articles | The Classic 2005
The Classic 2005
Jun 15 2005
Author: Kim Lansidel
Ears perked, he strode into the arena…it was his turn to prove, “It can be done”…the crowd sang out it’s enthusiasm and he slid into the ground… just like any other horse, but wait…he was a MULE and the crowd loved him…he walked from the arena with his ears perked and his head held high, for he was the only participant to leave with a kiss on his nose from the man in the chair…the judge! Now, who was kissin’ what? A mule literally stole the show here at the WRHA classic on the weekend of June 1st to the 5th and it added charm and proved the NRHA was and is for everyone! Thanks for bringing “Hollywood Jack Son” owned by Tom St. Hilaire and shown by Varr Eaton.
Maureen Lathrop
Maureen Lathrop just scored big…what more can you say…a Lawson, a Morrison, a Pewter and over $1,900 in monies for winning the NRHA Non Pro, Intermediate and Limited Non Pro divisions. She said, with a big smile on her face, “He is the best horse I have ever ridden. He is always the same horse day in and day out.” Chics In Demand is a big, tall attractive bay gelding who spun a blur to the right with a plus one in the pen. Trained and raised by the McCann family, her brother Dean McCann has done all the work on him and her mother Shirley McCann owns the horse. Maureen is a busy mother of two (her daughter is a steady participant in the Futures class and her son gets out in the show pen on occasion too, when he isn’t playing sports) and also does the bookkeeping for the family businesses part-time. Her father Jerry McCann has been a huge contributor to the WRHA over the past number of years with his company – Continental Dirt Contractors, Inc. – and he always keeps turning 30 at our shows… year after year!! Thanks for the pizza!
Rachell Shobe has continued her success on Doctors Alibi. She placed second in both the NRHA Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro classes marking a 143. Meanwhile, another longtime client of Dean McCann’s was second in the NRHA Limited Non Pro. Michelle Goulet on her wonderful palomino gelding named Hollys Tucker Bar. Michelle’s mother, Lori is an avid supporter of her daughter and often brings her chap making booth business to the shows. Thanks Lori for you kindness and generosity in helping to keep a few little one’s hand warmer this winter!
With a high pitched squeeeeel of delight and tears in her eyes, Karen Patten ran to her husband Jack when she learned their horse Double Decked Chex with rider Travis Wigen had won the coveted Lawson Bronze in the Classic’s NRHA Open class. 
For Jack and Karen, this was their first huge win in the NRHA and they also added a Morrison to their collection from the NRHA Intermediate Open class. Jack and Karen are also major sponsors of the WRHA organization with their Patton’s Mini Storage, LLC business. Travis is currently training out of Ron and Sally Hoppe’s barn in Salem, OR. Travis is a Bob Avila protégé and has also spent time riding with Todd Bergen. He and his wife Melissa have one daughter who is now almost six months old.
A close second in the Open class was Sean McBurney riding a stunning bay stallion for Raymond and Sandra Walker named Back ToThe Roots. Sean was only a shy half a point behind in both classes and still earned a check of over $1,500. Sean has been working out of Jean Rhodes facility known as Rhodes River Ranch, located in Arlington, WA.
Finding his way once again at the top was Aaron Doss on Peppys Double Chant for owner Nancy Stancik in the NRHA Limited Open class. “Louie”, which is his barn name, is such a great, dependable and quite sorrel gelding. Nancy has owned him for few years now and the battle for WHO is going to show him will continue with Nancy in the Non Pro and son DJ in the youth classes.
It all started and stopped with Cory Hutchings HUGE run on LSR Whizdom for owner Karen Davis in the NRHA Novice Horse Open class when he came running in and meaning business. He walked out with the high score of the show – 74 – and the Morrison. Cory was especially excited since he had missed the opportunity to show this horse as a five year old, when he had ridden the horse as an assistant trainer. It was just plain a sweet ride and he could have also won the NRHA Open class if not for a lead change penalty. He ended up second in the Open class and was just plain beaming from this run, not to mention he also took second in the Novice Horse class mounted on Tracy Lewis’ Sweet Chocolate Chic mare – GREAT JOB CORY!
Another Chocolate Chic mare, Godiva Chic, melted into the ground in the NRHA Rookie class for owner Amy Roy and their big mark of a 72 held out to beat 37 other entries. Last year Amy won a few classes aboard her and the two have continued to bond and produce some great runs. Ahhhh, sweet success…go get a piece of Chocolate and celebrate!
The youths, who are ever growing both in number and height, rode their hearts out and in the NRHA Youth 13 and under class we had Ryann McKinzie on Dancing With Cows finding first place. A dependable hand-me-down horse, Ryann will be moving on to a great new mare her parents purchased for her while at the Derby. Ryann, we wish you the best with your new horse! The NRHA Youth 14-18 was won by Lindsay White on Tivio Breezes. This is her last year as a youth and we would like to thank her for making the trek from Canada to attend our show. Lindsay also captured second on Chex This Woman.
Grayson & Holly
Lastly, we have those cute little kids with their cute little outfits and their great horses, or ponies, who strode about in the Future Riders of America class. We saw it all…loping, spinning, stopping, backing and tons of glitz and glitter. Thanks Julie Daviscourt for allowing a few of the girls to be a fashion show in the arena with some of your youth vests.
Raindancer Video was again present for recording each and every run during the show. Dan and Rainy work non stop during the show and are just a super couple. The pair will be working the Mantana Futurity in September, so be sure to check out there business and see their great quality at GREAT prices! You are both always a pleasure at our shows!
Cheryl James took photos once again and has really created some great images and art work for people to hang on their walls. And, if you don’t know who someone is, just ask Cheryl because she knows everyone!
More sponsors include: Continental Dirt contractors, Inc. and the McCann Family, Marilyn Fleek of Fleek Quarter horses, , Mark and Julie Daviscourt of JD Designs, Tina Peterson and Hendrikus Organics, Three Peaks Ranch, Slide By Farms (Steve and Vicki Sandvig),McKinzie Quarter horses, Jack and Karen Patton of Patton’s Mini Storage, B&B Residential care and the Shobe family, Timberland Homes, Peoples Bank, Judy Caton of Caton Ranches, R&D plumbing, EH Construction, Lucky Eagle Casino, Cheryl James Photography, Precision Images, Reber Ranch…
Happy Trails to you, until we spin again…Happy Trails to you, and don’t forget to stop on in…visit our web site for the latest in the northwest at www.wrha.net.