Memories from the NRHA 2009 Northwest Regional Affiliate Finals

Blue skies and 70°F during the day. By night, golden sunsets with pink fluffy cloudy reflecting rosy light on the foothills. Free exhibitor cocktail parties—free beer in etched glass beer mugs; Octoberfest dinners with complimentary Washington apple cobbler for dessert; hanging out with our good friends Dan and Sue; cheering on our fellow Washingtonians as they competed and thrilling when they placed; petting puppies and admiring everyone’s dogs; shopping through the many fun venders including furniture, fancy high-end chaps, pictures, saddle and tack shops, book companies and so many more; cheering on a young upcoming reining trainer in the futurity, then experiencing that sinking dull feeling as we watched him accidentally do five spins (instead of four); seeing a photo of me and my horse used as a promotion for the show photographer...

These are just some of my memories from the 2009 National Reining Horse Association’s Northwest Regional Affiliate Finals held in Nampa, Idaho at the beautiful Idaho Horse Park this past October. In order to compete in the affiliate classes you had to be one of the top five in your club class—Felix and I qualified in three classes. And how did Felix and I do? Well, we tied for first in an NRHA Limited Non-Pro class. In our affiliate classes we didn’t do as well, although I was proud of our runs and of my horse. In a field of nearly 80 competitors, Felix and I got 7th in the Affiliate Novice Horse Non-Pro class—the payout and invitation to compete in Oklahoma City at the year end world show went to 6th place. I missed it by ONE place!! In all of my classes I was just very pleased to have qualified and made it that far, especially with a horse I had only been riding and showing since March. Felix tried hard and we both had a lot of fun. Felix is an awesome little pony, just taking everything in stride. Plus he’s so much fun to ride—quite an honor to have him to show!

Update: Reining

Off to reining show #3 today. This show, Washington Reining Horse Association’s “The Classic” is in Monroe, Washington. Matt and I are only showing one horse this year, partly due to a slowing of the economy and less work, but also due to the fact that both of my horses are on the injured list. I had planned to retire RB this year due to arthritis in a front knee. RB, a big strong horse, is one of the most physical reiners I’ve ridden. He was a blast (almost literally!) to ride and slide. You could tell he loved his job as he would give his all when he ran. Earlier this spring while on a trail ride he managed to pull a muscle somewhere in his hip. So, he’s on lay-up right now and is sick of it, ready to at least to get back to the trails.

Bob, my other seasoned reiner who accompanied me to Las Vegas, Arizona and elsewhere winning buckles, money and awards as he went, was diagnosed with chronic laminitis earlier this year. With that diagnosis, I became another of the heart-sick horse owners to travel down the laminitis road. While Bob’s laminitis wasn’t caused by metabolic issues (it was more than likely due to poor conformation combined with hard surfaces,) metabolic issues all come into play for him now. Where things like pasture, treats, and feed types weren’t issues before, they certainly are now. As we puzzle together a management plan and struggle to bring him back to good health, I have been forced to learn more and become even more aware of nutrition and metabolic issues in horse health. Hence the article this month's The Green Horse on safer grazing incase you have a horse with metabolic issues or just want to watch your horse’s waistline.

In the meantime we were lucky enough to have another talented horse, Matt’s young reiner, Felix. Matt was gracious enough to pass on showing this year and give me the opportunity to show his athletic young horse. I feel privileged to do so as this horse has tons of ability and can easily slide 20 feet, the hallmark of a reiner. Besides that, he is sweet and quiet. A winning combination in my book!

So, if any of you are nearby feel free to stop by the Evergreen State Fairgrounds to say hi to little Felix and I. And wish us luck!