Keri Blackledge and Gettinaway Whiz It. EQ Images - www.eqimages.com

The 19th Annual Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association Jack and Linda Baker Reining Classic was held August 14-15, 2009 in front of a very enthusiastic crowd at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center’s Equidome. The Baker Classic Finals was a part of a very successful 4 day Horse Show at the Equestrian Center. Also featured at the horse show was the PCHA Youth/Amateur Trail Classic and a Trail Clinic with Charlie Cole.

Known as the “Classic Championship Horse Show, it was dedicated to Cancer Awareness.

Keri Blackledge and Gettinaway Whiz It - sliding. EQ Images - www.eqimages.com

Thirty-three horse/rider combinations qualified for the Finals by riding in qualifying classes throughout the year. 32 horses actually competed in the two-day event. Ten points, by PCHA Rules, are needed to qualify for the Final Ride-Off. Larry and Ponce Herrmann Gimple of Track One Events managed the Classic Show. The show was approved by the PCHA and the AQHA. Chairperson for the Baker Reining Classic Finals was Georgiana Rodrigues.

What makes this reining event like no other in the nation, is the prizes it offers. Prizes this year included 3 saddles. In addition, a tradition in the Baker Classic, each and every finalist received a beautiful personalized commemorative plate with his or her name and that of their horse.

Keri Blackledge and Gettinaway Whiz It (also winner of the Bud Dillon Trophy for High Scoring Gelding). EQ Images - www.eqimages.com

Prizes included 3 Continental Saddlery custom trophy saddles, specially designed Baker Classic silver belt buckles to tenth place, silver headstalls, silver stirrups, silver spurs, splint boots, monogrammed spur straps, Greg Darnall bit, monogrammed tote bags, monogrammed brushes, monogrammed hoof picks, fly mask, monogrammed towels, Professional Choice SMB boots, gift certificates from Broken Horn, and Ezall. Some finalists received Broken Horn golf caps, Baker Classic key chains and Grand Meadows Nutritional Products. Also awarded was a custom day sheet from Sierra Horse Wear, LLC made especially to fit the Champion’s horse. Monogrammed jackets were also handed out to tenth place. Also offered are SEVEN Perpetual Trophies.

Prime Time Champion - Jesse Ross and Mega Angelena (also winner of the John Varble Sportsmanship Award). EQ Images - www.eqimages.com

After two outstanding go-rounds, in front of 4 judges, Keri Blackledge and her gelding, Gettinaway Whiz It were the Champions with a total score of 291½ . Keri and Gettinaway Whiz It train with Brenda Brown. This is not the first time Keri has shown in the Baker Classic, but this is her first Baker Championship win.

For her Championship Keri won a beautiful Continental Saddlery Trophy Saddle, a Championship silver belt buckle, and the custom Sierra Horse Wear blanket along with all the other top ten awards.

Jessica Tourino and SB Top Dun sliding (49 & Under). EQ Images - www.eqimages.com

Reserve Champion with a score of 288½ was Rebecca Murray and Gatolotto. For her Reserve Championship, Rebecca won a silver belt buckle, a silver Champion headstall, a Greg Darnall bit, plus all the other top ten awards. Rebecca and Gatolotto train with Tom Foran.

Third place went to Sheree Burton and Hollywood Smart Guy. For third place, Sheree received a beautiful pair of silver spurs along with a silver belt buckle, plus top ten awards. All placing riders received neck sashes when they received their awards.

The PCHA Baker Reining Classic has a competition within a competition. Two Divisional Categories: 49 and under, and Prime Time (50 and over). These riders must not have earned $500 in total National Reining Horse Association earnings at the beginning of the calendar year of the Baker Finals. These riders must also have never been Champion or Reserve Champion in any breed or National Horse Association.

49 and Under Champion - Jessica Tourino and SB Top Dun. EQ Images - www.eqimages.com

The Prime Time Champion was Jesse Ross, riding Mega Angelena. For that Championship, they received a Continental Saddlery Trophy Saddle along with his 8th place prizes.

The 49 & Under Champion was Jessica Tourino, riding SB Top Dun. She too received a Continental Saddlery Trophy Saddle along with her 5th place prizes.

The PCHA Baker Reining Classic hosts 7 outstanding perpetual trophies.
The Bud Dillon Perpetual Memorial Trophy
The Bud Dillon Perpetual Memorial Trophy, is an original bronze by Cowboy Hall of Fame artist Mehl Lawson. It was awarded to Gettinaway Whiz It, ridden by Keri Blackledge as the high point gelding.
The Kemars Bar Chex Memorial Trophy
The Kemars Bar Chex Memorial Trophy was awarded to Whiz Out Chex, ridden by Cady Shaw as the high point mare.
The Rona Doc Perpetual Trophy
The Rona Doc Perpetual Trophy is also a bronze done by Mehl Lawson was awarded to Peppy Sugar Chex, for being the oldest horse in the competition at 18 years of age.
The Tricia Bisbee Perpetual Trophy
The Tricia Bisbee Perpetual Trophy was awarded to Tiffany Neal as the youngest rider in the competition.
The Golden Years Perpetual Trophy
Awarded to the most Senior Rider, went to John Varble at 81 years of age. John was the first winner of the PCHA Baker Reining Classic 18 years ago.
The John Varble Sportsmanship Award
For displaying outstanding sportsmanship, The John Varble Sportsmanship Award went to Jesse Ross.
The Emily Jungers Memorial Award
New this year to the Baker Classic, The Emily Jungers Memorial Award was awarded to Chris Joffe as the high score 1st or 2nd Year Green Rider. He also received a custom pair of spurs with Emily’s initials and a cancer ribbon on them.

The High Score Opposite Award went to Rebecca Murray.

The class picture 2009 Baker Classic Finalists. EQ Images - www.eqimages.com

Qualifying classes have already begun for the Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association Baker Reining Classic for 2010. This event has continued to be a major reining event on the West Coast. This year marked an increase of 35% in entries, both in qualifying classes and the Finals. This event is something that the reining community looks forward to every year.

2009 PCHA JACK AND LINDA BAKER
REINING CLASSIC FINALS
Classic Championship Horse Show – August 14-15, 2009


1st Gettinaway Whiz It/ Keri Blackledge 291 ½
2nd Gatolotto/Rebecca Murray 288 ½
3rd Hollywood Smart Guy/Sheree Burton 286
4th Whiz Out Chex/Cady Shaw 284 ½
5th SB Top Dun/Jessica Tourino 284 ½
6th Dun It With A Boom/Rebecca Murrary 283 ½
7th Bayside Sailor/Kelsey Nichols 283 ½
8th Mega Angelena/Jesse Ross 282
9th Little Ilean/Kailey King 280
10th Peppy Dun Hollywood/Jeanne Kelly 276

Prime Time Champion
Mega Angelena/Jesse Ross

49 & Under Champion
SB Top Dun/Jessica Tourino

Bud Dillon Perpetual Memorial Trophy
High Point Gelding
Gettinaway Whiz It

Kemars Bar Chex Trophy
High Point Mare
Whiz Out Chex

High Score Opposite
Rebecca Murray


The Rona Doc Perpetual Trophy for the Oldest Horse
Peppy Sugar Chex

The Tricia Bisbee Perpetual Trophy for the Youngest Rider
Tiffany Neal

The Golden Years Perpetual Trophy for the most Senior Rider
John Varble

The John Varble Sportsmanship Trophy
Jesse Ross

The Emily Jungers Memorial Green Rider Trophy
Chris Joffe

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