IT WAS SO good seeing the old gang at last weekend’s Patterned Speed Horse Show.
There, I saw something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.
I caught up with old friends, saw a friend who had new little grandkids competing and a neighbor’s borrowed tractor with his grandson proudly driving in to drag the arena between events.
And the blue?
While I didn’t see anyone crying the blues, the sky above was blue and there was a sea of folks — young and old — sporting well-worn, comfortable blue jeans.
Donna Parks said her heart almost stopped beating the day before when her husband, Sam Parks (known among the group as Super Sam), and his race horse were weaving through the line of six tall, white poles in the pole bending race when an unexpected move propelled Sam out of his saddle and on the ground.
To everyone’s horror one foot stayed stuck in the stirrup when Sam slipped off.
The sight sends a shiver of terror though the spines of many experienced horsemen (and spectators) who know of many horribly broken bones and other tragedies that have occurred when a horse has kept running while dragging its rider through the dirt across the arena by a foot caught in a stirrup.
“Thankfully, that horse loves Sam so he just stopped and stood quietly,” said the show’s host, Pam Crosby.
“His boot was so wedged into the stirrup it took a good full two minutes before we could get it out.”
“That horse is an angel,” Donna said. “I don’t know what I would have done if something had happened to Sam.”
Their two grandchildren, Duncan and Samantha, were there competing as well as son Jamie (the show announcer) and his wife Melody (the timekeeper and so much more).
They all held their breaths until Sam was safe with both boots on the ground. Phew!
High-point winners for the Agnew Riders show (awarded to four age groups) were Molly Dickson, Emma Albright, Waynora Martin and Ady Shea Crosby.
The next two local shows are coming up soon at Quarter Moon Ranch, 383 W. Runion Road, Sequim (Carlsborg).
Show starts both days at 9:30 a.m. Contact Waynora Martin at 360-683-6902 for more information.
For more information about PSHA, visit its website Patternedspeedhorse.com or Facebook page PSHA Olympic Region.
A note
In my May 26 column after I featured our local high school equestrian results from Washington State High School Equestrian Team State Finals, held at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake, I wrote about the strangles outbreak in Washington state.
After it published I received an email from Jim McKiernan, fair director at Grant County Fair and Fairgrounds, letting me know I didn’t make it apparent I was writing about a completely separate subject.
Mckiernan asked me to make it clear the strangles outbreak did not happen at nor had anything to do with, the recent WAHSET event at the Grant County Fairgrounds.
“We take stall washing very seriously and are one of the few venues that uses Synbiont Ag Wash on our stalls after every major event,” he wrote.
“I just want to clarify there was never any correlation between the strangles outbreak and our facility.”
I’m happy to set the record straight for McKiernan.
BCH news
Peninsula Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Washington held their annual Rhody Ride, starting at the Don Tucker property near Diamond Point on May 25.
There was a good turnout for the hearty breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs and side dishes.
Most members braved the rain that hit at about 10:30 a.m. and rode despite the dampness.
The blooming rhododendrons along the trails in Miller Peninsula State Park were a treat for all to see.
The next planned group ride for Peninsula Chapter will be the Dan Kelly “Grab and Go” Breakfast Ride June 15.
Everyone will meet at the equestrian parking lot, under the power lines, off Dan Kelly Road.
Breakfast begins at 9 a.m. with riders planning to head out on the Adventure Route.
Arrive at 9 a.m. for the 10 a.m. ride out.
The group welcomes anyone interested in BCHW to join them for the breakfast, whether on foot or horseback.
The organization has extensive trail projects scheduled this year and can use lots of “hands on the tools and boots on the ground.”
You do not have to own a horse to belong to BCH, so anyone who is interested in maintaining the wonderful trail systems of the Olympic Peninsula is welcome to join the group in their trail work endeavors (hikers, bicycle riders, dog walkers).
If planning to attend the breakfast, RSVP with Linda Morin at360-775-5060. She’s also happy to answer any questions for people interested in joining BCH.
The Mount Olympus Chapter has been working hard with the Washington Trails Association on the Bogachiel River Trail project.
Chapter members packed water, tools and gear for everyone, putting in more than 50 miles up and down steep trails on their string of horses and pack mules up to the Mount Muller/Litteton Ridge to Jasmine’s Meadow.
I’d like to thank both groups for all their hard work and dedication in making the trails passable for all users.
For updates and photos about May’s trail work party check out the group’s Facebook page Mount Olympus Chapter Back Country Horseman.
You can view the video on the completion of the new river trail puncheon via Larry and Sherry Baysinger’s Facebook page Rain Forest Rides.
Freedom Farm Summer Camps and Clinics
• Feet First Hoof Care Class — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today
• Camp 1 — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 24-28. For ages 5 and older
• Advanced Performance Camp — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 1-5. For young and adult equestrians.
• Dave Ellis Clinic — July 17-21. To learn cowboy dressage, ranch versatility.
For more information, contact Mary Gallagher at 360-457-4897 or visit the website freedom- farm.net. You can find Freedom Farm at 493 Spring Road, Port Angeles (Agnew).
________
Karen Griffiths’ column, Peninsula Horseplay, appears the second and fourth Sunday 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.
