16/ MAY 2024 THE RIDER Ontario Reining Horse Association


President, Banquet Dan Fletcher president@orha.on.ca


1st Vice-President Rules & Disciplinary Samantha Speed


memberships@orha.on.ca


2nd Vice-President/ Treasurer Terri Purdie, finance@orha.on.ca


Past President Gary Yaghdjian


Elected Directors Joanne Milton Mike Monroe Ashley Janzen Leona McAtee


Visit Our Website: www.orha.on.ca 2024 Season Kicks off with the ORHA Triple Threat Clinic


Appointed Directors Loris Epis Rebecca Nelles Alyssa VanKleek Tracy Nelson


By Ashley Gregoris. April showers bring May


flowers – but we didn’t let the weather get us down for the ORHA’s Triple Threat Clinic! This year’s clinic took place April 13- 14th at the Ancaster Fairgrounds, and featured some of Ontario’s top trainers, which attracted partici- pants and auditors from Ontario, Quebec, and New York. ORHA and NRHA profes-


sionals Loris Epis, Matt Hudson, Gavin Pellerin, and Jason Richards teamed up to offer a variety of learning opportunities including one on one riding instruction and group seminars. Riders were organ- ized into small groups of four or five to ensure plenty of one-on-one instruction and time for questions. The day was divided up into four sections, so all participants had the opportunity to learn from each trainer. Loris and Matt ran mounted sessions, and worked on circles, turns, and lead changes the first day, and run downs and stops the second day. Gavin – trained farrier as well as trainer – educated riders about conformation, with attention to the legs and feet, as well as dif- ferent types of shoeing options and trimming techniques, and Jason – and NRHA accredited judge – fo- cused on exhibitor rights and key


rules, with an opportunity for par- ticipants to score patterns and com- pare their scores to those given by the judges committee. In the after- noon of the last day, participants rode a pattern, and received a score and feedback from the clinicians, with an opportunity to come back in and repeat the pattern as many times as they liked. The organization and thought


behind the structure of the weekend was not lost on clinic participant Robin Cadarette: “I am a true Clinic junkie, and I have to say that this was the best clinic I have ever attended. It was extremely well or- ganized. Everyone got one on one attention. We were not stuck on our horses all day, but we rotated be- tween riding and attending semi- nars. This made for a perfect combination of riding and learning. Dan [Fletcher] kept the Clinic mov- ing all weekend, making sure the groups rotated on a timely basis, getting the ground worked, setting up the stalls, and everything else that needed doing.” Jason Richards remarked: “I


have to say I had a great group. Everybody who participated in my portion of the clinic was very atten- tive and appreciative of all the cli- nicians. Everybody got


an


opportunity to judge and [a] greater understanding of how the judging


system works.” Amy Higgins, one of the clinic


participants, reflected on her experi- ence: “I really liked the scored ride at the end. It showed how my stops and spins had improved over the weekend!” Such immediate and spe- cific feedback will surely provide riders with a solid base of reference heading into their show season. Participant Ashley Janzen


spoke of the visible improvement she could see in all horse and rider teams from one day to the next, her- self included, as well as the support- ive and fun environment fostered by participants and clinicians alike. “I love these guys!” she exclaimed, meaning the ORHA family, the new friends she met, as well as the clini- cians and organizers. “The timing was perfect. I now feel better pre- pared for show season, as well as more informed for upcoming vet and farrier appointments.” Of course, it would not be an ORHA gathering without food and


drink! The ORHA ensured that riders were kept fueled up for the duration of the weekend – something that was definitely appreciated by partici- pants. “Lunch and Dinner on Satur- day was delicious and I greatly appreciate the effort Bernice [Fletcher] put into preparing every- thing,” one participant said, “I blew my diet, but it was worth it!” Many thanks, as well, to ORHA member, sponsor, and clinic participant Sharon Hart who provided Tim Hor- ton’s muffins, Timbits, donuts, and coffee both days, that really helped on those cold, rainy mornings! We also enjoyed a variety of chocolate options and beverages, courtesy of The Goodness Project. Robin Cadarette summarized it


well: “We are so lucky here in On- tario to have such knowledgeable professionals willing to share their time and expertise. Loris Epis, Matt Hudson, Jason Richards, and Gavin Pellerin are all fantastic teachers. Everyone who attended came home


with a wealth of new knowledge.” It’s important to note that all profes- sionals donated their time for this event, in support of the growth and continuance of the sport of reining in Ontario. We simply cannot thank them enough! The Triple Threat Clinic is


done for this year, but be sure to look for details for 2025, as it’s sure to be another hit! If you missed out, we have another opportunity for you to work with one of ORHA’s fine train- ers! The ORHyA has a fundraising raffle on now: for $10, you can buy a ticket to be drawn for a lesson with the participating trainer of your choice. Winners will be drawn at the end of our first show. Please contact Youth Director Rebecca Nelles at rmnelles@gmail.com for more infor- mation or to purchase a ticket. We hope to see you at the first


ORHA show of the year, The Spring Fling, which will be held at a new venue – REACH Huron in Clinton – May 3-5, 2024.


ORHA 2024 Schedule of Events


May 3-5: Spring Fling, presented by ORHA, REACH Clinton June 14-16: Steel City Spin, presented by J&J Reining Inc, Ancaster Fairgrounds June 29-30: Spirit of Excellence, presented by Y Not Farms, Meaford August 23-25: Steel City Slide, presented by J&J Reining Inc, Ancaster Fairgrounds September 27-29: Grand Finale, Futurity & Derby, presented by ORHA, REACH Clinton


Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the publication of E.L. Schoeman’s “Isabel”


By Jill Nagel It’s always great to see a home-


town girl succeed and E.L. Schoeman is doing just that. The twenty-four year old, who grew up on Prima Farms out- side of Caledonia, Ontario, is bringing her love of horses and heroes to life in her debut novel, “Isabel.” “Isabel” is set in a rich world of


matchmaking and marriages and centres around a young noblewoman who is striving to find her place, herself, and her happiness. The titular protagonist is anything but ordinary. Like Schoeman herself, Isabel loves to feel the wind in her hair as she rides through the fields on her favourite mare. Sher would rather stay in the comfort and company of the stables than in her adoptive father’s (William), home. She enjoys horse-rid- ing, sword fighting, and prefers to


choose her own path, whether in life or in love. When Sir John (William’s joust- ing partner) returns, Isabel is pressured to become the lady she was always meant to be—but will this mean giving up love, her life, and friendship in the process? “Isabel” is a unique take on a well-


tread genre, and while it begins with a traditionally upbeat feel, the tone quickly shifts to something darker. Is- abel enters a world of spying and in- trigue, where everyone knows the secrets of her past except for her. Schoe- man weaves a tale with surprising twists and an ending so shocking you’ll be flip- ping back pages to make sure you read it correctly. Like many debuts, the beginning


of Schoeman’s story gets bogged down with too many names and characters,


which affects the reader’s ability to dive in head on. I would have liked a little more back-story or set up to ground these characters in their world before Is- abel and Mathew begin their journey. Still, the novel is well worth the time. Schoeman creates a likeable and believ- able protagonist and sends her readers on an emotional adventure. Like her character, E.L. Schoeman is coming into her own, finding her voice, discovering who she is as an author. It is obvious that she has may more ideas just waiting to be put down on paper.Health issues and educational roadblocks couldn’t stop this exciting new author from fulfilling her dreams. I, for one, can’t wait to see what she come out with next.


Originally published in the April 2014 issue of The Rider.


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