Paige Midkiff, Harley Nester, Meghan Bush, Hannah Bush – these names were heard often when winners were announced at the Patrick Henry Saddle Club’s horse shows the past year.
Not surprisingly, these four cowgirls were among a handful of competitors who went home from the season awards banquet December 14 with several more championship buckles, prizes, and other awards, and a passel of memories.
DONALD TRAUSNECK PHOTOS
Paige, of Indian Valley, who was the Southwest Virginia “Cowgirl of the Year” for 2024 as recognized by news media, was the Patrick Henry Saddle Club’s Youth Games Champion for the year.
Her cousin Harley, from Meadows of Dan, who is her teammate for the team events, was the Adult Games Champion and the Lead Line Champion.
Harley’s 3-year-old daughter Oaklee also got into the act taking the lead line championship for her age.
Meghan, of Indian Valley, earned high-point awards for 2024 in several classes and the overall Youth under-saddle championship buckle.
Her sister Hannah was the year-end high-point champion for speed barrels.
For Paige Midkiff, in the saddle almost since birth, Patrick Henry has been a natural venue for her, a place she says is her favorite, and teaming with her cousin has made it all the more enjoyable and successful.
“Harley and I always team up together,” she says. “I think we make a great team, we’ve always rode together a lot so teaming up is just natural for us. We go and practice together every chance we get and help each other out with whatever we’re having difficulties with, or if we just give some advice to each other.
“I love doing shows and competing with Harley. “It makes it so much more fun when you have someone to friendly compete against and just have a good time.”
About the banquet, she said, “I always look forward to the banquet at Patrick, and all the shows. It’s just a great place with great people and friends that have turned into family. I’ve met a lot of my friends from Patrick shows and I love competing with my friends.
“This past year, Meghan has helped me out a lot and we have a great time riding together during and outside of the shows, I also like competing against Hannah. “We’ve also helped each other out a lot. Her and her horse are just a great team.”
Paige added, “I love everyone that goes to Patrick and my friends that I’ve met there have become family. We even run into each other and hang out at other shows throughout the season.”
Invited to their first-ever show in 2019, Meghan and Hannah have been regular competitors at Patrick Henry in Bassett ever since and have steadily improved. Hannah won her first high-point award in 2024, although Meghan has been winning since 2022. Both girls also won buckles the past season at Loping Ridge in Rural Retreat.
Meghan, who won her first Extreme Trail Challenge at PHSC in 2021, won her first buckle there the following year in the Peewee division. She then won the 2023 Youth under-saddle championship as well as first place in at least seven other classes including the all-important reining competition.
The 2025 season may be quite different for the Bush sisters, and for the Patrick Henry Saddle Club, as their mother, Sandra Bush, explained:
“Despite moving on to compete in nationally-sanctioned Shows next year that may cause us to miss some 2025 shows, PHSC will always feel like home base to us. They have done so much there to help my girls learn and grow in their showing experience.
“We have made so many friends and have received so much support from family members and club members. Patrick Henry provides an amazing opportunity for seasoned competitors as well as inexperienced riders to learn and grow,” she continued. “They have done and continue to do so much to promote the equine industry that we all love. It is an asset to the equestrian world in this area.”
Located a long stone’s throw or a pleasant trail ride from Fairy Stone State Park, Patrick Henry Saddle Club has been in operation since the 1950’s, now holding four horse shows each year at a beautiful, spacious, and well-equipped venue. The 2025 season opener is scheduled for April 5.
~ Upcoming Events ~
Dec. 28 – team roping, Lone Hickory Arena, Yadkinville NC
Jan. 4 – barrels and poles fundraiser, Lone Hickory
Jan. 10-12 – Stampede Championship Rodeo, Salem
Jan. 11 – IBRA Winter Buckle Series, Billingsway Arena, Crockett
Jan. 11 – Broken Bow Winter Series, Moneta
Feb. 1-2 – JRSRA season opener, Lone Hickory
Please report news of area events and local riders to dtfullerhorses@yahoo.com. If you can, please include a telephone number or info for people to reach you if the event may be postponed due to conditions.
