Reflections on the year 2011
The season did not start well with shows canceling or looking for later dates as show grounds and stables went into lockdown and exhibitors waited for the next report of horses falling ill or even succumbing to a serious and very contagious virus. Eventually shows that could move found new dates or new facilities and things gradually returned to normal. We did lose one show when Appleatchee's two days of Dressage canceled after Appleatchee went into quarantine for an undetermined length of time.
There were, however, four other dates for Dressage and eleven weekends committed to open shows. If you went to every day of every NEZ recognized show in 2011 you would have been at a show for 24 horse show days, figuring in all the multiple-judge shows for the season which ran April to Sept. Some people wish for more a more varied slate of judges. It might not be as bad as you think. Those 24 show days were judged by 16 different judges who each had one show. The remaining 8 slots were filled by four judges who each did two shows. The bottom line: 20 different judges were available see your horse.
2011 NEZ HSD Class Awards At the present time the High Score Awards list has131 horse show classes that count for points. This year 84 of them qualified, which means at least two on the books with three rides. The other 46 did not qualify because they lacked entries or rides. Ages can be combined to qualify if necessary.
Out of 105 horses recorded for points this year, 65 qualified for one or more classes and received a plaque. Qualifiers included our three new classes, Green English Pleasure, 1st & 2nd Year Walk Trot, Limit Rider Western Seat Equitation and Limit Rider Western Pleasure for riders who have not won six firsts in recognized shows In the Equitation Division, sign-ups totaled 57, of which 24 qualified for awards, Showmanship, being the most popular. Of the 78 first place awards, 41 of the winners chose a trophy, 34 chose cash, and 3 chose crystal for their award. First place ties occurred in Advanced Western Pleasure Horse and Trail Horse in Hand, Open. The winners were an Appaloosa, an Arabian, Paint and a Miniature. How's that for spreading it around?
Perpetual and Challenge Awards The Horse Show Division has 41 Special awards. Two new ones were added this year. The Lucky LaChees Memorial donated by Janel Holden in memory of her retired show horse and long time friend. He was a great kid's horse and she wanted him to be remembered for this. So his trophy is Most Versatile Horse, Junior Exhibitor 17 & Under. The Four Seasons Versatile Horse award is now limited to senior exhibitors. Interesting to note, that it has only been won by seniors. The other new trophy is a perpetual for Limit Rider sponsored by Diane Kadel.
Special Recognition for Special Members
The Early Bird Award - First Signed Up:
Sarah Puthoff, Sucha Nu Knockout- Jan. 1
The Full Trailer Award - Most Sign Ups
Toroison Family, Eight horses and three Eq people in various combinations.
The Globetrotter Award - Farthest Traveled:
Patricia Nettleton and Sun Dun Keyno, who showed in Pasco and Wenatchee.
They live in Yakima. Thanks for your support, Pattie!
Show with Most Zone Approved Rides:
Four Seasons' Three-in-One: 669 Rides,
and $167.25 in quarters for the awards fund. Way to go, guys!
Top Five Horse & Riders - Total Points
792SWF Maximus, Jole Chick
777Docs Eastar Ruckus, M Crittenden
609AGR Frankly Radical, A Jacobsen
397Image in the Rain, George Chick
348Moh's ACDC, Sonia Hagen
Horse Show Divn. Rule Change Meeting
1:00 PM Sunday, Jan 22, 2012
Fire District #3, Station 34 - 7616 S Grove Rd, Spokane.
More information to follow. 624-2468
Jole Birdsell, HSD Chair
