While most of Western
Canada suffered in the grip of a record-breaking
heat wave, more than 100 Reining and Working Cow
Horse enthusiasts donned their straw hats and sunscreen,
and set out for Armstrong, British Columbia.
They knew that the competition would be as hot as
the sun’s rays from above, but 14 Championship
buckles and over $21,000 in cash and prizes were
up for the taking, and no one wanted to be left
in the dust.
Warm-up classes on
Thursday afternoon allowed riders the opportunity
to prepare their horses for the full slate of NRHA
and NRCHA classes on offer over the next three days.
Sandra Rhodes, Salmon Arm, BC, a familiar and popular
face with Reinin’ In The Sun show sponsors,
proved her equine skills as she guided her favorite
mount Wright N Chex to a score
of 72.5 points and the win in the first class of
the show.
More show committee
talent was in evidence when RITS director Daina
Schindelka piloted her popular stallion Shiney
Men Can Jump to post the highest score
of 21 riders and win her first Championship buckle
in the Never Won a Buckle class. Not to be outdone,
another committee member, Dallas Jeffrey, riding
hubby’s horse Surprise Whiz Kid,
captured one of the custom made Olson buckles in
the Green As Grass, and rumors abound that Jason
Jeffrey may now be searching for a new horse!
More shining moments for committee members Leah
Luprypa with a tie to win the 3 YO Non
Pro Stakes aggregate riding Elanarose,
and Gus Evangelopoulos with a tie to win in the
aggregate of the 3YO Rookie Professional Stakes
aboard Chic Palogun for Trio Partnership.
Dallas and Gary Schwerdt
traveled from Fairview, Alberta, their first trip
to Reinin’ In The Sun, but after pulling off
a double header in the Rookie classes, their plans
to return next year were written in stone. Dallas,
aboard Great Taco Gal and Gary
riding Lil Warlena, marked identical
scores of 70 ½, tying each other for the
win in both NRHA Rookie Level 1 and Rookie Level
2 classes, and their decision to share the title
as well as the prize money was an easy one.
Dallas, however, was seen sporting the Championship
buckle as they loaded up, heading out for the considerable
journey home.
New for 2009 was
show approval with National Reined Cow Horse Assn
(NRCHA), as well as the American Quarter Horse Assn
(AQHA), giving competitors the opportunity to earn
qualifying points towards the respective World Championship
shows, as well as recorded lifetime points and earnings.
This proved to be a wise decision, as 73 Working
Cow Horse entries were tallied, with riders showing
well in to the coolness of the Friday evening.
Yelm, Washington’s Sarah Shermann, with her
two classy Cow Horse entries Educating The
Chics and No Time For You, took
home the lion’s share of the loot, posting
wins in the NRCHA classes, Non Pro Bridle, Novice
Non Pro Bridle and Non Pro Hackamore classes, as
well as the Open Bridle Championship with Cayley
Wilson in the driver’s seat.
Platinum sponsors
Clay and Jenn Webster, owners of the stylish mare
Ms Tyson Chic N Nic, laid claim
to the NRHA Open and Intermediate Open Championships.
The catty sorrel mare is well known for her dynamic
spins and was skillfully guided by Clay in both
classes. The flashy palomino mare
Dun It Because I Can earned the aggregate
Championship in the Open Derby, and is owned by
Dusty Worbets of Rafter D Reiners, also a valued
Platinum sponsor of Reinin In The Sun. Amanda Self
showed the classy mare to the win with an aggregate
score of 143, also capturing Reserve Champion honors
with Rafter D’s Nickerific
close on her sliders, posting an aggregate score
of 142.5.
Strategically
interspersed among the intensity of the competition
were several interesting perks, including The Oasis,
a gathering place for competitors to sit and relax,
and enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee, a homemade
muffin, or a refreshing beverage. The Oasis
was the place to be late Friday afternoon, when
Diana’s Monogramming generously provided complimentary
Bratwurst and Beer to all competitors, and again
on Saturday for the Ranch style dinner. But
the excitement was tantamount to the buzz over at
the show arena mid Sunday morning, when 41 eager
Deal Or No Deal envelope holders gathered
to learn their fortune. World Champion auctioneer
Don Raffan was on hand to auction one last envelope
– a Wild Card – available to anyone
on the grounds who could secure the final bid.
And then the opening of the envelopes. First a miscue
by an over zealous envelope holder, then finally,
after reading the fine print, Carmen Teixeira, from
Canoe, BC and current RITS Show chair, realized
she was the lucky holder of the Deal Or
No Deal envelope proclaiming her to be
the winner of tickets for two to the NRHA Futurity
in Oklahoma City!
As the sun set over the hazy hills
at the Armstrong Fairgrounds, it was determined that
over the course of 3 ½ days, 379 runs had been
scored, countless friendships had been renewed, and
an indeterminate amount of fun had been had. The Show
Committee is already hard at work, planning for the
2010 edition of Reinin’ In The Sun.
Information: Barbara Grimshaw gtstable@telusplanet.net (250) 558-4241
Photo Credits: Tracey Eide