ELK GROVE — The West Coast Reining Horse Association celebrated Independence Day in patriotic style with their Star Spangled Slide show, the fifth and last NRHA Affiliate show of 2015. Red, white, and blue decorations were all over Bill Madden’s Brookside Show Park in Elk Grove, California. Winning exhibitors happily packed home red, white, and blue flip flops, backpacks, spur straps, and other patriotic themed awards.

The weather was quite accommodating this year with temperatures in the low 90s, thankfully disputing the local weatherman’s predictions of 105+ degrees. If that was too warm, exhibitors put on their swimsuits and cooled off in the Brookside pool.

Food, fun, and fellowship abounded at the Show Park every evening starting with a Welcome Party on Wednesday and a Mexican Fiesta with live music on Thursday. Everyone looked forward to Friday evening’s annual potluck hosted by Past President Delbert Tullos. And the Fourth of July was complete with a BBQ chicken dinner and fireworks in the arena. Finishing off the extracurricular activities and events were the annual Munchman Dog Races. Trophies were awarded to winners of the Small Dog and Large Dog races.

Besides a full slate of ancillary classes, Non Pro and Open Derbies were offered along with concurrent 4-Year Old Stakes classes. “Older” horses competed for prizes and money in the Open and Non Pro Maturities. For the younger set, two new classes were introduced and proved to be quite popular. The WCRHA Young Rider class, for exhibitors 10 and under, allowed aspiring reiners to hold the saddle with either hand and use any type of reins with one or two hands on the reins at any time. The WCRHA Leadline entries won the hearts and applause from an enthusiastic crowd. Youngsters from age three to seven were proudly paraded around the arena by their grandmothers, mothers, and other handlers. What a grand time was had by all with these two new classes!

Kicking off the Open Derby class was a special presentation made to the WCRHA 2014 Horseman of the Year. This annual award is presented in honor of long-time WCRHA and NRHA supporter, Dick Randall. A buckle and handsome perpetual trophy was awarded to the first recipient, Gary Van Hoosen from Sanger, California. Congratulations to Gary for this lifetime achievement award!

All in all, the Star Spangled Slide provided entertainment in one form or another for all WRHA exhibitors and family members. What a great way to celebrate the 4th of July! ~~ Eileen Maxinoski contributed to this report

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