Karen Griffiths

Equitese Pony Club members, from left, Maria Timmons, Molly Lance, Hailey Gallagher, Kimberly Gallagher and Philippa Lance paint new poles to jump over at the Heron Pond Farm Equestrian Center in Port Townsend. The club held a fundraising  car wash last summer so they could purchase the materials needed to update, rebuild and build new poles and other jumping equipment. (Christine Headley)

HORSEPLAY: Local horse organizations for youths

Positive equestrian activities for kids

Equitese Pony Club members, from left, Maria Timmons, Molly Lance, Hailey Gallagher, Kimberly Gallagher and Philippa Lance paint new poles to jump over at the Heron Pond Farm Equestrian Center in Port Townsend. The club held a fundraising  car wash last summer so they could purchase the materials needed to update, rebuild and build new poles and other jumping equipment. (Christine Headley)
When a footbridge over Lonesome Creek, located on the popular West End’s LaPush Beach Trail, needing replacing, three organizations collaborated on it. Quileute Tribal Council provided materials, including 30-foot-long steel I-beams for the bridge stringers, the Olympic National Park provided the drawings and oversight of the project and Back Country Horsemen Mt Olympus Chapter members provided volunteers to remove the old bridge and replace it with materials that will last many years. From left, Mt. Olympus volunteers Mike McCracken, Larry Baysinger, Rich James and Ray Sutherland (orange hat). Representing the Quileute Tribal Council are, from left, and Tom Jackson, Doug Woodruff,  Skylar Foster and Tony Foster. (Sherry Baysinger)

HORSEPLAY: Roadblocks in volunteer trail work

Wildfire impact on the National Forest Service budget

When a footbridge over Lonesome Creek, located on the popular West End’s LaPush Beach Trail, needing replacing, three organizations collaborated on it. Quileute Tribal Council provided materials, including 30-foot-long steel I-beams for the bridge stringers, the Olympic National Park provided the drawings and oversight of the project and Back Country Horsemen Mt Olympus Chapter members provided volunteers to remove the old bridge and replace it with materials that will last many years. From left, Mt. Olympus volunteers Mike McCracken, Larry Baysinger, Rich James and Ray Sutherland (orange hat). Representing the Quileute Tribal Council are, from left, and Tom Jackson, Doug Woodruff,  Skylar Foster and Tony Foster. (Sherry Baysinger)

HORSEPLAY: Volunteers make trails more accessible for horse riders

Back County Horsemen Peninsula Chapter widens parking area for horse trailers

HORSEPLAY: Keep up to date with local groups

HORSEPLAY: Keep up to date with local groups

Get involved with 4-H, other area horse organizations

HORSEPLAY: Keep up to date with local groups
HORSEPLAY: Longing to be on the trail with friends again

HORSEPLAY: Longing to be on the trail with friends again

Margaret Salstrom offers a safe place to park

HORSEPLAY: Longing to be on the trail with friends again
HORSEPLAY: Watch out for wildlife on the trails

HORSEPLAY: Watch out for wildlife on the trails

DID YOU HEAR about the bear jumping out at two horses and riders at Miller Peninsula State Park? On July 29, a bear suddenly burst… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Watch out for wildlife on the trails

HORSEPLAY: Just kick it off the trail

DISMOUNTING AND KICKING the road apples, otherwise known as horse manure, to the side of the trail is what we equestrians are asked to do… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Volunteers keep Olympic National Park trails maintained

HORSEPLAY: Volunteers keep Olympic National Park trails maintained

ISN’T IT WONDERFUL to be able to explore our Olympic National Park trails again? As more trails open to the public, it’s good to remind… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Volunteers keep Olympic National Park trails maintained
HORSEPLAY: A family with their hands, hearts full

HORSEPLAY: A family with their hands, hearts full

THEIR MARRIAGE READS like an old-fashioned love song lived in modern-day life. Tara Black is Sequim Animal Hospital’s large and small animal veterinarian, providing equine… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: A family with their hands, hearts full

HORSEPLAY: Keeping pests away from your horse

HAVE YOU HEARD this joke? When talking to a person who annoys you, just slap them on the shoulder and cry out, “Mosquito bite!” Admittedly,… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: High school equestrian championship dreams dashed

HORSEPLAY: High school equestrian championship dreams dashed

HAVE YOU HEARD the saying “Go big or go home?” I think all who participate on high school athletic teams dream of taking home the… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: High school equestrian championship dreams dashed
HORSEPLAY: Be a leader for your horse

HORSEPLAY: Be a leader for your horse

ARE YOU A leader or a doormat? When it comes to horses, it’s important for you to assert yourself as their leader and not their… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Be a leader for your horse
HORSEPLAY: Using your extra time to bond with your horse

HORSEPLAY: Using your extra time to bond with your horse

CLOSURES PROLONGED! SCHOOLS are now closed for the academic year, Gov. Jay Inslee has extended the state’s stay-home order because of the coronavirus until May… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Using your extra time to bond with your horse

HORSEPLAY: Taking comfort in our daily routine

CRITICAL TIMES ARE hard to deal with is how the Bible describes the era we’re living in, and believer or not, we’re all feeling the… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Local teams place at regional competition

HORSEPLAY: Local teams place at regional competition

OUR TWO HIGH school equestrian teams from Port Angeles and Sequim just completed the first of three Washington State High School Equestrian Team qualifying meets,… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Local teams place at regional competition
HORSEPLAY: Sequim author teaches bridle-making workshop

HORSEPLAY: Sequim author teaches bridle-making workshop

“HOW BIG IS your wingspan?” Lisa Preston asked the audience as she stretched her arms out side-to-side. I didn’t know mine. Do you know yours?… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Sequim author teaches bridle-making workshop

HORSEPLAY: Staying warm and dry for winter rides

SO HOW YA’LL coping with this winter’s long dark, dreary and cold days, along with snow and record rainfall? I used to think the majority… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Being responsible trail users

HORSEPLAY: Being responsible trail users

CALLING ALL TRAIL users! Did you know that horses have right of way on all trails? This information is posted on trail literature and websites.… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Being responsible trail users
HORSEPLAY: Keeping your horse warm in the winter

HORSEPLAY: Keeping your horse warm in the winter

DON’T YOU HATE it when you provide a shelter to stand under and your horse chooses to stand outside in the pouring rain? Or how… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Keeping your horse warm in the winter
HORSEPLAY: Do your research before gifting a horse

HORSEPLAY: Do your research before gifting a horse

IT’S THE TIME of year to hesitate, halt and acquire information before surprising your child with the much begged for pony. Yes, it is the… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Do your research before gifting a horse