I’M TOLD THE weather was beautiful for the first Junior Rodeo of the season earlier this month at Kitsap Posse Rodeo in Silverdale
Team mom Tina VanAusdale said she was happy because “I think it got to 86 degrees.”
So far, this year’s Peninsula Junior Rodeo Association has about 25 members.
PJRA is the local chapter of the Northwest Junior Rodeo Association.
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, which includes who can pull the ribbon off a goat’s tail (peewee division), steer daubing (the rider holds a pole with a blob of mustard or something similar on the end, then “daubs” the mustard inside a circle painted on a steer’s hind in the fastest time) and barrel racing.
Anyone 18 and younger interested in joining may phone Tina at 360-460-0791.
Results from Kitsap
Peewee division:
■ Barrels — Amelia Hermann, first.
■ Poles — Amelia, second.
■ Goats — Amelia, first.
■ Dummy roping — Amelia, third.
■ Trail open youth — Amelia, second.
Junior boys division:
■ Steer daubing — Rhett Wilson, first.
■ Goat tying — Samuel Mundell, second.
Junior girls division:
■ Poles — Cassie Ann Moore, third; Rebekah Mundell, fourth; Madison Ballou, fifth.
■ Goat tying — Kaitlyn Meek, first; Rebekah, sixth.
■ Steer daubing — Ally Billings, second; Kaitlyn, third.
Senior girl division:
■ Barrels — Emily VanAusdle, seventh.
■ Steer ribbon dogging — Anne Meek, first; Emily, second; Micayla Weider, fifth.
■ Breakaway calf roping — Anne, first; Saydee Hermann, third; Emily, fifth.
■ Trail open — Kaitlyn, first; Rebekah, third.
■ Senior trail — Emily, first; Anne, second.
The all-around saddle winner was Kaitlyn.
Advisory
Washington state veterinarians are once again urging riders to vaccinate their horses against West Nile virus.
Although most horses infected with the mosquito-borne illness do not become ill, West Nile virus is fatal in about one-third of all horses that show symptoms.
Horses that become ill show “a loss of coordination, loss of appetite, confusion, fever, stiffness and muscle weakness, particularly in the hindquarters,” according to a news release.
Infected horses do not spread the virus to other horses or animals.
Prevention measures include:
■ Reducing or eliminating any stagnant or standing water in the area.
■ Removing old tires and any garbage-collecting water.
■ Setting out mosquito traps.
■ Keeping air moving with fans.
■ Removing organic debris (muck) promptly.
■ Chemical controls, which include the use of topical anti-mosquito repellent agents approved for horses and mosquito dunks in areas of standing water
I like to add a few drops of mineral oil to water troughs and water buckets. Animals don’t mind the taste, it’s not harmful to them, and the oil kills mosquito larvae present in the water.
We can further protect our horses by vaccinating, which for previously non-vaccinated horses involves administering two doses of vaccine three to six weeks apart.
Vaccinate semi-annually or more frequently (every four months), depending on risk.
Annual revaccination is best completed in the spring, prior to the onset of peak insect vector season.
For more information, visit the websites of the state Department of Health at www.doh.wa.gov/WNV or the U.S. Department of Agriculture at http://tinyurl.com/n5dpgqk.
Jefferson events
■ 9 a.m. Sunday — County Mounties and the Jefferson County 4-H Horse Project are hosting a performance show/gaming day at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Performances start at 9 a.m., followed by Western games. Performance classes are $4, and Western games classes are $3 each if postmarked by today, with an additional $2 per class after today and the day of the show. High-point prizes will be awarded for all divisions. Concessions available. Show forms are available at most feed and tack stores. For more information or show forms, phone Heidi at 360-440-6502 or Ashley Govia at 360-301-4103.
■ 9 a.m. June 2 — Silver Spurs open schooling show at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Early bird pricing deadline is Monday. Concessions available.
For more information or entry forms, phone Mona Sharpe at 360-643-1545 or Tanya Schweitzer at 360-301-3559.
■ 10 a.m. June 22 — Jefferson County Horse Project Open Schooling Show at Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Entry fee is $20 for the entire day for entries postmarked by Monday, $25 after Monday or the day of. High-point awards will be given to each age division. Concessions available.
■ July 27, 28 — 4-H Pre-Fair Horse Show at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Phone Schweitzer at 360-301-3559.
■ August 9-11 — Jefferson County Fair at the fairgrounds.
Clallam events
■ Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday — Freedom Farms Adult Workshop. Contact Mary Gallagher at 360- 457-4897.
■ 9:30 a.m. Saturday-Sunday and June 8-9 — Patterned Speed Horse Game Show at Quarter Moon Arena, 383 W. Runnion Road in Carlsborg. Phone Waynora Martin at 360-683-6902.
■ June 29-30 — Patterned Speed Horse Game Show at the Crosby arena, 122 Franson Road in Agnew. Show starts 9:30 a.m. June 29 and 9 a.m. June 30. Contact Pam Crosby at 360-670-3906.
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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.
