Karen Griffiths

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Some of the many dogs rescued by Fox-Bell Farm Humane Society. Be sure to visit its Facebook page. (Submitted photo)

HORSEPLAY: Robot repairs and Fox-Bell news

NO HORSING AROUND for me this month as I’ve undergone a successful left knee replacement surgery thanks to the expertise of Dr. Thomas Hershmiller. Two… Continue reading

 

The Freedom Farm Hoof Beats competition team at the Cascade Horse Show in Cle Elum includes Lily Robertson on Ruby, left, Zeus with Daniella Dam, EllyAna Dam on Harriet, instructor Mary Gallagher and Isabella Greimes on Pixie. (Kimi Robertson)

HORSEPLAY: Freedom Farm Hoof Beats team finishes season

I HAD MY left knee replaced this week, which understandably left me with little energy to write Horseplay, so I want to thank Kimi Robertson… Continue reading

 

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: Banner, 20, is a very kind, attentive gelding who arrived at OPEN in a state of neglect. After he spends more time recovering, he will be sent to Fox-Bell Farm for some retraining and then be available for adoption through OPEN.

HORSEPLAY: Olympic Peninsula Equine Network survives, still helping horses

HAVE YOU HEARD the rumor? I did. I’m happy to squelched the gossip here: Olympic Peninsula Equine Network (OPEN) is not closing its doors. “I… Continue reading

 

Submitted photo It’s hunting season. To avoid getting accidently mistaken for big game follow Judy Dupree’s example of donning a bright, fluorescent orange or pink vest to alert hunters you’re in the area.

HORSEPLAY: Use caution while riding during hunting season

BEWARE RIDING MOUNTAIN trails this time of year, because chances are, someone else is nearby stealthily stalking a stag to kill. “Bullets from those high-impact… Continue reading

Submitted photo It’s hunting season. To avoid getting accidently mistaken for big game follow Judy Dupree’s example of donning a bright, fluorescent orange or pink vest to alert hunters you’re in the area.
Photo by Helen Shrewman Prize riders Michelle Neville, on Ellie, (Spanaway) left, Mary Quinn, on Scarlet, (Tahoma) and Camille Rucker, on Fancy (Rainier) take a break along the trail at the Snack Water Stop (set up for the ride by Peninsula Chapt).

HORSEPLAY: Trail rides are an adventure for rider and horse

THE COWBOY SPIRIT was alive and well during the wildly successful Spirit Prize Ride at Sage Horse Camp last Saturday. Hosted by the HH Peninsula… Continue reading

Photo by Helen Shrewman Prize riders Michelle Neville, on Ellie, (Spanaway) left, Mary Quinn, on Scarlet, (Tahoma) and Camille Rucker, on Fancy (Rainier) take a break along the trail at the Snack Water Stop (set up for the ride by Peninsula Chapt).
Photo by Katie Newton Neon Riders 4-H Senior division riders who did well last weekend at the Washington State Fair were Katelynn Sharpe, left, Kenzi winters, Elise Sirguy and Paisley Morris. Not pictured is Showstoppers 4-H Brooklyn Glavin. Riders at that fair must first qualify by being a top winner in their event at the Clallam County Fair.

HORSEPLAY: Prepare yourself, animals for the fire season

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE, there’s fire! Where there’s an overcast day with fog, there’s … fire? Gazing out my window this week, I saw a smoke-caused… Continue reading

Photo by Katie Newton Neon Riders 4-H Senior division riders who did well last weekend at the Washington State Fair were Katelynn Sharpe, left, Kenzi winters, Elise Sirguy and Paisley Morris. Not pictured is Showstoppers 4-H Brooklyn Glavin. Riders at that fair must first qualify by being a top winner in their event at the Clallam County Fair.
Photo by Karen Griffiths At the JeffCo fair Future Farmers of America member Ivy Pettit and her horse Kohana completed a fast burn-n-turn in the youth barrel racing competition.

HORSEPLAY: Vaulting popularity rises at Peninsula events

OH, TO BE young, agile and with a lithe body able to take a running leap onto the back of a moving horse to perform… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths At the JeffCo fair Future Farmers of America member Ivy Pettit and her horse Kohana completed a fast burn-n-turn in the youth barrel racing competition.
Submitted photo Neon Riders 4-H Club medal and high point winners.

HORSEPLAY: Fundraising and 4-H events on the Peninsula

4L ARENA AND stable owner Kari Payne managed to put the fun in her Western Games show while fundraising to support a cause near and… Continue reading

Submitted photo Neon Riders 4-H Club medal and high point winners.
Equitese Pony Club hosted the U.S. Pony Club Northwest Region’s first Trail Clinic last Saturday at JeffCo Fairgrounds, followed on Sunday with a USPC Pony Club member-only trail rally for Western and English riders.

