10/ DECEMBER 2020 THE RIDER


For The Love Of Horseback Riding I’ll Admit It. I Was A Snob.


horsey book back in 1978!! The now yellowed pages are dog- eared on English riding styles al- though the *authors: “…hoped the reader will find interest in all tack and attempt to understand the how and why of its use.” And, “For each horseman there is a catalog that sells the equipment he needs.” Whoa; I was such a snob.


And then, there came a piv-


otal moment. It all began one September


By Janice Wright ~ Can- teringOnThru When I said I was deathly


afraid of horses, my friend knew that I wanted to face this unrea- sonable fear. I never got too close to a horse; offering up long blades of grass from an exagger- ated, stretched out arms’ distance was hilarious. I would hang out around the barn and just sit there on a bale of hay stroking the soft cat purring beside me and watch. There was a connection with horses asking me in…or why would I keep coming back? I vividly remember that mo-


ment of quiet instruction — as her 16.2HH mare stood patiently waiting — how to mount myself safely up and into the English style saddle. Once up there, it was like, wow. WOW! Eventually,


I found a


“proper” riding facility and began lessons. The owner of this facility was also the instructor. I thought she was just beautiful — decked out in her breeches, boots and a fitted riding jacket. She al- ways held a crop. She rode beau- tifully. I wanted that. We young


ladies had so much respect for her and my passion of it all rose to the challenges! Looking back, it was an out-


standing facility. And because we were expected to be turned out properly attired? No problem here! I loved the whole package. Even decades later, whenever I pulled my custom fitted field boots on, or whenever I softly guided my butt into the close contact saddle it just felt right. I couldn’t — wouldn’t — even consider western riding; I was so in my niche. I would slowly move my head side to side… hmmm… and shrug when ad- dressing this western way of rid- ing.


Or, was I being a snob? I’d


never even been on a trail ride so the idea of comparing English vs Western was never something I could relate too; the daunting tack, large saddles, and the differ- ence in terminology found me unsuitable. “THE WHOLE HORSE


CATALOG” — “The complete guide to owning, riding, and en- joying a horse…” was my first


Secretary: Kit Bartle Kelly Lehman


Melanie Gray Shari Irwin


having rented a cabin in Virginia for two weeks. Within days of settling, my local enquiry about horse back riding led me to a quick crossing over into WV. I was immediately greeted with someone who may have, at first, regarded me as a prima donna even though I tried to skip makeup and traded out my breeches for soft jeans (hey; there may have been a smirk.. a slight raise of her eyebrow?) I said I’d never ridden Western as my in- dulgent stories — now losing credibility — defended allll my years of riding. However. Just not Western. Judy, my once in [my] life-


time kindred spirit, ran a trail rid- ing barn in Lost River State Park, WV. On a quiet day — an end to the summer rush — Judy made a thoughtful selection amongst her herd of sixteen horses. I instantly fell for Nutmeg, a


horse I still hold such fond mem- ories especially since he was my first-ever-western-riding horse! Judy gave me this brief instruc- tion: “Hold the reins like this and then, hell,,, ‘ya just give a kick!” That was it. Whaaat? Really?! I followed her away from


the barn atop Nutmeg, trying to relax in this… Wait! Hold on here!


Now, ‘this’ was an: Oh. So.


Comforting. Saddle! And my chunkier hiking boots fit per- fectly in the spacious stirrups. This was so different yet satisfy- ing, doable for sure. Different? of course! But for the love of horses I was a willing learner and I began to lighten up. The trail ride map soon be-


came my bible of sorts…I would scan it over in the evenings…for the more daunting trails that rose up into the clouds — as high as 3200 feet — were beckoning. The slippery, slated treks and heavily forested upward climbs resulted in breathtaking views! It was remarkable. Over the next three Septembers I was to be found at Judy’s trail riding stables more days than not. We mucked stalls together, refilling water buckets and barrels, cleaned tack in between trail rides and eating lunches and snacks with dirty hands all while we commiserated about life (whaat? To ever be without horses?! Nev-ver!) We challenged the differences of English vs Western as I demon- strated positions: two-point, post- ing trot, (not easy in a western saddle) but Judy’s laughing and enthusiasm for the right here; right now, was infectious. This was her life. When I could in the years


that followed, I took my place at the back of the herd as Judy headed up groups of riders; the two of us maintaining connec- tion, thumbs up as she came into view on those tight, twisty turns. Postcards (that was a thing) sent to my horsey friends back in On- tario had a tone…was I crossing a line (betrayal? traitor?) and shocking them with “Western Riding Rocks!!” Who is this from, again?? But I think back of what I


would have missed out on — es- pecially the no customer days and riding adventures alongside Judy escalated. We galloped across knee deep grasslands, something I was so fearful of be- fore, because of…well, you know, gopher holes or the “un- known” or, the speed of which each horse fed off of. But Nut- meg along with Judy continued to give me confidence. I didn’t interfere with that determination. Plus, I was having fun! At the closing of most days


I would involve myself into the mix observing a gutsy Judy lead- ing her horses across the road, down the ditch, across a wide


