The Creston Valley Horse Association held the first Kootenay Cowboy Up Challenge on Aug. 10. The event for all levels and disciplines of horses and riders consisted of a series of obstacles, which the horses were required to navigate smoothly and quickly.
It was well attended by both riders and spectators, all of whom enjoyed good weather — ice cream sales were brisk at the Purple People Feeder food truck.
The CVHA acknowledges the support of its sponsors, who truly made this show stand out with their generous prizes.
Skylar Gronen won the youth class prize (Sunset Seed Co. gift card and a tote bag of grooming supplies partially donated by Appaloosa Springs Tack in Cranbrook), as well as the youth/children horsemanship award (halter from Posh Pony).
Alexis Folk won the prizes (Sunset Seed gift card and ride photo by Kathryn Gardner) in the More than a Pony Ride class, for people in the Therapeutic Riding Program.
The Young Guns winners were Katana Allard (first, Sunset Seed gift card, grooming supplies from Appaloosa Springs Tack), Timmy Faulks (second, grooming kit from Appaloosa Springs Tack, horse shampoo and conditioner donated by Greenhawk) and Ethan Massie (saddle blanket by Wendy Forsyth).
The futurity class, for horses under five years old, had two entries. Shayla Leacock, riding her mare, Allie, won first prize (championship horse cooler monogrammed by 2 Chicks in a Stitch, horse products from Green Haven Therapy and $50), and Joanne Elliot took second place (leather saddle bags made and donated by Brian’s Saddle Shop in Jaffrey, and a pink grooming tote from Greenhawk). Elliot also took home the prize (necklace and earrings from LeatherNLace) for ladies highest horsemanship score.
The open class was the largest class and the most difficult. The champion was trainer Terrill Oler (championship horse cooler monogrammed by 2 Chicks in a Stitch, gift certificates from Ricki's Restaurant, and $400). Lyn Kistner won second place (saddle stand donated by Meadowbrook’s Putting Down Roots Greenhouse and Country Crossing Gift Store), as well as the men’s high score for horsemanship (bronc halter by Judy Bala). Elliot won third place (saddle blanket from Wendy Price, books from Luanne Armstrong).
The novice class saw Rob Bailer take first place (championship horse cooler monogrammed by 2 Chicks in a Stitch, and $150). In second place was Alicia Massie (leather saddle bags from Brian's Saddle Shop, pink grooming tote from Greenhawk). Wendy Forsyth won third place (saddle blanket from Wendy Price, books from Luanne Armstrong).
The English class was a lot of fun, and the riders proved they could cowboy up — even in English gear! Michelle Whiteaway and her good mare, Kit, were the winners (championship horse cooler monogrammed by 2 Chicks in a Stitch, and $100). Erin Faulks won second place ($100 Greenhawk gift card), and Luanne Armstrong won third (saddle pad from Greenhawk), and donated her books to Faulks.
As well as these prizes, each placing in the adult classes received a hand tied rope halter from Diamond Lazy H Quarter Horses. All unsponsored or partially sponsored prizes were also sponsored by the Creston Valley Horse Association. Karen Czar donated $100 cash, and the whole thing started with a grant from Columbia Basin Trust through Regional District of Central Kootenay Area B director John Kettle.
Cash prizes were determined by the amount of entry fees generated in each class — the more entries, the more added money. Now that everyone has seen how much fun it is, organizers anticipate many entries next year.
Any event depends on helping hands, and the Cowboy Up Challenge had no shortage of volunteers, so a hat tip to all those who helped out — there were too many to list, and that’s a wonderful thing! Children through to senior citizens pitched in cheerfully and did a great job, and volunteers even came from as far away as Meadowbrook and Salmo.
—CRESTON VALLEY HORSE ASSOCIATION