Wasco County Sheriff's Posse Show  
                                     The Dalles, Oregon

                                              June 8, 2013
                                                        By Rebecca Herron


2/22/14: Latest news is that Wasco County Sheriff's Posse will NOT have their show this year. I'm sad about this, but I understand the reason why: as in most clubs, it's usually the same ones who show up to do the work. A reminder to all of us who belong to an organization: giving a few hours is worth keeping your club alive ....
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Note: I placed our story on "Our Trail Obstacles" page because our horses are practiced here at Perrydale Trails. Read on for the 2013 results!

 I used to participate in a lot of trail challenges, but not so much the past few years. However, there is one show I always make time for and that is the WCSP show that's held at the Fort Dalles Saddle Club arena every June. It's a great group of hard-working men and women who organize this benefit show. Everyone is welcoming, helpful and encouraging to all of us exhibitors. If you've never been to a trail show, they would make you feel at ease. If you're an experienced exhibitor, you'll be challenged. They offer a natural course that's set up year around, and in the arena,  the posse members stay up late at night (I think) coming up with all kinds of "unique" obstacles.

It's a beautiful place to have a show ... from the arena, the scenery is outstanding everywhere you look. The wind can get pretty fierce sometimes, but that's just our Gorge.

The second year I competed there with my black horse, J.D., we did well enough to win the championship spurs -- a beautiful pair handcrafted by well-known bit & spur maker John Wilson.

This year, three of us competed. Lana, my daughter, rode J.D. (her mare is pregnant), Laycee Grauer took her mare (2nd show), and I rode Gunner.

It was a beautiful day at The Dalles. It wasn't too hot and even though it was windy, it wasn't gale force; we were able to keep our hats on!

Laycee rode one class in the natural course. She and Pistol were a little nervous, but did well enough for 4th place. Actually that's pretty darn good considering it was only the third time the mare had been ridden since winter!

Gunner did pretty well also. This is his second time here showing at The Dalles, and he improved from last year. In his three classes, he won two firsts and a second. He was completely at home on the natural course, but the obstacle one? Well, he handled the fan blowing ribbons, the alpacas and carrying the sack of cans. But step in the kiddie wading pool?  In no way did it look like any water crossing he was used to!

And good ol' J.D.: Lana and I ride very similar, and he performed like the pro he is. In fact, he won the championship class again! Lana and he earned first place in all three of their classes. All first place winners qualify to participate in the championship class. It was a tough one with challenging obstacles. In the end with only a point separating them, Greta Hein with her good mare won reserve, and Lana & J.D. won the John Wilson spurs.

It was a very good day!