Special to the Sun

Nearly two dozen Kern Valley gymkhana riders turned out for the local monthly gymkhana competition at the John McNally arena in Kernville on Saturday.

The weather was perfect for the 21 riders who were competing. It was a good turnout considering several of our regular riders did not participate for a variety of reasons (horse illness, rider injury, or work obligations), said Lisa Jones.

Kristina Wada, 13, and an eighth grader at Woodrow Wallace Middle School, enjoys being a competitor at the local gymkhana events. She rode well in the "key hole" event on her horse, Lassie, Saturday in Kernville at the John McNally Arena.

More riders are expected back on their horses next month, when they compete on Jan. 15 again at the John McNally Arena in Kernville, Jones said.

Among the riders were several sporting shiny new buckles, which they earned for their accomplishments last season.

Keeley Bennett of Onyx, 13, was especially proud of her buckle. Bennett is an eighth grader at South Fork Middle School in Weldon.

The buckles were presented at the California Gymkhana Association awards banquet in Visalia over Thanksgiving weekend.

Any member that was not able to attend the banquet, received their buckles in the mail last week, said Jones.

Every Los Vaqueros (gymkhana) member can earn a beautiful year-end buckle through California Gymkhana Association, according to Jones.

All that is required is participation at the monthly events. Los Vaqueros also puts on a year-end award for the local club each fall.

It is not too late to join and start earning points toward awards, Jones said. "We encourage folks to come out and see all the fun we have.

"Los Vaqueros is an organization for all ages and riding abilities," Jones said.

"You don't have to have the fastest horse to win awards. There is a division for every speed."

You don't even have to have a horse to come out and have a good time with us, she said.

There are lots of non-riding jobs to be done.

The workers are recognized at the end of the year with awards as well as the riders, said Jones.

The winners of the Saturday competition are as follows:

Figure 8 Stake-(AAA) Horse- Kristina Wada on Lassie; (AA) Horse- Britney Roberts on Scarlet; (A) Horse- Chris Crane on Maggie; (FC) Horse- Joe Robertson on Sweet; (A) Pony- Brooke Kelso on Beanee; and (FC) Pony- the winner was Katie Emery on Fritz.

Speed Ball- (AA) Horse- Keeley Bennet on Sandpiper; (A) Horse- Chris Crane on Maggie; (FC) Horse- Deanna Steinhoff on Black Onyx Mountain; (A) Pony- Katie Emery on Fritz.

Single Stake-(AAA) Horse- Kristina Wada on Lassie; (A) Horse- Haley Riise on Kelso; (FC) Horse 13 and under- Jessie Ruiz on Gideon; (FC) Horse 14 and over- Sara Ruiz on Dusty; (A) Pony- Katie Emery on Fritz; and (FC) Pony- Kendall Manning on Sheza Black Brandy.

Poles I-(AAA) Horse- Kristina Wada on Lassie; (AA) Horse- Chris Crane on Maggie; (A) Horse- Joe Robertson on Sweet; (FC) Horse 13 and under- Sierra Hazard on Ginger; (FC) Horse 14 and over- Lisa Laughlin on Cheyenne; (A) Pony- Katie Emery on Fritz and (FC) Pony- Kendall Manning on Sheza Black Brandy.

Figure 8 Flags-(AAA) Horse- Kevin Walker on Ebbie; (AA) Horse- Sierra Hazard on Ginger; (A) Horse- Chris Crane on Maggie; (FC) Horse- Lisa Jones on Smoky Cactus Cardi; (AA) Pony- Katie Emery on Fritz.

Quadrangle-(AAA) Horse- Kristina Wada on Lassie; (AA) Horse- Kevin Walker on Ebbie; (A) Horse- Jessie Ruiz on Gideon; (FC) Horse 13 and under- Brandi Rushing on Rosie; (FC) Horse 14 and over- Lisa Laughlin on Cheyenne; and (FC) Pony- Kendall Manning on Sheza Black Brandy.

Keyhole-(AA) Horse- Katie Ruiz on Bailey; (A) Horse- Brandi Rushing on Rosie; (FC) Horse- Joe Robertson on Sweet; (A) Pony- Brooke Kelso on Beanee; and (FC) Pony- Katie Emery on Fritz.

Overall High Point winners for the day were: AAA Horse- Kristina Wada on Lassie; AA Horse- Kevin Walker on Ebbie; A Horse- Chris Crane on Maggie; FC Horse 13 and under- Brandi Rushing on Rosie; FC Horse 14 and over-Sara Ruiz on Dusty; AA Pony- Katie Emery on Fritz; A Pony- Brooke Kelso on Beanee; and FC Pony- Kendall Manning on Sheza Black Brandy.

Jones invited anyone interested in the sport to come out to the John McNally Arena in Kernville on third Saturday of the month. Competition begins at 9 a.m. It's a great way to meet a new group of friendly folks, she said.

We invite those riders who have been away for awhile to come back also, said Jones.

For more information about the next competition ,which will be on Jan. 15, call the local gymkhana president Kenny Jones, at (760) 379-3420 or Joe Robertson, at (760) 378-1308.