NRHA Affiliate Shows '99

1999 NRHA AFFILIATE SHOW SEASON

Patty & Stormin' Norman finish in NRHA Top Ten - Limited Open - 6th

Eastern Pennsylvania Reining
Horse Association

WILLOWBROOK FARMS is the mega center of reinings put on by the Eastern Pennsylvania Reining Horse Association, an affiliate of NRHA. These shows can make a rider feel really humble or really good because the competition is fierce. There are LOTS of GOOD trainers, riders and horses.

MARCH
Weather: Cold, Windy, Drizzle
I brought Norman here to see if his attitude and showmanship had improved over the winter. He was REAL RUSTY and not quite finished when he was purchased at the end of last show season. Also, this weekend was R/R for my husband who just got out of the hospital. We had a relaxed weekend and Norman had a nice warmup the day before the show. I didn't want to override him on show day, but realized before the class that I should have ridden him longer. He was good, steered well, but I have to work on my game plan more. Till next time. . .by the way, his show presence was wonderful!

APRIL
Weather: Rain breaking into sun.
EPRHA made this a jackpot and NRHA show weekend. Friday was warm-up day, as usual for a two day show, and it poured. We all worked in the indoor arena that day. Saturday was the jackpot which was a great way to handle kind-of a "paid warm-up" before the NRHA show. Stormin Norman showed inside and remained consistent throughout his pattern. This time he was ridden enough so he didn't show fresh and the test proved positive. Sunday was Sunny and the oudoor showpen had dried out to provide decent ground. Norman was wonderful - clean an precise enough to tie first in his class. The hope is that he will like to show and stay steady throughout the rest of the year. Josette Johnson had a great run on her fancy gelding in the intermediate open and open classes!

JUNE
Weather: Sunny and Warm.
This was the scary weekend because EPRHA hosted two NRHA shows back-to-back. Annie, Joe, Russell and Linda joined Patty for the experience. We always arrive a day ahead to get the horses used to the new surroundings. The first day, everyone was nerved out. Patty was in the first class and drew near the end. All the rides were real nice and when the class was through, Patty ended up in first place all by herself. Norman did his job well that day. Russell showed his new horse for the first time away from home in the Rookie class and did he have a nice run! He placed and was all smiles the rest of the afternoon. Annie rode in the last two classes to school her gelding. He was a good boy both times.
On Sunday, Patty rode a little harder since there was more added money and just missed a second run-off. Exhausted, she was happy to place third. Russell placed higher the second day even though he was more nervous than the day before. Annie showed in one class today and a German buyer took her horse home. Everyone went home relaxed after this weekend which was a long time coming.
East Coast Reining Horse
Association
May
Weather: Sunny
ECRA's first show of the season was a winner. People from New Jersey and Pennsylvania stopped by with their horses. Maureen, Chrystal and Nicole were so pretty and ready to take on a new year. Two of the girls had little bobbles, but Nicole shined at her first NRHA show and won the Green Reiner A class. D'Nae, their coach, was proud of them all. Russell showed the gelding he just brought home and ended up in a surprise runoff. Patty went into her class a rode a nice precise pattern which placed her second for the day. We made sure the girls watched the rest of the show so they could experience other rides and learn more about reining. We had a fun day!

June
Weather: Sunny/Hot when the sun showed through the clouds!
The threat of rain disappeared and any sprinkles became a welcome relief during the day. The girls, once again, were excited about showing. Nicole had a beautiful run with total control over her mare, but rolled back the wrong way. Chrystal showed the same horse, but broke to a trot during one of her maneuvers. They were still wonderful. Maureen had a breakthrough in her understanding of leads and she won her class. Again, D'Nae was proud of her group. D'Nae showed her mare, who is in training mode, and proved us how nicely she is coming along. Russell ended up in another runoff only this time he won! The smile was erasable. Patty also ended up in a runoff. This time she went in to school Norman and try to be relaxed - and they won. (Norman likes to be in the pen by himself.) Annie is horseless at the moment, but has an up-and-coming filly who is in training with Craig Schmersal.

JULY
Weather: Sunny and HOT.
Everyone camped under the trees on this day. It was almost too hot to think -- But -- Maureen came out a winner today. She is catching on to leads this year with a lot of help from D'Nae. Chrystal had the best run of her season until the last stop where she missed her marker! This mistake is running wild amongst us lately . . . but we're learning not to stop riding until the pattern is done.
SEPTEMBER
Weather: Gorgeous.
ECRA's premier two day show was a winner once again. Participants came from the Northeast, The South and The West to have some fun. The Limited Non Pro classes were exciting since the top three riders for NRHA this year all competed. Maureen had the best ride ever and came in second in her class. Nicole was a winner once again and Chrystal had one of her best goes. We look forward to this one next year.

AUGUST
Weather: Sunny and 100.
On Sunday, August 1, EPRHA sponsored a $500 Limited Open Class. Patty rode in this one and Norman was the best - he showed signs of being a real packer - almost going through the pattern on his own comfortably and confidently - until the glitch. PILOT ERROR! Missed a marker. Sadly, the pattern didn't count anymore even through it was one of the best of the season so far . . . until next time -

LATE AUGUST
Weather: Sunny.
This was the best show for just hangin out and gabbing. The show was relaxed and people were planning for next year. It seemed like all of the NRHA top ten contenders did well and the EPRHA trophy saddle race was hot and heavy. Norman made up for the last show and had a winning run here.

Northeast Reining Horse Association

June
Weather: Sunny
Patty wanted to go the Iroquois Ranch to see what NERHA's latest show facility was like and D'Nae decided to ride along. What a nice place - the indoor arena/stalls were classy and the ground was well prepared. Sandra Young, who owns the ranch, was real friendly and just seemed to enjoy having all the reiners there. We had fun and made new friends. By the way, Patty won the limited open class this time out.

July
Weather: Gorgeous/No humidity
Diane finally got herself out of a rut and joined Joe, Annie, Linda, Russell and Patty for the Northeast Classic Show in Northampton, MA. It was a treat to see all levels of riders compete over the three day period along with a Derby class on Saturday night (which Josette won in the open division). Russell was real nervous for his first run, but looked calm as he entered the arena and ran his pattern in Rookie. He did well enough to place in that large class. Patty had fallen apart after a disasterous show in Virginia and wasn't sure if she could get through the first run. After two days of riding and getting back with her horse, it was scary, but she did enough to win her class and gain back a little confidence. Russell's second attempt was not as good. He was introduced to the frustrations of reining, but worked hard and came back the third day to place in his class. On Patty's second run, she gathered herself almost 100% to fight hard for a second place win. Joe, Annie and Diane enjoyed the weekend socializing with friends and watching the show.

August - CRHA
Weather: Light Rain/Partly Cloudy
Joe, Annie, Linda, Russell and Patty travelled once again to Northampton. The show is a nice one to attend this time of year. A lot of the exhibiters enjoy the hospitality and the futurity gives us a sneak preview for both Congress and OKC. Bob LaPorta did well on Little Lady's half sister - winning the non pro section of the 3 year old class.

September
Great Weather!
D'Nae and Patty took the long ride up north and were not disappointed. The arena was different because it was outside, but covered. There were no walls. JR showed up to try and juggle his placing in the limited open top ten and he placed second one day - travelling up that ladder of success. Patty sold Norman at this show and will wait out to see how the year ends.