Rundown: March 2014
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Contents Reining Alberta would like to congratulate BL Whiz Kid and owners Gib & Rhonda Thompson on making Equistat’s top 100 Reining Sires!! Source: Quarter Horse News Vol. 36, No. 2, Pg. 205
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Open Rider Clinic Cancellation 3 Provincial Challenege 3 Stallion Feature & Trainer’s Directory 3 2013 Classic High Point Champions 5 Regional Clinic 7 Ask the Judge 8 Verla Dortch Youth Memorial Award Recipients 9 Kaylynn Malmberg Award Applications 9 Western Canadian Affiliate Qualifying Shows 10 2014 Reining Events 11 Trainers Corner 12 North Branch 14 Peace Branch 17 South Branch 18
Open Rider Clinic Cancellation
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s most of you will know we had an unfortunate turn of events causing us to cancel the Open Rider Clinic the weekend of February 15 & 16. Due to a paperwork oversight on the part of the Board Casey was denied entry at the Calgary airport. Great efforts were made to try to clear things up with customs and keep the clinic rolling, but unfortunately there was nothing that could be done. It is now a live and learn moment, and a mistake we won’t be making again anytime soon! We would like to thank Casey for his understanding and efforts in trying to get the clinic to continue to run. And thank Kathie for her multiple attempts to get things cleared up. We’d also like to thank our Open Riders for their understanding and making the best of a bad situation. Reports were some of them rode together Saturday morning and had a lot of fun nonetheless!
Provincial Challenege
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he Reining Alberta Board of Directors would like to announce the return of the Provincial Challenge! The Provincial Challenge will run during the 2015 Summer Classic. High Point calculations from the Branch shows will be used to qualify to run at the Challenge. The top 3 riders in the Green, Ranch and Beginner Youth classes in 2014 will qualify to compete at the Provincial Challenge in 2015. This will be a really fun challenge between the Branch’s and I’m sure we will see a great deal of support for our Challenge participants at the show! So good luck to all our Branch competitors who will be squaring off this show season to try to qualify! Buckles will be awarded to the Provincial Challenge Champion in each class!!
Stallion Feature & Trainer’s Directory
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eining Alberta has prepared two special features for our members to enjoy this month. Our Stallion Directory is a complementary listing of our Reining Alberta Sire Incentive Stallions. We hope this will give you more information on the Sire Incentive Program and its many benefits. As well as help our many breeders by providing them a lot of information on the wonderful stallions nominated to the program, and help them choose the right fit for their mares. We have also prepared a Trainer’s Directory to help our members find a coach or trainer. Reining Alberta’s website has always had a listing of our many wonderful trainers, but we thought we’d expand a little this year and give them the opportunity to tell you a little more about themselves and their programs. We hope you find it helpful! We will continue to add Stallions and Trainers to these features as we go through the year, so if you’d like to be included in any future revisions please contact Megan at rasouthchair@hotmail.ca . Stallion Feature 2014 Trainer’s Directory
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2013 Classic High Point Champions RANCH 1: Terry Olineck 2: Maxine Whiteside
LA TIO
NON PRO SENIOR REINING 1: Garry Boan 2: Lorraine Gilchrist
!!
S!!
LTD OPEN 1: Wendy Johnston 2: Danielle Brie Armstrong
ON
OPEN 1: Austin Seelhof 2: Amanda Antifaev
TI LA
RA TU
NON PRO 1: Dyanna Keymer 2: Susan Meredith
TU RA
INTERMEDIATE NON PRO 1: Madison Steed 2: Rowena Reid
NG
CO NG
LTD NON PRO 1: Garry Boan 2: Leigh Letourneau
CO
NS !!!!
