Naming and honoring high point riders in the Eastern Kansas Horseman’s Association circuit during the 2015 show season climaxed the recent year end banquet at Clay Center.
While being recognized as a winner always creates a festive evening atmosphere for those collecting the hardware and related tokens, it’s how young competitors ride their horses while showing respect for opponents, remaining gracious whether winning or losing, that determine the future of the 52-year-old horseshow group.
Thus, highlight of the evening was revealing the Most Improved Riders and the Youth Sportsmanship winners. The awards are given in memory of Rosie Clymer, who was instrumental in forming the EKHA, served in all positions of leadership, competed successfully in EKHA throughout her lifetime and helped literally hundreds of young with their horses.
Tori Zabokrtsky was named the Most Improved Girl Rider, and Tacoma Augustine was honored as the Most Improve Boy Rider.
Shai Zenger and Jayden Patry received the Rosie Clymer Sportsmanship Awards.
Horses are key to success in the show arena, so special awards recognizing horses for their outstanding ability are quite significant to their riders and owners.
Super Horse Award went to Skippy, ridden by Mark Wallace and his daughters, Sierra and Brooke.
Highpoint Horse of the show season was Little Cowboy Lane ridden by Nicole, Heather, Michelle and Jayden Patry.
Ellie Wiles and Holly received the special embroidered halter as the highpoint junior division horse and rider unit, while Frank Buchman and Missy were honored as the highpoint senior division horse and rider unit.
Shea Augustine was the highpoint rider in the six-and-under age category, while Rowley Keesecker was reserve.
Highpoint seven-to-nine year old rider was Tacoma Augustine, and Jayden Patry was reserve. Ten-to-13 year old division total points winner was Ellie Wiles, followed by Heather Patry, the reserve highpoint winner. Nicole Patry received the highpoint 14-to-18 award, while Lauren Hubele was the runner-up in point tally.
Adult competition is divided into three age categories, with the highpoint winners including Sierra Wallace, 19-to-40; Sara Prochaska, 41-to-60; and Frank Buchman, 61-and-over.
Reserve highpoint award recipients in the adult divisions were Heather Vanover, 19-to-40; Rosetta Wiles, 41-to-60; and Ron McDonald, 61-and-over.
Mitchel County Riders was the highpoint saddle club, followed, respectively, by Sand Springs Saddle Club, Salina Silver Spurs, and Washington Saddle Club.