|
Reining Shows Return To Grant County Fairgrounds |
|
|
|
Tuesday, 08 July 2008 |
 Recent improvements to the Grant County Fairgrounds attracted the Reining Horse Association of the Northwest back to Moses Lake for two shows this year. The most recent show was the Summerslide and Dun Its Lucky Charm Derby on June 7-8. In spite of high fuel costs, participation in the RHANW shows has increased over 30% in 2008. The Summerslide attracted 127 horse/rider teams from Washington, Idaho, Oregon and British Columbia performing 275 runs. Riders competed for $8,000 in prize money plus class awards, bronze and pewter trophies provided by the National Reining Horse Association.
The feature event on Saturday was the first annual Dun Its Lucky Charm Derby, made possible by the generous sponsorship of Calvin Thomas and Mary Kaplan, owners of Dun Its Lucky Charm, a gorgeous dun stallion sired by Hollywood Dun It. The Dun Its Lucky Charm Derby was limited to 4, 5 or 6 year old horses and offered a division for professional trainers on Saturday and a separate event for non professional riders on Sunday. The $1,250 added Open Derby was won by Brad White riding Hat Trick Chick to earn a score of 74, the highest score of the weekend. Hat Trick Chick is owned by Ron Knutson.
The $750 added NRHA Non-pro Derby was the event to watch on Sunday. Lindsey Bernbaum captured the Championship with a score of 72.5 riding Espresolina, a beautiful dun mare raised and trained by the Bernbaum family. Only one point separated the first three places. John Harris and Busy Miss Cloie were Reserve Champions with a score of 72. Terri Hunter captured third place with a 71.5 riding Chocolate Hustler.
In addition to reining competition, spectators and participants enjoyed a wine tasting sponsored by the Moses Lake Roundup Committee on Saturday evening featuring a selection of northwest wines and micro brews. To add to the fun, there was also a Dog Derby, which involved spectators testing the speed of their dogs in small, medium, large and 10 years and older divisions with the winners of each division competing in a winner take all runoff for prize money and bragging rights. The Dog Derby proved to be to be a fun event for everyone involved - including the dogs.
 The RHANW will offer two more shows this year. The next show will be The Washington Trust Slide at Spur of the Moment Equestrian Center in Deer Park on July 11-13 and our final show of the year will be the Spin Out & All Star Futurity in Wenatchee on September 12-14. Information about the RHANW, show schedules and entry forms are available at www.rhanw.com.
Photographs by Kathlyn Toney, Pixeldust Studio.
|
Back Issues - Pre 2011 