2007 YRHA Sponsor Appreciation Day and Affiliate Awards Presentation
Author: Wendy Deans
Date published: Oct 31 2007
The Yellowstone Reining Horse Association held their Sponsor Appreciation Day and Affiliate Awards presentation on October 27th at Anderson Training Stables in Wilsall, Montana. It was hard to get psyched up when we woke to 20 degrees in the morning. But the sun shown bright and it warmed up to be a glorious fall day with not a breath of wind. Perfect for a gathering of friends.
The purpose of the day is to honor our many sponsors and to say thanks for their generosity. Simply stated, we couldn’t do it without their help. They make it possible for us to put on the three YRHA shows each summer. In turn, that makes it possible for us to have an NRHA affiliate circuit enabling the top 10 riders in each NRHA class to qualify to go to the Mountain States Affiliate Championships in Denver. Some of those riders will then go on to compete in Oklahoma City at the NRHA Futurity show in late November. Being able to afford to put on these three shows has given riders more opportunity to improve, advance and be more competitive. We are so thankful for the financial support that our sponsors have given YRHA.
In addition to thanking our sponsors, we invited them to learn a little more about what it is that Reiners do. Jay Dee Anderson demonstrated groundwork on a long yearling stallion, Nu Cash On Command, owned by Jim and Sharon Gelhaus. He explained some of the important first things a colt must learn when working with a person; manners being a big part of their early education. Ryan Anderson demonstrated a two-year-old filly, Duel Rey Olena Play, also owned by Jim and Sharon Gelhaus. He explained the process of training that builds on the eventual polish of a finished Reining horse. He demonstrated circles and turn arounds. Jarvis Anderson rode his wife, Stephanie’s, gelding, A Girls Best Friend. He explained how this five-year-old finished Reining horse is ridden differently than the younger ones still learning all the maneuvers and how to keep them fresh for showing. He gave us a glimpse of this beautiful gelding's talent with some impressive stops and lead changes. 
Finishing up our demonstration was Mary Dunkel who rode in the Youth 13 & Under classes this year. She did NRHA pattern 5 for us on her adorable palomino mare Phenomenal Blonde.
2007 YRHA Mountain Region Affiliate Qualifiers
YRHA had 20 riders qualify for the Affiliate Championships in Denver. Five riders attended the Championship show and Sean Alquist will be taking his Freestyle routine to Oklahoma City in November. Good luck to Sean! The club purchased embroidered denim jackets for all the qualifiers and there were a lot of folks sporting denim at this afternoon gathering.
YRHA purchased NRHA pewters and plaques for all the Affiliate Champions and Reserve Champions again this year. Presenting the awards was YRHA President Elise Donohue. The NRHA Rookie Champion was Lori Waters riding This Whiz It. Tied for Reserve Champion was Sarah Blackburn riding Cowboy Kal and Lanette Frye riding Leos Sailin Rocket.
The NRHA Youth 13 & Under Champion was Mary Dunkel riding Phenomenal Blonde. Reserve Champion was Alana Smith riding Gin Yankee. NRHA Youth 14 – 18 Champion was Savannah Smith riding Forest Cabin Cowboy. Reserve Champion was Sean Alquist riding Mighty Mega Jac. NRHA Open and Intermediate Open Champion was Ryan Anderson riding Hollywoods lena Lady owned by Bill Schutter. Open and Intermediate Open Reserve Champion was Ryan Anderson riding Montana Shy Twist owned by Meredith Brokaw. NRHA Limited Open Champion was Ryan Anderson riding Sailor Sam Dan owned by Polly Cooke. Reserve Champion was Wendy Deans riding West Coast Boggie owned by William Deans. NRHA Rookie Professional Champion was Wendy Deans riding West Coast Boggie owned by William Deans. NRHA Non Pro Champion was George Stone riding Mr Jacs Enterprise owned by Sharlene Stone. Reserve Champion was Sharlene Stone riding Always Sailing Smart owned by George Stone. NRHA Intermediate Non Pro Champion was Sharlene Stone riding Always Sailing Smart owned by George Stone. Reserve Champion was Becky Melzer riding Pleasorima. NRHA Limited Non Pro Champion was Sarah Blackburn riding Cowboy Kal. Reserve Champion was Becky Melzer riding Pleasorima. NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Champion was George Stone riding Mr Jacs Enterprise owned by Sharlene Stone. Congratulations to all our Affiliate Champions!