ROOKIE 1: Nancy Dibbin 2: Ron Barnes
YOUTH 13 & UNDER 1: Alexandra Hibberd 2: Austin Wong YOUTH 14-18 1: Madison Steed 2: Karlie McKeand SHORT STIRRUP 1 is Kassidy Mannix 2 is Gracie Bobbie Strelioff Page 5
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Regional Clinic
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s previously announced our 2014 Regional Clinic has been confirmed for May 3&4 at Prairie Mountain Ranch, and we couldn’t be more excited to be welcoming Ruben Vandorp as clinician! Registration has opened up at can be booked through the NRHA. If you are interested in participating we would suggest contacting them soon – this clinic will fill up quickly! Cost:
Adult $250/day Youth $150/day
$450/weekend $250/weekend
Spectators are also welcome at $25/day All proceeds go to benefit the NRHyA and RA Youth Programs, so come on out, have some fun and support our Youth riders! Up to date information will be posted on the Reining Alberta website, under the South Branch Events page. To reserve a spot in the clinic please contact Hayley Lewallen at 405-946-7400 (ext 103) or youth@nrha.com
Lyle Jackson Quarter Horses Training Coaching Judging
403.542.6913 www.lylejackson.com Page 7
Ask the Judge With Lyle Jackson
How are spins judged, and what are some common mistakes? In order to execute a good spin you need to understand what the judges are looking for. In walk-in patterns that start with spins, the walk to the center is part of the first spin maneuver. If the horse requires a lot of correction on the way to the middle or in some way appears not to be willingly guided to the middle it will reduce the maneuver score of the first set of spins. Penalties can also occur on the way to the middle.
Score starts at 70, moves up or down per maneuver based on: +1 ½ Excellent, +1 Very Good, + ½ Good, 0 Correct, - ½ Poor, - 1 Very Poor, -1 ½ Extremely Poor
Spins need to be at the geographical center of the pen. Off center, left or right or not walking far enough forward to the center or past the center, all reduce the maneuver score. Similarly patterns that begin with a run in past center followed by a back to center also need The horse should be guiding off of the outside rein. to end in the geographical center of the arena. The spin is not correct if the inside rein is significantly shortened, causing excess bend. As with all maneuvers, the spin is judged first on correctness and then degree of difficulty. Degree of Finally the spin must be penalty free. Over spin and difficulty is speed. The faster the spin, that is still under spin is evaluated by lining up the diagonal front correct, the greater the degree of difficulty and the and hind leg of the horse the moment that motion higher the score. However if the spin is not correct in stops. If the horse is out of alignment more than a form, more speed will reduce the score. shoulder width, so that there is “daylight” showing between the diagonal front and hind leg then a penalty To be correct, the spin must start with a “willingness to must be assessed. Up to 1/8 over or under spin and guide”. Signs of lack of willingness include a reluctance the penalty is ½, more than 1/8 and up to ¼ rotation to initiate the spin when the riders hand asks for it, a the penalty is one (1). More than ¼ over spin and tipping of the head or opening the mouth in response to penalty is disqualification “penalty score zero”. bit pressure, or pinned ears or switching tail. The spin must have cadence, with the front feet striking the ground in an equal rhythm. The front feet should not hop around like a lope. It is trot motion with the front feet, not a lope motion.
Under spins of more than ¼ are considered a freeze up and the penalty is two (2). This is accessed at any time during the spin if the lateral motion of the shoulder stops.
The inside hind leg should be the pivot foot, and should not move. And the horse should stay in the same geographical location, not migrate to the out gate. Expression, ears, mouth and tail should show a positive attitude. This is particularly evident at the end of the spin. The horse should not come out of frame by lifting or tilting the head. Page 8
Lyle is a carded judge for the NRHA, FEI, AQHA, APHA, and NRCHA. In addition to his judging expertise he also has over 30 years of experience training horses for reining and most western events; with multiple championships to his name.
