SEPTEMBER 2011 THE RIDER /27


dle, both in the barn aisle (pawing and nipping at me in the crossties) and when I’m riding him (rooting the reins out of my hands and just generally being distracted.) Is it better for him to remain in training year round?


A. There are some really good reasons why riders take their horses out of training for a time and it sounds like you have your horse’s best interest at heart.


Q. I moved my gelding from my train- er’s farm closer to home after the show season so that I would be able to ride more often. I also thought that it would be a nice break for him to be in a less regimented program (for instance, less time standing tied and more time turned out.) I’m wondering if I’ve made the right decision because he’s becoming increasingly harder to han-


FINANCES - In an effort to conserve family finances, riders often take their horses out of training for the winter. This is one of the ways they wisely cut corners in order to make their horse fit into their budget. To meet their goals on a budget, riders should consider what is a need and what is a want. Training is a wise, often underestimat- ed investment. Multiple show clothes, matching shipping bandages and fancy trailers don’t pay the same dividends in terms of performance and results.


BONDING - Others want to have more time in the saddle, with their horses closer to home, making it possi- ble to get to know their horses for themselves. Personally, some of the greatest gains I’ve made as a horse- woman have been by taking a concept


New Association For New Western Discipline


By Kelly Bowers


While Western Dres- sage is considered a new discipline, it has actually been practised by many riders in Canada and the USA for years. Lately there has been a coming together of many like- minded riders who believe in bringing the time tested concepts of dressage to the western horse and rider. Western Dressage embraces all that is loved about western horses, their gaits, confidence and train- ability. If you add to this the partnership control and beauty of dressage, you have the perfect result - Western Dressage.


Unlike in the USA where, several associations exist and the official sport has been around longer, there has been no group representing the needs of Western Dressage in Cana- da, until now. It was just announced that a Canadian association has been formed, called the Western Dressage Association of Canada (WDAC). They are currently in the process of writing tests, bylaws, rules as well as promoting the growth and education of Western Dressage. Organizers are also looking for like minded team play- ers to be apart of this grass- roots movement in Canada. If you would like to be named a regional contact or be involved in other ways, please contact info@west- erndressageassocationof- canada.com.


Western Dressage shows and demos have been held in Ontario during the summer of 2011 and there are more to come this fall. A WDAC approved Western Dressage Show will be held in Petrolia ON, including freestyle classes on Sept 23, 2011. Register


online by sept 18 at www.arkequestrian.net/. There will also be a WDAC sanctioned clinic in Kingston Ontario on Sept 15th followed by demos and clinics at the Kingston Fair, Sept 16-18th. Anoth- er WDAC show will be held at the Brigden Fair, October 9, 2011 and tenta- tive plans are to be at The Royal Ag Winter Fair Horse Show, Nov 4-13 and at the Can am All Breed Equine Emporium in Lon- don, ON, next March. For updates, keep your eye on http://westerndressageasso- ciationofcanada.webs.com/


I’ve learned in theory and experiment- ing with it at home (yes, and making mistakes) until I’ve adapted it into my program. Success comes from taking some risks and sometimes failing - these risks are seldom taken when under the watchful eye of your trainer. I encourage riders to decide if they value the process or the results. If your goal is to be quickly and consistently in the winners circle, year round train- ing is something to carefully consider as a novice rider. If you want to become a rider with a secure position, feel, and ability to problem-solve, more miles in the saddle is the way to go. Mind, you, you’ll make mistakes and the progress will be slower.


R&R Some people, like you, want to give their horse some down time from the strict discipline of a trainer’s routine – all work, no play. They want to give their horse time to mentally and physically relax.


As with most things, however, there are often drawbacks which accompany the benefits…


In my clinics and coaching, I’m fre- quently reminding riders that we train horses using a system of boundaries which the horse discovers by trial and error. The human’s job is to consistent- ly decide and define the boundaries. Like waltz partners, you are either the leader or the follower, and as a rider you have to be the decision maker. Fuzzy boundaries confuse horses, but every time you’re distracted your horse will start “trialing” the boundaries. From the moment you lead your horse out of his stall, you are asking him


questions using various degrees of pressure – “Will you come forward, slow down, lower your head, move your body over”, etc. Many amateur riders don’t recognize when their horse is pushing back and answering “No” until it becomes really annoying or even dangerous. Remember how it works in the herd – the Alpha horse “moves” the subordinate horse with an ear pinned, teeth bared wave of her head. If the underdog retreats, she usu- ally goes back to peaceful eating. If he stays put or, at his peril, challenges her, a chase ensues. As long as one horse can, through body language, move another, he is the leader.


