From left, Rachel Harvey, Renee Harvey and Andrea McCollough
Rachel Harvey organized a “Gaming Event” for the island’s 4-H horseback riders on Saturday afternoon, for practice and for fun.
Rachel, who started riding at the age of 14, has been a riding instructor since last summer. As a former member of the 4-H Trailblazers herself, she wanted her new students to “get a look at what the Gaming Events [at the County Fair] will be like on a smaller scale.” She also wanted to see how her horse, Sparky, whom she’s been training since he was 4 months old, would perform.
In the sunny, dusty Saturday afternoon, 10 young riders and their horses ran patterns in speed races at the six-part “Western Games” competition. Before the competition, the equestrians gave a private showmanship performance for their families, who picnicked and watched the gaming events from the knoll above the arena.
Helping out in the Orkila corral were Russ and Rita Harvey, Alicia Miller, Bob Nutt, Sheila Veldman, Amber Paulsen and Lorena Stankevich, who said, “It was hot and dusty but a great event — a great brainchild of Rachel’s. Hopefully we’ll do it again next year.”
Daria Stankevich and her horse, Rockin' Storm Dancer, charge forth in a cloud of dust and pink
Before the County Fair, the Orcas TrailBlazers will have a “practice show” at the San Juan Island Fairgrounds. Their counterparts on San Juan Island, the Bits and Spurs, will hold the pre-fair event July 16-18, with qualifying events for different disciplines each day.
“That’s intimidating enough for the new kids,” said Rachel. “I wanted them to have a test run before that – to get out, have some fun and see what we need to work on.” Many of the club members will be riding their horses in the Independence Day parade.
Rachel is a 2005 graduate from Orcas High School, and has is a Veterinary Technician at Orcas Veterinary Service in Eastsound for eight years. Profits from the funds collected for yesterday’s show will go towards a camper’s scholarship to Camp Orkila’s Horse Camp.
“In the future, I might get to other islands and put on a bit of a productions; just go have the first show of the year, get the dust off and have some fun,” says Rachel.
