16/ NOVEMBER 2023 THE RIDER VISIT OUR WEBSITE


www.orha.on.ca


Ontario Reining Horse Association


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


1st Vice-President Rules & Disciplinary John Purdie


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


Past President Gary Yaghdjian


Elected Director - Secretary


Joanne Milton


Elected Director - Futurity Programs Leona McAtee orhafuturity@orha.on.ca / ob- bofuturity1991@gmail.com


Appointed Director - ORHA Futurity Programs Tracy Nelson nelsontracy@gmail.com


Appointed Directors - Professional Committee/ Sponsorships Loris Epis


Elected Director - Memberships


Samantha Speed - memberships@orha.on.ca


Appointed Director - Youth Advisor


Rebecca Nelles - oryha@orha.on.ca


Appointed Director - Media/Marketing


Alyssa VanKleek - socialmedia@orha.on.ca


Appointed Director - Print Media/Show Support


Ashley Janzen - ashleyjjanzen@gmail.com


Elected Director – Shows Mike Munroe, shows@orha.on.ca


ORHA Grand Finale, Futurity & Derby - and what’s next?


By: Ashley Gregoris The ORHA Grand Finale, Futurity


& Derby always brings out exciting competition and camaraderie amongst members, and the 2023 Finale was cer- tainly no exception. This September, reiners gathered at Fletcher’s Horse World to present their best at the end of a busy show season. Spectators were treated to incredible showcases of human and equine athleticism in the Derby and Futurity classes, and pre- viewed the future of reining in the two- year-old rail class.


Emily Money


They answered any questions we had and even joked along with us making everything more welcoming… I have never had such a positive experience in a show setting before. I really hope someone sees this and decides to take a chance, even just to try reining, and I hope they are met with the same experi- ence that I had.” Fellow participant, Tamara Hook,


from Moncton, Ontario, is a seasoned barrel racer who decided to step a boot into the reining pen. Tamara shared her thoughts on her first ORHA experience: “I’m new to the ORHA level of


reining, but we believe in a good reining foundation for all of our performance horses… this year I entered the Intro to Reining class that was offered and it was a fantastic experience! I was beyond im- pressed with how accepting and sup- portive everyone was. One lady even helped me go through the pattern and answered all the questions I had! The at- mosphere was very positive and gen- uine. I’d never shown at Fletchers Horse World and it was run smoothy and effi- ciently. Although my pattern was not the most beautiful, it was still a win to come on my own and show in front of strangers who still clapped and whistled for ‘the barrel racer who could’. I look forward to coming back again to show my horse, PUDDENS FANCY SHINER, and finishing the whole pat- tern with pizzazz! The warm welcome is no surprise


to those in the reining community, espe- cially from long time members and


Tamara Hook


Tamara Hook getting some tips from Jen Plumbtree


Loris Epis John Newnham


founders who go out of their way to make newcomers feel like they are welcome mem- bers of the ORHA family. So, if you have been secretly watching reels of reiners spin- ning, sliding, and loping per- fect circles, and think that you might want to give it a try, be sure to come on out to next year’s Intro to Reining classes and let us cheer you on!


Futurity Highlights This year’s Futurity was


Barbara Bouchard


packed with exciting young reining prospects. The care, preparation and dedication that goes into these young ath- letes is evident from the mo- ment they step into the pen. This year’s ORHA Fu-


turity Non Pro L1 and L4 win- ner


was Landon


Domino’s-Brown, with a score of 139 on TINSEL TOWN Gun, owned by Bruce R Brown. The Futurity Level 1


Open Division top score of 140.5 was awarded to John Newnham aboard PEP- TOWNSPRIZE, owned by Eric Mesley. The Futurity Level 4


Open top spot went to Barbara Bouchard riding ML EL CONDOR PASA, owned by Heidi Lepore, with a score of 141.5.


Derby Highlights The Derby never disap-


points, and this year the arena was full of spectators ready to watch some of the best horse and rider pairings in the coun- try.


The winner of this


year’s Open Level 4 Derby with a score of 149 was Loris Epis


TRASHTHEREST, owned by Joyce Paquette. The Open Level 1 win-


ner, with a score of 140.5, was Liz Adamson aboard EBONY Sparkles, owned by Jeff and


Continued On Page 17


Intro to Reining Highlight This year, ORHA brought back


the “Intro to Reining” class, and held the second installment at the Grand Finale, providing an opportunity for those who are new to the sport to give it a try for free, with the support of ORHA and NRHA professionals. The winner, with a score of 67, was Emily Money aboard SUMAC RUMOR HAS It, owned by Liz Adamson. Emily had a great first ex- perience in the reining pen: “I was totally expecting to get


called into the ring after a brief warmup, do my pattern and there you go. Instead, I received kindness and support every- where I turned. I had previous first time competitors offering their experiences and guidance, and everyone I talked to and met at Fletchers was so kind, helpful and joked along with me. The judges and staff went over everything with [us].


Landon Domino’s-Brown Liz Adamson aboard GUNNA-


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