WHILE WESTERN PERFORMANCE horse riders are more prevalent in our region, the Peninsula Performance Horse Association has a solid core of avid English riders, as shown at its July show at the Clallam County Fairgrounds.
The association’s vice president, Sue Carver, told me the PPHA Summer Spectacular show at the Clallam County Fairgrounds was a huge success.
“We had great weather, a nice turnout of people showing their horses, and the futurities/maturities and sweepstake classes were well-attended,” said Carver. “We gave out a total of $3,400 in awards and money.”
Keep in mind these big shows held at the fairgrounds bring in a lot of riders from outside the area, and they bring money to tourism that gives a boost to our local economy.
Here is the list of the winners:
■ Hunter under saddle: Charity Swift riding Copy This Assignment.
■ Western pleasure, walk/jog, 17 and younger: Sonnet Pradel riding A Pure Cowboy.
■ Western pleasure walk/trot, novice/amateur: Justine Roads riding Absolutely Admired.
■ Western pleasure, non pro, 5 and younger: Roads.
■ Western pleasure open, 5 and younger: Jacy Tolliver riding Mr. DZ Dandy.
■ Western pleasure, non pro, 6 and younger: Terri Winters riding Gimme the Gold.
■ Western pleasure open, 6 and younger: Lacey Swanberg riding Exotic Hotroddin’ Time.
■ Reining, non pro: Dana King riding Gun Dealer.
■ Best of show, halter: Kit Foote with Louie.
The PPHA works closely with the Olympic Peninsula Zone. OPZ is the regional club for the Washington State Horsemen.
To help keep their show horses fine-tuned during the winter, as well as help youngsters learn the ropes, both local clubs host winter schooling shows in the indoor arena at Baker Stables in Port Angeles.
For more information, visit PPHA’s website at www.ppha1.webs.com or OPZ’s at www.opz.weebly.com. OPZ also has an active Facebook page.
ACTHA
On Saturday, I’m having a new adventure: I’ll be taking part in an American Competitive Trail Horse Association ride.
Sponsored locally by the Peninsula Chapter of Back Country Horsemen, it’s a charity ride in which the net ACTHA proceeds benefit the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s adoption program.
Held at the Siebels’ Spirit Horse Ranch, 207 Mount Valley Lane in Port Angeles, a portion is a group trail ride through the rain forest and along the Elwha River.
There are first-place buckles for both open and pleasure divisions and prizes for all six places in each division, even the junior division.
I’m told the trails are beautiful and not open to the public, so it’s a once-in-a-year adventure to be able to ride through cedar trees groves, tall Douglas firs, mighty maples and vine maples with moss growing everywhere.
As a pleasure rider, I’ll also be taking part in an obstacle course set up on their property.
This isn’t an extreme cowboy competition in which the winner depends on how fast and well the horse and rider complete the course.
ACTHA winners aren’t judged on whether they go overtime, but they do have a time limit in which to complete each obstacle.
I like that it’s not a hard, fast ride that’s only for hardy souls and horses.
Rather, the ACTHA offers enjoyable casual Competitive Trail Challenges (CTCs) nationwide for all ages, while also facilitating donations to equine charities and organizations, enabling a better life for the horse.
I plan on riding my Indy. We’ve never competed in a trail event, but he has no problem going over and around obstacles during trail rides.
I can opens gates and mailboxes on him — he can sidepass well — so I think we’ll do OK.
My biggest hurdle will be if I have to mount and dismount in front of the judges.
I’ll be in trouble if there’s no tall stump for me to stand on in order to climb in the saddle.
Indy’s a bit tall — just more than 16 hands (one hand equals 4 inches) — and I’m very short with even shorter legs.
Does that count as a handicap? What I wouldn’t give to be a rider with long legs!
For more information about the ride, phone Becky Siebel at 360-670-1550 or email spirithorseranch7@gmail.com. Register to ride at the ACTHA website, www.actha.us. Spectators are welcome.
Events
■ Saturday — ACTHA ride at Spirit Horse Ranch, 207 Mount Valley Lane in Port Angeles.
■ 9 a.m. Sunday — PPHA-hosted fall schooling show at Baker Stables, 164 Four Winds Road in Port Angeles. Drop off a toy donation, and your name will be put into drawings for special door prizes.
■ 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18 — Patterned speed horse show at Crosby’s Arena, 122 Franson Road, Port Angeles. Possible salmon barbecue Saturday night. Contact Pam Crosby at 360-670-3906 or pkc823@olypen.com.
■ Wednesday, Sept. 21, through Sunday, Sept. 25 — Cow working clinic by Dave Ellis, Parelli cow working specialist. Dave is a master at fun with cows.
When you work with cows, you are working on communication, timing and balance. It’s a great way to advance your horsemanship. Space is available for riding and auditing.
For more information, phone Jessica Crouch at 360-460-7066.
■ 10 a.m. Oct. 15, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10 — Freedom Farm Schooling Shows, 493 Spring Road in Port Angeles. For class descriptions and details, visit www.freedomfarms.net. Contact Mary Gallagher at 360-457-4897 or freedomf@olypen.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.