6/ DECEMBER 2012 THE RIDER


Natural Horsemanship & Body Control Foundation Reining Training Obstacles


contestant had to drag a bath tub with someone in it!


By Susan Dahl.


I feel better writing about this now that the rebuild has started. The tone of the article w


When you read my col- umn last month, you will know that I’ve had to deal with a lot of obstacles this last half year. Thankfully, the rebuild for my arena will be complete by the time you read this. The solar panels will be operational again by the end of the year. Phew! It’s been tough.


But let’s not talk about that! I would rather talk about good obstacles. There has been lots of interest in this area about extreme cowboy racing and in particular the obstacles. If you’re not familiar with it, I would like to interest you in looking at some of them – they’re cool! ( http://www.extremecowboyas- sociation.com/sample_obsta- cles.html). Competitive trail riding associations also has obstacles that challenge your horse. Http://www.actha.us. I like the extreme mountain trails indoors. They have waterfalls, big boulders, sway bridges and the like. I once saw a youtube video of an extreme cowboy race finals in Alberta where the


According to Equisearch.com, competitive trail riding is one of the fastest growing horse sports. I googled ‘fastest growing horse sport’ and was surprised to see a lot of groups boosting that title. It made me laugh. I did come across this article and found it highlight- ed the newest horse sports. Titled: “Six


ple aren’t into that. 42% of north ameri- can riders don’t compete and are recre- ational riders (according to equisearch.com).


My friend doesn’t have an arena but rather a large alleyway in her barn. She’s going to use her extra bales of shavings and setup obstacles to work on respect and handling for her horses over the course of the winter. Why have them sit there ‘parked’.


your horse something practical to do. And it’s fun!! Since I am so creative, I derive many hours of enjoyment think- ing up different obstacles for my horses. I have included some photos here of a few obstacles I’ve setup. Perhaps you have a creative streak in you too! I just saw a facebook post where someone decorated christmas trees and hung them from the ceiling of their indoor arena.


The obstacles are challenging for the horses and mentally stimulating for everyone. What a great way to build confidence. I believe it’s great for ‘home schooling’. She’s going to prep them so come spring time, I can focus more on starting them under saddle. I’m not sure if this is something that you’ve ever considered before.


She, too, doesn’t ride in the winter - I confess that I don’t ride outside in the winter much either (been there... done that in my younger days) unless I have too or it’s a nice day. I’d do it for cattle work too.


Obstacles are a great way to give


Putting my spin on good obstacles! Reinersue


@KISS Reiners


horse sports that offer hot new opportu- nities for western riders“. http://www.equisearch.com/horses_rid- ing_training/new-horse-sports. Besides competitive trail riding, it also cites extreme cowboy racing, extreme indoor mountain trail riding, western dressage, mounted shooting, and mustang makeover. The competitive trail riding and extreme mountain trail riding wel- come all disciplines. I’m not sure about the others.


I was talking to a friend of mine and discussing what horse people can do in the winter time. Last year I wrote an article about conditioning but some peo-


Canadian Cowgirls Join Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1st, 2013


Glenda Fordham Entertainment/ Lifestyle columnist On New Year’s Day 2013, Canada’s maple leaf flag will proudly be carried along the roads and avenues of Pasadena, California, when the Canadian Cowgirls ride in the legendary Tournament of Roses Parade.


What a great idea! That’ll give the hors- es something to look at! Ha!


What I like about it is that all of these new sports can be done in the arena and to an extent your alleyway during our Canadian winter. No obsta- cles now to enjoying yourself! Hay! Have you heard of horse skiing? It’s cool!


Announcement:


For the whole month of December, I will have the arena doors open for Christmas. Everyone is welcome. The coffee and hot cider will be on!


