Ok, I’m gonna bellyache a bit here: Why do kids have to grow up so fast and move on with their lives?
I hate it! I miss all the hullaballoo, mayhem and camaraderie of hauling my then-young niece Brooke Stromberg to her 4-H, Patterned Speed Horse, Washington High School Equestrian Team and Peninsula Junior Rodeo competitions, meetings and shows.
To be hanging out with the coaches and families of her competing peers, including Ady Crosby, Clara Duncan, Tanya Hull and Tylar Decker, to name just a few of that tight-knit group of fine friends and fierce competitors.
Thus, I kinda have an inkling of the bittersweet feelings Tina Van
Ausdale says she has over daughter Emily’s last time competing at this year’s Peninsula Junior Rodeo.
Held the third weekend in August at the Clallam County Fairgrounds, Emily’s been competing in Junior Rodeo and 4-H events there more than 14 years.
During her four high school years, she’s also proven herself one of the top WAHSET competitors with mom Tina as team coach.
Emily’s now headed off to Central Washington University, where she will be on the rodeo team while taking pre-vet classes before (hopefully) going to veterinarian school at Washington State University.
A close-knit family, Tina and husband Dave Van Ausdale worried how Emily would handle herself going away to college and living on her own.
“Like any parents, we worried she’d have too much free time on her hands,” said Tina, an advocate of teaching children to put the needs of their animal first before their own; of not having a life strictly centered around self-wants.
“So we quickly decided she needed to take her horse with her and for her, being part of the rodeo team was the right answer.”
Rodeo’s been Emily’s main focus most of her life, and she has done very well at it, winning six saddles (prizes for earning the highest points in her age division), more than 50 belt buckles and many other prizes.
“Although I will miss my local rodeo family,” said Tina, “I will have plenty of other things to occupy my time, and I will still be the WAHSET coach for at least another year.”
Personally, I think Tina and Dave will remain active supporters of the junior rodeo because they were involved even before Emily was old enough to seriously compete.
I think it was 12 years ago when Dave came to Brooke’s rescue after her horse Lacey lost a shoe just prior to a barrel race by straightening it out and tacking it back on. He certainly was our hero then as I’m sure he’s been to Emily and her friends throughout the years.
Speaking of heroes, Dave learned how to shoe horses through his neighbor of 20 years Duane Catract.
Sadly, Duane passed away July 13. My condolences go out to Duane’s wife and family, but especially to granddaughter Taylor Lemon — a contemporary of Brooke’s — as they were especially close.
It was Duane who was Taylor’s biggest supporter of her love of horses, taking her to all her shows and helping out where ever he could. His is a huge loss to our equine community, not only because he was a well-liked farrier who helped replace many thrown horse shoes at shows, but he was also known for his kind, gentle and generous spirit — and he had a great sense of humor.
Members of PJRA held a tribute to Duane during the pro-rodeo at the Clallam Fair. Taylor rode her horse while leading a riderless horse in homage to him. Tina says once the crowd heard it was for Duane the whole crowd stood to honor him. May this beloved man and pillar of the community rest in peace.
PJRA results
Madison Ballou- Jr. Trai, 1st; Flags 5th.
Rhett Wilson- Steer daubing 2nd; Breakaway Roping 5th.
Emily VanAusdle- Sr. Flags 1st; Barrels 4th; Goat tying 2nd
Amelia Hermann- Barrels 2nd; Team roping 2nd; Steer daubing 4th.
Events:
■ Sept. 12, 1 p.m. Valerie Jackson of OPEN (Olympic Peninsula Equine Network) will be interviewed by KSQM radio at Carrie Blake Park where they will have a booth for KSQM’s Seventh Annual Pet Day. The event will also have pony rides, a petting zoo and other fun animals happenings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
■ Sept. 13, 5 p.m. Backcountry Horsemen Peninsula Chapt at McCleahy Hall Sequim Grange. General Meeting following Pot Luck dinner. 2016 nominations. Guest speakers.
■ Sept. 26-27 Layton Hill Horse Camp Cook Off and Campout Contact Judy Sage at 360-775-6500 or no1sage@gmail.com.
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Karen Griffiths‘ column, Peninsula Horseplay, appears every other Sunday.
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.