Verla Dortch Youth Memorial Award Recipients
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n memory of her mother, Verla Dortch, Fauna Ollenberger sponsors the Youth Sportsmanship Memorial Award. This award is based on: good sportsmanship, strong workmanship & an effort to help others, a proper work etiquette & conduct in and out of the arena, a caring and true interest in their horse and a desire to improve their horsemanship skills, and an ability to promote the sport of Reining. The 2013 Recipients are: Peace Branch: Darcie Yaremko North Branch: Raelyn Pollard South Branch: Alex Hibberd
Kaylynn Malmberg Award Applications
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n memory of a very special young lady, Reining Alberta has established the Kaylynn Malmberg Scholarship Fund to be presented annually to a member of the reining community that exemplifies Kaylynn’s extraordinary courage, determination, her love of horses, will power, and inspiration. Kaylynn displayed tremendous courage and inner strength fighting a life threatening disease to accomplish her goal of representing Alberta at the North American Young Riders Championship in Lexington, Kentucky. Kaylynn never gave up and fought hard right to the very end. Kaylynn was always willing to help others, especially younger riders regardless of her personal battle. She was a tremendous inspiration to her teammates in Lexington and to all those who knew her. This award will be presented at the Spring Classic Show in June, and we are now accepting nominations. Please e-mail Ron at justhorsen51@yahoo.com to nominate a deserving youth rider. Nominations will close May 1, 2014. Page 9
Western Canadian Affiliate Qualifying Shows
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he NRHA has just confirmed our 2014 Affiliate Qualifying shows. So be sure to mark these dates down on your calendars!!! Silver Slate Spring Slide May 24-25 www.silverslatearena.com Reining Alberta Spring Classic June 6-8 www.reiningalberta.net Reining Alberta Summer Classic July 3-6 www.reiningalberta.net Black Gold Reining July 24-27 www.blackgoldevent.com
Good luck to all our members trying to qualify for the Western Canada Regional Affiliate Finals and the NAAC Affiliate Finals!
JP Forget Equine Performance Solutions Corp. 403-636-0121 www.jpforget.com jpforget@jpforget.com Page 10
2014 Reining Events
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his is a complementary listing of upcoming reining events (put on my our members and other Associations) in and around Alberta.This is not an edorsement of the events, but has been compiled to help our members.
Shows Silver Slate Spring Show May 23-24, 2014 Silver Slate Arena, Nanton www.silverslatearena.com Black Gold Reining July 24-27, 2014 Lakota Agriplex - Dawson Creek, BC www.blackgoldevent.com Silver Slate Summer Show August 2-3, 2014 Silver Slate Arena, Nanton www.silverslatearena.com Wild Rose Reining Classic August 6-9, 2014 Claresholm Agriplex, Claresholm www.wildrosereiningclassic.com
Clinics Tyrell Smith Clinic March 8-9, 2014 Hawker Pavilion, Fairview www.swartzyhorses.com Shawna Sapergia Clinic March 15-16, 2014 Prairie Mountain Ranch, Madden www.sapergiareiners.com Tyrell Smith Clinic April 12-13, 2014 Hawker Pavilion, Fairview www.swartzyhorses.com Austin Seelhof Clinic April 12-13, 2014 Top Notch Performance Horses, Stony Plain www.topnotchperformancehorses.com
Big Sky Classic Futurity & Derby August 20-24, 2014 Kalispell, Montana www.mtrha.com Central Canada Slide ‘n Spin & Western Canada Affiliate FInals September 18-21, 2014 Brandon, Manitoba www.ccrha.com Canadian Supreme September 29-October 5, 2014 Westerner Park, Red Deer www.canadiansupreme.com Silver Slate Fall Derby & Futurity October 17-19, 2014 Silver Slate Arena, Nanton www.silverslatearena.com Brad Giesbrecht Clinic April 26-27, 2014 Lauder Ranch, Cochrane austinseelhof@hotmail.com Shawna Sapergia Clinic April 4-6 2014 Cochrane Ag Society, Cochrane www.sapergiareiners.com Casey Deary Clinic April 25-28, 2014 Top Notch Performance Horses, Stony Plain Swartzy@abnorth.com Shawna Sapergia Clinic May 2-4, 2014 Prairie Mountain Ranch, Madden www.sapergiareiners.com Austin Seelhof Clinic May 10-11, 2014 Top Notch Performance Horses, Stony Plain www.topnotchperformancehorses.com Page 11
Trainers Corner
