articles | 2008 Monroe Classic
2008 Monroe Classic
Jul 28 2008
Author: Tracy Lewis
The Washington Reining Horse Association held its “Classic” event on May 30-June 1 this year at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington. The weather was nice, runs were fast and fun was had by all. Our Judges were Flis Sassella from Marietta, Oklahoma and Andrea Simons from Aubrey, Texas.
This year’s Classic open was blazing hot with high scoring runs. It is always fun to see the open horses put to the test for the big money. Mike Helsen won on Maria Danieli’s cow horse “Doc Gin With A Twist” a 7 year old bay stallion that made it all look so easy. This was “Gin’s” first major NRHA win and first Lawson for the horse. Maria has owned this stallion for 3 years and she says the coolest thing about this win is that he is a cow horse. He was hurt as a 4 year old and had a year off, then was reined on a little, but has been pretty much a cow horse. Well for this year’s Classic he was an awesome reiner! Their score was a whopping 148. The team came out with $1008, a Bob Berg Buckle and the Lawson. Just ½ point behind to earn second place in the open and for the win in the intermediate was Darren Stancik and Parnelli Chic Olena. This duo paired up for the first time this year. Judy Caton owns “Parnelli” and has been riding and showing him for many years, doing very well on her own. Now Darren continues the winning way with him in the open classes. Their winnings totaled just under $1200 and they brought home a Bob Berg buckle and a Morrison. For second in the open the prize was a Cowhorse Equipment show pad. Darren and Parnelli also won the first open class of the weekend and Judy Caton ran a 72 to come out on top for the second non pro class and the WRHA Non Pro Prime Time. In the Classic limited open, top honors went to Whizzle Stop , a mare owned by Joy Soriano, and ridden by Rebecca Reiter. In the limited open, Rebecca Reiter scored big on the 7 year old chestnut mare, winning with a 146.5 and that score also put the pair in second place in the intermediate. This was the mare’s first NRHA show ever. The mare’s name must fit her because on review of the score card she plussed 1 one of her stops. Prizes for their efforts included just over $500 a Bob Berg belt buckle, a plaque and a Cowhorse Equipment show pad. The pair had also won the first limited open go earlier in the weekend. Rebecca said that she liked everything about that class and that Whizzle is very sweet and consistent. Mike Stokes earned second place in the Classic limited open on his father Tony’s gelding, “Tonys Tender Eye” bringing home $90 and a Cowhorse Equipment pad. What a great class that was to watch!
The non pro Classic was equally as blazing as the open. The winner was Maureen McCann Lathrop on Chics in Demand owned by Shirley McCann. This 9 year old gelding keeps getting better and better. His score of 147.50 was the top score for the non pro and intermediate non pro. Maureen liked how well “Tardy” ran to his stops and she reported that his left turnaround was very steppy. He plussed 1 both turnarounds and his last stop. Maureen also stated that Tardy is awesome, everybody loves him and he’s always looking for treats. The two won over $1700, Two Bob Berg buckles, a Lawson and a Morrison. Second place in both the non pro and intermediate non pro with a 147 was Molly St. Hilaire on NQH Little Jac who is another amazing horse. She won just under $1400 and two Cowhorse Equipment show pads. Limited non pro had 26 entries and long time “reiner dad”, George McKinzie had a great run winning with a 71 on 7 year old RU Missin Diamonds. This horse is truly one in a million with over $90,000 in earnings and now he is making a great teacher for George. His prizes included $122, a Bob Berg belt buckle and a pewter. George followed up the next morning with another 71 to win the rookie class. George enjoyed the turnarounds and felt he had command. George liked that he figured out what he had to do.
WRHA Beginner rider had 26 entries and Laurie Hughes marked a 70.5 for her first club class win on “Baylee” her 15 year old bay gelding. This horse has an awesome name “ Plumb Dry Tequila” and this pair has been steadily improving all year. Laurie says that Baylee loves Cheez-its and is a gentleman, but he likes to inch his way into the center of things at the barn. Matt Livengood continues to win on his 4 year old Dealing Dirty gelding, Dealin Pay Checks. The two scored a 70.5 to win the Green Reiner class. In the WRHA Aged Horse Non Pro, Julie Walker led the field of 33 horses for the win with a 71 on Chics Dry Eclipse and in the WRHA 4,5 and 6 year old non pro Carlie McKinzie took home first prize on Mr Moth Money.
