Sponsor Appreciation Day & Affiliate Awards Presentation
Author: Wendy Deans
Date published: Nov 10 2008
The Yellowstone Reining Horse Association held its annual Sponsor Appreciation Day and Affiliate Awards Presentation at Anderson Training Stables on October 25th. We wanted to have a little more fun this year, so in addition to honoring our sponsors, watching reining demonstrations and awarding our affiliate champions, we had dog races and a best trick contest. We had a blast and every dog was thrilled to hang out with us all afternoon.
The support of our sponsors is so important to the club and we like to take the time to say thanks in person and acknowledge the help they give us. They step up to the plate and make it possible for YRHA to offer a great show season. We said our thanks to Elise Donohue of the Double D Ranch, Jean Keffeler and David Stanley of the Little Mission Creek Ranch, Four Corners Saddlery, Howard Mann, Jay Dee and Jan Anderson of Anderson Training Stables, Meredith Brokaw, First Interstate Bank, Dr. Tom and Anne Kent and Dr. Doug and Kathy Neuhoff of the Lazy MD Ranch, Nan Newton, John Morris and John Morris Jr. of Rocky Mountain Hat Company, Rob Davis of Ariat International, Inc., Bob and Edie Tomasko of the Bank Bar and Vault Restaurant, Jim and Sharon Gelhaus of Brackett Creek Quarter Horses, Bruzzy and Polly Cooke, Corral West Ranchwear, Dally O, Robin and Steve Aaker of Montana Colt Company, Connie and Rocky Myrstol of Myrstol Post and Pole, Dick Perry Horseshoeing, Gill and Wendy Deans of Rafter D Training, Jonny Gans of Rancho Picante Quarter Horses, Dr. Don Smith of Shields Valley Veterinary, Cyndy Rigler of Western Home Mortgage, Dr. Gary Cook of All West Veterinary Hospital, Bank of the Rockies, Dr. Erick Sorenson of Elkhorn Veterinary Services, Becky Melzer, C.R. and Alice Morrison, Ardyce Swain of the Red Door Saloon, Scott Schuster, Jerry and Cindy Good of the Shields Valley Hardware, George and Sharlene Stone and our Affiliate sponsors, the Cowboy States Reining Horse Association and the Montana Reining Horse Association. We sincerely appreciate everything they do for the YRHA.
Jan Anderson introduced Ryan Anderson and Cody Halford. Jan explained the sport of reining and the scoring system to the audience while Ryan demonstrated Duel Rey Olena Play, a 3 year old mare owned by Brackett Creek Quarter Horses. “Rey” showed the mature talent of a reiner that has been shown a few times and is ready to go to the NRHA Futurity in a month. Cody demonstrated Roosters Bitty Bucks owned by Jarvis Anderson. She is a 2 year old filly that is building a foundation in preparation for her futurity year.
YRHA awarded NRHA plaques and pewters to our affiliate champions and reserve champions. 
The Open and Intermediate Open champion was Ryan Anderson riding Montanas Shy Twister owned by Merideth Brokaw. The reserve champion was JR Winter riding Pay Chex Gold owned by Kristy Wheeler. The Limited Open champion was JR Winter riding Pay Chex Gold owned by Kristy Wheeler. The reserve champion was JR Winter owner/rider of Top Class Cat. The Rookie Professional champion was JR Winter riding Pay Chex Gold owned by Kristy Wheeler. Reserve champion was JR Winter riding Heza Real Dun Deal owned by Nanette Till. The Novice Horse Open champion was Sharlene Stone owner/rider of Mr Jacs Enterprise. Reserve champion was JR Winter riding Heza Real Dun Deal owned by Nanette Till. The Non Pro champion was Sharlene Stone owner/rider of Mr Jacs Enterprise. Reserve champion was George Stone owner/rider of Im Cashin the Chex. The Intermediate Non Pro champion was Sharlene Stone owner/rider of Mr Jacs Enterprise. Reserve champion was Becky Melzer owner/rider of Pleasorima. The Limited Non Pro champion was Sarah Blackburn owner/rider of Cowboy Kal. Reserve champion was Jessica Woodring owner/rider of Pepn To Hollywood. The Novice Horse Non Pro co-champions were Becky Melzer owner/rider of Pleasorima and Sharlene Stone owner/rider of Mr Jacs Enterprise. Reserve champion was George Stone owner/rider of Im Cashin the Chex. The Prime Time Non Pro champion was Becky Melzer owner/rider of Pleasorima. Reserve champion was Sharlene Stone owner/rider of Mr Jacs Enterprise. The Youth 13 and Under champion was Mary Dunkel owner/rider of Phenomenal Blonde. The Rookie champion was Sarah Blackburn owner/rider of Cowboy Kal. Reserve champion was Jessica Woodring owner/rider of Pepn To Hollywood. YRHA also awarded affiliate qualifier vests purchased from Dally O in Billings to all 17 of our qualifiers. Thanks to Lanette Frye for ordering the vests.
Then we were “off to the races!” We had 18 canine competitors which we split into four groups based on size (definitely not ability!). They ranged from 10 pounds to 120. They did everything from race their hearts out to their owners, run to other owners, run to other dogs and some barely got out of a walk. Most did make it to the finish line with tons of cheering and lots of laughter. What a hoot!
The winner of the small dogs was “Ollie,” Ryan Anderson’s Boston Terrier, better known as the Boston Terror. Our small - medium sized champion was “Reiny,” Jess Woodring’s Australian Shepherd. The large - medium sized champion was “Bandit,” also owned by Jess Woodring. And our large breed champ was “Hunter” owned by Mike Carlson and Lori Waters. Then we did a run off between the four winners where it was a close call between these speedy pals. But judges Ryan Crawford and Cody Halford claimed Jess Woodring’s “Reiny” as overall champ. That is one fast dog!
We had seven owners and their dogs enter the Best Trick contest and I do believe it was every bit as entertaining to watch the owner convince their pet to do the trick as it was to watch the dog itself. There was frisbee throwing, treat catching, obedience and an attempt at a reining pattern. “Cheech” got shot by his owner, Jan Anderson, and “died” on command. But the winner was “ Bandit” owned by Jess Woodring who demonstrated his “indoor bark,” his “outdoor bark” and a perfect leap into the air to catch a treat. Too much fun!
We all tied up our pets and gave them a break while we enjoyed a delicious pot luck dinner and celebrated Alice Morrison and Jan Anderson’s birthday with more cake than should be legally allowed.
Thanks again to all the YRHA sponsors and everyone who joined us for this fun afternoon.
Pictured, left to right: Mary Dunkel, Becky Melzer, JR Winter, Sarah Blackburn, Ryan Anderson, Jessica Woodring.