RANCH RIDING Promoting the Versatility of the Western Horse, continued...


ally enjoys trying new things. It keeps his brain busy.” She added that the challenge of learning the various required movements has been good for Bug. Together they won the Western Horse Shows of Harford County Novice Champi- onship in 2022. “I was shocked to win! Never dreamed this could happen,” she said. No matter what breed of horse is competing, Baldwin said what she is looking for as a judge is the overall working horse. “You know, that horse that looks like a pleasure to ride all day long on a working ranch,” she said. Baldwin, who moved to Maryland a little over


30 years ago, has always loved Western disci- plines even though she dabbled a little in Eng- lish riding in her youth. More recently, she has become passionate about Western Dressage and while working on becoming a carded judge for those competitions, she was introduced to Ranch Riding. “I already had a lot of judging hours and then took some clinics and classes to learn how to judge Ranch Riding,” she ex- plained. “I learned a lot from Terry [Helder] and also from playing around with trail obsta- cle-type classes myself.”


Skodzinski competes a big Quarter Horse that was overlooked and tossed aside by other trainers. “Te true Ranch horse is responsive and easy to ride and comfortable to sit on while working cattle all day long,” she said. “Larry is a big guy but gets a lot of praise for how broke


and well trained he is.” Skodzinski added, “he covered the ground easily and floats but can also do all the quick tight movements needed really well.”


Tips for Newbies With Ranch Riding being geared towards all


levels of riders, from all sorts of backgrounds, riding all kinds horse breeds, one might won- der… how do I get started!?!? Timson says riders should just go out to a lo-


cal show and ask lots of questions. “Find people already showing and just ask. We are always willing to help new people,” she said. Baldwin agrees adding, “find someone who


Pam Mitchell and her off-the-track Thorough- bred Cute As A Bug won the WHSHC Novice Championship in 2022.


can help you with the basics. Te basics really are the key to everything.” Skodzinski wanted to remind riders that they should spend time focusing on overall horse- manship before competing. “Tis is about how well you can ride your horse and how well they listen to you,” she said. And Mitchell added, “It takes time to learn [the patterns] but remember, its supposed to be fun!”


LOOKING FOR A RANCH RIDING COMPETITION NEAR YOU? CHECK OUT THIS MONTH’S CALENDAR OF EVENTS ON PAGE XX OF THIS ISSUE! SPECIALIZING IN


Farms, Equine Liability, Equine-related


Professional Liability, Mortality,


Crop Insurance


Working with most major companies, we are able to write policies for disciplines such as: Hunters • Jumpers • Barrel Horses • Eventers Western • Gaited • Cuting Horses Ranch & Cow Horses • Reining


Leann Bauer 304-224-7366 www.leannbauer.com • Leann@leannbauer.com • Eight Four, PA 15330 Saddlin’ Up for Breast Cancer Trail Ride


Lunch, Silent Auction, Raffles, Prizes, All Pinked Out Parade & Contest to benefit THE RED DEVILS a 501.c.3


Saturday, September 21, 2024


Tuckahoe Equestrian Center Queen Anne, MD


Camping available with reservations


Jacquiecowan@comcast.net 410-215-4979


www.SaddlinUpForBreastCancer.org 14 | JULY 2024 | THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION


Experience the First Class


Diff erence • Plumbing • Heating • Air Conditioning


• Well Pumps & Water Treatment


• Livestock Waterers (Certifi ed installer of Nelson® automatic waterers fresh, clean water all the time.)


410-876-2434 FirstClassMechanical.com


Off ering SAME DAY well pump service Master Plumber #026452 • HVAC #5537


800-244-9580 | www.equiery.com


0824


0524


0320


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52