Very happy trails

Forestry tech Rosalea Pagani and her horse Gauge were one of the 20 BC teams selected to participate and demonstrate at the first Mountain Trail event at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver in early September.

In Mountain Trail you learn to work with your horse and develop your skills as a rider while navigating through natural obstacles.

Gauge, also known as “Spooks Hired Hitman,” is a six-year-old American Paint Horse gelding that Rosalea’s mom, Noelle, fell in love with and bought when he was just 12 hours old.

Rosalea Pagani rides the PNE & Paradise Valley this month

Rosalea and Noelle have been the only ones to train him. “Gauge has a very willing and trying attitude which has made him an easy horse to work with,” says Rosalea.

The duo love the challenge of Mountain Trail – particularly the precision and finesse that go into every movement. They have also competed in Western and English events at horse shows including reining, ranch riding, trail barrel racing and gymkhana.

Gauge will be among the horses at the Powell River Trail Riders Club Horse Show on September 24 and 25. They will be demonstrating Reining and Ranch riding on the 24th, said Rosalea. On the 25th there will be a Working Equitation Percentage Day, where riders will complete a dressage test, as well as an obstacle course.