Fundraiser supports equestrian groups
Contributed by Carol Suggs – Event Chair
On June 30, the Mariposa Mountain Riders and Mariposa County Sheriff’s Posse hosted an Equestrian Obstacle Challenge Practice and Race.
The event was a successful fundraiser for both organizations with 26 riders in the practice round and 19 riders participating in the competition.
The Obstacle Challenge Race took place in the arena at Camp Creek Ranch. Riders and their mounts faced 13 to 14 different obstacles. Judging criteria was based on how they executed each obstacle, the time it took to complete the course and their horsemanship skills.
Winners of each division were awarded buckles, second place winners received trophy buckle-style key chains, third place winners landed hand-forged hoof picks, and fourth place winners got customized chore buckets with horse treats.
The division results were as follows: YOUTH (18 and under), 1st Shylah Joslin; 2nd Maleah Varney.
LEGENDS (55 and over), 1st Bill Suggs; 2nd Mike Cardoza; 3rd Cheryl Cardoza;
4th Dorraine Smith.
OPEN (any level any age) 1st Tiffany Beechinor; 2nd Debben Beesley; 3rd Shylah Joslin; 4th Stan Miranda.
While most of the competitors were from Mariposa or surrounding towns in the valley the competitor traveling the farthest was from Coalinga.
There was an extensive raffle and the Mariposa Mountain Riders organization had its logo merchandise for sale.
Special thanks went to the Mariposa Lions Club for providing lunch service and to other sponsors. ‘Without these folks we wouldn’t have been able to produce this show,” said event chair Carol Suggs. Sponsors included Camp Creek Ranch, Sandy Unruh (judge), Casner Ranch (Larry Casner), Yamshon Hay, Mariposa Feed & Supply, Yosemite Falls Well Drilling, A.L. Gibson Water Services, Steve Maxwell, Silver Valley Ranch, Miranda Cattle Company and, “all outstanding volunteers who jumped in to make this show a success,” Suggs added.
