THE 8TH ANNUAL VULTURE PEAK RIDERS ASSOCIATION CTC CLINIC AND TRAIL TRIALS IN WICKENBURG

Saturday, October 23rd dawned and we were ready for another year of challenge and fun. The ride workers lined up and were ready for a hearty breakfast before setting out to their assigned obstacles.

This year's obstacles were: 1. Backing around the inside of a fire ring and backing out again. 2. Stepping over an ATV prevention rail on a downhill track. 3. Lope to judge and stop. 4. P&R knowledge test. 5. Steep, winding uphill. 6. Stepping off a ledge in a rocky wash.

After all 6 obstacles were completed in Cathedral Canyon and the Sink Trail our riders climbed up a steep winding hill and came out on a road between Los Caballeros Peak and Vulture Peak. The trail led down on to a BLM road that snaked it's way north along the east face of Vulture Peak, to Kriel Pass and then southeast back to camp.

Diane and Barb rode out ahead of the riders to make sure the ribbons and plates that marked the trail were still up. Behind the riders Rochelle and Hans followed to make sure no one got off the trail.

Our Driver Eddie brought the judges out to their obstacles and back again.

Our water man, Chuck, wrangled the water barrels and made sure everyone had a drink near the half-way point.

Our cook, secretary and answer man Pat kept everything in order in camp.

Our judges Susan, Cindy, Sharon, Sylvia, Debbie and Chris graded the riders performance. Their secretaries, who did a lot of fast writing, were Patsy, Judy, and Warren. Two secretaries that were scheduled didn't show up so we had two guests fill in. We didn't catch their names but we want to say thanks for stepping in to help us out!

After everyone had eaten their fill we set up for awards. We want to say a special thank you to Chris who brought her computer and had the scores tallied before the last riders came in! Her program is fast and accurate so she's been voted the official tally person for next year. Thanks to Sylvia for being Chris's assistant.

The first order of business was to call for people who found any or all ofthe painted horseshoes placed along the trail this year. Two were found and the winners were awarded their choice of premium brushes for their horses.

After the horseshoe awards the judges were called on to talk about their obstacle and what they were looking for. They explained the good and bad points they saw from horse and rider. They also pointed out the correct way and encouraged the riders by praising them for the good things they did.

Each year we award a free entry for next year's event by putting names in a hat. Whoever has attended for 3 or more year's was eligible. This year's  winner was Kandace French!

We handed out awards in the following catagories:

1st place Junior rider went to Cristi Botsch with a score of 104.5

2nd place Junior rider went to Noah Sharp with a score of 87

1st place Adult rider went to Amy Robinson with a score of 112

2nd place Adult rider went to Kandace French with a score of 111

3rd place Adult rider went to Catherine Peterson with a score of 106

4th place Adult rider went to Carolina Baertsch with a score of 98+

5th place Adult rider went to Lori Botsch with a score of 98

6th place Adult rider went to Theresa Pierson with a score of 97.5+

1st place Senior rider went to Tracy Marvelle with a score of 112+++++

2nd place Senior rider went to Beverly Ihinger with a score of 112

3rd place Senior rider went to R. T. McDonald with a score of 110.5

4th place Senior rider went to Linda Slay with a score of 109

5th place Senior rider went to Melani Burch with a score of 107

6th place Senior rider went to Brian Baldwin with a score of 105.5

Our sweepstakes award went to Tracy Marvelle for high point horse and rider.

Breed awards were presented to the high point horse in their breed.

Thoroughbred went to Mary Lakovich's horse, Jay

Spotted Saddle went to Beverly Ihinger's horse, Kitchi

Paint went to Theresa Pierson's horse, Makena

Arab went to Amy Robinson's horse, Sequall

Quarter went to Melani Burch's horse, Shiloh

Missouri Foxtrotter went to Tracy Marvelle's horse, Blossom

Mule went to Ann Mulchay's mule, Norman

Paso Fino went to Carolina Baertsch's horse, Canario

Grade went to Crisit Botsch's horse, Zen

Appaloosa went to R.T. McDonald's horse, Pocket Rocker

Tennessee Walker went to Kandance French's horse, Yankee

After the awards we gave out consolations prizes of hats and combs so no one would go home empty-handed. All scoresheets were handed out to the riders so they could take them home and study for next year.