HORSEPLAY: Peninsula pony clubs hold first trail event

I’M PUTTING THIS in my “learn something new every day” file: Over the weekend, I learned U.S. Pony Club has added Western Trail and Western… Continue reading

Equitese Pony Club hosted the U.S. Pony Club Northwest Region’s first Trail Clinic last Saturday at JeffCo Fairgrounds, followed on Sunday with a USPC Pony Club member-only trail rally for Western and English riders.
Karen Griffiths Rainshadow Equine Sanctuary Team’s Debi Pavlich-Boaz leads Paliday calmly over a blue tarp as part of his daily training routine. She worked with the Yakima Sheriff’s Department to capture the mini stallion when he was running alongside a freeway, deftly evading capture. Without her help, and an offer to take him home, the sheriff’s department planned on taking the then-untrained pony to a local holding pen to await transport to a slaughter house in Canada. Instead, Paliday is now happily living the rest of days out as a gelding at the sanctuary.

HORSEPLAY: Peninsula animal rescue, shelters need our help

DID YOU KNOW that most of our local horse, dog and cat rescue, rehabilitation and rehome organizations are full-to-capacity with other people’s unwanted pets? And… Continue reading

Karen Griffiths Rainshadow Equine Sanctuary Team’s Debi Pavlich-Boaz leads Paliday calmly over a blue tarp as part of his daily training routine. She worked with the Yakima Sheriff’s Department to capture the mini stallion when he was running alongside a freeway, deftly evading capture. Without her help, and an offer to take him home, the sheriff’s department planned on taking the then-untrained pony to a local holding pen to await transport to a slaughter house in Canada. Instead, Paliday is now happily living the rest of days out as a gelding at the sanctuary.
Photos by Karen Griffiths Top: Earlier this month, Patterned Speed Horse Super Senior Division rider Sam Parks, 74, on Ed, finished the barrel race in just 15.08 seconds at the Crosby arena, 122 Franson Road in Agnew. The next show there will be July 5-6. Bottom: 4L arena belt buckle awards.

HORSEPLAY: The dangers of feeding others’ horses

THE AUDACITY OF throwing grass clippings over a fence to a neighbor’s horses! You may think it’s a kindness, that your grass clippings are going… Continue reading

Photos by Karen Griffiths Top: Earlier this month, Patterned Speed Horse Super Senior Division rider Sam Parks, 74, on Ed, finished the barrel race in just 15.08 seconds at the Crosby arena, 122 Franson Road in Agnew. The next show there will be July 5-6. Bottom: 4L arena belt buckle awards.
Conner Mead in the Bareback competition at last year’s Peninsula Junior Rodeo at Clallam County Fairgrounds. In July, he will compete in the event at the National High School Rodeo Finals. (Photo by Emma Lou)

HORSEPLAY: Mead, Bond bounce back from injuries

can you sense the rush junior rodeo competitors feel in the chute as they’re about to give their nod, yes,… Continue reading

Conner Mead in the Bareback competition at last year’s Peninsula Junior Rodeo at Clallam County Fairgrounds. In July, he will compete in the event at the National High School Rodeo Finals. (Photo by Emma Lou)
Kendra Fors Peninsula Junior Rodeo’s participants in Sequim’s Irrigation Festival Grand Parade included Kenzie Fors (wearing cowboy hat) and Skylar Burgett (helmet).

HORSEPLAY: 130th Sequim Irrigation Festival parade

I LOVE A parade: The tramping of feet, I love every beat … mostly, I love seeing horses in parades! The sight always takes me… Continue reading

Kendra Fors Peninsula Junior Rodeo’s participants in Sequim’s Irrigation Festival Grand Parade included Kenzie Fors (wearing cowboy hat) and Skylar Burgett (helmet).
Kimi Robertson Freedom Farm Hoof Beats member Lily Robertson and her horse Queen of Hearts (Ruby) showed excellent style and form, placing first in the 95-meter jumper class at the Bainbridge Saddle Club’s first Hunter/Jumper Show of the season.

HORSEPLAY: Spring is the perfect time to go horse riding

SPRING IS IN the air, everywhere I look around. Spring is in the air, in every sight and every sound … I’m singing that to… Continue reading

Kimi Robertson Freedom Farm Hoof Beats member Lily Robertson and her horse Queen of Hearts (Ruby) showed excellent style and form, placing first in the 95-meter jumper class at the Bainbridge Saddle Club’s first Hunter/Jumper Show of the season.
Photo Katie Salmon-Newton Sequim Equestrian Team winners competing at WAHSET State Finals in May are Asha Swanberg, left, Taylor Lewis, Celbie Karjalainen , Joanna Seelye , Kenzi Winters , Paisley Morris and Kaija Johnson.