Susan Dahl, celebrating 20 years in reining, 10 years in natural horseman- ship & 5 year writing for The Rider. Proudly a member of Toklat’s Myler (Bit) Ride Team and now Myler techni- cal bit certified. She is a certified profes- sional horse trainer, NCCP coaching theory certified, competitor, clinician and owner/operator of Foundation Rein- ing Training Centre in Durham. She specializes in modern horsemanship, western performance horse development & reining training for horse & rider. She has trained & won numerous ORHA, NRHA, & Reining Canada Top 10 awards. For more information on her very innovative & fun approach to train- ing, clinics, lessons, or coaching, please visit her on facebook, her website www.reinersuehorsemanship.com or Reinersue@hotmail.com.


Road Horse Classes at RAWF shine spotlight on Standardbreds in show ring


Reflecting the cultural diversity of Canada itself, the Canadian Cowgirls Precision Drill Team rides a variety of breeds including Quarter horse, Paints, Appaloosa, Arabian, Canadian Mustang, American Saddle bred and the everyday equine friend. The parade is the ulti- mate celebration of their 10th anniversary; over the past decade this proud group of hardworking Canadian women has performed at top equine events all across North America such as the Kentucky Derby Parade, the Indianapolis 500 Parade and the Calgary Stampede Parade, winning numerous prestigious awards for their appearances. They have also performed in front of HRH


The road horses were “going for the doctor” in record numbers during the 2012 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. In the OHHA Green Roadster Classic held on Saturday November 3rd, Storm Trooper, owned by Lloyd Nugent and driven by daughter Carolyn Nugent of Napanee, Ontario received top hon- ours by winning this prestigious class for the second year in a row. SJs Stormtrooper a stylish 8 year old SJs Photo gelding has found a second career. He obtained a mark of 1:56.4 as a 6 year old at Geor- gian Downs for trainer Robert MacKenzie before becoming a show horse.


Prince Charles, escorted the Olympic Torch on its Cana- dian journey, and have even been featured in a moral- boosting documentary for the Canadian Armed Forces. Captained by Chatham, Ontario’s Terry Jenkins, the Cowgirls range in age from teenagers to senior horse- women and each makes her own red and white matching costume. Their horses wear magnificent red and white bouquets of flowers and yards of glittering ribbon in their manes and tails.


“Representing Canada in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade has been a long time goal for the Cana- dian Cowgirls,” Jenkins


recently told The Rider. “We now have the funds and sup- port of our community to make this happen, and we are thrilled to receive such a warm welcome from the 2013 Parade committee.” The Rider would like to congratulate the Canadian Cowgirls and encourages all our readers to tune in to their TVs on New Year’s Day to watch the colourful parade and cheer them on.


Show your support by visiting their website: www.canadiancowgirls.com and leaving an encouraging message on their Facebook page.


enced horses with a win in the Road Horse to bike 15.2 and under class as well as being awarded the tri-colour for his win in the Speed and Action Road Horse to Bike Canadian Championship Stake sponsored by James McClocklin and Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA).


The OHHA Green Roadster Classic is open to registered Stan- dardbred trotters under the age of 5 or in their first or second year of showing. Since its inception 12 years ago, this class at the RAWF has greatly increased the class sizes and exhibitor participation both at the Royal and at the fall fairs in Ontario and Quebec as exhibitors work to prepare their horses for the Royal. It has also given many trot- ters that are either not fast enough to race or that are retired from rac- ing, another career. The Canadian Road Horse Association would like to acknowledge the continued gen- erosity of the Ontario Harness Horse Association for providing sponsorship support for this class since 2001.


Storm Trooper also went on to win two other classes during The Royal against other more experi-


Yet another seasoned and successful former race horse took the top award in three classes dur- ing the Royal. Armbro Beau received top honours in the Road Horse to Wagon over 15.2 hands, the Road Horse to Bike over 15.2 hands as well as in the Single Road Horse to a Wagon Canadian Cham- pionship. Armbro Beau, owned and driven by Steve McLean of Guelph, Ontario is an 11 year old


Balanced Image gelding that has a race mark of 1:56. This champi- onship class was generously spon- sored by David Hamilton, SCA Tissue North America LLC. Submitted by Sherri Archdekin, Secretary


Rockwood, ON 519-856-4903, www.roadhorse.ca


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