Riders & Horses Stepped Up a Notch for Yellowstone Slide II
Author: Chandra Morris
Date published: Aug 6 2009
Traditionally the biggest show of the season for the Yellowstone Reining Horse Association, the Yellowstone Slide II also produced a number of firsts and personal bests for its participants.
Judged by Paige Stroud (Snohomish, WA) and Dan Mayer (Axtell, UT), YS II was an affiliate qualifying show for the YRHA, Montana Reining Horse Association and Cowboy States Reining Horse Association. All three clubs converged for some friendly rivalry (and a little revelry) around the show pen.
For the second time, the $1,000 NRHA Open and $500 Intermediate Open was dominated by Bill Campbell, who rode Wright On Broadway to an easy 74 amid the cheering of a buoyant crowd. The captivating bay mare, owned by Linda Hahn, barely seemed to stride the earth as she sped through the arena and spun like the wind. A half-point separated the champion from the second place finishers: Meaghan Shea and Smart Like Jazz owned by Patrick and Theresa Shea, and Theresa Manzella and Whizdom, who rode to matching scores of 73.5.
In the $1,000 Non Pro division, $500 Intermediate NP and $200 Prime Time NP, it was Sharon Gelhaus who ran away with all the prizes and a personal best score of 73.5 riding the 2001 dark brown stallion, Hercs Midnite Roost, owned by Brackett Creek Quarter Horses. A three-way tie for second occurred among Stephanie Anderson (A Girls Best Friend), Robin Aaker (Bay Shine), and Sharlene Stone (Mr Jacs Enterprise), who all earned 73 points for their rides in the Non Pro and Intermediate NP divisions. Stone also placed second in the Prime Time NP. The 60 Years and Older Non Pro club class was won by Iola Mason riding Slick Bobby Bo; Mason achieved her first win in this class.
J.R. Winter and Boons Pepto Fox, owned by Susie Barry, scored a 73.5 to carry the $200 Rookie Professional division, followed by Valerie Siegel riding Taris Whizkey owned by Brackett Creek Quarter Horses.
Sweeping the jackpotted Rookie divisions 1, 2 and Prime Time was Lorra Mitzkus and the red roan mare All Reddy Ribbon. Mitzkus posted a personal best score of 72.5 and scattered the rest of the rookie field. Robin Aaker riding Spark Me Again picked up the slack with a 71.5 to earn second place in Rookie 1 and 2, while Polly Cooke riding Montanas Shy Twister picked up second in the Prime Time.
Seven green reiners graduated and earned their belt buckles. Kimberly Alberda (Twisted Brother) and Mira Williams (Lucky River Charm) tied for second in the Green Reiner class and earned enough points to boost themselves over the threshold and out of the nest. Salena Dunbar (Whiz Banged), Anne Dunnam (Marked Down), Dona Oliver (Miss RoyalPretender), Pat Gervais (Mighty Mega Jac), and Lori Filippini (Listen Up Mister) also accumulated enough points to graduate from the class. Each will receive a belt buckle at the year-end awards banquet. The class was won by Julia Sullivan riding SJ Twist N Chex, who scored a near perfect 69.5. In the jackpotted Two-Handed Rookie club class, Williams and Lucky River Charm achieved a personal best score of 71 to win the class. Dunbar and Whiz Banged were in hot pursuit, though, with a 70.5 score that landed them in second place.
In the youth division, Secora Richardson took first riding Cutters Smart Chic and tied for second riding Peppys Lil Legacy in the jackpotted 13 and Under class. Libby Hendrix and Dunnit Backstage tied her for second. In the 14-18 division, Vanessa Rogers placed first riding The Dudes A Pistol, owned by Dave Rogers, and second riding Sailors Steady Dance.
For all the scores in all the classes, visit the Show Results page.
