“BRACE YOUR BACKBONE and forget your wishbone” is an old saying among rodeo contestants.
In keeping with that theme, our local Junior Rodeo youths got banged up — I mean, did a bang-up job at last weekend’s annual Peninsula Junior Rodeo at the Clallam County Fairgrounds in Port Angeles.
In general, Junior Rodeo contestants are a highly motivated and determined group of youngsters who thrive on doing what it takes to be the best they can be at their chosen sport.
Local rider results
■ Championships: PeeWee All Around Saddle, Amelia Hermann (Port Angeles); Junior Girls All Around Saddle, Ally Billings (Sequim); Junior Girls Reserve Champion, Kaitlyn Meek (Port Townsend); Junior Boys Reserve Champion, Jake Warren (Spokane, but formerly of Sequim); Senior Girls All Around Saddle, Anne Meek (Port Townsend); Senior Girls Reserve Champion, Emily VanAusdle (Port Angeles).
■ Buckaroo Goat Undecorating, Avery Martin, sixth; Buckaroo Goat Cal Stake, Martin, sixth; PeeWee Goat Tail Tying, Rhett Wilson, first-place buckle, and Amelia Hermann, second; PeeWee Barrel Racing, Amelia Hermann, second, and Sierra Ballou, sixth; PeeWee Poles, Rhett Wilson, fourth; PeeWee Dummy Roping, Amelia Hermann, first-place buckle.
■ PeeWee Flags, Amelia Hermann, first-place buckle; PeeWee Trail, Amelia Hermann, third, and Ballou, fifth.
■ Junior Girls Goat Tying, Kaitlyn Meek, first-place buckle, and Saydee Hermann, second; Junior Girls Barrel Racing, Billings, second, and Kaitlyn Meek, third; Junior Girls Poles, Billings, first-place buckle, and Jai-Lynn Taylor, fourth; Junior Girls Steer Daubing, Saydee Hermann, first-place buckle, and Billings, third; Junior Girls Flags, Billings, first, and Saydee Hermann, sixth; Junior Girls Trail, Kaitlyn Meek, first, and Taylor, fourth.
■ Junior Boys Goat Tying, Colton Barnett, second, and Jake Warren, fourth; Junior Boys Steer Riding, Warren, second; Junior Boys Steer Daubing, Barnett, fifth; Junior Boys Breakaway Roping, Warren, third; Junior Boys Flags, Warren, fourth; Junior Boys Trail, Warren, first, and Barnett, fourth.
■ Senior Girls Barrel Racing, Anne Meek, fourth; Senior Girls Goat Tying, Anne Meek, second.
■ Senior Girls Ribbon Bulldogging, Anne Meek, fourth; Senior Girls Poles, VanAusdle, second, and Anne Meek, fourth; Senior Girls Flags, VanAusdle, first; Senior Girls Trail, Reilly Reed, second, Anne Meek, third, and VanAusdle, fifth.
■ Senior Boys Flags, Wyatt Billings, fourth.
“Thanks to all of the generous sponsors and donors, the Peninsula Junior Rodeo in Port Angeles was a great event,” team coach Katie Salmon-Newton said.
“We really appreciate all of the individuals and businesses who donate so that we can put this on for the kids.”
The Peninsula rodeo is part of the Northwest Junior Rodeo Association show circuit.
Correction
Sept. 14-16 is the Mustang Wild Horse Adoption at Spirit Horse Ranch, not Sept. 8, as I previously reported. Featuring 10 Oregon mustangs, the adoption is offered through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program. Horses can be previewed from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 14.
Sept. 15’s events start at 8 a.m. with an introduction by a representative of the Bureau of Land Management, followed by a Gentled Wild Horse Parade, wild horse gentling demos, hoof trimming and rider’s core development demonstrations. Camping is available with or without a horse.
This is the only time of year the ranch’s trails are open to other riders.
The adoption starts at 2:30 p.m., with a potluck dinner Sept. 15 and 16 around a campfire.
Requirements to adopt a BLM wild horse or burro include:
■ Be at least 18 years of age (parents or guardians may adopt a wild horse or burro and allow younger family members to care for the animal).
■ Demonstrate that you have adequate feed, water and facilities to provide humane care for the number of animals requested.
■ Provide a minimum of 400 square feet (20 feet by 20 feet) for each animal adopted. Horses younger than 18 months of age should be kept in corrals with fences 5 feet high. Fences must be at least 41/2 feet high for ungentled burros and 6 feet high for ungentled horses older than 18 months of age.
For more information about Spirit Horse Ranch and adopting a BLM mustang, visit www.spirithorseranch.net or phone Becky Seibel at 360-670-1550. Spirit Horse Ranch is located at 207 Mountain Valley Lane, 10 miles west of Port Angeles off U.S. Highway 101.
Events
■ 9 a.m. Sept. 8 — Way Out West Open Horse Show and barbecue at Sandamar Farm in Poulsbo. Sponsored by Olympic Peninsula Arabian Club, open breed and Arabian show with judge Tim Wigren. Classes include English, Western, jumping, halter, walk/trot, equitation and trail.
Contact Debbie Hinds at 360-457-5399 or dhinds@olypen.com. Prize list, entry form and directions are on the website, www.opac.us.
To join OPAC, you don’t need to have a registered Arabian, or even an Arabian at all. All horse folks welcomed. Members gather for regular Sunday trail rides.
■ 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 10 — The Jefferson Equestrian Association will again host a Centered Riding Workshop by Mitzi Summers at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Port Townsend. The basis of the workshop will be positive reinforcement with your horse.
Riders and horses from all backgrounds and disciplines are welcome.
The fee for horse and rider is $75, $30 to audit. Mitzi will be available for individual or group lessons from Sept. 5-13.
To register for the class or schedule lessons, contact Summer Martell at Summermartell@hotmail.com or 360-531-1726. For more information, visit www.JeffersonEquestrian.org.
________
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.
