Karen Griffiths

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HORSEPLAY: Peninsula disaster volunteers

LAST NIGHT WAS the highly anticipated meeting of volunteers who are willing to take part in the Clallam County Emergence Management Animal Disaster Planning Committee.… Continue reading

HORSEPLAY: Planning can help prevent disaster in an emergency

ISN’T IT TRUE in life, when one door closes and appears locked up tight, you can usually find another door that opens that can help… Continue reading

Photos by Katie Salmon Cutline: Just look at those smiling and happy faces of the Neon Riders 4-H horse group as they hold up their completed community service projects — care packages filled with personal hygiene items (toothpaste/brushes/shampoo) along with snacks, colored markers and coloring books for children — they gave to organizations helping recently displaced families

HORSEPLAY: Yes, you can be a mentor to a child

MENTORS. ASK A group of adults if anyone had a good mentor while growing up, one who helped changed his or her life for the… Continue reading

Photos by Katie Salmon Cutline: Just look at those smiling and happy faces of the Neon Riders 4-H horse group as they hold up their completed community service projects — care packages filled with personal hygiene items (toothpaste/brushes/shampoo) along with snacks, colored markers and coloring books for children — they gave to organizations helping recently displaced families
In 2017, BCHW certified sawyer Larry Baysinger, left, spent a day teaching, and getting chainsaw-certified, members of the new Mt. Olympus Chapter, enabling them to use a chainsaw to clear West End trails of fallen trees and branches. Sadly, due to diminished membership, the chapter is closing. A final potluck dinner will be held Dec 17, 6:30 p.m.,. at Black Diamond Community Center, 1942 Black Diamond Rd, Port Angeles. RSVP rainforestrider@gmail.com. (Photo by Sherry Baysinger)

HORSEPLAY: Happy trails to Back Country chapter

THE CHAPTER STARTED off like gangbusters. Or should I say trailbusters, as the 40-member-strong group forged through backcountry forest trails on the West End, clearing… Continue reading

In 2017, BCHW certified sawyer Larry Baysinger, left, spent a day teaching, and getting chainsaw-certified, members of the new Mt. Olympus Chapter, enabling them to use a chainsaw to clear West End trails of fallen trees and branches. Sadly, due to diminished membership, the chapter is closing. A final potluck dinner will be held Dec 17, 6:30 p.m.,. at Black Diamond Community Center, 1942 Black Diamond Rd, Port Angeles. RSVP rainforestrider@gmail.com. (Photo by Sherry Baysinger)
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HORSEPLAY: The story of how Robin Hill Park came to be

“WANNA MEET ME for a ride at Robin Hill Park?” I think 2007 was the first time I was asked to join a group of… Continue reading

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Photo by Karen Griffiths When Ukrainian musical group Kommuna Lux played at the Palindrome recently they met up with Paradigm Sporthorse Trainer Rebecca Cushman to see her two Ukrainian Warmblood imports Tux (shown) and Artist. From left Sergei Zhuravel, Volodymyr Gitin, Bagrat Tsurkan, Oleg Vasianovych, Sergei Poltorak and Yaroslav Besh. They’re currently touring the U.S. and Cananda to raise money to aid their fellow citizens affected by Russian’s military attacks.

HORSEPLAY: From inhuman to humane

THIS FEBRUARY WILL mark the third anniversary of Putin’s large-scale war on Ukraine. His warring atrocities have proven his flagrant disregard for human and animal… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths When Ukrainian musical group Kommuna Lux played at the Palindrome recently they met up with Paradigm Sporthorse Trainer Rebecca Cushman to see her two Ukrainian Warmblood imports Tux (shown) and Artist. From left Sergei Zhuravel, Volodymyr Gitin, Bagrat Tsurkan, Oleg Vasianovych, Sergei Poltorak and Yaroslav Besh. They’re currently touring the U.S. and Cananda to raise money to aid their fellow citizens affected by Russian’s military attacks.
Photo by Emily Bishop Cutline: Suzanna Bishop’s horse Dru happily walks away after head butting the scary “Giant Chicken Monster” at a fun-filled obstacle course hosted by JeffCo’s 4-H Horse Club.

HORSEPLAY: Scaring is caring. Halloween is for horses, too.

HIGH WINDS BLOWING debris wildly through the air on an overcast day can be scary to a horse, especially when asking him to walk through… Continue reading

Photo by Emily Bishop Cutline: Suzanna Bishop’s horse Dru happily walks away after head butting the scary “Giant Chicken Monster” at a fun-filled obstacle course hosted by JeffCo’s 4-H Horse Club.

