Team Bonina has enjoyed many, many highlights this year. We each show as often as possible, with a different combinations of riders at the various events.
Our current goal is to maintain the leads posted by Cascade Cow Cutters for year-end awards. It will be a battle through the finals show, but I am confident Team Bonina will be in excellent position for awards. Current class leaders are: Sydney Sylvester – $2,000 L Rider; Terrie Goiney – $35,000 Non Pro and $15,000 Novice Non Pro; BNL Bells N Pistols – $5,000 Novice Horse (ridden by Nina) and $5,000 Novice Non Pro (ridden by Holly Jones); and Autumn Checks (ridden by Nina) – Derby, Open. Watch for other top contenders who could make moves in their classes: Barb Westbrook, Mary Waller, Bonnie Ehrenberg, Susan Beller, Glenda Bansmer, Kay Dee Johnston, Rob Kuiper, Megan Hunsaker, Gwenda and Mark Music.
At the August Cascade Cow Cutters show, Team member, Terrie Goiney, practically gave a clinic on making the most out of a last place draw! She cowgirled up, sorted out extra ornery cattle and scored a 76! On the same day, BNL Hytap Dancer impressed the judge and her rider (Nina) when she scored a 75! This 5-year old is maturing into an outstanding show mare.
Washington Cutting Horse Association hosted a great event in July that brought in “haulers” coming from the Calgary Stampede show. It is an honor to ride with these horses and riders. Nina was pleased to bring home checks on BNL Hytap Dancer in the $5,000 Novice and Autumn Checks in the Derby, Open.
The Cutting Campout at Ukiah, Oregon July 21 – 24, tops it all for summer cutting fun! We had great cattle and ground. Fabulous meals were prepared by Loraine Varianno and Mike LeGard. Each rider contributed to the meals. The 3-year-olds grew up a lot by going away from home, working hard twice a day and experiencing new surroundings. Cecil Stuurmans and his good dog enjoyed gathering cattle in the misty mornings. Janie Larson should have earned an award for sticking it out on the cot in her horse trailer even during the downpour. She simply pulled the tarp up and toughed it out!
While at Ukiah, we enjoyed a few days with LaPine Rodeo Queen, Nikki Chapman, who came to help lope horses and see her friends. We hope to see her back in Washington this fall. Help also came from Maddie Johnson of Ellensburg who loped and practiced on Loraine’s good horse, Annie. Maddie might get to ride her next year in High School Rodeos!
Barb Westbrook makes the most of every day with her family and horses. After riding in Ukiah, she brought her favs – Chuck and Dee Dee to Bonina. Then, she hurried home for family stuff and returned the following week with granddaughter, Hannah, 9 years. Hannah was a delight. She helped Grandma and was polite, rode Kit Cat on the flag and fit right into the Team when we went to the Cascade show.
Carolyn Brown on Cats Highbrow Orphan, Holly Jones on BNL Bells N Pistols and I on Autumn Checks and BNL Hytap Dancer, ventured over to Kalispell, Mt for the Big Sky Limited Age Event. We were proud to make the 2nd go on the horses even tho we missed finals. The cattle were very tough, but we didn’t lose a cow. We challenged ourselves and came home better prepared for the next show.
Blue Mountain’s show in Selah, June 21st, was a huge thrill for Linda Dick when she scored a 74 on Burp!
