Successful WRHA Members Share Their Advice
WRHA was well represented at regional and national competitions in 2012. WRHA members share their tips for preparing for the show season. Sally Sutherland, who was the 2012 Northwest Region NRHA Champion in Rookie and Non Pro, rides with Darren Stancik and suggests listening to what your trainer says and spending as much time riding as you can. Mike Stokes, who brought home the 2012 Appaloosa World Championship in both Junior Reining and Junior Working Cowhorse, has these suggestions for preparing for the first show of the year: Talk with your trainer about your goals to establish a game plan. A couple of months out get your horse in physical shape and start working on the correct form of each maneuver. Make sure your horse is paying attention. It is also helpful to participate in a small schooling show before your first show of the year. Keep in mind the first show of the year is just that, the first show of the year. Course corrections can occur throughout the year, but stick to your game plan even if others in your barn or training program plan to attend shows you hadn’t planned on participating in. WRHA will kick off the 2013 show season with the Spring Fling and Derby sponsored by Woodley Ranch April 12-14 at the Appleatchee Riding Club in Wenatchee. A full slate of NRHA classes will be held including Open and Non Pro NRHA Derby classes. Club classes will be offered that do not require an NRHA membership. Darren and Mike are both WRHA sponsors and their contact information can be found on the WRHA website at (wrha.net) along with additional information for the Spring Fling and Derby. WRHA can also be found on Facebook.
Published April 2013 Issue
Washington Reining Horse Association’s objective is to promote and encourage the showing of reining horses; and to develop and dissemble informational material deemed desirable to provide contestants and spectators a better understanding of a proper performance of the reining horse in the show arena. Our club has members from under ten years of age to over seventy years old and classes are offered from beginner riders to national level open riders. Learn more at www.wrha.net
