IT WAS SO good to see the many familiar faces last weekend at the Patterned Speed Horse Association (PSHA) Agnew Riders show, including Ady Crosby and Clara Duncan, who were on the Sequim High School equestrian team with my niece Brooke Stromberg. Tanya Hull Duerr, who competed in PSHA team events with Brooke 14-plus years ago, was there too.
Both Brooke and her racing horse, the beautiful palomino Lacey, turn 30 this year. Lacey’s long retired from barrel and other gaming events and is my beloved trail horse. She now suffers from arthritis in her joints, so our rides are kept local and on trails without long ups and downs. As one who also has arthritis in her knees, I can tell you walking up an even moderately steep incline causes the worst and longest-lasting pain.
I loved seeing Sam Parks competing in the Team Pole Bending event, under the team name Parks & Wreck, with his daughter Jessica Parks, granddaughter Samantha Parks and fourth member Paige Reed. His grandson Duncan Parks was at the show as well, competing on the team for team flags.
Daughter-in-law Melonie Parks was one of the show announcers and organizers. I was saddened to hear Sam and Donna Parks’ son Jamie while at the show was laying low because, according to Melonie, he is going through chemo and radiation for cancer.
Melonie said Jamie’s cancer is “overwhelmingly curable,” but going through the treatments is difficult. My heart goes out to Jamie and his family, and we all hope for a full recovery and soon.
The weekend’s highpoint winners were Duerr’s young son Levi Duerr, Paige Reed, Baily Anderson, Jessica Parks, Molly Dickson and Waynora Martin.
And congratulations to Ady and her significant other, Jeff James, who are expecting a boy around Aug. 27.
“It’s about time,” said Ady’s proud mama Pam Crosby whilst grinning ear-to-ear as we stood in the arena waiting between racers to “stomp the ground,” or smooth out the deep divots caused by the horses’ hooves.
For those of all ages wanting Western riding or gaming lessons, I highly recommend Ady and her business, Empowered Equestrian. Horses are provided for the lessons, or you can bring your own to the Crosby family arena, 122 Franson Road in Agnew. Or phone Ady at 360-477-6012.
OPEN
This weekend is Olympic Peninsula Equine Network, or OPEN, annual “Open the Trails” fundraiser and campout at Layton Hill Horse Camp, 2514 Chicken Coop Road, east of Sequim. If you can’t make it for Saturday’s demonstrations by equine professionals, then come enjoy the evening’s music, campfire social and silent auction.
The horse rescue, rehabilitation and adoption organization’s silent auction items include a night’s stay in a custom-built two-bedroom vacation rental along with a round of golf (carts included) at the Cedars at Dungeness; an oil painting by Robert O’Baily; a signed 36-inch by 57-inch print of Carol Grigg’s “She Walks with Horses”; baskets of wine and other goodies; and a custom oil painting of the winner’s horse by talented local artist Sarah Richter, which normally costs $800.
Tickets are available on OPEN’s website, oly penequinenet.org. They are $25 per person. To camp, it’s $30 a night. To reserve a site, visit hipcamp.com and enter Layton Hill Horse Camp.
If you can’t make it to the fundraiser, you also can make a donation on OPEN’s website.
4-H event
A 4-H show is slated at the Clallam County Fairgrounds on Friday through Sunday, July 15-17. Classes are only open to members of 4-H and FFA.
The jumping and dressage (English & Western) classes begin Friday, 5 p.m.
On Saturday, the day begins at 9 a.m. with the mini horses and followed by English Dressage.
All English Dressage tests can be found at www.usdf.org/downloads/forms/2019.asp.
The Games Show starts at 6 p.m. or later, depending when the English show ends.
Saturday’s evening events include fun games and a potluck dinner.
On Sunday, the Western Horse Show starts at 9 p.m.
This is the last 4-H show before the Clallam County Fair, set for Aug. 18-21, to count for state points.
All Western Dressage tests can be found at www.westerndressageassociation.org/wdaa-tests.
Camping and stalls are available for Friday and Saturday nights. Stalls are $10 a night, and camping is $12 per night for hookups, or $9 per night for tents/no hookups.
For more information and entry forms, contact Katie Newton at 360-775-0350; Holly Hairell at holyhairell@outlook.com; or 4-H Program Coordinator Melanie Greer at 360-417-2398 or 360-912-2062 or by email at melanie.greer@wsu.edu.
Forms also are available at extension.wsu.edu/clallam/4h/upcoming-4-h-events.
Early deadline is available if postmarked by Monday or turned in to Neon Riders by Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Clallam County Fairgrounds. Make checks out to Neon Riders. Mail entry forms (Pages 5 and 6) and money to: Holly Hairell, 906 S. D St., Port Angeles, WA 98363.
________
Karen Griffiths’ column, Peninsula Horseplay, appears the second and fourth Saturday 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.
Samantha Parks weaves through the team pole bending competition at a PSHA competition held last weekend at the Crosby’s Arena in Agnew. (Karen Griffiths / for Peninsula Daily News)
