Yearend high point award riders in circuit shows hosted during the 2015 season by the Blackjack Saddle Club at the Kaw Valley Rodeo Wells Arena in Manhattan have been announced by Vicki Smith, 2015 club president.
Awards presentations were made recently in conjunction with a festive family Sunday afternoon banquet gathering at Manhattan.
All riders placing in the top six point totals for the year in any event received a stenciled crystal award plate, as well as certificates verifying the individual division and event accomplishments.
Special engraved working horse awards were presented to the highpoint and reserve highpoint riders in each age category in the performance division as well as speed event competitions.
The ten-and-under riders are considered the most important age group, because they are the future of horseshow competition. Along with their cherished recognitions for yearend circuit points, those young riders were also included in a drawing for special gifts presented by the Blackjack Saddle Club, through efforts of Rhonda Machin, ten-and-under chairperson
Special incentives are also presented for the ten-and-under group participants at each circuit horseshow, hosted by the Blackjack Saddle Club, throughout the summer.
Top performance event yearend riders in the ten-and-under division were Ariana Soder, highpoint on Wolfie, and Kayla Bigham, runner-up highpoint on Mickey.
It was a two-way-tie for both the highpoint and runner-up highpoint awards in the 11-to-17 age group of the performance competition, with Brook Staten riding Jericho to match total yearend points for the top award with Jeannie George on Tuff. Isabella Petri rode True Western, while Kyler Cox was on Autumn as they scored equal tallies, tying for the reserve 11-to-17 performance award.
In the performance division for 18-and-over riders, Frank Buchman was the highpoint award recipient on Maggie, and Kelly Lindsay rode Continental Tax Man to receive the runner-up highpoint performance honors.
Cacy Jager rode Scout to be named the highpoint speed event rider for the year in the ten-and-under division, while Kayla Bigham again rode Mickey to be the runner-up highpoint ten-and-under rider, this time in the speed events.
In the 11-to-17 speed category, Madison Plummer was the yearend highpoint rider on Silver Belles, and Lauren Battle was runner-up highpoint winner riding Arizona.
In speed competition for riders’ 18-and-over, Frank Buchman was the highpoint yearend award winner with Missy, and Syra Johnson – Engle rode Peppy for the runner-up highpoint speed award.
Blackjack Saddle Club officers for the new year, 2016, include Justine Staten, president; Al Davis, vice president; Rhiannon Fleming, secretary; Angie Bigham, treasurer; Stacy Nicholas, point keeper; and Rhonda Machin, ten-and-under chairperson.
Next meeting of the Blackjack Saddle Club is set for Tuesday evening, Jan. 12, at Vista in Manhattan.
All persons interested in activities of the horse group during the coming year, including a horseshow circuit, training sessions, play days, trail rides, meetings and other horse-related programs, have been welcomed.
Memberships will be available for horse enthusiasts to become more active in the club, and next show season’s yearend awards, but the circuit shows are open to the public with awards to the top six riders in every class.
Additional information can be found at www.blackjacksaddleclub.com.
Cutlines
Receiving Blackjack Saddle Club yearend horseshow circuit awards in the ten-and-under division during a recent recognition program in Manhattan included Cacy Jager (highpoint in speed events), Ali Jones, Bethany Jones, Ariana Soder (highpoint in performance events), Katelynn Allison, Trevor Allison, Mitchell Machin, Kya Stevens, Kirsten Allison and Makayla Machin. Bryson Cox, Christian Cox and Beckett Davis were not present for photos. Neither was Kayla Bigham for this picture, although she attended the awards program, and was recognized as the runner-up highpoint rider in both the ten-and-under performance and speed event divisions, when riding her all-around horse called Mickey. (Photo courtesy of Rhonda Machin.)
Representing the awards committee of the Blackjack Saddle Club, Leslie Jager and Lauren Schiller presented ten-and-under division yearend runner-up highpoint awards in both the performance and speed categories to Kayla Bigham, who rode her all-around horse called Mickey to tally points in both categories. (Photo courtesy of Leslie Jager.)
Performance
18 and over
Frank Buchman HP on Maggie
Kelli Lindsay RHP on Continental Tax Man
11 to 17
Brook Staten HP on Jericho
Jeannie George HP on Tuff
Isabella Petri RHP on True Western
Kyler Cox RHP on Autumn
10 and under
Ariana Soder HP on Wolfie
Kayla Bigham RHP on Mickey
SPEED
18 and over
Frank Buchman HP on Missy
Syra Johnson – Engle RHP on Peppy
11 to 17
Maddison Plummer HP on Silverbelles
Lauren Battle RHP on Arizona
10 and under
Cacy Hager HP on Scout
Kayla Bigham RHP on Mickey
