Curry Ranch Industries, Bonanza, Oregon

First I would like to thank a number of our friends and clients who travelled to see the show and it was great to see them again, visit between classes and feel their support. This includes Dave Mills and his family, Robin and John Mischler, Nancy Cox, Terri and Tom Appleton, Lucinda Dahl, Karen Whitman (KAZ in the Art World) and friends who helped us show and provide assistance in the ancillary work. Tom Appleton even made a special trip for bags of ice. Kathryn Hodges and her mother drove down with her step daughter, Madeleine Hodges from Snohomish, WA to ride and assist. My friend Jeff Hahne and his daughter Emily, drove with us from southern Oregon . Emily participated as a junior rider in her first horse show and Jeff did a fantastic job as our first Curry Ranch show photographer. Jeff, took almost 300 digital still images and close to 3 hours of digital video. These will be posted as we have time to review and edit the images. Other acknowledgements will be posted with photos.

I especially want to thank Doris Loeffler for assistance in providing answers to many questions prior to the show and for her support and advice during the show. She also donated a beautiful trophy for the High Point Peruvian Horse. The show office staff deserve high credit for dealing cheerfully and efficiently with the almost constant class additions, questions and changes.

My friend and trainer, Jaime Aguirre, was his usually steadfast, dependable and competent support. He worked harder than all of us combined, is always positive and continues to ride with great ability.

Our two junior riders performed with grace and aplomb, especially considering the early nature of their learning curve and some unanticipated challenges. Emily Hahne only recently celebrated her 12th birthday and has not previously even attended a horse show. She had practiced to compete on my mare, Christina CR. Unfortunately Christina CR started an estrus cycle and was not able to concentrate in the arena. Emily rode Perfecta CR with no practice, performed admirably and won ribbons in her two classes. I doubt anyone would have guessed it was the first show for Emily and Perfecta CR. Madeleine Hodges was scheduled to ride Perfecta CR but switched at the last minute to a mare loaned to us by the grace of Circle K Ranch. Madeleine is 13 years young and her only prior experience was a class in Monroe, WA last year. She rode with the confidence of a “young pro” and placed well in several classes on an excellent mare,Estrella De Mayo. Madeleine and Emily deserve special notice for remaining calm and competent with minimal experience under unexpected circumstances. It is gratifying to see young ladies handle such a situation with great poise.

The presence and participation of my friend Kathryn Hodges is always a special contribution. I have known Kathryn since she was 8 years of age when I met her parents as we were first becoming involved with Peruvian Paso horses in Thousand Oaks, CA in 1971. We missed the planned attendance of Kathryn’s husband, Gil Hodges, D.V.M. Gil had some last minute emergencies in his veterinary practice and was forced to cancel. Kathryn’s mother, Karen was able to accompany Kathryn and Madeleine and help with many “behind the scenes” details.

The detailed results of the show will be posted by the Tennessee Walker club sponsors (NWPTWHA) and we appreciate them opening their show to the other gaited breeds. Curry Ranch did not win the overall top honors of Best of Show or Reserve Champion. The top three places in the Best of Show went to Tennessee Walker horses but we did emerge with the top two Peruvian Horse placements by placing 4th and 5th in the Best of Show Class. Perfecta CR ( Bonito CR x La Valentina ) was a surprise star. She has only been in the bit ( solo freno ) for two weeks and has not been previously shown. In the qualifying classes she took several top awards including Champion in Peruvian Horse Gait, Reserve Champion in Peruvian Horse Performance and was the overall top Peruvian horse in the Best of Show class. Aureo CR qualified for the Best of Show class by winning the Open Gaited Breed English/Western Championship Class and was also Reserve Champion in the Peruvian horse Gait Champion Class (won by Perfecta CR).

More information will accompany photos and videos. Please stay tuned as this will unfold as we review, edit and provide captions. In several weeks we expect to have access to the photos taken by the official show photographer. I thank all who helped make this a rewarding experience. Henry Curry ( Curry Ranch).

Site Directory

2009 Show Season

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