COMPETITIVE TRAIL NEWS IN THE SOUTHWEST


STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE


A new friend told me about a Basic Mounted Police


School hosted by the Arlington and Grand Prairie Police Departments that she was considering attending. I wanted to go, but was a little hesitant and had many excuses for why I couldn’t go. I finally asked myself, “If you don’t do it now, when are you going to do it?” I cowgirled up and attended. I have ridden in many Texas Trail Challenge Club com-


petitions and my horse and I were familiar with most of the basic moves and the various obstacles that test these skills. Each riding segment began with sev- eral easy warm-up obstacles and then progressed to teeter totters, flags, tents, a mattress, tires, wading pool, platform, noodles, tarps, and a blow-up figure that reached to the roof of the arena, 20-25 feet. Each day became more in- tense with added sound and elements, until there were lights, sirens, flares, fire- works, smoke bombs, bubbles, or fire around each element. We learned how to ride in formation, execute drill commands and practiced various scenarios including breaking up a fight, arresting, handcuffing, and searching for the sus- pect from horseback and self-defense on horseback. A helicopter landed right in front of us and a


drone was maneuvered over our heads. I was amazed at how good the horses were and how much they tol- erated. Day 4 included a new skill for us, mounted shooting. Although my horse really did not like gun- fire or the popping balloons, he tolerated it. We shot 9 out of 10 balloons at a V E R Y slow speed! My experiences with TTCC made a huge dif-


ference in our success. Step out of your comfort zone and try something new. You and your horse will be better for it! w


GRASSLANDS GAMBLE PAYS OFF The NATRC Grasslands Gamble CTR was held October 20-21 at the LBJ


Grasslands in Decatur, TX. Despite torrential rains upon arrival on Friday, competitors from nine states had a successful weekend. Fran Muench and Giacomo of New Ulm, won HP Open Sweepstakes in


a division of 14. Muench and her horse also took home Grand Champion Half- Arabian in the AHA’s Region 9 Competitive Trail Championship which was run concurrently with the NATRC event. Holly Jones and Rock Creek’s Wild Pepper earned HP Novice Sweepstakes while Becky Rogers and Vino Que Syrah won Competitive Pleasure HP Combination Horse and Horsemanship. The AHA Purebred Arabian Grand Champion winner was Cynthia Mettes


and Nchantedprince Valient. Carla Jo Bass and Razmataz DBA won Reserve. “We were concerned that the trails would be sloppy and slick,” said ride


manager Cheryl Edmondson. “But on Saturday the sun came out, there was a nice breeze and everyone had a great weekend. The sunsets and sunrises were spectacular and simply added to the success of the ride.” The competitors also joined in a Poker Run as part of the event, receiving


cards along the trail to vie for three pair of Renegade Hoof Boots donated by Renegade. For more info contact Elaine Swiss at swissranch@earthlink.net or visit www.natrc.org. w


Fort Worth Dressage Club News


October should have brought our annual Adult Camp that is funded by a


grant from The Dressage Foundation. However, due to heavy rain and re- ports of roads flooded, the event was rescheduled. Safety was our first con- cern. Charles Scott from Noble Champions Sporthorses has donated his beautiful facility to FWDC for the upcoming event. FWDC gives 10 mem- bers a chance to ride with a professional for a low price. Members who vol- unteer get first chance to participate. This year our scheduled clinician was our Region 9 Director, Sherry Guess. She’s well known for her expertise and we feel honored to have her as our clinician. As soon as we are able to resched- ule with Sherry and Charles, we will announce the new date. Coming up in January will be our annual Awards Banquet and Silent


Auction to benefit our Scholarship program. This year we will be at The Gar- dens Restaurant in the beautiful Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth. There is al- ways a fun and a unique assortment of horse and non-horsey items to bid on! FWDC is also happy to announce we have a brand new dressage ring!


Look for it at one of our upcoming Schooling shows! The Fort Worth Dressage Club (FWDC) is a club devoted to dressage and


dressage activities for its members. We work throughout the year to provide educational opportunities and fun activities for our members. FWDC holds monthly meetings at Szechuan Chinese Restaurant off


Bryant Irving the 4th Monday of every month at 6:30 PM. Everyone is wel- come. Please check out our website at www.fortworthdressageclub.comto see


our latest happenings and activities. Who knows, you may find yourself in some of the pictures. If you don’t have time to go online, stay in touch with FWDC’s monthly newsletters and group e-mails to be in- formed of club activities and other dressage events in the community. Let me know if you would like a dressage event added to our calendar. Join FWDC and learn


Rio & Jill Handley


more about the wonderful sport of dressage. We wel- come all levels of riders on all breeds of horses! w


November 2018 SouthWest Horse Trader 17


News & Events FWDC mem-


bers at World Equestrian Games


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