Taking this back to your horse, watch carefully to see if he pushes back into you when you ask him to move over. Does he keep straining against your hand to look at the horse in the stall by the crossties or drag you along as you lead him in from the pad- dock? Does he raise his head against initial pressure from the lead shank or lower it thoughtfully? The horse you lead will be the horse you ride – think about how many hundreds of requests you make of your horse to yield to pressure before you even get on his back! Because an experienced horse person automatically moves around a horse with the confident body language of the leader, asserting his boundaries when they’re challenged and being soft when the horse yields, these issues of bossiness don’t rise to the surface at his training facility. A good trainer will be able to communicate this to you – knowing the reasons WHY it happens can alleviate frustration.


Shriners join forces with Ram Rodeo Tour in Ontario


Shriners Clubs in Ontario will lead the road to the East Guillimbury “Ram Rodeo Champi- onships” in Newmarket.


The Shriners have expanded their communi- ty fundraisers to include the sport of Rodeo. Host- ing 3 rodeos, beginning this weekend at the Oril- lia Fairgrounds , the Shriners will be out in full force. They then move to Orangeville Fairgrounds Sept 10-11 before heading to the Championships in the Newmarket area October 15-17th. “It is great to have such a service group involved” stated Ross Millar – President of Ram Rodeo Tour.”Their efforts are tremendous and the monies raised go to Shriners Children's Hospitals” Close to 200 cowboys and cowgirls compete in the eastern Ram Rodeo Tour for over $250,000 in prize money. Ram Rodeo Tour has become one of the strongest community rodeo tours in North America supporting charities in many com- munities.


For announcement information see www.ontariorodeo.com


Some horse owners think this is unkind to be so demanding with horses, failing to realize that this is the language hors- es understand. Think of it like this – picture yourself standing in a crowded elevator when your boss, the CEO of the corporation, enters and stands right beside you. He smiles politely, then reaches into your personal space to push the elevator button. Naturally, you step back a bit to give him some room. Imagine if you stubbornly didn’t move, or even worse, elbowed him sharply. This is what your horse is doing to you rather than deferring to your leadership and yielding every time he feels pressure on any part of his body.


Under saddle, some horses learn through trial and error that they can evade their amateur owner’s aid whereas this was never an option with the trainer in the saddle. With the train- er unavailable to set the record straight, problems such as inconsistency, poor transitions, stalling, bulging toward the in gate and kicking out at the rider’s leg are commonplace.


If your horse is a bold, lazy, or assertive type, he may not do well on the “home visit” plan and may need to return to the trainer for maintenance training if you are going to enjoy him and keep him sharp. But it may well be that with some attention to these details, you can establish that you are the dance leader.


For more training and showing tips, visit her site: www.lgrice.com


Canadian Cowboys Association – A.C.E.C. Quebec Cowboy Association Join forces


with A.C.E.C. Cowboy Association of Eastern Canada (Que- bec) to co-sanction the International Plowing Match RAM Rodeo September 22-23-24,2011. The rodeo will be the centre attraction for fans at the featured RAM Corral area. “This initiative is a new direction for the CCA”, stated Mark Benzce, - general manager. “ The CCA currently enjoys a great relationship with Ontario cowboys and cowgirls and we look forward to working with Quebec for the growth of Rodeo nationally.” The CCA currently sanctions rodeos from Alberta across to Ontario and is the largest Semi Pro Rodeo association in Canada.


RAM Rodeo and CCA Announces a new joint venture


This will be the final rodeo of the Eastern CCA Rodeo schedule. “This is exciting for the competitors as well as us at RAM Rodeo” Ross Millar, President Ram Rodeo stated, “This joint venture will make an exciting finish to the year for many of our competitors, determining who will qualify for the East- ern Newmarket Championships as well as the Toronto Royal Winter Fair.”


As one of the last Rodeos in Quebec for the 2011 season it will also play an important part for many Quebec competi- tors.


See www.ontariorodeo.com for details.


Email: info@intercityinsurance.com


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