HORSEPLAY: Better to be safe than sorry in an emergency

BETTER SAFE THAN sorry is my motto for emergency preparedness. I’m in my 21st year of writing Peninsula Horseplay, and I care deeply about the… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths Tackling the abandoned dog crisis, local business owners Shelby, left, and Martha Vaughan share their progress in getting the new non-profit Fox-Bell Humane Society, operating under OPEN’s 501c3 non-profit, up and running in Clallam County. Very soon the doors on the new facility on Barr Road (on 3-acres behind the Fox-Bell Event Center) which will be dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses, dogs, and other animals. Key to its mission is offering low-cost spay and neuter programs to dogs and cats in order curb crisis off too many unwanted animals overcrowding shelters across the nation.

HORSEPLAY: A call to help those who help the community

Deb Pavlich-Boaz, Martha Vaughan and daughter… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths Tackling the abandoned dog crisis, local business owners Shelby, left, and Martha Vaughan share their progress in getting the new non-profit Fox-Bell Humane Society, operating under OPEN’s 501c3 non-profit, up and running in Clallam County. Very soon the doors on the new facility on Barr Road (on 3-acres behind the Fox-Bell Event Center) which will be dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses, dogs, and other animals. Key to its mission is offering low-cost spay and neuter programs to dogs and cats in order curb crisis off too many unwanted animals overcrowding shelters across the nation.
Photo by George Campbell Cutline: Angeles’ Reegan Pare, 14, throws her lasso over the steer’s horns in the team roping event at the Peninsula Junior Rodeo in August.

HORSEPLAY: Peninsula youth take to arenas this summer

including a girl —… Continue reading

Photo by George Campbell Cutline: Angeles’ Reegan Pare, 14, throws her lasso over the steer’s horns in the team roping event at the Peninsula Junior Rodeo in August.
Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: As the last egg carrier, Luke Seeley, with Ruby, loped around the arena — and keeping his raw egg snuggled firmly into the spoon — making him the winner of the Egg on a Spoon contest at the JeffCo Fair.

HORSEPLAY: Keep kids off electronics with summer equestrian events

OH HOW I relish celebrating our area youth equestrians’ accomplishments. I say the more we can get them outside engaging in life and away from… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: As the last egg carrier, Luke Seeley, with Ruby, loped around the arena — and keeping his raw egg snuggled firmly into the spoon — making him the winner of the Egg on a Spoon contest at the JeffCo Fair.
50 young ones signed up to take part in Fox-Bell Farm Training’s Hawaiian themed Kids Camp last weekend, including McCoy Sprenger, 7, on Moon, who played a ring toss game as instructor Sofie Feik looked on. (Photo by Mike Sprenger)

HORSEPLAY: Kids, horses take center stage on the Peninsula

IT WARMED MY heart seeing how much pleasure the 50 campers and helpers encountered during Fox-Bell Farm & Training’s 2024 Horse Camp last weekend. The… Continue reading

50 young ones signed up to take part in Fox-Bell Farm Training’s Hawaiian themed Kids Camp last weekend, including McCoy Sprenger, 7, on Moon, who played a ring toss game as instructor Sofie Feik looked on. (Photo by Mike Sprenger)
At the end of the Clallam County prefair show, Wes Church received the Biggest Helping Hand Award for helping to keep the barn clean, running errand and giving encouraging compliments. (Photo by Katie Newton)

HORSEPLAY: Peninsula equestrians compete, feature at fairs

WEATHER WISE, WE’RE certainly experiencing some delightful riding weather this summer! Lots of bright, warm (and even hot) sunshine, few clouds and rain’s been scarce… Continue reading

At the end of the Clallam County prefair show, Wes Church received the Biggest Helping Hand Award for helping to keep the barn clean, running errand and giving encouraging compliments. (Photo by Katie Newton)
During the PSHA game show at the Crosby arena in Agnew last weekend, Duncan Parks, 18, and Ed ran a blazingly fast “A” division time of 8.45 in the Keyrace. (Karen Griffiths/for Peninsula Daily News)

HORSEPLAY: Olympic Peninsula equestrians beat the heat

ARE YOU FEELING beat by the heat? It’s sure had me feeling down for the count. Among those able to push past the hot (upper… Continue reading

During the PSHA game show at the Crosby arena in Agnew last weekend, Duncan Parks, 18, and Ed ran a blazingly fast “A” division time of 8.45 in the Keyrace. (Karen Griffiths/for Peninsula Daily News)

HORSEPLAY: Equestrian summer camps and horse trailer heat risk

THIS TIME OF year, I get frequent inquiries asking if I know of any horse camps, and/or have recommendations for youth riding lessons. Mostly, the… Continue reading

Submitted photo Photo: Bottom left to right, Coach Natalie Blankenship, Paige Reed, Libby Swanberg, Joanna Seelye, Katelynn Middleton-Sharpe, Kennady Gilbertson, Coach Katie Newton. Top left to right, Taylor Lewis, Lily Meyer, Asha Swanberg, Sydney Hutton, Coach Ady Crosby and Coach Misty Gilbertson.

