Margaret Munro is set to haul home her winnings for the Rookie L1 Championship aboard her Mercedes Shiningstar.

John O’Hara photo

RANCHO MURIETA—The West Coast Reining Horse Association’s last show of the year was held Oct. 19-22 at the Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta. Classes ranging from Futurities, Derbies, and Maturities to Lead Line and Ranch Riding provided a “something for everyone” venue. Over 70 Champion and Reserve Champion buckles and nine saddles were awarded to winners as well as prizes to fifth place.

Champion in the Open Maturity with a score of 74 was David Hanson riding Rockabilly Banjo owned by Melinda Gaw. One half point behind was Martin Padilla on Tobyann Faingold’s Spangled Desire. Hanson and Padilla were also Champion and Reserve Champion respectively in the Open class.

Twenty-four riders gave it their all for a chance to win the beautiful, prestigious Champion saddle that went to the winner of the Rookie 1 class. With a score of 71.5, Margaret Munro riding Mercedes Shiningstar emerged the happy victor. Margaret just came from winning the Rookie 1 class at the Northwest Regional Affiliate Finals held the prior week in Nampa, Idaho.

Running concurrently with the Rookie classes was the WCRHA Green Reiner class. The proud winner was Lisa Dentoni on Mr Twister Whiz. As winner of this class, Lisa was presented with the first annual Gary VanHoosen Perpetual Trophy. Gary, who passed away on Sept. 2, was loved by many in WCRHA and, incidentally, was the first recipient of the Dick Randal Horseman of the Year Award for WCRHA.

The snaffle bit and hackamore horses started off day two. Winning the class was Miss N Wimpy shown by David Hanson and owned by Barbara Morlan. Second place went to Yolo Jersey owned by Justine Mattes and shown by Martin Padilla. Tied for first and second places in both levels of the NRHA Green Reiner classes were Dana Pastorino on Jac Bee Whiz owned by Pastorino Hay and Donna Springsteen on Smart Whiz A Spook.

The Non Pros hit the arena next in the Novice Horse classes. With a score of 73, the Level 1 class winner was Jennifer Gilliam on her The Prima Ballerina. Mari Hess was awarded second place on Steppin Up Haidas. With a score of 73.5, the Level 2 championship saddle went to Jim Grech showing Shining Boon Chick. Jennifer and The Prima Ballerina were second.

Jennifer Gilliam, showing Janiene Borrors’ Chexy and Smart, claimed the championship saddle in the NRHA Level 4 Non Pro Futurity. Ciara Kozlowski on her own HR Spooks Shiney Gun was the proud winner of the Level 1 Non Pro Futurity as well as reserve champion in the Level 4.

For the third year in a row, Thad Carr was the victor in the Level 4 Open Derby. This year, he rode Andrea Royer’s Walla Great Pine to a score of 147.5 which couldn’t be beat.

Another full day of classes dawned on Saturday with riders competing for a championship saddle in Novice Horse Open Level 2. The class ended up with two high scores of 73.5, earned by Kain Emmons showing EZ On The Slide owned by Tereasa Canada and Martin Padilla showing Tobyann Faingold’s Spangled Desire. After an exciting run-off , Kain emerged with the higher score. Besides the reserve in Level 2, Martin was also the winner of the Level 1.

The rest of the morning and early afternoon belonged to the WCRHA Youth reiners. Placing first in a class of 13 entries in the Youth 13 & Under, and winning a gorgeous saddle, was Campbell McLeod riding A Gun Show owned by the McLeod Family Farms. The Youth 14-18 championship saddle was won by Teresa Job on Highly Spotageous with Bailey Alexander on Ima Ugly Stick coming in second.

Two of the more exciting runs of the show ended up in the Non Pro Derby Level 4 class as Cam Essick on Loveya tied with Jim Grech on Shining Boon Chick for championship honors, both with scores of 146. In the runoff , Cam bested her score and laid down a 147.5! Jim followed with a 141.5.

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