The Friday Flyer | Equestrian Club holds playday competition

Jenna Humphrey takes April over a jump during The Canyon Lake Equestrian Club Playday Competition Saturday. Equestrian Center boarders and trainees participated in the fun event which was organized by the center’s trainer/instructor Michelle Stubbs. Photo by Dawn Rankins.

Equestrian Club holds playday competition

The first Playday Competition of the season was held by The Canyon Lake Equestrian Club Saturday at the Canyon Lake Equestrian Center. A total of 21 riders and 11 horses participated in the friendly competition and in silly horse games.

The Equestrian Center’s resident trainer/instructor, Michelle Stubbs, organized the event.

“I’m so happy to have equine events here in Canyon Lake for all the current riders and lesson kids,” Michelle said. “We want to highlight all the life lessons available at the barn for the entire community to enjoy.”

There were 12 classes at the playday that included the littlest riders being led by adults as well as jumping or skills classes for the more advanced riders.

Some of the events helped build equestrian skills while performing some rather silly tasks. These games included balancing an egg on a spoon while riding at the walk, trot and canter and being “out” when the egg is dropped, holding a stick with a dangling carrot to “steer” the horse through an obstacle course and even sitting on a dollar bill while riding at all three gaits with the goal of not losing the money.

The day ended with a “parent lead-line” class in which parents rode while their children led them and, then, a stick horse race.

“My favorite part of the day was seeing all the horses out together and everyone having fun,” 10-year-old Johanna Parslow said.

The kids at the Equestrian Center prepared for weeks in anticipation of the playday, which was organized for Equestrian Center boarders and students.

Jenna Humphrey, 11, has been riding with Michelle for three years and got her pony “April” about six months ago.

“I love all the jumping,” she said. “That’s my favorite part of riding.”

Some of the kids have horses or ponies of their own, although most of the participants were riding lesson horses.

“I can’t can’t wait to own a horse of my own,” 10-year-old Isabella Pepenzzi, who has been taking lessons for over a year, said. “The playday was a really good learning experience. It was like being in a real show, so we know what to expect.”

Taylor Schoessoew on Bugsy. Photo by Dawn Rankins

All the kids are currently taking riding lessons from Michelle.

Several of the adults at the barn also participated in the playday, although they preferred the more fun competitions. Most of them own their own horses and they said they ride for the pure joy of the sport.

The results of the various events Saturday were:

1) Lead Line (walk): 1st – Kynleigh Tomlinson/Gigi; 2nd – Zoe Bastman/Noel.

2) Lead Line (walk/trot): 1st Place was a three-way tie with Zoe Bastman/Noel; Madeline Abell/Gigi; and Charlotte Obenberg/Noel.

3) Pattern (walk/trot): 1st – Johanna Parslow/Noel; 2nd – Addison Portillo/Gigi; 3rd – Delaney Lightman/Noel; 4th – Kayla Easterly/Bugsy; 5th – Sheralee Smith/Ginger; 6th – Kellie Manning/Foxy.

4) Equitation (walk/trot/canter): 1st – Eliana Ruyle/Dakota; 2nd – Jenna Humphrey/April; 3rd – Kyla Easterly/Bugsy; 4th – Isabella Pepenzzi/Dylan; 5th – Emily Bennte/Noel; 6th – Lily Freesmeier/Donny.

5) Hunter Hack (arena work and 2 jumps): 1st – Eliana Ruyle/Dakota; 2nd – Jenna Humphrey/April; 3rd – Isabella Pepenzzia/Dylan; 4th – Lily Freesmeier/Donny; 5th – Taylor Schoessoew/Bugsy.

6) X-Rail Hunters (8 jumps): 1st – Jenna Humphrey/April; 2nd – Eliana Ruyle/Dakota; 3rd – Taylor Schoessoew/Bugsy; 4th – Lily Freesmeier/Donny; 5th – Isabella Pepenzzi/Dylan; 6th – Addison Portillo/Gigi.

7) Egg and Spoon Race (walk/trot): 1st – Sheralee Smith/Ginger; 2nd – Amber Paugh/Ruckus; 3rd – Kellie Manning/Foxy; 4th – Johanna Parslow/Noel; 5th – Delaney Lightman/Noel.

8) Egg and Spoon Race (walk/trot/canter): 1st – Skylar Hayford/Bonita; 2nd – Eliana Ruyle/Dakota; 3rd – Jenna Humphrey/April; 4th – Sheralee Smith/Ginger; 5th – Taylor Schoessoew/Bugsy; 6th – Kellie Manning/Foxy.

9) Ride-a-Buck Race (walk/trot/canter): 1st – Skylar Hayford/Bonita; 2nd – Addison Portillo/Gigi; 3rd – Dliana Ruyle/Dakota; 4th – Jenna Humphrey/April; 5th – Emily Bennett/Noel; 6th – Taylor Schoessoew/Bugsy.

10) Carrot-on-a-Stick Race (timed): 1st – Eliana Ruyle/Dolly; 2nd – Lily Freesmeier/Donny; 3rd – Skylar Hayford/Bonita; 4th – Taylor Schoessoew/Gigi; 5th – Jenna Humphrey/April; 6th – Sheralee Smith/Ginger.

11) Lead Line – Parent (walk): 1st – Patty Easterly/Bugsy; 2nd – Tad Freesmeier/Donny; 3rd Place was a three-way tie with Amanda Portillo/Gigi, Andrea Humphrey/April, and Elizabeth Pepenzzi/Dylan.

12) Stick Horse Race: 1st – Kyla Easterly; 2nd – Emily Bennte; Jenna Humphrey; 4th – Lily Freesmeier; 5th – Addison Portillo; 6th – Isabella Pepenzzi.

The Canyon Lake Equestrian Club said it would like to thank volunteer Sarah Pavlich for acting as judge, trainer Michelle for all her work to make the event a success and worker bees Donna Kupke, Gina Hipsak and Kathy Mulkahay for their devotion to the sport and these kids.

The Canyon Lake Equestrian Club has several events and activities planned for 2022. Some of these planned events are more Horse Camps and Playdays, Games and Movie Nights, as well as club field trips to local horse shows and (adults only) wineries. There will also be several events that will involve the community. The club meets most months at the Equestrian Center and welcomes all Canyon Lakers. It is not necessary to own a horse to become a part of the club. A love of these horses is the only membership requirement.

For more information on joining the club, as well as updates on club activities and barn goings on, check out the Canyon Lake Equestrian Club Facebook page. For information regarding horse training or for riding lessons of any level and any age, text Michelle at 949-412-2927. Horses are provided for lessons, if needed.