PORT ANGELES AND Sequim High School Equestrian Team coaches reported that the weather was “awesome” and “sunny” during state finals in May.
Port Angeles team mom LaDona Wilson reported that both teams performed well and had a “great weekend in Lynden at the finals.”
The PA drill team — Suzanne Heistand, Lauren Gallacci, Kynzie Hendricks, Emily VanAusdle, Ashley Farmer and Rachel and Allison Breitbach — won fourth place, and Wilson said it “was a nail-biter since there were 12 teams, and most of them were huge, and all of the kids had these very fancy flags.
“Our kids were so awesome though and had such good uniformity.”
In-hand obstacle relay team A — Suzanne, Olivia Pluard, Stephanie Lindquist and Marissa Wilson — placed seventh out of 18 teams.
Suzanne and Olivia took sixth place of 24 in working pairs, while Suzanne took sixth of 20 in reining, 10th of 21 in stock seat, fifth of 26 in hunt seat, fifth of 21 in working rancher and 12th of 20 in trail.
Olivia took 20th in trail, while Katie Rivers took third (bronze medal) in dressage of 23 kids and first (gold medal) of 17 in jumping.
Kynzie took second (silver medal) of 31 in poles and third (bronze medal) of 36 in figure eight. Emily took first (gold medal) of 36 in figure eight.
Congratulations to senior Marissa for winning a $250 District 4 scholarship.
Sequim team results
Sequim coach Terri Winters said it was the first state finals held on the west side of the state, which means travel time was much shorter.
There, the entire team placed in the top 10.
■ Drill working 4’s — Lena Sharpe, Justine Roads, Matisen Anders and Christina Overby Morgison placed ninth.
■ In-hand obstacle relay — Lena, Justine, Matisen and Christina, ninth.
■ Working pairs — Matisen and Christina, 15th.
In individual events, Anne Meek won the bronze medal in barrels, eighth in steer daubing and 18th in figure eight.
■ In-hand trail — Lena, seventh.
■ Stock seat equitation — Christina, 19th.
■ Hunt seat equitation — Lena, 17th; and Justine, 20th.
■ Hunt seat over fences — Lena, ninth.
■ Dressage — Kat Afton, sixth; Kyla Gabriel, 13th; and Lena, 20th.
■ Saddle seat equitation — Kyla, 12th.
Renegade
Previously, I wrote I had bought new hoof boots, or sneakers, for Indy to wear when he’s not wearing traditional metal shoes.
For his end hoofs, I bought a pair of Renegade Hoof Boots.
Well, last week, I was about an hour into a ride in the Cassidy Creek Department of Natural Resources area.
When we came out of a nice wooded trail onto a rocky DNR logging road, Indy started limping and acting tender-footed.
I looked down, and only the ankle strap to his left rear boot was attached. Missing was the boot itself.
Oh bother.
I backtracked to find it and spotted it with its cables sprung on a small incline.
Apparently, the two adjusting cables sprang free from the tiny set screws holding them in place.
I lacked the tools needed to rethread the cables into the set screws.
I needed to take a DNR road for the last half-hour of the ride home.
It was too rocky for Indy, so I dismounted and walked.
Once home, it took me a good 45 minutes to put the shoe back together.
Now that I know how to do it, the next time will be quicker. Still, I thought, “Even when carrying tools with me on the trail, what if I had to do this during cold weather with frozen fingers?”
Conclusion: I don’t want a hoof boot I need to use a tool to put the boots on, to repair or adjust while out on the trail.
From now on, I’m sticking with Old Macs, which now come with nice gaiters to prevent chafing.
Trail day
On Saturday at 8:30 a.m., the Back Country Horsemen Peninsula chapter will be cleaning up the Mount Muller Trailhead and Littleton Horse Camp for National Trails Day.
Supported by the North Pacific Ranger District, the public is welcome to participate and hang out later for the chapter’s barbecue.
The group plans to work on trail tread, construction and installation of hitch rails, beating back the brush and filling in chuckholes.
It could use the help of a couple of tractors, too.
If you can volunteer to help with your tractors, please contact Tom Mix at 360-582-0460 or info@cuttinggarden@gmail.com.
Please bring your own beverage and food to share during the potluck dinner.
Camping is available, both for people and horses.
A general chapter meeting will be held after the work.
Events
■ 9:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10 — Patterned Speed Horse Association Game Show at Quarter Moon Ranch, 383 W. Runnion Road, Carlsborg. Phone Waynora Martin at 360-683-6902.
■ Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10 — Equine dental clinic with Dr. Richard Vetter at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. To schedule an appointment, phone Betty Mysak at 360-379-6931.
■ 9 a.m. Sunday, June 10 — Peninsula Youth Equestrian Foundation Show at the Clallam County Fairgrounds. For more details, visit http://opz.weebly.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.
