Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Top Riders In 2018 Blackjack Saddle Club Shows Honored

Yearend awards presentations highlighted the recent annual meeting banquet of the Blackjack Saddle Club at Leonardville. 

Trophy buckles went to the 2018 highpoint winner and runner-up in each age division for both performance and speed events. Points were accumulated at Blackjack Horse Shows sponsored by the club throughout the past year.

Yearend highpoint and reserve highpoint winners in the Blackjack Saddle Club for the 2018 show season received buckles at a recent club banquet. They are (back) Brook Staten, Frank Buchman, Vicki Smith, Kya Stevens, Jaiden Thomas, points keeper Stacy Nicholas, Madison Plummer, Kadence Mai, (front) Lucchese Bergeron, Joseph De La Garza and Kathrine De La Garza.

Certificates were presented for the top six yearend placings in the 42 classes that were included in each show. All award recipients also received special Blackjack Saddle Club tee-shirts.

Junior division 10 and under performance highpoint went to Katelyn Allison and reserve highpoint to Lucchese Bergeron

Kathrine De La Garza and Joseph De La Garza were highpoint and runner-up respectively in 10 and under speed events.

In the 11-17 age group, Kadence Mai was highpoint in speed competition as well as runner-up in performance events.

Brook Staten claimed the 11-17 performance highpoint buckle, while Jaiden Thomas was reserve highpoint winner in that group’s speed division.

Both the performance and speed highpoint yearend awards in the adult division were presented to Frank Buchman.

Vicki Smith claimed the reserve highpoint adult performance buckle, while Madison Plummer was reserve highpoint yearend rider in speed competition.

The Wapp family, Joe, Jodie, Sydney and Macey, received the Volunteer Award for dedicated work at club activities.

The Wapp family, Joe (right), Jodie, Sydney (left) and Macey (front), received the Volunteer Award for dedicated work at Blackjack Saddle Club activities.

Longtime Blackjack Saddle Club member and leader Vicki Smith was recognized as the Most Improved Rider during the year’s shows.

Kya Stevens, a competitor in the 11-17 age group, was honored for the Most Perseverance in club show competition.

Kya Stevens, shown with her dad Jim Steven, was honored for the Most Perseverance in the Blackjack Saddle Club show competition during the past year.

Rulebook updates were reviewed as main point of business during the club’s annual business meeting. Show dates are being locked in for the 2019 season.

Longtime Blackjack Saddle Club member and leader Vicki Smith was recognized as the Most Improved Rider in club shows during 2018. Points keeper Stacy Nicholas presented the award.

Officers for the new year are Albert De La Garza, president; Vicki Smith, vice president; Frank Buchman, secretary/public relations; Justine Staten and Myra George, co-treasurers; and Stacy Nicholas, points keeper.

Officers of the Blackjack Saddle Club for 2019 include Albert De La Garza, president; Frank Buchman, secretary/public relations; Vicki Smith, vice president; Stacy Nicholas, points keeper; and Justine Staten, who serves as co-treasurer with Myra George unavailable at photo time.

Information and show schedule can be found on the new website, www.blackjacksaddleclub.comand on Facebook.

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