With JP Forget The Warm Up – A Plan of Action Some of the most important decisions you will make once on the show grounds pertain to how you are going to warm your horse up for the class you entered. Many riders simply are unsure about how to best warm up their horses and often miss this opportunity to enhance their show performances. The over-all goal of the pre-competition warm-up is to release some energy out of the horse and have his mind listening to your aids and his body responding in a relaxed and willing fashion. To that end, it is important to keep the horse relaxed throughout the warm up. Begin your warm-up the same way you begin each ride at home every day. I like to begin each ride at home with a slow, collected or “round” jog. Therefore this is how each of my rides begins at the show. Once I have jogged my horse and got his mind thinking about how he needs to respond to my hands and my legs then I go ahead and lope circles, counter-canter, and change leads. All horses go through this routine regardless of their particular performance attributes. You will need to regulate the amount of time you spend doing the activity described above based on your horse’s riding needs. If a horse is energetic I tend to ride them a little more than a lazy horse. I will also work on spins, stops and roll-backs. How much of each of these I do depends on my horse’s strengths and weaknesses. If a horse is strong a stops but rather needs help in the spins, I will spend a bit of time touching up the spin drills which I have practiced at home. Sharpening his response to drills like haunches-in and double-reverse-arc will result in better spins in the show pen. Conversely, if a horse is strong at spinning but weak in the stops I will do a few spins as a warm up and school on getting him off my hands while warming up before the class. Remember this: you cannot train your horse just before you go in the show pen and expect to have a successful ride. All you can do before you go in, during your warm-up, is remind him of what you have already trained him to do. Introducing new drills and new ways of cueing him just before the competition run will only lead to disaster in the pen. If you find your horse weak at certain things just before you go in, better to simply show what you have today, and resolve to do things different once you get home. Controlling your emotions while warming up is extremely important. Many competition runs are lost in the warm-up pen when a rider gets anxious and begins to ride differently than she does at home. Your horse feels your anxiety because you are abrupt with your hands and your legs and he does not know how to respond to this new rider you have become, and these new cues. Your horse cannot say to himself: “Oh well, that is just her getting nervous again. I’ll just do as normal.” Instead, all the tension in your riding causes him to fear and brace and you lose the smooth performance you have worked so hard for at home. Additionally, avoid the tendency to get your horse performing his hardest spins and stops while you are warming up. Many beginners “win” the warm-up by performing hard maneuvers there but have little left but a tired horse by the time they show. Often, this is spurred on by the sight of competitors doing hard maneuvers. Then panic over takes you somewhat and you begin to ask too much of your horse, or you think that is the proper way to warm-up. What may be good for your competitor’s horse may not be good for yours. Stick to your program. Finally, if your pattern starts with spins, do a few spins just before you go in to get your horse focused on that maneuver. If it is a run-in pattern, stop him from a slow lope or even just back him up a few times just before you go in to get him thinking about stops. See you at the shows! JP Forget is the author of two horsemanship books and a certified High Performance Reining Coach by Equine Canada
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Branch News
North Branch
Updated Show & Clinic Schedule
Sponsors
Heatherdown Hills Arena, Onoway May 3 Judging Seminar Lyle Jackson May 4 Show
Delaney Veterinary Services Herbers Veterinary Services Westwinds Veterinary Hospital Feed Store To Your Door
Contact Information North Branch Chair Daryla Friesen lazyd@telusplanet.net Show Secretary Sandra Prosko sprosko@cruzinternet.com Secretary Tanya Hollasch thollasch@mcsnet.ca Sponsorship Samantha Friesen friesen.sammi@hotmail.com
Highthorn Arena, Stony Plain May 31 Clinic Austin Seelhof June 1 Show Highthorn Arena, Stony Plain July 19 Clinic Amanda Antifaev July 20 Show Whitecourt Ag Arena, Whitecourt Aug 23 Show Ralph Ament Aug 24 Show Ralph Ament Heatherdown Hills Arena, Onoway Sept 13 Clinic Cheryl Mitchell Sept 14 Show
Watch the Reining Alberta website for clinic forms coming soon!
