INTERSTATE MEMORIES

My favorite memory is of the eastern washington (greenacres, elk, mead, 9 mile falls) group caravaning to centralia in the mid 1960’s. All of the vehicles were decorated “interstate or bust”. We didn’t have motorhomes or trailers with living quarters. Lots of tents, sleeping in horse trailers, stalls, or wherever. Cora ovnick was camp “chef”. Ida buell and martha garrett as helpers. We could count on chili, spagetti, and lots of pancakes. The spirit we brought was infectious! Win, lose or draw we had a great time.

As a mom of four children, my greatest joy and sorrow happened at the same time. In 1995, ladd, landi, lissa & linclon rode bareback relay as a family team. Little britches was running his last run, he was going to retire from years of hard work and fun, because i think he really enjoyed it. It was a breathtaking run. As a brothers and sisters team, little britches gave his all and rewarded his family with their bareback relay buckles. I still have that championship picture of the five of them on a shelf in my bathroom and in my heart forever!

The best memory of interstate is the first time I came (2006). Being a late bloomer, approaching 40, and only riding a few years, i have been taken in and supported by so many people. Having a mother-in –law with Alzheimer’s leaves very little time for my husband and I to enjoy shows together, so i am usually solo or on the shirttails of some very special people. I have never been looked at as future competition; I’m just a new member of a family who wants to ride. Thank you to my new interstate family, for taking me in, for encouraging me to be a competitor and for giving me the opportunity to learn what a fantastic organization this is - go Washington!

I have many fond memories of past interstate meets including the year of the “Moonys”, al barber’s horse trailer being found in the arena covered with toilet paper and scooter barrel races at Clark County.  My favorite memory though would be my second interstate when Patsy Neely gave me the privilege of riding the great juniper creek in junior poles. “Juni won me my first Interstate buckle and then went on to sweep the pole bending that year by also winning senior poles and by being on the winning team pole bending team. Thank you patsy for allowing me to ride such a great horse.

My best memory is last year when me and Waynora rode rescue. Waynora was running down on my horse sonny and they don’t get along very well, he jumped the rescue line and the famous rider Waynora martin came off and I took off after my horse and caught him. I have pictures of the whole thing. Every time I see them I just laugh!

My favorite interstate memory occurred in 1991 the last interstate I was riding Isle Hurry Mom “aka Sis” owned by the Hoffman family. I was reserve champion junior poles for the second year in a row. To my surprise, Sunday night at the awards, Sis and I received high point junior. I was also the best dressed junior. My dad, John Costello, also got to shave Washington announcer Kevin Spratley’s beard after Oregon won and my dad won the bet and got to keep his beard.

I want to apologize for my wardrobe malfunction last night. It was not planned as part of the show. I needed both hands to control my horse because she was on a running spree. My goal was to finish my run clean and make points for Washington!  I would like to be remembered for my most memorable interstate. It was 1985 and I was riding Rainier Jet Star. I broke two interstate records and took home my first two (and only) interstate buckles in keyhole and flags. I felt honored to have my name recognized with people like my sister Jackie Little and Waynora Martin.

Prineville had wonderful dances. One year they had an awesome fiddler in the band, and as the evening festivities wore on, a live horse was backed into the edge of the bandstand and the fiddler used the horse’s tail to fiddle on. Everyone clapped and hooted and a good time was had by all.

The year was 1979 in Prineville, Oregon. The senior keyhole record was 6.97 held by Jackie Cargo. Everyone had run and it was down to the last two Washington riders. Waynora martin, on el pinch bar ran a 6.88, breaking the record. The show stopped while the course was being measured and Waynora was signing her record sheet. Then having to run after a record run, it was my turn to ride. Riding Leo Jean, I ran a 6.66 breaking Waynora’s new record. While they were measuring the course again, this time I was signing the record sheet. I can still remember Waynora congratulating me and complaining that I didn’t even give her enough time to celebrate her short-lived record.

