RHANW Board Meeting
Saturday, January 23, at 10 am in the conference room at Lydig Construction, 11001 E. Montgomery, Spokane.
Click here for the minutes of the annual meeting
Click here for the minutes of the last meeting
Click Here for the survey results |
Empty Saddle
 On December 21st, the Northwest reining community lost a friend and mentor. Trainer, Dan Stark, of Moxee, Washington, passed away due to complications from pancreatic cancer. Dan is survived by his wife, Sue (also an avid reining competitor) and children David and Sarah.
Dan was always one to stand out in the crowd. He and Sue were members of the Reining Horse Association of the Northwest and many RHANW members remember Dan as being a friendly competitor; one who reminded you that you were at a horse show to have fun! Northwest reiner Alayne Blickle fondly recounts a common encounter with Dan, “One of the things I’m going to miss most about Dan is how he’d greet me whenever he’d see me, calling out my name in only a way he could, giving me a great big bear hug. He always had a way of making me feel pretty darn special. I suspect he had that same special way with many others, too.”
Dan did have a special way with others. He began working as a horse trainer in 1987 after driving long-haul trucks for a number of years. Not only was Dan patient with his horses, he had a knack for being honest and fair with his clients. Dan possessed the quality that many trainers work their whole lives to obtain, an ability to relate to both equines and humans. Dan knew the lessons he taught his clients would carry through into their daily lives, so he aimed to help them become, like their horses, better. Because of Dan’s ability to communicate so well with the horses he trained, he often did well in the show pen but more important than the awards Dan won was his ability to set aside the competitive part of reining and focus on the fun, the people, the precise communication between horse and rider. For many just entering the sport, Dan served as a constant reminder that the point of reining and competing was to have fun. Dan was always the first to cheer for those who made mistakes, he continuously entertained reiners with his interactive freestyle patterns, and he was always up for some good social time after classes had ended for the day.
I last saw Dan Stark ride in Oklahoma City this past November. Despite Dan’s long battle with cancer, he still rode with a smile on his face and kept an upbeat attitude. As I sat and cheered Dan through his class, I thought to myself that Dan was silently teaching us all a lesson, a lesson that life is meant to be lived and regrets are for those who are afraid to truly live.
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Dan Stark' Memorial
 It was the wish of the Stark family that donations would be made to the NRHA Crisis Fund. Make donations directly in Dan Stark's name by clicking here for a form that can be completed and either faxed (for credit cards) or mailed with check to NRHA for donations in Dan's name.
Please keep Sue in your thoughts and
prayers. If you would like to send a note or card, her address is 15250
Hwy 24, Moxee, WA 98936. Sue said what they also need right now is help
selling some horses, so if you know of anyone looking for good reining bred
horses, please contact them at Click here to visit their site or email
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RHANW MISSION STATEMENT
To promote and encourage the showing of reining horses regardless of breed of horse. To promote National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) sanctioned reining spectators so that they have a better understanding of reining horse performance all while having fun. |
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RHANW 2010 Affiliate Schedule
Show #1 May 14-16 – Moses Lake, WA
Show #2 June 11-13 – Moses Lake, WA
Show #3 July 16-18 – Moses Lake, WA
Show #4 Sept 10-12h –Moses Lake, WA
Remember – both rider and horse owner must be current RHANW members for points to count toward year end awards.
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 Congratulations to Nancy Harcass & her wonderful horse BR Sliding Jac on winning both The 2009 High Point Horse trophy created by CR Morrison, sponsored by Roger Wigen Horseshoeing and Jeremy Winkler Horseshoeing. & the 2009 High Point Non Pro winning custom handmade spur straps by Holstine Saddlery sponsored by Moloney O’Neill Insurance.
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Sept. 18-20 – Spin Out and All Star Futurity. Thank you to Matt and Amber McDowell of All Star Performance Horses for sponsoring the All Star Futurity again this year. Pending NRHA approval, the Non Pro Futurity will be for 3 & 4 year old horses with $750 added. The Open Division will be for 3 year old horses only with $1,250 added.
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