BAKER STABLES OWNERS Tom Gillotti and Dana King do a stellar job of hosting shows and events that all in the equine community can enjoy.
Tucked away on a side street off Monroe Street in Port Angeles, they have what most of us desire: an indoor arena.
Years ago, my niece competed in schooling shows there.
I appreciated the atmosphere was then, as it is now, a laidback environment with a focus on learning how to better one’s riding and communication skills.
And they have a cozy clubhouse with concessions where spectators can view the show while enjoying one of Tom’s freshly grilled burgers.
When I dropped by near the end of last month’s show, I saw a lot of both novice and season showmen.
An enthused Dana, who was inside the clubhouse working as the show’s announcer, shared, “It’s been a really good turnout, with at least 15 kids competing in the 13-and-under.”
In fact, I saw a lot longtime dedicated horsemen who were there solely to support horse-loving youths, ones such as Carol Johnson, who invited such young ones to learn, ride and show on her own horses.
I stopped and talked with Angie Doan, who was there from Jefferson County with her young daughter, Rachel, who was showing her pony.
She reminded me of my niece at her first shows there with her pony, Goldie Boy.
“This is a great place to show, and because it’s indoors, we don’t have to worry about the weather,” said Angie.
I agree with Angie that it’s huge plus not to have to worry about the show being canceled due to rain.
I look forward to seeing Rachel’s equestrian skills grow and hopefully, when she’s in high school, to see her competing on a Washington State High School Equestrian Team.
Speaking of WAHSET, in my previous column, I had the Port Angeles WASHSET team’s top 10 results from meet three, and here’s Sequim’s:
Sequim results
■ Showmanship: Kaytee Gibeau, ninth.
■ Trail: Matisen Anders, sixth.
■ Working rancher: Amy Tucker, third.
■ Reining: Kelly Anders, sixth.
■ Saddle seat: Haylie Newton, second; Matisen, third; Karynna Eichmann, fifth.
■ Hunt seat: Kaytee, third; Matisen, sixth.
■ Working pairs: Kaytee and Anne Meek, seventh.
■ Drill working fours: Haylie, Kaytee, Anne and Chelsea Smith, second.
■ Poles: Haylie, sixth.
■ Figure eight: Anne, first.
■ Canadian flags: Kaytee, Anne, Haylie and Chelsea, fifth.
■ Keyhole: Anne, second.
■ Barrels: Anne, first.
■ Breakaway roping: Anne, third.
■ Steer daubing: Anne, sixth.
■ Team sorting: Kaytee and Anne, fifth.
District 4 medal winners (combination of all three district meet results)
■ Gold medals: Barrels, Anne; figure eight, Anne.
■ Silver medals: Saddle seat, Haylie; breakaway roping, Anne; steer daubing, Anne.
■ Bronze medals: Keyhole, Anne; drill working fours, Sydney Balkan, Kaytee, Anne, Haylie and Chelsea; team Canadian flags, Sydney, Kaytee, Anne, Haylie and Chelsea.
■ District four timed events high-point champion: Anne.
Adventure Trail run
This Saturday, it’s suggested that equestrians avoid the Adventure Trail west of Port Angeles until after 1 p.m. as there will be 260 runners competing between the horse trailer parking lot and mile marker 13.
Events
■ 9 a.m. Saturday — Back Country Horsemen Peninsula chapter’s annual Spaghetti Ride at Salt Creek. Go in on Camp Hayden Road. Horseshoes are recommended. Bring a jar of spaghetti sauce and a side dish for the after-ride dinner.
Phone Linda Mosley at 360-928-3715.
■ Noon Sunday — Freedom Farm adult horsemanship class. Phone 360-457-4897.
■ 9 a.m. Sunday — Baker Stables’ schooling show, 164 Four Winds Road, Port Angeles. Phone 360-460-7832.
■ May 2-4 — Mark Bolender clinic at Olympic View Stables, 136 Finn Hall Road in Agnew. May 2 is demonstration day, with no charge.
Bolender is a three-time National Grand Champion in mountain, extreme and competitive trail, and owns Bolender Horse Park.
For more information, phone Carol Madan at 360-912-4005 and leave a message or visit www.bolenderhorsepark.com/about-en/mark.
■ May 3-4 — Equine dental clinic at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds with Dr. Richard Vetter of Performance Equine Dentistry (www.perfequinedentistry.com). Hosted by the Jefferson County 4-H Horse Project.
Phone Betty Mysak at 360-379-6931 to schedule an appointment. Spectators welcome.
■ 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24 — County Mounty’s 4-H Club’s open schooling show at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Port Townsend. Classes start at 10 a.m.
Early bird pricing ($4) deadline is May 5 and 19. Additional $2 after and day of show.
Stalls are available on a first-come, first-served basis. High-point prizes for qualifying classes.
Show forms are available at most area feed stores.
Phone Ashley Govia at 360-301-4103.
■ 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17 — Peninsula Therapeutic Riding Center bake sale at Swain’s General Store, 602 E. First St. in Port Angeles.
■ June 23-27 (ages 5 and older) and June 30-July 4 (ages 7 and older) — Freedom Farm’s summer horse camp. Riding, basic horse care and fun. Discount before May 1.
For more information, visit www.freedom-farm.net/rider/summer-camps, email freedomf@olypen.com or phone 360 457-4897.
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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.
