August 11, 2010
First things first……Congratulations to David Hanson and
West Coast Smarty on making the NRHA Derby Intermediate
Open Finals in OKC. He and Duke qualified with a
219. Thanks to Pam Oshay for the opportunity to show
this great gelding.
So, when I decided to do this newsletter, I vowed to be
diligent about keeping it updated and bragging up the
accomplishments of all of our horses and our clients.
Well, I manage to brag, it just isn’t often enough!
So, it has been since April that I have updated my handy
dandy Newsletter and now there is just soooo much stuff
to include, I may forget or overlook something, but I’ll
try to be as thorough as possible.
I would like to start off by welcoming all of our new
members…….Shelah Bolton, Leah Martin, and Tara Esterer.
You are all great additions to our family of competitors
and we look forward to seeing your show careers evolve.
You are all such fun people and we can’t wait to share
with you the family that is the Reining community.
The Affiliate shows have been fabulous. Dave, as
our new West Coast President, continues to bring great
ideas to the club, all of which are executed by an
incredible Board of Directors that give so much of their
free time. Back in May, we had our first Non Pro
Shootout and Draw Party. It was a $5,000 Added Non
Pro Jackpot with 100% of the entry fees added back into
the purse that allowed people to show anything they
could get their hands on. Beg, borrow, steal, and
show was the name of the game. Some were old, some
were new, some were borrowed, but none were blue!
When the dust had settled and the runs were over, the
scores were tabulated and so were the payouts!
Within 30 minutes of the completion of the
class……..buckles, crystals, and checks were handed out
to the competitors. With over $9,000 in the purse, we
paid 10 places and gave awards to 5th, the Shootout was
very well received by both the entrants and the
spectators. A big potluck just prior the start of
the class set the stage for the evening as the
membership congregated to eat and socialize while the
Shootout Horses warmed up in the adjoining arena.
With the support of almost 200 spectators, the Shootout
entries slid and spun their way through pattern 9 to the
constant and insatiable cheers of the crowd.
Congratulations to Lori Soma and Whiz N Imp on their 5th
placing in the both the Non Pro and the Limited Non Pro
and also to Kelsey Njus and her new mare Bedazzled Banjo
for tying for the Reserve spot in both the Non Pro and
the Limited Non Pro Shootout. I think she may have
doubled her lifetime earnings with that one run!
We are proud of both of you girls…way to go.
Speaking of the Affiliates, we have several Affiliate
Qualifiers who will be heading to the Idaho Horse Park
in October. Lori Soma and Whiz N Imp have
qualified in all three divisions of the Non Pro and also
in the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2. Kelsey Njus
will be going in the Intermediate and Limited Non Pro in
addition to the Novice Horse Level 1.
Congratulations also goes to Carson Kautz for holding
her own in the Youth 14-18. She had such a strong
start at the first of the season that despite injury,
was able to hold on to a top 10 placing. Hopefully
you and Custom Coffee will also be with us in Idaho. We
also have Tiffany Andrews and Jacs Peacemaker qualifying
in both the Non Pro and the Non Pro Novice Horse Level
2. Finally, a high five to George Deffterios and
Honky Tonk Whiz for making it the finals in the Prime
Time Non Pro. George is so ready to go show that
he has already gotten his hotel room and airplane
ticket! Hopefully your next trip will be to OKC!
Finally, Becky and Whiz N Imp are qualified in the Open
and Intermediate Open while Dave and West Coast Smarty
are also qualified in both divisions.
After the Affiliate shows finished up, we had a great
week in Woodside at Reining by the Bay. A few
notable accomplishments there include……Slide Zone, who
after 3 years of vacation/retirement, was resurrected in
the name of education for Leah Martin, a new Green as
Grass entry. After just 3 lessons at home, Leah
and Slide Zone entered the Green as Grass at Reining by
the Bay and after marking a 71.5 and a 70, the duo won
the Circuit Buckle. When you combine a rider
with a lot of focus and determination with a horse with
a million runs under his belt, you have a recipe for
success. Leah and Slide Zone left Woodside with a
beautiful (and much coveted) RBB Champion Buckle.
Congratulations!
The Hanson Barn would also like to congratulate both
Jeannie LeRoy and Sue Barton on scoring their first
70’s. Sue in the Green Reiner and Jeannie in the Green
as Grass each laid down solid runs, marking their first
perfect score and each garnering their first NRHA
earnings. In addition, Laura Vaugn and Jax Dunnit
marked a 71 the second day of the Green Reiner…….two
words….Big Stops! Congratulations to you all! Also,
Whiz N Imp (aka Tucker) and Becky Hanson did their
best to keep the men in check in the Open and
Intermediate Open. After having a marked a 74 the
first day and a 73 the second day, the pair came home
with two shiny new buckles…..one as Intermediate Open
Circuit Champion and the other as Open Reserve Circuit
Champion. Keep the silver polish handy, those bad
boys don’t come home with you every day!
Kelsey Njus and her mare Bedazzled Banjo continue to
check off their goals. After a great season thus
far, the pair went on to mark Kelsey’s highest Derby
score to date with a 215, which won her check in all
four of the divisions of the Non Pro…….next stop, Las
Vegas! Finally, George Deffterios is
the proud owner of a RBB Circuit Award. He and his
horse Honky Tonk Whiz were third in the Circuit in the
Prime Time Rookie! Way to go George!
Finally, congratulations to Jeannie and Holly LeRoy on
their purchase of the stunning mare Alena Rooster from
Bee Brown. We look forward to many talented and
beautiful offspring from this quality mare. That
said, we welcome back Peggy Fry to the show pen.
Her recent purchase of Whoa Dun It should give her ample
opportunity to make great runs in the show pen!
So, from here, we look forward to another round of Gold
N Grand, a week in Las Vegas, the West Coast Year End
Show, and ultimately the Affiliate Finals in Idaho and
then OKC.