My daughter Lissa was invited to interstate for her very first time. I think she was about 10 years old. She had gone to interstate many times to see her brother Ladd and sister Landi compete. She was only invited in keyhole and didn’t think we should even take Little Hippie for just one event. There was no way we would have left her horse home on the farm. Keyhole was the first individual event on Saturday. They ran a great run and won the buckle. Well, Shannon Fadden came up to Lissa and gave her a great big congratulations and told her she better get that big buckle on a belt so she could wear it for the week-end. Very shyly, she told Shannon she didn’t even have a belt to wear. Well, a few hours later, Shannon came to our camp with a brand new pink belt that she had just made so Lissa could wear her buckle for the week-end! Thank you Shannon for your kindness. We have never forgotten it and never will.

This is my very first interstate that I have made it to. I began riding when I was 6 years old on little’s Roanie the pony. Jesse cargo lead me around on a lead. When I was 12, I was thrown from Kratzer’s pony buddy and broke my wrist. Then I bought my first horse Jem when she was 2. With the help of Jackie and Randy Little I have trained my horse. I went to interstate last year as a spectator. Cascade zone has become a second family to me by encouraging me to push on and ride hard. My best memory will be watching everybody come together and cheer for one another. I wish to thank the Kratzers, Littles, Sylvia, Amy and most of all my parents for all your love and support.

I have ridden at interstate since 1970, so I have many memories, but one memory stands out the best.

In 1997, Pasco Washingt -  Randy and I rode our mare Antares Bonnett in rescue race. I had to time two-man 3-barrel and couldn’t warm up my own horse so Jamie, my daughter warmed her up. Finally I got on her and went to keep myself and her calm. Bonnett was on the muscle and Dave Fosnaugh came up and stood with me on his great horse Nicholas until it was time to run.

They opened the arena gate and Bonnett decided we were starting from there, saw randy and took off. I reined her in and told her I was going to spank her 3 times. I heard Verl Goodwin say do a good one Jackie and then it was quiet and I heard no one. Bonnett saw Randy, came around to start and we ran an 8.11. Both randy and I were so happy and knew it was a good time but all of the best teams had not run yet and we knew the time might not hold up. Randy was visiting with Judy glazier and I was visiting with Butch Backen. Butch says to me you won. I say oh you have one more team. Butch says no, you won. Randy said Judy was telling him you won. Randy said no. Judy said yes you did. Randy yells to me “hey Jackie we won! That was a surprise and the last buckle I have won. I hope that changes soon!

The last two were told to me, so I will do my best to put words in their mouths!!!
 
My dad got me started doing rescue in the 60’s. The first year we qualified i won my first buckle. I was able to win rescue in 1985, 1995, and 2005 on 3 different horses and all in the 7 second range.

I was asked to provide a favorite interstate memory.  Immediately my mind reached back to when I was young.  I can still recall great runs by teams such as the Unpredictables and the stragglers.  I remember the announcer calling the rhythimic names of Hi Betty's Wagon and Perkolate.  I was witness to incredibly fast pole bending horses. That of beauty ridden by Evelyn Barber and Dutchess ridden by Bob Gilmore.  That year these two horses would be the final horses to run for each state.  Evelyn, Bob and the arena crew did their best to start the horses at the same time giving us spectators a great thrill to watch these incredible horses run head-to-head.  Throughout the years I have had the pleasure to watch many great pole runs but the fondness of watching Beauty and Dutchess side-by-side is still the "tops"!  Thank you Bob & Evelyn!

I have many memories of interstate, beginning with Jay Bennet singing the national anthem. At Centralia, picking up car parts in the arena before we could ride.  The times we had to move up to Olympia so we could ride out of the rain.  A few disagreements between Dewey Bodle and Pat Delker.  Two of the best guys in their organizations, always looking out for their  state's  riders.  A personal and proud memory is when "spots unlimited" (little Jack, Kirk, Brandon Young, and Chad Todd) on Applejack, won bareback relay.

Many moves from arena to arena have been made over the years.  No matter where held, it is a great competition between two states.  Many friendships made.  I hope this competition continues for another 50 years or more.  Lots more memories will be made.