First we want to thank everyone who came out and enjoyed our weekend. The weather was on our side, having the wind show up on the competition day. Helped show off how quiet the horses were with the tarps blowing around. We had 10 open competitors with 5 youth on Friday. Our charity and tradeshow was the buisest we have even seen it. The pack demo was of great interest and alot of folks came out to watch us round pen and ask questions. Than we were treated to a free BBQ, donated by Food with Flair out of Viking AB, and off to the steer pen. We had a new event this year with Wild Steer Packing. This was a huge hit and everyone from the teams to the folks watching had a blast. I was first in the pen with my team and I decided to take out my false teeth just in case. Teams of four had to ride in and wait for the auidence to yell GO. Than two members had to head and heel the steer. The rest of the team had to than get a pack saddle on the steer and get him across a line. Strip the pack and ropes and ride back across the other line. It was so much fun and everyone wants to do again next year! That night we had a great fire with Wild Animal Calling contest. Tim deHoop won with his bull elk call. He won a shirt from the F.N.A.W.S. (Wild Sheep foundation based out of Colorado.) The fire and conversation went late that night. Saturday we saw 27 horses compete for the $1000.00 prize. The competition seen some new obstacles like picking up a half full water jug and carry it off your horse to the mock camp. Even I found it tough on one of my horses. We had alot of demos from back country shoeing, pack saddle fitting to the 8 horse hitch that galloped around taking everyones breath away by the excellent horsemanship of Neil Dimmick and his crew. Another BBQ that evening and we swept our sponosors away that night in a covered wagon, driven by teamster Lyle Mckinney for a quiet ride enjoying some cocktails and stories. Sunday we awoke to a sunny gorgeous day. We started with a short thank you with our consignors (we appreciate there honesty and the horses they brought to our sale.) We moved over to the Church service and we got up and sang a nice hymn with Donald. Awards and thank you's were than presented. In the youth, all 5 kids received full buckets of goodies donated from UFA. The Wild Steer Packing went to Brenda's team, they received embroidered chairs, ropes and halters from Wild Deuce and Rocky Mountain Rope. We gave our judges chairs and coats. Our costume contest went to Dawn Didier. We had a Public Draw donated by Horse Savvy Publications.
The Placing were
- 6th-Emily Mattice (donated by Summit Outfitters, a set of Pack Boxes $200.00 value)
- 5th-Ken Mckinney (dontated by JW Quarter Horses, Vest and cash $250.00 value)
- 4th-Johnie Gillis (donated by REMAX Rocky Mtn. House, Vest and cash $350.00 value)
- 3rd-John Rosdale (donated by Slide Stop Stables, Vest and cash $500.00 value)
- 2nd-Clay Braithwaite (donated by Lammles, Vest, horse blanket, bridle/reins, gel pad $750.00 value)
- CHAMPION-Camille Reesor riding the great horse Quincey for nearly a perfect score. She won the champion buckle, blanket, vest and cash. $1000.00 value donated by COLES WESTERN WEAR our of Vegreville.
We reaised over $3000.00 for stars, Kerry our organized for the tent, cooked up homemade cookies fresh out of the oven for the crowd. She raised over $300.00 just in hot cookies! Frank Turner was on hand as the stars rep. He is fellow guide, his Dad is long time ourfitter. Stars is very dear to our heart because of where we live in the mountains, the hopsital is a loooong way away.
The sale than started, 27 horses went through the competition. One horse was scratched by his owner. 6 Horses were passed out because they didn't meet the reserve. High selling horse was Johnie Gillis's LENAS PEPPY EBONY a 8 year old, 15'3hh sorrel gelding. This was a spectacular looking gelding with an incrediable manner. I had the privledge of riding him out west bareback in the dark and he was awesome. Sale average was $4505.00 Top 5 sale average was$7040.00. We are very happy with how smooth the weekend ran, thanks to all of our volunteers. The horses were incrediable, the riders showed them very well. The weekend had lots to see and do and we are blown away at how many campers and people attened with a whopping 950 people! 1st year we had 40, 2nd year 250, 3rd year 450 and this year 950! I am already missing how much fun it was. We are already planning next years, we are keeping it three days and will let you know new things to come. Again thank you for coming.
"Mike" as this horse is known by, owned by Johnie Gillis of JW Quarter Horses. Was our high sell, selling at $8500.00 to Aaron Wright of Reddeer. Thank you to our great consignor Johnie and to our new buyer Aaron Wright. Johnie will have another two exceptional horses at our 2009 Working Mountain Horse Competition & Select Sale next year! Johnie comes out to our camp alot throughout the summers and we ride his horses and have take alot of great rides from riding to Peppers Lake to working the cows!
