being a top winner in their event at the Clallam County Fair.

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HORSEPLAY: Prepare yourself, animals for the fire season

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE, there’s fire! Where there’s an overcast day with fog, there’s … fire? Gazing out my…

Photo by Karen Griffiths At the JeffCo fair Future Farmers of America member Ivy Pettit and her horse Kohana completed a fast burn-n-turn in the youth barrel racing competition.

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HORSEPLAY: Vaulting popularity rises at Peninsula events

OH, TO BE young, agile and with a lithe body able to take a running leap onto the…

Submitted photo Neon Riders 4-H Club medal and high point winners.

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HORSEPLAY: Fundraising and 4-H events on the Peninsula

4L ARENA AND stable owner Kari Payne managed to put the fun in her Western Games show while…

Equitese Pony Club hosted the U.S. Pony Club Northwest Region’s first Trail Clinic last Saturday at JeffCo Fairgrounds, followed on Sunday with a USPC Pony Club member-only trail rally for Western and English riders.

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HORSEPLAY: Peninsula pony clubs hold first trail event

I’M PUTTING THIS in my “learn something new every day” file: Over the weekend, I learned U.S. Pony…

Karen Griffiths Rainshadow Equine Sanctuary Team’s Debi Pavlich-Boaz leads Paliday calmly over a blue tarp as part of his daily training routine. She worked with the Yakima Sheriff’s Department to capture the mini stallion when he was running alongside a freeway, deftly evading capture. Without her help, and an offer to take him home, the sheriff’s department planned on taking the then-untrained pony to a local holding pen to await transport to a slaughter house in Canada. Instead, Paliday is now happily living the rest of days out as a gelding at the sanctuary.

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HORSEPLAY: Peninsula animal rescue, shelters need our help

DID YOU KNOW that most of our local horse, dog and cat rescue, rehabilitation and rehome organizations are…

Photos by Karen Griffiths Top: Earlier this month, Patterned Speed Horse Super Senior Division rider Sam Parks, 74, on Ed, finished the barrel race in just 15.08 seconds at the Crosby arena, 122 Franson Road in Agnew. The next show there will be July 5-6. Bottom: 4L arena belt buckle awards.

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HORSEPLAY: The dangers of feeding others’ horses

THE AUDACITY OF throwing grass clippings over a fence to a neighbor’s horses! You may think it’s a…

Conner Mead in the Bareback competition at last year’s Peninsula Junior Rodeo at Clallam County Fairgrounds. In July, he will compete in the event at the National High School Rodeo Finals. (Photo by Emma Lou)

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HORSEPLAY: Mead, Bond bounce back from injuries

HEART’S POUNDING, ADRENALINE pumping — can you sense the rush junior rodeo competitors feel in the chute as…

Kendra Fors Peninsula Junior Rodeo’s participants in Sequim’s Irrigation Festival Grand Parade included Kenzie Fors (wearing cowboy hat) and Skylar Burgett (helmet).

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HORSEPLAY: 130th Sequim Irrigation Festival parade

I LOVE A parade: The tramping of feet, I love every beat … mostly, I love seeing horses…

Kimi Robertson Freedom Farm Hoof Beats member Lily Robertson and her horse Queen of Hearts (Ruby) showed excellent style and form, placing first in the 95-meter jumper class at the Bainbridge Saddle Club’s first Hunter/Jumper Show of the season.

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HORSEPLAY: Spring is the perfect time to go horse riding

SPRING IS IN the air, everywhere I look around. Spring is in the air, in every sight and…