 |
Sterling Horses Rein Supreme! |
|
The first Reining show of the year was held in brilliant sunshine on Sunday March 16th, after a well attended clinic with Doug Allen the day before. What had been planned as a gentle start to the show season rapidly gained momentum, with 28 horses ready to blow away the winter blues making 58 runs and 85 class entries! All classes had good entries and Sterling horses set the pace in several divisions. First class out in the Green as Grass, won by youngest rider at the show Yasmin Russo, on the oldest horse, Paying the Bills. Paying the Bills, at 20yrs is literally twice as old as his rider and was Doug's Open Reiner back in the day some 14 years ago, so it is fantastic to see him still going. Rookie honours were shared between Dee Russo, on Inwhizable Juan (Doug's Open horse a mere two years ago!) and Fiona Howard on Spookanic, her successful Spook Gelding bought from Sterling a year ago. This success follows on from her good results at the end of last year where she won the BR Championship class in the 14-18 yrs category. A mere half point behind was Issy Le Pla on Sashimi on their inaugural reining run. "Sushi" was back in the pen after a break of three years and just cruised round, looking like he had never been away! Rookie Pro saw Michael Langford ride to success on Sue Painter's Accustomed to Shine" another new combination making their mark. This pair also went on to win the Limited Open class with another nice run. The Novice Horse Open was one of the larger classes and was won by Erwin van Looy on Caroline Stannard's "Really Gotta Rein", a Sterling horse who was born just fields away from the arena. The Youth class set the bar high with Fiona Howard taking first place, half a point ahead of Tabitha Sternberg Allen on Chic Chic Horrah. Tabitha had only ridden this five year old mare the day before and so was very conservative, but had a clean and lovely run. Her mother reminded her that the horse is "just on loan!" Chic Chic was born at the Sterling Ranch in Texas and is the result of second generation Sterling Horses on both sides and second generation human in the saddle! Issy Le Pla showed consistency guiding Sushi to her second good score of the day making it an excellent class. Yasmin Russo took both places in the 13yrs and under on Paying the Bills and Chex N Bars Whizzard. Limited Non Pro put Sterling Horses in the top three slots with Luke Phillimore winning on Tinsel Rey ahead of David Ash on Smarts Golden Spook and Tabitha Sternberg Allen on Chic Chic Hoorah tying for 2nd throuth 4th with Mike Adams on Lucky Flashy Jac. Luke also went on to win the Intermediate Non Pro. Last class of the day was a family affair with Jessica Sternberg winning the Intermediate Open with a score of 70 on Wimpys Little Gal and Doug Allen had his first trip on board Hangten Shiner for Chris Brazeau winning the NRHA Open. All in all everyone had a great time and all are now set for the 2014 Show Season, bring it on! |
|
|
2014-03-21 |