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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011 THE RIDER /17 NBHA Team Canada goes Barrel Racing in China!


trips through their beautiful city of Ordos on horse back, and the meet and greets in their state parks and fountains! The peo- ple were so friendly, and so excited to see us as we came from far away countries.


Our fun barrel races were By Debby McMullun


August 13 to September 2nd was a grand opening, train- ing session and goodwill mis- sion for NBHA Canada to Ordos, China. After a 30 hour flight, our team of Canadian Barrel racers arrived at Ordos for the opening of a new barrel racing training facility . The NBHA Team Canada put


together to go to China included members Richard Mathieu, Chris Blane, Annett Ford, Tara Dyckstra, ,Tiany Schuster, Tamra Hughs, Tara Chambers, Lynae Guthrie, and Julie Ploude . Teams from Brazil, Australia, and England were also in attendance. The main reason for the trip was to promote “The


Horse” in many different aspects. This is the sole reason Canada was invited to partici- pate. Chris Blane has many times already been a guest bar- rel horse trainer and has import- ed horses for China in the recent past few months. Chris had a very tough & stressful task of choosing the perfect team. Not only did he need excellent bar-


relracers with great horseman- ship but PR people, photogenic with a side of fun and most important, a team that the Chi- nese riders could relate to at their level whether it be they were just starting out or a sea- soned professional. The mem- bers of our team demonstrated that diversity and skill.


The number of horses trained daily varied from rider to rider based on experience and ability. On the average 2 - 3 horses were worked with by each of our members during their stay. They also worked with a Chinese team member, with translator services, to head these new riders in the right


direction by helping them with some train- ing techniques. Days were spent working hard with the horses and Chinese team rid- ers, but we were taken amazing places. We saw lots of unbe- lievable places, like the Ordos Desert, complete with camels and desert people,


and went tobogganing down a great huge hill of sand. Many trips to the inner city, to see the beautiful monuments, buildings and other sights left memories and touched each member dif- ferently. The meals that we had were varied and many courses of local cuisine. Many of these photos have been published on Facebook, look for Ordos. All the team members did demonstration barrel races, schooling exercises and training for parades with flag cere- monies. Those we performed with great pomp and ceremony, for the city and country offi- cials, their honored guest and families. Not to mention the


just that. Brazil, Canada and China all competing for brag- ging rights and learning experi- ences. With that said, our fear- less leader Chris won 2 of these competitions on a awesome horse he imported into China. All of the horses he imported for the Chinese were of great quality. Chris also advised rid- ers on tack, saddle and training throughout the event. There were many strong bonds created between the Canadian instruc- tors and their Chinese students. They certainly excelled at the fun barrel racing classes at the end of the two week training period, very much improved from their first days!


The ranch in the City of


Ordos, China was built for this purpose as a state of the art training facility. Currently this facility houses over 200 head of horses, 100 ranch hands and Chinese riders.


The future is bright for China with hopes that this will become an annual event, The Ordos International Horse Festi- val


Team Canada wants to thank NBHA for their best wishes and it was a honor to wear the NBHA Canada Logo on our team uniforms.


Thanks again TEAM CANADA Pleasant Ridge holds annual Fall Blanket Sale 1 2 3 4


1/ Crystal Will, Puslich & Jane Foerter, Cambridge.


2/ Val Mathias, Marie McConnell, Linda McEachern, Debbie Hamilton, Cheryl Labelle, Carla Bell and Danielle Mathias, from Rushmount Equine Sports, a. 3 1/2 hour drive away in Orillia. 3/ Paula Brosseau with Maxwell Demoe from Stoney Creek. 4/ Lots of saddlers were for sale. 5/ The parking lot was full. 6/ Special Moments horse feeds by Martin Mills was available.


Photos by The Rider 5 6


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