articles | Port Angeles Washington Home of the WRHA Slide In - 2003
Port Angeles Washington Home of the WRHA Slide In - 2003
Jul 23 2003
Author: Kim Lansidel
Surrounded by the majestic 7,000 foot Olympic Mountains to the south and west, Port Angles is thought to be one of the best outdoor sports towns in Washington state. So, we tested it once again with the sport of Reining! And, although the cool wind off the ocean crept in towards the evening, the sun cast it's warm rays down on us - so, it passed!
This show, although extremely competitive, is always thought to have that "backyard" and "down-to-earth" relaxed atmosphere. Many of us could be seen with ice cream cones in our hands or remnants on our shirts! They really helped give the show that "down home" feeling too. Our judges, Sherry Dooley and Ron Peterson also enjoyed the low-stress environment. We had plenty of stalls this year, as the Fairgrounds let us bring in portables. We filled them with Ayn Todd's help, for she did the stall assignments. Darren Rentas wrangled up awards for the show again - Cowboy Tack headstalls and spur straps were for first and second and monogrammed chairs were for third place - and he brought his mobile tack shop too.
Our club was delighted that Christian and Elizabeth Rammerstorfer brought two students from Oregon State University's Equine Sciences Program in Corvallis, Oregon. Because of its growing popularity and the Collegiate Competition at the Derby, we would like to thank Dawn Salazar, who rode her mare Shooter and Kira Glithero and Dox, for making the six-hour trip to our show.
Both Dawn and Kira have completed almost every class in the Equine Sciences program at OSU. Undergraduate course work at OSU is offered in Equine Nutrition, Reproduction, Exercise Physiology and Behavior & Training. The college also has a diverse "hands-on" riding curriculum, which includes Reining, Working Cowhorse, Dressage and Jumping. For advanced students, a "Colts-In-Training" program is available where they can start and train two-year olds under the supervision of Dr. Rammerstorfer.
We also always like to have LaRae Fletcher Powell arrive with her Arabians. It is always a pleasure to have her at our shows and
Special Classes and Special Moments
The Dave Reaume Memorial Trophy is one of the most important classes to people here in the Port Angles area. The perpetual trophy was donated in honor of Dave Reaume, a horseshoer and trainer, who helped bring reining shows into this area. 
The class is for first year horse and rider combinations. The trophy depicts the tools needed to shoe a horse and the winner this year was Roxan Kraft and Scribbles In Command.
Ayn Todd
Ayn Todd said it best, "Dreams DO come true" when she won our NRHA Rookie class.
"Today I was a Reiner" and "Dreams DO come true!" were the quotes from Ayn Todd as she expressed her joy over winning her first NRHA class in the NRHA Rookie division. She has been doing reining for eight years and was elated to walk out of the pen with a 70 1/2. As we spoke, Ayn beamed with pride as she reflected on her win and patted her horse. It was a great moment to see such elation. On a side note, one other person shared in that same type of joy over the weekend. Karen Davis marked her first 70 and cried with delight over her accomplishment. It is these shared times that our Reining community needs to commend people for their achievements!
"And the rest of the NRHA story…"
Lunchtime always gifts us with our favorite class - the Future Reiners of America. "May you stay with the stop!" until next time, keep on riding kiddos.
Heather Flowers
Heather Flowers won a ride off for the Pewter in the NRHA Limited Non Pro class. She is pictured here aboard Joe Cool with her trainer Tom Pasama.
Lenas Charge Bar did what a horse has got to do, and that is put your rider into the winner circle! Heide Weide won her first NRHA class in our NRHA Youth 14-18, which made it a great day.
Kelly Pinkerton has now won our NRHA youth 13 and under class three shows in a row! And, she has done it on two different horses.
In the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro class, Kim Lansidel and DA Chics Tune, who is described as "Trigger", finally completed their trophy set by winning the Pewter in this class. Close on their heels was Heather Flowers riding Joe Cool.
Heather Flowers stayed "cool" and came back to win our NRHA Limited Non Pro on Joe Cool. She had to have a ride off against the steady competitor Heidi McCann. Jennifer had a HUGE run in the ride off and won the Pewter. Heidi McCann was riding Surely Wright.
Travis Wigen had two wins over the weekend aboard Too Smart for owners, Arata Ranch, LLC. He came up two Pewters - one in Intermediate Open and the other in NRHA Novice Horse Open. Second to Travis in the Intermediate Open and winning the Limited Open was Dean McCann and An Educated Guess. Inger Helsen, who shows performance Paint horses, was second in the Limited Open on Jacs Jethro Express for Sheryl Clevenger.
NRHA Open and Non Pro Classes
Mike Helsen and the mare BH Peppypine, owned by Julie Daviscourt, won the NRHA Open class. This tremendously fast spinning mare also topped the list earlier this year at the "Big
Sky Derby" in Kalispell, MT by winning the Open Derby and Intermediate Open Derby. Mike's earnings in the NRHA are currently over $49,000. BH Peppypine is going to be taking a new owner into the show pen soon, and we are all sure she will catapult them into the winner circle too. Mike and his wife Inger live and train at Stillwater Stables in Auburn, WA. Stephanie, their daughter, always looks pretty sharp in her pink and rhinestone outfit for the Future Reiners of America class.
Christie Batson is no longer just a "bridesmaid, for she was the "bride" here at Port Angeles in the NRHA Non Pro and NRHA Intermediate Non Pro! At Monroe, Christie had found herself in second place on at least three occasions aboard Smart Pep. This time she was a repeated winner. Utilizing Rush Hours Melody to his fullest, she tore the ground to shreds on this big stoppin' bay gelding and marked the shows high of a 73 and won a Morrison and a Pewter. Christie has been a huge contributor to the success of the WRHA club. She has served as the President, Vice President and is currently the Show Manager. Christie is widely respected for "getting the job done" and will always lend a helping hand when needed. GREAT job Christie!
Carolyn Edson
Plowing the ground in this picture is Carolyn Edson and Doc's Montana Jay. Carolyn is a very diversified rider and shows both Quarterhorses and Arabians in the NRHA and in their respective breed organizations.
To those we give THANKS!
The Port Angeles Crew did a FANTASTIC job getting this show together! Jan Peterson led the Port Angeles crew to bring about his very well run show. Jeff Lansidel had a cozy office set up and it, again, ran without a hitch. Joelle Barker was our "gate keeper" and for always being friendly and keeping the show going! The show depends upon this great team effort - THANKS!
Cheryl James used her digital camera to record those dirt-flying stops and other momentous maneuvers in the pen. She also took some time out during this show to capture some precious moments and a few portraits shots. She took some really neat photos over the weekend.
Thanks to the following sponsors - PLATINUM: Continental Dirt Contractors, Fleek Quarter Horses, NOAH - NorthWest Organization for Animal Help, The Shobe Family, Tina Peterson, The Pacific Reining Horses Association which presents "The Super Slide" in Chilliwack, BC October 2003 - SILVER: Chris Catalano's new store, Lucky Eagle Casino, H+H Non Pros, Stroud Non Pros, Judy Goodsell, McKinzie Construction - BRONZE: Julie and Mark Daviscourt, HANS Restaurant, Sue Muir/Precision Images, The Chap Lady - Lori Goulet, Stone Canyon Ranch, Winfield Farms and Matt Dillon Dunit of Three Peaks Ranch in Oregon.
The west will be busy with some big shows - Rancho, Superslide and of course WENATCHEE from October 16 - 19th! Visit us at www.wrha.net or call Jeff Lansidel at (360) 458-8865 for more information. And, of course, "We're on the road again…"