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Yellowstone Reining Horse Association Year End Awards Banquet                                     

Chico Hot Springs - April 5, 2008

The Yellowstone Reining Horse Association held it’s annual Year End Awards banquet and fund raising auction April 5th at the Chico Hot Springs resort in Pray. The afternoon started with the general membership meeting and election of new officers and directors. The new president is George Stone, vice president is Jan Anderson, treasurer is Wendy Deans and Secretary is Chandra Morris. The new board of directors is Elise Donohue as immediate past president, Mike Carlson, Jean Keffeler, Nicole Mather, John Morris, Jackie Sorenson and Kurt Stabenau. After the meeting and election we were treated to a presentation about lameness issues in the reining horse by equine internal medicine specialist, Dr. Peter Heideman of Montana Equine Associates of Logan, Montana. Dr. Heideman has the special talent of not only being expert at this topic, but is unique in that he can relate the topic in layman’s terms for the general public to understand. It was a very informative talk and we thank Dr. Heideman for taking the time to speak to us.

A silent auction was held with over 30 items to bid on during the social hour before supper. Chico Hot Springs puts on quite a spread that satiated the hunger of the approximately 100 attendees. No sooner was supper cleared when CR Morrison took over the mic to rouse us into raucous bidding over the many great auction items available.  

YRHA gave away lots of door prizes during the evening with the highlight being six different $100 gift certificates from Corral West Ranchwear, Four Corners Saddlery and the Rusty Spur. Subscriptions to the Quarter Horse News were another popular prize.

Acknowledging horses, riders and owners accomplishments was the purpose of the evening, but we also took a moment to thank some board members that had given so much of their precious time over the years. Leaving the board this year was founding member and Executive Director Jay Dee Anderson, founding member Gwen Wagner, director Lawrence Martin, director Anne Kent, director Harvey Lewis, secretary Sharlene Stone and vice president and past president Alice Morrison. The hours, the effort and the commitment that these people have given this club is nothing short of phenomenal. We can’t thank them enough for their devotion to this club.

We also want to say thanks to Alice Morrison for organizing the banquet again this year - our hostess with the mostest! Thanks to Anne Kent for purchasing the awards, to CR Morrison for auctioneering. and to his handsome spotters and lovely assistants for their help during the auction. Thanks to all of Alice’s many helpers that set up the banquet.

2007 Year End AwardsWinner of the Two-Handed Youth 13 & Under was Mary Dunkel riding of Phenomenal Blonde. Reserve Champion was Alana Smith riding Gin Yankee. The Two-Handed Youth 14-18 Champion was Sean Alquist riding Mighty Mega Jac. Reserve Champion was Savannah Smith riding Forest Cabin Cowboy. The winner of the Two Handed Rookie was Lori Waters riding This Whiz It. Reserve Champion was Kim Vickers riding KR Chex Mix. Senior Non Pro Champion was William Crain riding Top Chex Charlie. Reserve Champion was Sharlene Stone riding Always Sailing Smart. Ladies Champion was Nicole Mather riding Solano Chex Ray owned by Karol MacDonald. Reserve Champion was Sarah Blackburn riding Cowboy Kal. The NRHA Limited Open Champion was Janis Anderson riding Peppy Sailor Chex owned by Jay Dee and Janis Anderson. Reserve Champion was Ryan Anderson on Sailor Sam Dan owned by Polly & Bruzzy Cooke. NRHA Intermediate Open Champion was Ryan Anderson on Hollywoods Lena Lady owned by William Schutter. Reserve Champion was Ryan Anderson on Montana Shy Twister owned by Meredith Brokaw. NRHA Open Champion was Jay Dee Anderson on SJ Twist N Chex owned by Julia Sullivan, Reserve Champion was Ryan Anderson riding Hollywoods Lena Lady owned by William Schutter. NRHA Novice Horse Open Champion was Jay Dee Anderson on Pay Chex Gold owned by Elise Donohue of the Double D Ranch. Reserve Champion was Jay Dee Anderson Rhonda Gray owned by James Gelhaus. NRHA Freestyle Open Champion was Nicole Mather on Solano Chex Rey owned by Karol MacDonald. Reserve Champion was Elise Donohue on Wind River Cody. NRHA Rookie Professional Champion was Janis Anderson on Peppy Sailor Chex owned by Jay Dee and Janis Anderson. Reserve Champion was Jarrod Grieve on Lenas Great Red owned by Rex & Judy Jacobs. NRHA Limited Non Pro Champion was Stephanie King-Anderson on A Girls Best Friend. Reserve Champion was William Crain on Top Chex Charlie. NRHA Intermediate Non Pro Champion was William Crain on Top Chex Charlie. Reserve Champion was Nicholette Larson on Triple X Starlight. The NRHA Non Pro Champion was George Stone riding Mr Jacs Enterprise. Reserve Champion was Nicholette Larson on Triple X Starlight. The NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Champion wasGeorge Stone on Mr Jacs Enterprise. Reserve Champion was Jackie Sorenson on Roosters Toddy. NRHA Youth 13 & Under Champion was Mary Dunkel riding Phenomenal Blonde. Reserve Champion was Secora Richardson on Cutters Smart Chic. NRHA Youth 14 - 18 Champion was Savannah Smith on Forest Cabin Cowboy. Reserve Champion was Sean Alquist on Mighty Mega Jac. NRHA Rookie Champion was Randy Maxwell on Smart Misty Bar. Reserve Champion was Sonya Hanson riding Printed On Fine Pine. NRHA Prime Time Rookie Champion was Sonya Hanson riding Printed On Fine Pine. Reserve Champion was Polly Cooke on Smart Remichic.

There were 10 graduates of the Green Rookie class in 2007 each earning a Montana Silversmith Green Rookie buckle. Elise Donohue has a special place in her heart for this class having been a graduate after the second year YRHA offered it. She very generously sponsored the buckles this year. The 10 graduates were Liz Dagnell riding Hillbilly Sailor, Mary Dunkel riding Phenomenal Blonde, Lanette Frye riding Leos Sailin Rocket, Jeannie Higgins riding Lucy Loves Diamonds, Megan Irvin riding Smart Nikka, Pam Jones riding Peppys Fancy Fanny, Randy Maxwell riding Smart Misty Bar, Lynn Dee Melvin riding Talk About Ruff, Powder My Lena and LC Spinnin Chic, Casey Richardson riding Makinbucksinhollywood and Jamie Wubben riding RV Gay Doc Otoe.
Thanks to everyone for coming to the banquet, congratulations to all the riders and owners and we’ll see you at the shows!
Submitted by Wendy Deans

Shawn Flarida Clinic, March 2008

2007 Sponsor Appreciation Day & Affiliate Awards

2006 Sponsor Appreciation Day & Affiliate Awards

2006 Awards Banquet & Fundraising Dinner- and pictures of award winners!