Wayne Bueker Trail Challenge promotes skills

<p>Democrat photo / David A. Wilson</p><p>Several horses relax while awaiting the beginning of the Wayne Bueker Trail Challenge.</p>

Democrat photo / David A. Wilson

Several horses relax while awaiting the beginning of the Wayne Bueker Trail Challenge.

The sixth annual Wayne Bueker Memorial Trail Challenge, an obstacle course-style event, took place the morning of Aug. 5 this year. Any breed of horse was invited to try the trail.

The purpose of the event is to promote good horsemanship skills and test the ability of a horse and rider to work as a team.

Among the timed-obstacle events challenging a horse and rider were a log jam (horse steps over logs while staying in between rails), ball transfer (taking a ball from the top of one cone, riding to a second and putting it on that one), hose curtain walk (walking a horse through a curtain of hoses), backing (backing a horse between bales and then turning to back around another bale) and jousting (using the "sword" to collect rings from the top of a line of pole.

The names of the winning riders and horses follow, as provided by Carolyn Twardowski, president of Moniteau Saddle Club.

Open Division: 1. Sarah Couchman and Dancer, 2. Katie Adams and Whiskers, 3. Trish Gibbons and Flash, 4. Joan Jungmeyer and Cisco, 5. Mary Blochberg and Elton.

Youth Division: 1. Katie Adams and Whiskers, 2. Cadye Burgoon and Fabio, 3. Lydia Hoback and Fancy Pants, 4. Kloe Hoback and Pebbles, 5. Peyton Bruner and Glow, 6. Madelyn Gerlach and Reba.

In-hand Division: 1. Robin Billingsley and Wall E, 2. Jullian Billingsley and Mixer, 3. Hadley Bruner and Harley.