Kathy Higgins photo

Lyn Anderson rides Dick Hershman’s Meet Rippin Diamonds to the Fairlea Ranch Fall Series Open Shoot-out crown.

EXETER, CA – Just in time for the holidays, several stock horse competitors went home winners from the third and final 2010 Fairlea Ranch Fall Series Show Nov. 13-14.

There was saddle-winning owner Dick Hershman, whose Meet Rippin Diamonds won the Shoot-Out with Lyn Anderson riding, and $5000 Non Pro Limited rider Susan Stokman, another big winner who took home the custom headstall that she and her Im Pleased won in the Shoot-Out. Then there were the 12 class champions – each taking home a breast collar trophy for their cumulative point totals over the six days of shows, held in September, October and November in two-day weekend gatherings.

Not on the prize list but very much a winner too, is the San Joaquin Valley horse community, which has enjoyed a renaissance of Wild Oak Ranch since John and Kate Hyde bought the property two years ago, intent to provide the region a quality event facility.

“We all have such a good time,” said Kate, who with husband John have operated Fairlea Ranch since 1984 and have been giving the 50-acre Exeter facility a face-lift since 2008. “It’s like having all of your friends over. We’re really, really happy with everything.”

Kathy Higgins photo

Lyn Anderson rides Dick Hershman’s Meet Rippin Diamonds to the Fairlea Ranch Fall Series Open Shoot-out crown.

The six-show series, sanctioned by the National Reined Cow Horse Association, culminated with the top two in each class eligible for the Shoot-Out. Local shows like the Fairlea Fall Series are growing in popularity, Kate says, because they fill a need.

“We try and keep the entry fees low enough so that it’s not a big stretch for somebody to do the shows,” she said. “And they like being close to home. It’s just gotten so expensive to do some of the bigger shows that people who used to take two or three horses, say, to Reno to the Futurity are now taking one, and then they’ll spend a little more of the money to go to more of the local shows.

“That’s kind of a gap that we’re hoping to fill for everybody – have some fun weekends that aren’t outrageously expensive,” she said.

Next year’s list of shows is longer at the new and improved facility. The Hydes confirm that in addition to the Spring Classic May 28-29, the Triple Crown Classic will return on Oct. 29-30. Plans also are in store for a Ranch Versatility show in July or August, as well as other dates in planning stages with the Valley Cow Horse Association.

Kathy Higgins photo

Breastcollars for the Fairlea Ranch Fall Series class champions.

In those events, the horses will compete in a new, lighted 150 foot by 300 foot arena.

“This (Fall Series finale) was the last show in the old cow horse arena,” said Kate. “The new arena is going to be really fun. We’re putting the lights in this winter – that’s our down time. Then we’ll be looking forward to the spring.”

Class champions from the Fall Series also included Chris Krieg on Bonzarlo in the Limited Open Bridle, Murray Thompson and Smart Time Tuck in the Novice Non Pro Bridle, Tye MacDonald and Teninas Angelina in the Limited Open Hackamore, and Kathy Gould riding Bill Smittcamp’s Send Us Cash in the Open Bridle.

Reserve champions for the series included Murray Thompson on Im Smart And Peppy in the Novice Non Pro Bridle, Tye MacDonald on Jim Nichols’s Pearlessence in the Limited Open Bridle, Donna Russo and Chicody Leo in the Non Pro Hackamore, Robin Flournoy and Annies Mister Rose in the Non Pro Bridle, and Ken Wold riding Victory Phelps’s Shes A Catty Lady in the Open Hackamore.

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