“Hey, how are you doing?”

The 2009 Region Two Experience is under way in Rapid City, South Dakota. (Christine Hamilton)

I heard that everywhere I went on the Central States Fairgrounds in Rapid City, South Dakota, as the first day of the 2009 AQHA Region Two Experience got started. The show runs from September 24 to 27.

It’s the fourth Region Two, and the folks who gather here seem to really enjoy getting to see each other annually. Region Two covers such a wide territory – Alberta, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Saskatchewan, South Dakota and Wyoming – it’s brought together a far-flung community.

It’s also got a great “try everything” attitude. Take Jill Swanhorst, the horse event coordinator for the Black Hills Stock Show: She has been convinced to try first-time trail this year.

I know I’m always glad to come here – the people are friendly, the quarter horses are talented and the Black Hills country is lovely.

Here’s the September 24 Journal slide show:

More Journal notes from the first day:

• According to Kari Williams of Quarter Time Management, the show has 1,169 pre-entries as of end-of-day September 24, and more are expected. Ranch sorting, roping and working cow horse filled the first competition day.

• The Region is also coming up different ways to raise money. There’s a consignment booth in the trade show to raise money for it, selling everything from little-worn show outfits to saddles. Class sponsorships sell for $50 and class sponsors are entered into a drawing for trade show giveaways. And there’s a plan in the works to make a Region Two calendar of show candids and fun shots.

• The evening wrapped up with a hunter under saddle clinic given by Team Wrangler member and world champion trainer Vicky Holt of Argyle, Texas. Her original flight was cancelled so the clinic was pushed to the evening hours, but that didn’t dampen any enthusiasm for it. Fourteen riders spent three hours with Vicky; she went through different exercises to use with the horses to correct different problems, working riders on the rail and individually in the middle of the arena. “It’s not the biggest horse that wins the class,” Vicky said, “it’s the most consistent and steady horse.”

Hey, have you got a good Regional Experience story to share? Let me know at chamilton@aqha.org.

Get official show results.  (Select the Region Two Experience in the drop-down box.)

Christine Hamilton
Editor
American Quarter Horse Journal

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