Sarah Judd
A young rider competes in Gymkhana at Whipple Ranch April 22.
Each event has groups compete by age. The categories are 6 and under, 7 to 9, 10-13, 14-18, 19-39 and 40 and older. The membership fee is $15 for one person or $40 for a family. It costs $15 to enter line lead and the rest is $20. Each gymkhana, riders earn points that add up and finish with an awards ceremony at the end of the year.
Riders at Saturday’s event were from Lund, Pioche, Panaca, Las Vegas and Pahranagat Valley. There were some first-time riders and others with many years of experience.
Aleynah Bazil, 10, of Panaca, just started riding six weeks ago through Katie Lee, and it was her first time competing in Gymkhana. She rode Vanity and considers flags the most fun event. Bazil said, “I decided to start riding because it was cool and I wanted to start.”
Kailey Lee, 9, of Panaca, has been riding since she was two years old. She rode Penny on Saturday’s events. She considers barrel racing to be the most fun event. Lee answered, “I started riding because I really like horses.”
Katie Lee, 30, from Panaca, has been riding for twenty-eight years and teaching for the past two to three years. She rode Sully Saturday.
“I love riding because I love the bond and feeling you have while riding,” Lee said. “The connection you have with the animal is amazing.”
Jessica Young, 10, of Pioche and Sunnyside, has been riding since she was three years old. She rode Flo on Saturday and loves the poles event. Young explained, “I love riding because I like feeling the breeze in my face.”
All results can be found on the group’s Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/Great-Basin-Riders-467773133401940/. The next Gymkhana is June 9, which includes a night show and potluck dinner, and on June 10 is a trail ride for those who don’t participate in Gymkhana but just want to ride.