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North Branch Year End Award Recipients
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Peace Branch Contact Us:
Clinic & Show Dates:
Chairperson: Dallas Schwerdt Vice Chair: Wendy Boggs Secretary: Trina Snisarenko Treasurer: Dallas Schwerdt
Clinic - May 9&10 with Locke Duce Show - May 11
e-mail: reiningalbertapeacecountry@hotmail.com
Clinic - June 14&15 with Cheryl Mitchell Show - June 16 Judging Seminar - July 19 Clinician Lyle Jackson Show - July 20 Clinic - August 15&16 with Ralph Ament Show - August 17 Show - September 13 All clinics and shows will be held at Hawker Pavillion @ Fairview College
Peace Branch Year End Award Recipients Page 17
South Branch
Chairpersons Greetings Well our circuit is just around the corner, it’s hard to believe our first event will be at the end of the month! Exciting and nerve wracking time for our committee, all our hard work and planning over the last few months is about to hit the road and take on a life of its own. It was great to catch up with so many of our friends from around the province at the Awards Banquet in Ponoka on the 15th! And wonderful to be able to recognize the achievements of so many of our members! A big thank you to Dorothy and Kathie who spent so much time planning this event, and to Ron who did such a great job MCing the evening.
Eligibility requirements for the new classes and awards will be posted on the website shortly! Please stay tuned!
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Sponsors Thank you to all our amazing sponsors! 10 Mile Ranch Big D BioEquine Horse Feed Supplement Brad and Christine Lamport DAD Sales Girletz Gear Irvine Tack & Trailers Kerrie Hamilton Marg Fraser Megan Ritchie Tom Balding Bits and Spurs
Trainer’s Showcase Our 2nd Annual Trainer’s Showcase will run at the end of the month. Last year we had a blast at this event, there was some great advice from our Trainer’s and it was a great day to come and learn a lot. Registration is now open, each session will only be taking 3 participants so be sure to sign up early! Registration
South Branch Year End Award Recipients
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Tom Balding Bits and Spurs proudly carried by Girletz Gear Contact Joan for all your purchases and custom orders 403.948.3954 girletzgear@hotmail.com
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Trailers & Accessories
Over 1000 Saddles in stock
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Drop in we are open 7 Days a Week • Mon - Sat 9am - 9pm • Sundays 9am - 7pm Or Shop Online 24/7
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Irvine Tack & Trailers is proud to sponsor the South Branch Youth High Point Saddle! For full eligibility details check out the Reining Alberta website
www.irvines.ca
THANK YOU IRVINE’S!!!!
Youth High Point Saddle
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Trainer’s Showcase
Join the South Branch for our Second Annual Trainer’s Showcase on March 29 at Silver Slate Arena, in Nanton! This will be a series of fun mini-clinics taught by the best trainers in our industry, it’s a great event to come and pick up a lot of great tips and advice. And don’t forget to bring your horse!!! Registration is now open to participants, and spectators are more than welcome!
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Sessions:
8-9:30am Lachlan Bell 9:30-11am Lyle Jackson 11-12:30pm Wendy Nelson 12:30-2pm Bonnie Becker 2-2:30pm Cheryl Mitchell Cost $35/session to ride* *You must be a Reining Alberta member to ride, memberships can be purchased at the door Spectators Fee $5/person
Register Here
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Youth Clinic with Austin Seelhof
April 12 & 13
at Top Notch Performance Horses
Austin Seelhof and Top Notch Performance Horses are sponsoring a youth clinic on April 12&13. The clinic is full, but spectators are welcome. Austin has a wealth of knowledge in the show pen, and has coached numerous non pro and youth riders to success.
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Please contact Theresa for more information tnphorses@gmail.com Sponsored by: