By Catherine Ellerton
Moapa Valley Progress
The first of eight monthly 2011 Gymkhanas sponsored by the Moapa Valley Riders was held on Saturday, January 22, at the CC Fairgrounds. This organization has been around since the late 1960s and boasts members from 1 to 60 plus years old.
There are seven different classes of riders from Leadline to Peewees to Super Seniors. The final show is in November, all the points are added up and the Awards Banquet is held in December.
Officers Anita Shanahan, Samantha Olson, Candace Mayo and Tracey Thornton not only take care of the office duties, but can be seen in the arena helping the many volunteers who make these games worthwhile.
The MV High School Rodeo Club offers the refreshments and riders come from Sandy Valley, Lund, Parowan, Boulder City, Vegas and all points in between in Utah and Nevada.
Over 100 riders took part in Saturday’s games which included mutton bustin’, barrels, poles, patterns and flags. Ever keeping a watchful eye out for the horse or horses that sported the red ribbon in their tail (‘bad hair day’) these exceptional riders met the obstacles head-on building up their points.
These events are family affairs where the involvement with horses begins at a very young age – I was advised that Paylynn Lawrimore of Moapa and Paisley Houston of Logandale have been riding all their lives. After all, they are three years old!
