Youth Nationals
While RPH’s youth riders have reduced in number by two with the graduation of Lauren VanAnrooy and Kiley Rubin, RPH was still well represented by Leah Perczak, Shea Urgitus, Bree Williams, and Peyton Randle. All four riders rode strong and brought home awards.
Leah slid and spun HH Charmed N Color to the Reserve Championship in HA/AA Reining Horse JTR 14-17.
Peyton ended her Walk/Trot 10 & Under career in grand style with a Championship and Reserve Championship along with a couple of Top 10’s riding Prince Monaco (Champion HA/AA Hunter Pleasure), BF Vittorio (Reserve Champion Arabian Hunter Pleasure), and RSH Just Jack (Top 10 HA/AA Western Pleasure and Western Seat Equitation). It is always nice to move to the next division on such a high note – look out 13 & Under, here she comes!
Shea continued her winning ways on The Real Slim Shady with two Top 10’s in HA/AA English Show Hack JTR & JOTR.
Bree turned in a solid performance on WC Iliad to earn them a Top 10 in Arabian Hunter Pleasure JTR 14-17.
Way to go girls!
Canadian Nationals
With Sally and Laura in tow, Bob drove the big rig with 7 horses 1050 miles to Brandon, Manitoba to compete at the 2011 Canadian Nationals. The drive was quite an adventure with multiple map-reading stops and detours due to flooded roads. Despite a few hiccups at the border (i.e. Laura did not remember where she was born and Bob’s fingerprints were on file) and after a brief search of the rig, we passed into Canada.
We found our stalls to be quite comfortable and out of the weather and the town to be quaint. The only major drawback was the size of the arena resulting in bumper-car style classes. While the western classes could manage the smaller size, the hunter classes were definitely every man (or woman) for themselves. It was best described as having to “manage” your horse in the ring instead of being able to “show” your horse in the ring.
Regardless of this handicap, the RPH team rose above the difficulties and had a stellar show with each horse bringing home ribbons in its division.
HF Psypher and Texie Lowery were named UNANIMOUS Canadian National Champions in Arabian Hunter Pleasure AATR 40 & Over. The duo also placed Top 10 in the AAOTR 40 & Over division. This was quite an accomplishment since Psypher had only been in training with RPH a little over a month.
Not to be outdone, Mary Earle represented RPH in fine style with her Reserve Championship riding VSH Cosmopolitan in HA/AA Hunter Pleasure AATR 40 & Over.
Cheryl Nelson and Berry Blessed Top 10’d in HA/AA Hunter Pleasure AAOTR and AATR 40 & Over.
Laura Rubin followed in Cheryl’s footsteps also placing Top 10 in HA/AA Hunter Pleasure AAOTR and AATR 40 & Over riding Sky High Connection V.
Mark & Debbie Helmick both scored Top 10’s in their respective divisions Select AATR (Debbie) and AATR 40 & Over (Mark) riding SI Dreammaker. Sally added a Reserve Championship on "Garth" in the competitive HA/AA Ladies Side Saddle Western division.
The “Little Engine that Could”, Fanfare WF, once again showed off his skills placing Top 10 in Arabian Hunter Pleasure Junior Horse with Sally. In fact, he was 3rd – where he has consistently placed throughout the year at larger shows.
With assistance from Jason Khrons, Levitation TM brought home two Top 10’s - one in Arabian Country English Pleasure Open with Jason riding and another in Arabian English Show Hack Open with Sally aboard.
Along with congratulations to the RPH clients, a big thank you was in order for their assistance during the show. It would not have been a success without their efforts.
US Nationals
The 2011 US Nationals was RPH’s greatest endeavor with 26 horses showing. After meticulously going over the details of entries, hauling, and help, RPH set off at 4 a.m. on October 12th to make the 10-hour drive to Tulsa, OK.
Once arriving, we were pleased to find our stalls completely enclosed in a climate controlled building with dirt floors. After a feverish one and half days of set-up, the RPH stalls were complete with a sitting area featuring a 42” flat-screen TV; dining area; and kitchen with a fully stocked 18 cubic foot refrigerator.
The Nationals RPH Team was outstanding this year with Caitlin and Beck (from UT) who groomed, bathed, sanded, clipped, and braided until wee hours of the night (every night). Melody Lee (with Jeff Lee Training) of Washington State came to assist Sally with riding and was instrumental in keeping us on track. Saul and Kitt assisted Tyson with his reining horses and Dana pitched in wherever needed. Cesar made sure the horses had clean stalls and plenty of food and water. As always, RPH is only as good as its team members and they were on the top of their game for this show.
When all was said and done, Tyson’s reining horses had a phenomenal show with championships in EVERY class he rode as well as four Reserve Championships and numerous Top 10’s.
Just N Style - Champion Arabian Reining Horse Futurity/Junior Horse
Dun Waltzin - Champion Half-Arabian Reining Horse Futurity/Junior Horse
Hollywood Spin Doctor – Reserve Champion Half-Arabian Reining Horse Futurity/Jr Horse
Chic Magnet - Top 10 Half-Arabian Reining Horse Futurity/Junior Horse
Starlights Paisleigh - Top 10 Half-Arabian Reining Horse Futurity/Junior Horse
HH Charmed N Color - Champion Half-Arabian Reining Horse Open
TR Skid Mark - Reserve Champion Half-Arabian Reining Horse Open
Kim Niven piloted HH Charmed N Color to a Top 10 in HA/AA Reining Horse AOTR.
RPH’s performance horses brought home numerous awards as well.
Vicki MacFerren and Santa Bravo V were right at the top in the Arabian Hunter Pleasure 55 & Over division with a Reserve Championship. Vicki rode her heart out in the “old broad’s” class as she refers to it.
Edie Howell brought home her very first Top 10 riding SS Jack Daniels in HA/AA Hunter Pleasure AAOTR 40 & Over. Melody Lee then rode “Jack” to a Top 10 in HA/AA Hunter Pleasure Open.
Top 10’s were also won by:
SI Dreammaker - Top 10 Half-Arabian Western Pleasure AATR Select (Debbie Helmick)
Top 10 Half-Arabian Western Ladies Side Saddle (Sally Randle)
BCR MidniteCowboy - Top 10 Arabian Hunter Pleasure Futurity with Wendy Potts
PA Montecello Always - Top 10 Arabian Hunter Pleasure Futurity with Sally Randle
Rounding out the Top 10’s was Fanfare WF in Arabian Hunter Pleasure Junior Horse. Once again, placing an impressive 3rd among some tough competition.
As the 2011 show season comes to an end, the RPH Team takes a much-needed break in anticipation of another exceptional show season in 2012.
