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FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2000 by Leslie Ann Dusty and Anne Clarke Not all of us can afford the horse and tack to show on a recognized Breed circuit. It takes money to show on these open circuits and, be it good or bad, sometimes classes come down to who is dressed nicer and has better looking tack. But take heart anyone who would like to start showing Western or who has a Western horse that maybe isn't quite ready or able to compete at the Breed circuit level. There are a couple of Saddle Clubs in the area that offer "Western for the rest of us". Durham Saddle Club, Trail Blazers and Uxbridge Horseman's (which has one show in the summer) all offer Western flat and speed event classes. | am not completely familiar with what the other clubs offer but, being on the executive of the Durham Saddle Club, | can explain to you exactly what we offer and basically what is expect- TWICE AROUND TACK 43 Brock St., West, Uxbridge, TRIER EVR ELT NOW CARRYING Blundstone Boots and other new products COME SEE US FOR OUR BLANKET REPAIRS AND CLEANING! | ed in each class. The other clubs are probably very similar but, before you showed, you would want to read their rules and regulations. Our club offers two Western divi- sions: Flat and Speed events. We also offer Trail and Reining. These divi- sions are in turn broken. down into Junior, Senior and Open classes. One thing | need to stress to people is that Western is not about being a "Yahoo". It is very difficult to train a good Western horse. It takes time and a lot of "wet saddle pads". These horses must be precise in Equitation and quiet in Pleasure like English horses, but they have to perform with the added difficulty of going on a loose rein. Now it's time to get on to the basic class descriptions. With both Pleasure and Equitation, under the Durham Saddle Club rules, unless the horse is being ridden ALSTRVETURAL Butler Pre-Eng. Steel Buildings Commercial & Industrial Arena's & Barns Storage & Mini Storage Complete Horse Complexes Arenas Pole Barns Field Run-ins | with a plain snaffle or bosal only one hand may be used on the reins. In Western Equitation, as in English, it is the rider who is being judged. Riders are asked to walk, jog and lope. Most times they are also required to do a pattern which is usu- "On Deck" painting by Vicki Lawrence ally designed by the judge. The pattern may be as simple as a figure 8 at the lope with a simple change or as difficult as . loping on a straight line on one lead to a desig- nated spot, stopping, picking up the other lead to a designated spot, CUSTOM RN 0181 YD NJ 0124 (81 OR HORSE CAMP FOR CHILDREN Horse Camp sessions begin July 3, 2000 through to September am. to 4:30 pm. with ey RR AE est, Fach session as S$ PASE | ():/ stopping and backing up. Don't forget this is. all on a loose rein and usually with one hand! One point to mention is that Western Equitation can be ridden with slightly more contact than in a Continued on page 27 C.E.S. folox:]{ To BF:11 Glens of Antrim SYVARUET sifalel Cela Mae B Hampton. Ontario (905) 404-8213 1, 2000 (Monday to Friday) tended hours GS] ITI i I SL Sy ST a cro Custom Stalls Structures Implement Buildings Renovations & Repairs OVANAY § i IAL © 91 00 0) Divs Ss dary of riding lessons o "ISHS [rom ATRIRNS martans. ete. * horse « w ) blacksmiths. velel 1 LO SHOW ) I _ dNnee * da Barbe cud | \ ov} tl be held at NATE ALA 11] FOR A FREE ESTIMATE CALL (905) 939-4500 www.alstructural.com COMI Schomberg, Ontario h 905-404-5213 AND JOIN IN THI FUN AT OUR HORSE CAMP!!!