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16/ DECEMBER 2013 THE RIDER Canada Makes Its Mark At The 2013 U.S. National Show (NAPHA)


6, 2013, it could just have been that you were feeling pride for our exquisite Canadian entries in the NAPHA show at the Los Angeles Equestrian Centre in Burbank, Califor- nia!


– 10 years ago when he became seri- ously involved with showing his Peru- vians, he made an agreement with his daughter, Chantelle that they would set a goal for their first show - to place in half their classes and win one blue rib- bon. They were successful. They have steadily raised their sites and in this their 10th year, they took home 10 blue ribbons (plus several other significant awards).


Ontario, as the Grandma who cheers the loudest when my 6 grandchildren try their best in performing for their sports teams. I put that prac- tice into good use in Bur- bank as my husband Keith and I watched Canadian entries from B.C. and Alber- ta compete with their Peru- vian horses against the best that the United States has to offer! We put our best cheers forward for Ben and Chantelle Sawatzky and Rick Matheson of Paradise Ranch, Rick Cones of Ring- stead Ranch, Rob and Jan Sjodin of Del Oeste, Cather- ine Taggart of Armstrong, B.C. and Emma Thurn of Alberta. I was kept running between the arena and the horse stalls with camera in hand trying to catch the special moments when our Canadians carried ribbons and trophies to be added to their collections! Ben told me an interesting story


I am known at home, here in


By – Lois Worden – Newsletter Editor O.P.H.A. If your ears were ringing Oct. 4-


Day” at the Nationals with the High Point Breeder Award going to Ben Sawatzky and High Point Owner going to Rick Cones. Cathie Taggart and her 11 year old chestnut mare, Olorosa IJB needed an extra suitcase to bring home all their trophies, winning Champion and Champion of Champions Perfor- mance Mare, Champion and Champion of Champions Performance Horse. Rick Cones took the Reserve Champi- onship in Performance Mare with his


October 6 was certainly “Canada


1st in the Geldings Gait 4-6 Class with BDS Vailenta. Emma Thurn came in


in Geldings Gait 7+ with Mano Derecha IJB, her 13 year old chestnut boy who won her so many accolades in last year’s Canadian Nationals! Rob Sjodin was 2nd in AOTR (Amateur Owner to Ride) Performance 4-6 with RSTD Trueno, his 6 year old chestnut gelding. Rick Matheson brought home a


10 year old chestnut mare, RSTD Alelita. Rick also brought home a 2nd with RSTD Lucerno, his 12 year old chestnut, in Performance Geldings 7+. Jan Sjodin came home with a 2nd


Arllentar, Frank and Merlene Sutalo from Paseo del Traza inTemecula, Cal-


the show with several American friends who have brought so much interest and education into our lives with Peruvians. Dave Burdega, Marco Vasquez, his son Jose Vasquez and Tessa Todd from CampoBello Peruvians in Washington, Janic


for Cathie isn’t the be all and end all but it is part of the package. 95% of her time is spent on trails just enjoying the ride. Cathie says she and Rosa are “just the little hillbilly team from Arm- strong”! It was a pleasure to be reunited at


story with me that may be inspiration for many of us in the OPHA who con- sider ourselves to be everyday Peru- vian horse riders. Cathie “purchased” her 2.5 year old filly Olorosa IJB “Rosa” from Ivan and Judie Bourelle for the price of an old wreck of a truck that had been on her farm for years. Cathie and Rosa “trained” each other under the watchful eye of Ivan. Cathie enjoyed riding Rosa doing parades, demo team rides, shows and a whole lot of trail riding. From there they went on to win 14 Champion of Champion titles and 3 Laurea- dos and now these highest hon- ours at the 2013 NAPHA show! Cathie encourages us not to be intimidated by com- peting against the large ranch- es, professional riders etc. “Go into shows, have fun with your horse....because that ultimately is what it is all about...to have fun with our horses!” Showing


Champagne class, riding her 6 year old chestnut mare, BDS Alegria. Catherine Taggart shared a little


2nd in the Performance Mares 4-6 class with RSTD Andina Chantelle Sawatzky won the


excitement at the show for the Wor- dens. We had the privilege of being guests of Hon. Annette Kart in her beautiful Spanish style home right around the corner from the LA Eques- trian Centre. Annette has judged at our OPHA Summer Sizzler for the past two years. Annette arranged for the Wordens to join her on a trail ride starting from her home, where her stal- lion, “Norbo”, resides in his stall attached to her house. Keith and I rent- ed quarter horses and followed Annette up above the city where the views were spectacular. The only thing that I will add here is that I was reminded how much I appreciate my darling Peruvian, “Montana” with his smooth gait and my sheepskin covered saddle after an hour or so with one of those trotting beasts!


might be fun to see the hotel where “Pretty Woman” was filmed and Annette arranged for the three of us to tour Beverly Hills and Hollywood and to stop for breakfast at the Beverly Wiltshire Hotel. Driving up in her


We had only to mention that it


and I used text to communicate with the President of the Ontario Peruvian Horse Association, Luis Fiallos. We took great delight in tormenting him with descriptions of all we were see- ing and doing. Luis took it all in his stride and I am sure he will plan to attend one of the National shows in the near future. The horses were not the only


sponding with NAPHA in Santa Rosa through their secretary Arlynda Castro, it was a delight to finally meet her at the show. Now I will be able to put a face with her name when we connect. Throughout the show, Annette


ifornia and Nick Breaux (who was the fabulous judge at the Canadian Nationals last year). After all these years of corre-


Nationals were sold out before we arrived at the show, so unfortunately we missed out on that aspect of social-


reserved box at the NAPHA show for Liliano Cino, the Consul General del Peru. Along with several of Liliano’s friends, Keith and I were able to watch one afternoon’s classes and enjoyed some interesting conversation with Lil- iano, a beautiful and gracious woman who definitely is willing to put out her hand to us in helping showcase our Peruvians here in Ontario, through her connections with our Consul General. The evening events for the


black Escalade SUV dressed in her “whites” and sporting sunglasses with significant bling and looking just oh so glamorous, Annette turned over her keys to the valet parking attendant and he assumed she was a celebrity. Wow! Did we ever get the red carpet treat- ment at the hotel! Annette had arranged for a


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