OH HOW I relish celebrating our area youth equestrians’ accomplishments. I say the more we can get them outside engaging in life and away from electronics — computers, phones and TV — the heathier their minds and bodies will be.
A sampling of this month’s shows so far include Jefferson and Clallam County fairs, plus Freedom Farm and 4L arenas. Space is limited, so visit the online version of Peninsula Horseplay for more photos.
Competing at the Jefferson County Fair were 4H members Layla Franson, Susan Bishop, Marley Bishop, Joanna Seelye, Lucas Seelye, Grace Matthews, Fiona Patterson and Hank Johnson; Sequim High School Future Farmers of America Ivy Pettett; Neah Lake from Valley Green Pony Club; and Molly Lance and Hazel Vidal from Equitese Pony Club.
For more information, or to join a club, contact JC Horse Project Supervisor Christy Franson at 360-301-5668.
Clallam fair
Let me give a shout out to Dry Creek Grange and its 61st year serving freshly baked scones smothered with butter and jam. I purchased one with strawberry jam — it was scrumptious! And, at just $3, it was the best deal there.
Competing in the 4H horse show were Rascals club member Sophia Pritchard with leader Torri Lewis (rascals.4hclub @gmail.com); Showing horses with Silver Spurs were Savannah Boulton, Zakara Braun, Kylie McDougal and Rae Skerbeck. Members taking part without horses were Kate Anderson, Anthony Boulton and Angel Parrish. Contact Silver Spurs leader Ladona Wilson at Wilson.farm@hotmail.com.
Neon Riders Lila Torey, Gwen Torey, Lacey Thompson, Cooper Lewis , Taylor Lewis, Kenzie Winters, Paisley Morris, Abigail Daley, Madalyn Loukes, Adley Church, Katelynn Sharpe and Elise Sirguy. Leader Katie Newton (klsalmon@yahoo.com) was among the seven adults there showing in the open classes.
Freedom Farm
Freedom Farm celebrated the achievements of three of its hunter-jumper youth riders, Lily Robertson, Isabella Grimes and Daniella Damn, at the Evergreen Classic Horse Show Aug. 1-4. Held at the Washington State Horse Park, Lily Robertson, 16, of Port Angeles, rode her horse Queen of Hearts, earning the title of Champion in the rated .80 division and Reserve Champion in the rated .90 division.
Isabella Grimes, 12, of Sequim, on her horse Phoenix Rising, captured the Champion title in the rated .70 division and Reserve Champion in the rated .80 division. Daniella Damn, 12, from Chimacum, with her horse Chili Pepper, emerged victorious as Champion in the outreach .60 division and Reserve Champion in the outreach .70 division.
Attending with them was their trainer/instructor and farm co-owner Mary Gallagher. Lily and Isabella also teamed up to compete in the Hunter Hack Costume Pairs Class, where they placed fourth, and a No Stirrup Equitation Challenge showcasing their versatility and camaraderie.
Evergreen Classic, a rated horse show organized by the Washington State Hunter Jumper Association, also features an outreach portion, showcasing both seasoned and emerging equestrian talent. Freedom Farm is located in Agnew at 493 Spring Road. Phone 360-457-4897.
Aug. 9-10 were the 4L Arena fundraising shows supporting Center Valley Animal Rescue and Pet Emergency Groups.
On Aug. 9, 11 riders participated in the jumping portion of 4L Arena’s fundraiser to support Center Valley Animal Rescue and the Pet Emergency Group. Fox-Bell’s Shelby Vaughn oversaw the events consisting trot poles, cross rails and jumps up to 2 feet, 6 inches. Every rider received a trophy, custom 18-inch rosette ribbon and an award of their choice. The game show portion was held on Aug. 10. Twenty-six riders participated in the game show, with many participants traveling from several counties away. The events were Cal Stake, Polo Turn, Tarp Alley, Half Eight and Barrels. Thirteen gorgeous custom trophy buckles were awarded along with saddle pads, breast collars, headstalls, leg boots and more. Many of the riders won their very first buckle, and the overwhelming consensus was that the event exceeded all expectations.
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Karen Griffiths’ column, Peninsula Horseplay, appears the second and fourth Saturday of each month.
If you have a horse event, clinic or seminar you would like listed, please email Griffiths at kbg@olympus.net at least two weeks in advance. You can also call her at 360-460-6299.
