A dozen riders from Rosewood Services participated in their final in-state horse show of the season in late July. The riders competed in the South Central Stock Horse Association (SCSHA) Horse Show at the Hutchinson State Fair Grounds July 26 and 27. The riders will close out their horse show season this month at the National Snaffle Bit Association World Championship Show in Tulsa, Okla.
The Rosewood group turned in strong performances as riders earned six first place ribbons and 19 top-3 finishes competing in the categories of trail pattern riding, showmanship and horsemanship.
“I think we did well in Hutchinson and we’ve done well as a whole this season,” said Rosewood Ranch manager Eric Hammond. “I noticed a big improvement with our riders and their horses compared to last year. Some of the horses were new to shows last year, but this year, they are falling into a good working grove with our riders. Hopefully, we can carry that momentum into the World Show next week.”
The riders competing in Rosewood’s final SCSHA show were Crystal Alkire, Tim Barry, Charles Bortz, Jaime Crone, Chris Devine, Rae Griffin, Shaun Ledesma, Mary Minear, Krystal Thorne, Josh Trimmer, Melissa Trimmer, and Jimmy Wonsetler. The Rosewood riders competed with horses from the Rosewood Ranch: Daisy, Dolly, Flashy, Fox, Sheik, Moe and Dotty.
Nine Rosewood riders now turn their attention to the NSBA World Championship Show, scheduled Aug. 14-16 at the Ford Tough Expo Complex. It will be the fourth consecutive year that Rosewood has competed in the event. In the previous three years, the team has fared well with 26 top-10 finishes, including a world championship and three reserve championships.
Hammond said the riders just received Trail and Horsemanship patterns for the World Show. They are now practicing the patterns and have extra practices scheduled, leading up to the Tulsa event.
“Practice helps to boost confidence,” explained Hammond. “To just show up and perform on a course that they’ve never seen before in an exciting environment like the World Show can become overwhelming. Horses can become anxious in unfamiliar environments and situations as well, so they benefit from extra training, too.”
Rosewood’s show competitors are among nearly 90 adults and children who participate in horse therapy at Rosewood Ranch, located north of Pawnee Rock. The program is certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International and includes three seasoned riding instructors. Hammond, along with Melinda Suppes and Juan Bodine provide expert instruction year-round for the riders each week.
 
July Horse Show Results for Rosewood Riders
Rosewood Results from SCSHA Horse Show, Hutchinson, KS July 26-27, 2014
July 26, 2014 – (double judged accounts for placing twice in the same category): Tim Barry: 1st place (two ribbons)/Showmanship, 4th and 6th places (two/Horsemanship, 1st place/Trail; Jaime Crone: 1st place (two ribbons)/Horsemanship, 2nd and 6th places/Trail; Chris Devine: 3rd and 6th places (two ribbons)/Showmanship, 5th place (two ribbons)/Horsemanship, 5th place/Trail; Mary Minear: 5th place /Showmanship, 4th place/Horsemanship, 4th and 6th place/Trail; Krystal Thorne: 3rd and 4th places/Showmanship, 5th place (two ribbons)/Trail; Josh Trimmer: 2nd place (two ribbons)/Showmanship, 2nd and 3rd places/Horsemanship, 1st and 2nd places/Trail
July 27, 2014 – Crystal Alkire: 1st place/Showmanship, 2nd place/Horsemanship (assisted), 3rd place/Trail (assisted); Charles Bortz: 5th place/Showmanship, 2nd place/Horsemanship, 1st place place/Trail; Rae Griffin: 3rd place/Showmanship, 4th place/Horsemanship, 4th place/Trail; Shaun Ledesma: 4th place/Showmanship, 5th place/Horsemanship, 2nd place/Trail; Melissa Trimmer: 2nd place/Showmanship, 6th place/Horsemanship, 6th place/Trail; Jimmy Wonsetler: 6th place/Showmanship, 3rd place/Horsemanship, 3rd place/Trail