Northwest Teen Wins Big at the International Reining Festival in Denver

by Karen Pickering, Photo by John O’Hara

Ryann McKinzie, 17, of East Wenatchee, WA made the Northwest proud on the weekend of September 22, 2009. Winning nearly $25,000 in the go-around and finals at the International Reining Festival 2009, Ryann's horse, RU Missin Diamonds, carried her to a landslide victory. When I asked Ryann if she had expected to do this well, she said, “Yes. Diamond is amazing. He knows his job and gives his heart to you. He’s one of a kind."

Ryann is proud to be a part of this sport and rides daily to keep her skills fined tuned for the next big show. Reining is a family affair for parents George & Cindy McKinzie and their daughters, Carlie and Ryann, on their ranch in Eastern Washington. The girls both live and breath Quarter Horses; it was obvious that Carlie is a big part of Ryann’s life.

Carlie got started showing first and convinced her sister to join her, and Ryann has been showing horses since she was nine years old. Smarty was Ryann’s first Quarter Horse. She did small shows for three years, then started moving up to a higher level of competition. She is currently a member of the National Reining Horse Association and the Washington Reining Horse Association.

Ryann has received help from trainer Mike Stokes from Chelan, WA, and most recently from Cory Hutchings of Mt. Vernon, WA. Ryann rides daily and sees Cory every couple of weeks to help her through any issues she might have. Her passion for the sport of reining leads her to encourage everyone to try the sport.

“Reining changed my life,” says Ryann, who is convinced she will always have and show horses. She most enjoys the traveling associated with the competitions, and meeting different people.

Next year Ryann plans to show in the USEF Youth Equestrian Olympics in Lexington, KY. Currently a sophomore at Eastmont High school in East Wenatchee, Ryann also plans to attend college, where she hopes to continue to ride and show her horses. With her focus and determination, she should do very well!

Pictured: Ryann McKinzie riding “Whiztacular,” another one of her horses.

First Show of the Season

by Karen Pickering

Whew…what a weekend. I’m glad it’s done, but the Northwest Reined Cow Horse Association show was a fabulous experience! The Northwest Horse Source sponsored the Beginning Boxing and Beginning Reining buckles for this show, and the NRCHA really supported all the beginners who came out to ride.

My horse and I did much better than I expected for our first time out. Friday started off beautiful and sunny, but the weather went downhill fast. We were pretty cold for most of the weekend, but the company made up for the chill. The group of us from Coastal Equine had a fantastic time cheering each other on, helping each other get ready and calming each other's nerves.

My tension level was at an all time high, but my mare, April, was fine and handled everything like an old pro. She helped me push past the fear and make the run happen. A big thank you to Allison, my trainer, for taking care of everything and coaching me through this experience. April and I started lessons with her in November of last year, took mid-December to mid-January off and were back in the saddle and training on February first—not much time for the huge strides Allison got out of April and me! We’re hoping to box cows before the end of the season.

I invite you to watch the short video of our first pattern (below). It's nothing spectacular, but we got out there and gave it a shot. My goal was to get at least one lead change and keep my horse quiet and in the bridle. I certainly have much to work on, but a journey begins one step at a time. 

If I can do this so can you! 

Back in the Saddle Again

by Karyn "K.C." Cowdrey

After a twelve day hiatus in Eastern Washington over the holidays, I am finally back in the saddle and riding my young gelding who has made amazing progress in the past three months. What a great feeling to have the power we call horse under the saddle again.

On Tuesday, Kari (my trainer) informed me that Emmerson was ready for baby sliders! Wow. He’s ready to start working on becoming a real reiner. She also informed me that the HydraBull is coming to visit in a few weeks, and Emmerson is going to see if he likes chasing cows.

Now if we can just get his owner (me) up to speed as well, I think we have an exciting spring in front of us doing western pleasure, reining and maybe "green as grass" novice reined cow horse stuff.

Do you spend your winter months working on training issues to make the good months of late spring and summer even better, or do you take the winter off?

I hope everyone is staying dry this week; I am fighting a flooded basement and minor flooding and roof leaks in my barn, so I feel for those of you who are dealing with the same or worse. In the meantime, take time to get out and ride!