22/ JUNE 2021 THE RIDER


rently an AQHA Director and sits on the Canadian Quarter Horse Association board of directors. Community involvement does not end with Mel, Head of the Equine Program and a director with Moose-Jaw Exhibition, and past President of the Grasslands Horse Club and previous past President of Saskatchewan Appaloosa Club. When asked how the pandemic has affected


Burns involvement in the horse industry, Burns stated,” The pandemic has certainly curtailed my horse involvement. We are unable to host shows or clinics, hopefully in the very near future that will change! I do have a horse in the states in train- ing and of course not being able to see him is frus- trating. I have broodmares I need to haul to get bred and couldn’t get that done last year or this year. It’s also hard to get horses into foreign mar- kets with the border being closed. I think not being able to go to horse shows has been about the biggest frustration.” Burns, passionate about the Quarter Horse


Q Horse Heroes


Community Support Recognition Program


May 2021 Heroes


Mel Burns


May 2021 Q Horse Heroes National Recognition Honoree Mel Burns is 28 year employee with Mental Health and Addictions Services for


Saskatchewan Health Authority. In addition Burns to her employment with Saskatchewan Health Au- thority, Mel is a 3 year veteran additions worker


the


with Wakamow Social Detox. Saskatchewan Health Authority provides a


wide range of community-based programs for peo- ple with additions. Wakamow Social Detox oper- ates through Moose Jaw Thunder Creek Rehabilitation Association a Health Care Organi- zation. Their service offers 20 detoxification beds for people over the age of 16, who seek assistance with withdrawal from alcohol or other drugs. Wakamow Social Detox is the first step in a per- son’s journey to a substance free lifestyle. Mel has been involved in horses since she


could walk! Mel’s father logged with horses in British Columbia and Alberta, and also competed in rodeo events. As a youth Burns exhibited in open shows, by the late 1980’s Mel was hooked, raising and exhibiting her own home bred Quarter Horses which led to a strong involvement in AQHA Shows and associations. Burns a life member of Saskatchewan Quar-


ter Horse Association (SQHA), served on the board and Vice President of the SQHA. Burns is cur-


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Foundation Reining Training Centre “Better trained horses to western riders.”


Susan Dahl B.Sc. Computer, Math


Retired Certified Professional Horse Trainer Myler Bit Certified,


judge, clinics, horse sales, writer 315538 Highway 6, RR1


Williamsford, ON N0H 2V0. 519-369-4631, reinersue@hotmail.com www.reinersuehorsemanship.com


#2611470) or ‘Ritz’ was purchased by my parents, Tim and Jayne Latam, in 1990 when he was 3 years old.


FINE LEATHER & SILVER WORKS


Toll-Free (877) 446-4688 Fax: (613) 446-7888


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Ray Laviolette (613) 446-4688


and reliable horse to our family. As


grandson of King Fritz. He has a tra- ditional Quarter Horse stature, short and stalky, measuring 14.2 hands. April 27, 2021 marks a special mile- stone, his 34th birthday. Ritz has been a trustworthy


Ritz is a sorrel gelding, a Ready Dry Fritz (AQHA


horse shows, we take him on trail rides and he still has lots of pep in his step especially as we head to- wards home. Ritz is now being rid- den by the third generation, Tim and Jayne’s grandsons, Hudson, age 9,


a family, we attended horse shows every weekend in the summer showing Ritz in halter, walk-jog classes, and every gaming event al- though he was best at pole-bending and his time could rarely be beat! Although he is retired from


industry went on to say, “I think once the pandemic is over it will be a slow return to normal, but a re- turn nonetheless, which I am looking forward to! Ripping off the mask is the part I am looking for- ward to the most! I am really looking forward to seeing all my horse friends that I never get to see, unless it is at horse events.” Hopefully after the ex- tended break I will be able to return to the Equine industry with some fresh ideas and goals. All that time away certainly gives one time to contemplate different ideas.” CQHA honors Mel Burns as a 2021 Cana- dian Quarter Horses Association Q Horse Hero.


Suzy Bender


May 2021 Q Horse Heroes National Recognition Honoree Suzy Bender is the Program Coordinator,


managing and facilitating the Equine Assisted Learning Program at Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre in Puslinch, Ontario. Bender’s duties as Program Coordinator include teaching therapeutic riding lessons, mentoring therapeutic riding instructors to attain their coaching levels, train and school therapy horses, organize school groups and other group programs.


Suzy is a CanTra Coach, EC Competition


Coach and a certified therapeutic riding instructor since 2003. Certifications are extremely important to achieve the success Bender has been rewarded. Suzy also volunteers with Ontario Mounted Spe- cial Service Unit in her spare time. Since 1982, Sunrise Therapeutic Riding &


Learning Centre has provided a program of ther- apy, recreation, sport and life skills training for children and adults with special needs. The pro- gram focuses on individual ability by providing an environment of challenge, enjoyment and achieve- ment.


Suzy spoke about the impacts Covid-19 had


on the program, as with other areas of the horse in- dustry, business was interrupted, lesson had to cease for a while. Sunrise is thankful to the many sponsors and dedicated individuals who were there in this time of need. Everyone at Sunrise looks for- ward to resuming a full program in the future. CQHA honors Suzy Bender as a 2021 Cana- dian Quarter Horses Association Q Horse Hero.


Living Beyond Your Expiry Date


and Alex, age 6. Ritz is a faithful, steadfast horse and is part of our family. At 34 years young, he’s still the boss of the pasture.


Picture and written submission by Jayne and Tim’s daugh- ter, Jenna Renwick


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