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West Coast ramps it up

Four-day Affiliate 1-2 WCRHA kicks reiner season into gear

Special to the Horsetrader - March 3rd, 2016 - Cover Story, Show & Event News
Open Champion Horse: Designed With Shine Rider: Riccardo Nicolazzi Owner: Julie Ridgeway note: co-champion

Open Champion
Horse: Designed With Shine
Rider: Riccardo Nicolazzi
Owner: Julie Ridgeway
note: co-champion

John O’Hara photo

RANCHO MURIETA — With warm weather and lots of qualification points at hand, the West Coast Reining Horse Association Affiliate 1 and Affiliare 2 shows on Feb. 4-7 attracted a competitive field to the year’s first big reining.

“The show was very well attended, and you could sense the excitement in the exhibitors,” said Michael Silva, WCRHA President. “For many of us, this was our first opportunity to show our horses since mid-October of last year. And, for many members, this was the first opportunity to perform with a new horse of theirs.”

In the past two years, some WCRHA members gave this first show of the year a the nickname: “Reining in the Rain,” because of weather that hit the event. This year, however, featured cool mornings and abundant sunshine that provided warm days for early February.

“I saw many of our members in short sleeves in the afternoon warmth,” said Silva. “Everyone was enjoying the fantastic weather after a rather rainy January.”

He said he believes the warm weather led to a very relaxed atmosphere for this first show of the year.

“Everyone seemed to be really enjoying themselves,” he said. “no one seemed rushed. Almost everyone was up at the in gate ready to go into the show pen when it was their turn to go perform. This show ran so smoothly.  The show committee and the show staff need to be commended for their hard work and being ready and on time every day to ensure a smooth running show.”

Trainer Riccardo Nicolazzi marked the high score of the double-show, a 73, on two horses — both owned by Julie Ridgeway — in Designed With Shine and Xtra Voodoo Dora. Ridgeway also took her Designed With Shine to the Novice Horse Non Pro 2 title with a 72.

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