2020 Judges Committee (519) 372-2527


(519) 440-5941 (519) 807-2660 (519) 732-0263


rushing stream of slippery rocks — and me, tentatively following at the back of the herd. There would be big smiles as we scoped out and realigned the few horse- rebels weaving in and around the trees until eventually allowing them to explode into a nightly ro- tation of different paddocks. It was something I’d never done before, and, personally?…those kind of moments I would never have attempted without this stur- dier form of riding and what an exhilarated rush we felt. Not only an outstanding


horsewoman, Judy opened my eyes to further my passion with horses; the realization for me that mixing up your riding style can produce amazing new friend- ships, new skills and fun times. To think my initial resistance (snobbery?) could have pre- vented me from embracing an- other discipline? Just being around horses was my safe place. Riding was riding; caring for horses, was caring. I don’t believe there was


email: melaniegraylifecoach@gmail.com email: shari_irwin@hotmail.com email: maddavery@gmail.com email: drumbolady@hotmail.ca


Website: www.whao.org Celebrating 67 Years! 2020 Sr. Judges


Cally Jo Fritz 21 Taylor Blvd., Elliot Lake, ON P5A 3H5 H: (226) 289-8563, C: (519) 280-8169 Email: callygene@gmail.com


Melanie Gray 202011 Hwy 21, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N7 (519) 372-2527, melaniegraylifecoach@gmail.com


Shari Irwin 166 Gleasons Corner Road, Castleton, ON K0K 1M0. (905) 349-1092, Cell (905) 440-5941 shari_irwin@hotmail.com


Jamie Kuhl 899 10th St. W., Owen Sound, ON N4K 3S3. H: (226) 909-1447. C: (647) 290-6093 jamie@archlines .ca


Kelly Lehman 895893 Oxford Rd. 3,, Drumbo, ON N0J 1G0


C: (519) 807-2660. E: maddavery@gmail.com Anne Marinacci 65 Swayze Court, Smithville, ON L0R 2A0 905-957-5619


Janet McClure 14156 Ten Mile Road R.R. #3, Ilderton, ON N0M 2A0 (519) 666-2482 janetmcclure1@gmail.com janetmcclure1@gmail.com


Tom Saul 574 Valentina St., Petrolia, ON N0N 1R0 (519) 882-0958 tbsaul@outlook.com


Megan Sheppard 38 Rye Road, South River, ON P0A 1X0 (705) 492-2565, Cell (705) 492-2565 megandallaire@gmail.com


Kris Simpson 711 Middletown Rd., RR #2, Waterdown, ON L8B 1P7 (519) 831-7922 richlandshowhorses@gmail.com


Don Stauffer 9626 Wellington Rd. 14, P.O. Box 16, Conn, ON N0G 1N0 (226) 258-9206, Cell (519) 604-8864


thestauffers48@gmail.com


Robyn Storey 6-120 Dudhope Ave., Cambridge, ON N1R 4T7 (519) 620-9015, Cell: (519) 841-3934, gatorrocks@hotmail.com


Brenda Thompson 284 Whitmore Dr., Waterloo, ON N2K 2N5 (519) 884-4050, Cell (519) 577-7320 bmctearnen@yahoo.ca


Mike Tucker 1581 Maple St. N., R.R. #4, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 (905) 892-5610, Cell (905) 984-1581 m.tucker@hotmail.ca


Jr. Judges


Dave Black 94 Concession 4 Road, Fisherville, ON N0A 1G0 C: 905 921 0359 Email: diamondbquarterhorses@gmail.com


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Lorie Duff 7651 County Rd. 10, Vankleek Hill, ON K0B 1R0 H; 613 867-0776, C: 613 867 0776 Email: dufflorie@yahoo.com


Erin Fawcett 9 Strong Court, Brantford, ON N3R 7Y4 C: (519) 754-3526, H: (519) 753-0757 Email: efawcett78@hotmail.com


Erin O’Drowsky 253 James St. N., St. Mary’s, ON N4X 1A5 H: (519) 284-0684, C: (226) 377-0244 Email: eodrowsk@gmail.com


Inactive Judges John Ward


time wasted in my sport of choice over the years. Truly enjoying the Hunter equestrian life didn’t nec- essarily mean I was heading for professional status. Oh, contraire; my nervous nature and lack of confi- dence dictated how I perceived the dis- tance I would go. I didn’t even like to compete! I would however, highly rec- ommend to anyone who would listen (without


glazing


over) the opportuni- ties available to any


of us. Horse disciplines are per- sonal; but don’t give in to the one sided view of peers or, feel that switching will make you or break you. More likely you will be- come stronger in your dealing with horses going forward. The best gift from friend-


ship for me was meeting such an awesome person. Judy’s quiet presence and love for horses matched up with our sharing an amazing, physical activity that I’ll always be grateful to her for. Both retired now, we corre-


spond still today. Her herd was up to twenty-five at one point. Judy told me: “That was a lot of horses and I loved every one!” Sadly, Nutmeg passed away


four years ago. I won’t forget him.


I have played with the idea


of Western dressage riding, but for now I still enjoy interviewing, research, and having my camera attached around my neck! I just want — make that need — the equine connection. Oh. And that “English-riding- only-snob”? Never again! Janice is a freelance writer


and photographer, specializing in equine; credited by Equine Guelph. An avid equestrian for forty years she resides in Ontario, Canada. She can be reached at canteringonthru@gmail.com Check out YouTube: “Dres-


sage Meets Cowboy” 2009 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair *The Whole Horse Catalog,


S.D.Price, B. Burn; D. A. Spec- tor; G Rentsch; W. Rentsch.


Ontario’s Horse Industry Newspaper!


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