HORSEPLAY: Sequim Equestrian Team members qualify for state

GREAT NEWS! PENINSULA Pet Emergency is now up and running for emergency dog and cat services with veterinarian Dr. Amanda Mason. She’s available Friday through… Continue reading

Photo Katie Salmon-Newton Sequim Equestrian Team winners competing at WAHSET State Finals in May are Asha Swanberg, left, Taylor Lewis, Celbie Karjalainen , Joanna Seelye , Kenzi Winters , Paisley Morris and Kaija Johnson.
Earlier this month, the Neon Rider 4-H group held a very successful fundraising bake Grocery Outlet in PA .Photo by Katie Salmon-Newton.

HORSEPLAY: Planning for an emergency

probably, it was both — that… Continue reading

Earlier this month, the Neon Rider 4-H group held a very successful fundraising bake Grocery Outlet in PA .Photo by Katie Salmon-Newton.
At the annual BCHW rendezvous, held earlier this month in Ellensburg, President Dana Chambers gave the President’s Diamond Award to Larry Baysinger in recognition of his outstanding dedication, passion and commitment to the BCHW mission.

HORSEPLAY: Peninsula man wins BCHW Diamond award

BCHW GATHERINGS AND awards were not on his mind, as the longtime Peninsula Chapter member concentrated on doing whatever he could to care for his… Continue reading

At the annual BCHW rendezvous, held earlier this month in Ellensburg, President Dana Chambers gave the President’s Diamond Award to Larry Baysinger in recognition of his outstanding dedication, passion and commitment to the BCHW mission.
Katie Newton-Salmon For many years, Freedom Farm owner Mary Gallagher has offered use of her indoor arena, with its mud-free ground, for Sequim and Port Angeles’ equestrian team practices — which is helpful during the cold, dark winter evenings. From left are Kiaja Johnson, Katelynn Middleton-Sharpe, Joanna Seelye, Kenzi, Winters and Savannah Boulton.

HORSEPLAY: Sequim equestrian team members place at meet

SEQUIM’S EQUESTRIAN TEAM is back home after completing a successful second Washington High School Equestrian Team District 4 meet. “For being a small team, our… Continue reading

Katie Newton-Salmon For many years, Freedom Farm owner Mary Gallagher has offered use of her indoor arena, with its mud-free ground, for Sequim and Port Angeles’ equestrian team practices — which is helpful during the cold, dark winter evenings. From left are Kiaja Johnson, Katelynn Middleton-Sharpe, Joanna Seelye, Kenzi, Winters and Savannah Boulton.
Submitted photo A happy Hannah Grace Nordstrom, with Carolina, exit their halter class with ribbons in hand at the JeffCo Fairgrounds 4-H show in 2018.

HORSEPLAY: Empower youth through positive support

“EVERY SUCCESS, NO matter how small, is a victory worth celebrating,” are inspiring words Hannah Grace Nordstrom said she strives to apply daily, especially at… Continue reading

Submitted photo A happy Hannah Grace Nordstrom, with Carolina, exit their halter class with ribbons in hand at the JeffCo Fairgrounds 4-H show in 2018.
Photos by Katie Newton-Salmon 2024 Sequim and Port Angeles Equestrian teams got off to a great start during its first WAHSET competition, bringing home where they brought home nine first place wins. Top row from left: Katelynn Sharpe, Kennedy Gilbertson, Savanah Boulton, Celbie Karjalainen, Asha Swanberg Bottom row left: Coach Misty Gilbertson, PA member Olivia West, Kenzie Winters, Lilly Meyer, Joanna Seelye, Taylor Lewis, Kiaja Johnson, Paisley Morris, PA member Zakara Braun, and coach Ady Crosby. Not pictured non-competing member Paige Reed and advisor Katie Newton.

HORSEPLAY: First high school equestrian event of the year for Sequim

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL’S equestrian team had a “great first meet,” said coach Misty Gilbertson of the first Washington High School Equestrian Team meet of the… Continue reading

Photos by Katie Newton-Salmon 2024 Sequim and Port Angeles Equestrian teams got off to a great start during its first WAHSET competition, bringing home where they brought home nine first place wins. Top row from left: Katelynn Sharpe, Kennedy Gilbertson, Savanah Boulton, Celbie Karjalainen, Asha Swanberg Bottom row left: Coach Misty Gilbertson, PA member Olivia West, Kenzie Winters, Lilly Meyer, Joanna Seelye, Taylor Lewis, Kiaja Johnson, Paisley Morris, PA member Zakara Braun, and coach Ady Crosby. Not pictured non-competing member Paige Reed and advisor Katie Newton.