OUR LOCAL YOUTHS did fantastic at their third and final Washington State High School Equestrian Teams district meet.
Traditionally, the final meet before May’s state finals includes the Senior Salute. Port Angeles’ only senior, team captain Keely Gustin, also carried the team flag.
Seniors from Sequim were Shannon Robbins, Clara Duncan, Sasha O’Meara, Carley Lundgren and Angie Pace. Team captain Robbins carried Sequim’s flag.
The senior’s parents were recognized, along with the rider’s accomplishments and the most memorable moment in the equestrian team, as well as future plans.
Highlights of the meet were pole bending, with Robbins placing first with a 22.724 and Duncan a close second with 22.725, only 1/1000th of a second between the two times.
O’Meara also placed first in both showmanship and trail class. Lena Sharpe placed first in in-hand trail. The in-hand obstacle team of Robbins, O’Meara, Lundgren and Sharpe received first with a score of 135 points.
Congratulations to the Sequim girls on such a great final meet — from coach Terri Winters.
Top 15 placings for PA and Sequim
Team events:
■ Steer Sorting: Robbins/Duncan, third; Keely Gustin/Lydia Cornelson, eighth; Suzanne Heistand/Kenzie Hendricks, 12th; O’Meara/Justine Roads, 15th.
■ Birangle: Duncan/Robbins, fifth; Nathan Gentry/Hendricks, 12th.
■ IHOR: Robbins/O’Meara/Lundgren/Sharpe, first; Rachel Breitbach/Gustin/Heistand/Marissa Wilson, sixth; Roads/Kyla Gabriel/Matisen Anders/Pace, seventh.
■ Canadian flags: Duncan/Robbins/Lundgren/Pace, third.
■ Drill team: Robbins/Duncan/Anders/Gabriel/Sharpe/Roads, third; Allison Breitbach/R. Breitbach/Heistand/Hendricks, fourth.
■ Working pairs: Robbins/O’Meara, third; Gabriel/Sharpe, 12th.
Individual events (performance)
■ Showmanship: O’Meara, first; Roads, eighth; Anders, 13th.
■ In-hand-trail: Sharpe, first.
■ Trail: O’Meara, first; Anders, fourth; Robbins, fifth; Heistand, fifth; Roads, 10th; A. Breitbach, 15th.
■ Working rancher: Robbins, second; Anders, sixth; Wilson, eighth.
■ Stock seat: O’Meara, third; Anders, seventh; Heistand, ninth; Roads, 13th; A. Breitbach, 14th; Ashley Farmer, 14th; Lauren Gallacci, 14th.
■ Dressage: Sharpe, fourth; Gustin, eighth; Gabriel, 10th; O’Meara, 11th.
■ Huntseat: Heistand, seventh; O’Meara, eighth; A. Breitbach, ninth; Gabriel, 10th; R. Breitbach, 11th; Sharpe, 13th; Gustin, 13th.
■ Huntseat over fences: Gabriel and Sharpe, third.
■ Saddle seat: Gabriel, fifth.
■ Reining: Heistand, first; R. Breitbach, seventh; Farmer, 10th; A. Breitbach, 13th.
Individual events (timed)
■ Barrels: Hendricks, third; Duncan, fourth; Lundgren, 11th; Pace, 15th.
■ Flags: Duncan, 11th; Gentry, 15th.
■ Figure 8: Duncan, third; Robbins, seventh.
■ Keyhole: Lundgren, fifth.
■ Poles: Robbins, first; Duncan, second.
■ Steer Daubing: Lundgren, fourth; Hendricks, fifth; Robbins, ninth.
■ Breakaway roping: Hendricks, third.
My thanks to Winters for submitting this information.
Events
■ Chimacum Creek Farm’s Paula Stingle said: “I’d like to encourage everyone to join our Spirited News mailing list. Our goal is to reach 500.” Email chimcrk@embarqmail.com for more information on events and clinics.
■ Backcountry Horsemen of Washington’s Buckhorn Range member Juelie Dalzell reported that 19 riders from three BCH chapters — Buckhorn, Peninsula and Olympic — had an adventurous ride at Sandy Shores.
Peninsula chapter’s Janice Reagan reported that the ride itself was about three hours. They rode 75 percent logging roads and 25 percent trail. She said the trail part was a bit overgrown in places ride, but leader Jeff Chapman did a great job getting them through.
■ 7 p.m. Friday: BCH Buckhorn Range monthly meeting at Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road, Chimacum. Includes a slide show of chapter rides through the years. Open to the public, horse enthusiasts and those interested in keeping trails on public lands. Phone Bob Hoyle at 360-531-2337.
■ Saturday, April 16: BCH Leave No Trace Earthday workshop. RSVP Becky Seibel at 360-670-1550 or spirithorseranch7@gmail.com.
■ 10 a.m. April 16: Buckhorn Range Chapter Ride at Gibbs Lake (the long loop). For directions, phone Dalzell at 360-385-6364 or Hoyle 360-531-2337.
■ Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24: Freedom Farm’s annual Mini Beats Easter Egg Hunt. Farm owner Mary Gallagher said Mini Beats activities are family outings at Freedom Farm that give the very young a safe and fun experience while being around horses.
With their parents’ help, riders are led around the farm and play games on horseback. The Easter activity combines games with a traditional Easter egg hunt.
The number of times each rider hunts for eggs is not limited, so if you have an avid egg hunter, please bring replacement eggs. This activity is a benefit for Peninsula Friends of Animals.
For more information, phone 360-457-4897 or email freedomf@olypen.com. Located at 493 Spring Road, Port Angeles.
■ 6 p.m. Monday, April 25: BCH Peninsula Chapter meeting at Clallam County Courthouse, lower level. For more information, visit www.pbchw.org.
■ 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 7: JEA Barn Dance Fundraiser featuring Joe Crecca & the Homewreckers, plus silent auction, at Chimacum Grange, 9572 Rhody Drive. Pre-tickets are available at www.jeffersonequestrian.org.
■ 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14: Discovery Pony Club is hosting a tack sale at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, 400 W. Fir St. To register for a seller’s booth (10-by-10 is $20) or reserve a spot to sell your horse trailer, phone Matilda Henry at 360-683-1180. For donation pickup, phone 360-683-5304.
■ Saturday, May 14, and Sunda, May 15: Jefferson County’s 4-H Horse Project’s biannual Equine Dental Clinic with Dr. Richard Vetter of Performance Equine Dentistry at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Spectators are welcome to watch and learn. To schedule your horse, email Betty Mysak at mysak@cablespeed.com.
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Karen Griffiths’ column, Peninsula Horseplay, appears every other Wednesday. 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 write Griffiths at PDN, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