One of the added benefits of being a YRHA member this year was being eligible for the drawing for a Duane Latimer Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by YRHA and Four Corners Saddlery of Bozeman. Every YRHA member that won an NRHA class had their name put in the hat for the drawing. Today was the day to draw that name and Ryan Anderson was the lucky person. His qualifying class was the Limited Open at the Yellowstone Slide II riding Top Whiz Bang owned by Meredith Brokaw. We also gave away the “Ride the Slide” headstall which was a gorgeous silver bridle sponsored by YRHA and Four Corners Saddlery with a Tom Balding Pro Roller bit sponsored by YRHA and Tom Balding Bits and Spurs of Sheridan, Wyoming. The lucky winner was Bill Crain. His qualifying class was the Senior Non Pro at the Yellowstone Slide I riding his gelding Top Chex Charlie.
We topped off the afternoon with an outstanding potluck dinner. The afternoon was so beautiful the guys hauled the picnic tables out of the arena and into the sunshine where we relaxed and visited over some fantastic food.
Again, our sincere thanks go out to our sponsors for their continued support of the YRHA. Remember them during the year if you need a stallion to breed to, a prospect to purchase, a new pickup, boots, custom hat or poles for your corrals. We appreciate their support and they’ll appreciate yours. They are: Double D Ranch-Elise Donohue, Advanced Laser Care - Dr. Tom and Anne Kent and Dr. Doug and Kathryn Neuhoff, Anderson Training Stables - Jay Dee & Jan Anderson, Four Corners Saddlery, Little Mission Creek Ranch - Jean Keffeler and David Stanley, Manntana Reining Horses - Howard Mann, Nan Newton, West Boulder Equine - Meredith Brokaw, Gwen Wagner-Ranch Broker, First Interstate Bank, Harvey Lewis, Yellowstone Country Motors, Cowboy States Reining Horse Association, Rob Davis and Ariat International, Bank Bar & Vault Restaurant, Big Sky Equine Veterinary Services - Dr. Lisa Jacobson & Dr. Ben Shomper, Brackett Creek Quarter Horses - Jim & Sharon Gelhaus, Bruzzy & Polly Cooke, Corral West Ranchwear, Cottonwood Ranch-Gordon & Rinda Galarneau, Rafter D Training-Gill & Wendy Deans, Dick Perry Horseshoeing, Dr. Rod Warren-Hardaway Veterinary, Karen Neff-Hands On Horses, MRHA Stallion Stakes, Myrstol Post & Pole-Rocky & Connie Myrstol, Rancho Picante Quarter Horses - Jonny Gans, Rocky Mountain Hat Company-John Morris, Shields Valley Veterinary-Dr. Don Smith Wagner Performance Horses - Arch & Gwen Wagner, Western Home Mortgage - Cyndy Rigler, Nicole Welker-The Rusty Spur, Vickers Western Store - Bill and Kim Vickers, CR & Alice Morrison, George & Sharlene Stone, Ardyce Swain, IMC Pump-Chuck Henderson, Mike and Jan Lukenbill, Becky Melzer, All West Veterinary Hospital - Dr. Gary Cook, Richard O’Haire, Shields Valley Hardware - Jerry & Cindy Good, John Mabie CPA, Glenn’s Shopping Center - Brad and Tammy Berandts, Scott Schuster, Bank of the Rockies - Clyde Park, Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic - Erick Sorenson DVM, Westrends of Columbia Falls.
We look forward to seeing everybody at the YRHA Awards Banquet at Chico Hot Springs April 5, 2008.