Novice horse non pro and WRHA Novice horse non pro had 13 entries and Dave McKim earned $533 and a Morrison with his score of 70.5 on Sailano, his 11 year old black gelding. Dave commented that for this ride he really enjoys experiencing the growth that the pair have had in showing. Dave keeps “Cody” at home, and works on reining with the help of Mike Helsen. WRHA novice horse prime time non pro winner was Deb Muir on her grey stallion Silver Pistol Pep. The youth 13 and under winner, Colby Powell for both classes had a special story to share as reported by mom LaRae Powell. As LaRae planned out the logistics for this show, she decided to bring “Mickey”, one of the lesson horses to the show, for a Rookie client. LaRae tuned Mickey up for a week before the show. It was also decided that 13 year old Colby would use Mickey in the youth class and the two had a blast! They won their class with a 70 both days. Colby says that what he liked most about his ride is that he went fast. This was their first win and he got a plus ½ on one of his stops. Wranglers Ebony Don is a 17 year old black gelding who earned extra carrots this run! The second place winner both days was Stephanie Helson on Echolettes Freckles, a steady 22 year old mare called “Echo”. Stephanie liked her spins and says that she likes how Echo is very hard to spook, what a good old gal!
Youth 14 to 18 winner Meagan Woodley had a great run on Little Devil Whiz scoring 71.5 on her 2002 gelding. Second place was a tie between Kelsey Davis on her new gelding Docs Tivio Oak and Aubrey Shirley on Boot N Jose. The second go of the youth 14 to 18 class was won by Rachael Shirley on Meerly Inwhizable with a 70.5 and second place went to Ryan McKinzie on Almond Bark Chic. This was Rachael’s first time back showing in a while and it was obvious she hadn’t forgotten the moves she had a clean run and plussed her last turnaround. WRHA 4, 5 and 6 year old openwas won by Inger Helsen on Matt Livengood’s 4 year old gelding Dealin Pay Checks. “Felix” is going very well for both Matt and Inger. Inger liked how consistent and fun the run was. She likes to call Felix Dennis the Menace for fun because the gelding is very personable. Tami Kern and West Coast Desperado won the Intermediate non pro. Novice horse open winner was Deanna Lally riding Working For Checks her 7 year old bay stallion Working for Checks. “Bueno” as he is called at home is a dark bay Reminic stallion that has been Dee’s project and she is pleased with how he is coming along and is getting broke. One funny behavior Bueno has is when he is lying down he likes to talk to the sawdust in his stall and when people come by he gets all embarrassed. Horses do the silliest things.
Thanks
Thanks also need to be given to the 2008 sponsors whose contributions help make the shows special. Diamond Sponsors: Caton Ranches and Timberland Homes/Maria Danieli (co-sponsors). Platinum Sponsors: Cheryl James Photography & Design, Continental Dirt Contractors (the McCann Family), McKinzie Quarter Horses (the McKinzie Family), Rhodes River Ranch, Shawn Church Performance Horses and RV Town. Gold Sponsors: Precision Images (Sue Muir), Cheryl McLean of John L. Scott Realty and St. Hilaire Quarter Horses Non-Pros. Silver Sponsors: Del-Bet Printing, The Warren Family, Joli Farms, Stokes Performance Horses and Brackett Creek Quarter Horses. Bronze Sponsors: www.reinerstuff.com (Tracy Lewis), Helsen/Koehn Non-Pros and Eve Willet Agency, Insurance.
Upcoming Events
WRHA will be hosting the Northwest Regional Affiliate Finals at the Fall Spectacular on 10-9 through 10-11 in Wenatchee, Washington. WRHA looks forward to affiliates in the Northwest Region traveling from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California. And, for the first time, WRHA will be offering $200 added Open and Non Pro Freestyle classes. Be sure to visit the website for more details, you will not want to miss it! www.wrha.net.