NORTH COUNTRY RIDER |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Copyright 2008 World Publishing Company. All rights reserved. |
||||
NORTH COUNTRY RIDER PHOTO GALLERIES
Got a fresh, new face you’d like to introduce? A shot of a recent breakthrough in the riding arena? Or maybe just a scenic sunset?
We want to see, too!
To share a photo, just e-mail a high-resolution (300 dpi) jpg to taylor@wenworld.com, and we’ll put it up on our Web site and consider it for the print edition of North Country Rider. Make sure to send along a brief (just a sentence or two) description of what’s going on in the picture — and don’t forget to tell us who took the photo so we can give proper credit where it’s due.
Here are some recent shots ...
Perhaps the hottest thing going in the world of equine sports is mounted shooting. Beginning in the ’90s, it’s been spreading like wildfire across the country. And now — plug your ears — it’s even hit the North Country.
Riders' warmups help to heat up reining competition
Riders from five western states slid, spun and sidled their horses through warmup routines prior to formal competition at the Washington Reining Horse Association and West Coast Affiliate finals at Appleatchee Riders in Wenatchee. More than 300 reining enthusiasts had registered for the concurrent events, considered by some to be one of the top horse events ever hosted in North Central Washington. Winners of the top four spots in each class are eligible to compete at the North American finals in Oklahoma City in November. (Photos by Mike Irwin)
Members of Methow Valley Back Country Horsemen saddle up for their annual autumn Hamburger Ride in the golden hills of Twisp's Big Buck Ranch.
A few familiar faces from the North Country showed up at the Northwest Pro Rode Finals in Sisters, Ore., Sept. 18-20 — including Ellensburg’s Kass Kayser, who our photographer caught frame-by-frame in the tie-down roping event.
Quincy's annual Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day features skilled riders on their Mexican dancing horses, all toe-tapping to the music of a mariachi band. This year's festival (Sept. 13) drew about a dozen riders and horses for the grand parade and an hour-long demonstration at the local high school.
But can they get the spots out of an Appaloosa?
Okanogan County Fair hoppin' with horses
Okanogan County Fair's rabbit barn wasn't the only place hoppin' last weekend. The horse barn, crowded with top quality animals, was buzzing with activities as 4-Hers, FFAers, and adult competitors readied their horses for on-going competitions. The fair, scheduled for Sept. 4-7, was set to culminate Sunday afternoon with the crowning of a new fair queen.
The horse barn was buzzing Thursday and Friday at the Chelan County Fair, where young riders from around the area were feeling the pressure of some tough competitions. “There’s a lot of time and effort put into this,” said 4-H adviser Thera Judd of Wenatchee. To be eligible for the fair, 4-H riders had to take part in at least two of the local shows that are scheduled from May to August. To have a shot at this month’s state fair in Puyallup, equestrians had to take part in at least three shows. Seven 4-H members from Chelan and Douglas counties are heading to Puyallup, Judd said — more than during any of the 10 years she’s been involved with the program.
The Ellensburg Rodeo banged out of the chute for another run during Labor Day weekend, drawing crowds and delivering everything promoters promised. Despite the relentless Ellensburg wind, the usual array of bumps, bruises and blackouts (along with a bull who managed to climb the fence for a brief escape), everybody went home happy.
The NCW District Fair in Waterville drew a crush of horses and riders this year — managers at the Open Class barn and the 4-H/FFA barn said stalls were full for the first time in several seasons. Thirty-one horses set up in the 4-H/FFA barn, while 17 were in the Open Class barn. The four-day fair closed Aug. 24.
Whitney stretches riders' skills
Clinic instructor Harry Whitney conducts two weeks of workshops in Cashmere.
Beat the Heat at the Grant Count Fair
Hot weather at the 2008's Grant County Fair didn't slow down horse enthusiasts and fair workers.
Riding and roping fans packed the arena to watch the 2008 Chesaw Fourth of July Rodeo. Riders of all ages competed for top honors at what's become one of the Okanogan Highland's premiere family events.
A gallery of photos from an article "Winner's heart, winner's hope" from June describing how Colleen Price's horse, Mojo, helps her in her fight against cancer.