HORSEPLAY: WAHSET state finals

SEQUIM’S SMALL YET mighty equestrian team gave a dazzling display of finesse, power and speed at the Washington High School Equestrian Team state finals last… Continue reading

Submitted photo Photo: Bottom left to right, Coach Natalie Blankenship, Paige Reed, Libby Swanberg, Joanna Seelye, Katelynn Middleton-Sharpe, Kennady Gilbertson, Coach Katie Newton. Top left to right, Taylor Lewis, Lily Meyer, Asha Swanberg, Sydney Hutton, Coach Ady Crosby and Coach Misty Gilbertson.
Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: A fundraiser for WAG and Open starts Today at 11 a.m. with an English and jumping fun show, followed tomorrow with a Western Games show at Kari Payne’s 4-L arena off Blue Mountain Road, 95 S. McCrorie Rd. Port Angeles. Fox-Bell Farm owner Shelby Vaughan, and her assistants Sophie Feik and Kaia Lestage (holding Marley) will be there to host. Shown is Tatar Trots, 10. a horse Shelby got from OPEN five years ago when he was a feral, unhandled stallion and, now, after castrating and training, he’s a docile horse who enjoys teaching kids how to ride. (Rescue dog Rocky laying down if he’s shown in photo)

HORSEPLAY: Rescue program gives horses new life

SHELBY VAUGHAN WAS born into the rescue mindset. She grew up on Bainbridge Island on a farm where she said her mom was “huge into… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: A fundraiser for WAG and Open starts Today at 11 a.m. with an English and jumping fun show, followed tomorrow with a Western Games show at Kari Payne’s 4-L arena off Blue Mountain Road, 95 S. McCrorie Rd. Port Angeles. Fox-Bell Farm owner Shelby Vaughan, and her assistants Sophie Feik and Kaia Lestage (holding Marley) will be there to host. Shown is Tatar Trots, 10. a horse Shelby got from OPEN five years ago when he was a feral, unhandled stallion and, now, after castrating and training, he’s a docile horse who enjoys teaching kids how to ride. (Rescue dog Rocky laying down if he’s shown in photo)
Photo by Katie Newton By the end of meet three, Sequim High School Senior Sydney Hutton’s multiple wins included Gold in Jumping, Silver in Saddle Seat, Bronze in Dressage.

HORSEPLAY: Sequim High team wins District 4 championship

OH MY, MY, but these gals can boogie! At Meet 3, Sequim High School’s equestrian team consistently placed in the top five of 21 events… Continue reading

Photo by Katie Newton By the end of meet three, Sequim High School Senior Sydney Hutton’s multiple wins included Gold in Jumping, Silver in Saddle Seat, Bronze in Dressage.
OPEN’s Spring Tack Sale is Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 251 Roupe Road (off Hooker Road). Proceeds benefit rescued horses, minis, ponies (such as the one pictured with grossly overgrown hooves) and donkeys. Western and English saddles, saddle pads, halters, sheets, bits, bridles; western jewelry, clothes, boots and more. (photo by Valerie Jackson)

HORSEPLAY: Clean up after yourself and your horse

CLEAN UP ON aisle 7! Remember: Unlike a grocery store clerk who calls an employee over the loudspeaker to clean up a mess in an… Continue reading

OPEN’s Spring Tack Sale is Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 251 Roupe Road (off Hooker Road). Proceeds benefit rescued horses, minis, ponies (such as the one pictured with grossly overgrown hooves) and donkeys. Western and English saddles, saddle pads, halters, sheets, bits, bridles; western jewelry, clothes, boots and more. (photo by Valerie Jackson)
Deb Pavlich-Boaz and her husband Tony Boaz say strangers stop to feed her horses and it’s endangering their health. They care for aging equines and others with special dietary needs at their home off Old Olympic Highway in Agnew. (Karen Griffiths/for Peninsula Daily News)

HORSEPLAY: Hey, don’t touch the hay. Don’t feed strangers’ horses

“ONE BAD APPLE don’t spoil the whole bunch girl!” Today’s column is about reminding folks NOT to feed a horse they don’t own. Apples are… Continue reading

Deb Pavlich-Boaz and her husband Tony Boaz say strangers stop to feed her horses and it’s endangering their health. They care for aging equines and others with special dietary needs at their home off Old Olympic Highway in Agnew. (Karen Griffiths/for Peninsula Daily News)