HORSE PLAY column
By: Jeff Mikalaitis
Kaylin and Emily Bassett recently returned from Oklahoma City, where they competed in the 53rd National Appaloosa Horse Show.
The two sisters from Columbus each brought home first-place honors in certain events at the show. The girls practice two to three hours every night with their father, Tim Bassett, and their uncle, Barry Bassett, at their great-grandfather’s farm in Florence.
Emily, 12, said she started riding because of her father and uncle’s involvement in the sport.
"My father and uncle have done it all their lives, and they keep doing it," she said. "I was just born into to it, and I enjoy it very much."
Emily participates in horse shows in different states year-round except for the winter months.
At this year’s National Appaloosa show, Emily won the 12-and-under Western Equitation competition.
In this event she had to ride her horse through cones in a certain pattern. She competed against 27 other youngsters from around the country.
"It was very exciting," she said. "It’s unheard of for someone from this area to win that competition."
She said that her horse, Intriguing Lad, cooperated well with her that day.
"You have to be very consistent and be sure the horse knows what you’re asking," she said. "I did very well and had a very good show. My horse and I cooperated well together."
Emily said she wasn’t nervous despite the arena full of people who were watching.
"I’m so used to doing it that it doesn’t bother me," she said. "It takes a lot of concentration."
What really matters most, she said, is having fun at the shows. "You go out there to have fun and you hope you do well."
Emily won her event on the same day her sister won.
"That was really exciting," she said.
Kaylin, 9, won the Walk/Trot 9-and-under Western Equitation competition and the Walk/Trot Hunt Seat Equitation event.
Kaylin had to walk and trot her horse, Tiza, in a large circle.
Appaloosas are known for the spots and splashes of color on their coats. They are a very versatile breed, being known to excel at speed, jumping, games, reining, roping and endurance. They also are gentle family horses.
Both girls hope to return to the National Appaloosa Horse Show again next year.?
HHYF scholarships?
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Jan Henriksen from Allentown will receive the $2,000 Francis McKinzie Memorial Scholarship from the Harness Horse Youth Foundation for the 2000-01 academic year.
Zachary and Aaron Burks, brothers from Tiffin, Ohio, will share the $3,500 Margot Taylor Memorial Scholarship. Robert Tribbett from Bridgeville, Del., will receive the $3,000 Critchfield/Oviatt Memorial Scholarship.
Michelle Young from Campbell Hall, N.Y., will receive the $2,000 Don Evans Memorial Scholarship. Steven Ely from Watseka, Ill., will receive the $1,5000 Alumni Scholarship.
In addition, HHYF also awards the annual $5,000 Doug Brown Scholarship. This year’s recipient is Mitchell Downey from Upper Kingsclear, New Brunswick. The $500 Charles Bradley Memorial selection is John Hochstetler from Sugar Creek, Ohio.
HHYF also makes selections for the Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association Rambling Willie Memorial Awards. Kathryn Cornish from Dayton, Pa., Angela O’Mara from Midland, Mich., and Amy Todd from Freehold are this year’s recipients.
Since 1976, HHYF has distributed more than $260,000 in scholarships to worthy students. For additional information about scholarships or HHYF programs, call (317) 848-5132 or visit the HHYF Web site at www.hhyf.org.?
?Freehold to open?
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The lucartive New Jersey Sire Stakes pari-mutuel program and the new Green Acres series will highlight the racing calendar in August when Freehold Raceway reopens Friday for its fall-winter meet.
On Friday there will be Sire Stakes competition for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, followed the next day by 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings. Also on Saturday will be a $60,000 open trotting classic at a mile and a sixteenth. The Green Acres series begins Aug. 17.
Other stakes program highlights include the $150,000 Molly Pitcher on Aug. 19; the $100,000 Babic Filly Pace on Sept. 2; and the $350,000 Cane Pace, the $150,000 Shady Daisy Pace and the $200,000 Babic Open Pace on Sept. 4.?
?Gladstone antique show?
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More than 50 antique dealers will be present for the sixth annual Gladstone antique show to benefit the U.S. Equestrian Team.
The event will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 16 and Sept. 17, rain or shine, at the U.S. Equestrian Team Headquarters and Olympic Training Center, Pottersville Road, Gladstone. Daily general admission is $10 and includes a program and free parking. There is no admission fee for children under the age of 12.
Dealers will feature American, English and Continental furniture, decorative arts, paintings, silver, jewelry, oriental rugs, Chinese export, folk art and Americana from the 17th to 19th centuries.
There will be equestrian demonstrations, antique lectures and other activities throughout the weekend.
For information call (908) 234-0555.
Upcoming events
Friday – Team Penning, 7:30 p.m., weather permitting, Hickory Ridge Farm, 86 East Branch Road, Upper Freehold. For information call (609) 208-0868.
Friday-Sunday – New Jersey Palomino Exhibitors Association Show, Horse Park of New Jersey, Route 524, Upper Freehold. For information call (908) 234-9469.
Saturday-Sunday – Saddlebrook Ridge Stephen Bradley Jumping Clinic, Shamong. For information call (609) 261-9343.
Sunday – Central Jersey Horseman’s Association Show, East Freehold Park, Freehold. For information call (732) 821-0027.
Aug. 18 – Team Penning, 7:30 p.m., weather permitting, Hickory Ridge Farm, 86 East Branch Road, Upper Freehold. For information call (609) 208-0868.
Aug. 20 – Festival of Horses, Horse Park of New Jersey, Route 524, Upper Freehold. For information call (609) 984-4389.
Aug. 20 – The Meadow Hunter Jumper Series, Mount Holly. For information call (609) 261-0601.
Aug. 25 – Team Penning, 7:30 p.m., weather permitting, Hickory Ridge Farm, 86 East Branch Road, Upper Freehold. For information call (609) 208-0868.
Aug. 25-27 – New Jersey 4-H Horse Show, Horse Park of New Jersey, Route 524, Upper Freehold. For information call (732) 932-9794.
Aug. 27 – The Meadow Hunter Jumper Series, Mount Holly. For information call (609) 261-0601.
Aug. 28 – Wits End Farm "C" Rated Hunter Jumper Show, Jackson. For information call (732) 928-1480.