ROCKY MOUNTAIN Show Jumping
2013 Coffee Table Book
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John C. Anderson President
founder and President of Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, it is my pleasure to introduce our fourth As annual issue of the RMSJ Coffee Table Book. We pride ourselves on being a venue that is accessible to everyone involved in our sport. We were extremely pleased with the response from everyone with our first three year’s issues and are committed, on behalf of the industry as a whole, to share these publications with everyone who joins us for the numerous show jumping and dressage tournaments that we host every year.
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Most people who know about Rocky Mountain Show Jumping are aware that our venue has been focusing on the growth and development of our sport through the “next generation” of riders. We are very excited about a new event that we will be introducing to our sport next year called the Royal West, an event that will allow this generation of riders another world class venue to fine tune their skills. Royal West will be a major indoor tournament to be hosted in downtown Calgary at a soon to be completed state of the art venue in Stampede Park. It has been almost thirty years since Calgary has had show jumping events in its core, and we are excited to be bringing the sport back to the city for even more folks to enjoy. In the pages that follow, along with some great articles, equestrian related businesses advertisements, you will see profiles of many competitors from all levels of the sport that join us each year at Anderson Ranch. All of these personalities are the sports’ future, and we are pleased to share their stories. Visitors to Rocky Mountain Show Jumping will again see some extensive changes this year, as we continuously work on the development of our tournament venue. For those who won’t be able to join us this year, RMSJ TV will help followers catch a glimpse of everything we are doing here at the ranch to enhance our facility for the benefit of all of the exhibitors who will join us in the years to come. As always, the team here at Rocky Mountain Show Jumping welcomes your comments and suggestions, as we know that everyone can have impact on the shaping and developing our sport. I would like to extend a special Thank You to everyone who participated in this the fourth issue of the Rocky Mountain Show Jumping Coffee Table Book.
John Anderson President
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Caroline Jones Tournament Manager
The 2012 Season was a truly spectacular one! As Tournament & Facility Manager for Rocky Mountain Show Jumping it is my pleasure to be a part of a company that is progressive in its dedication to recognizing the achievements of the next generation of Canadian Equestrian athletes. We continue with our commitment to foster the development of our Western Canadian Athletes.
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Reflecting on the 2012 Tournament Season at Rocky Mountain I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the competitors, their trainers and parents for a fantastic year! The 2012 season brought us a record number of new competitors to Rocky Mountain Show Jumping Tournaments and we are anticipating another fun filled and successful 2013 season. We recognize this sport is a passion for so many and strive to make our tournaments the best experience for you, the competitor, that you will have this year! Whether you are a X-Rail competitor or Grand Prix rider, we want to make your time with us here, at Rocky Mountain, the best experience of your show season as well as providing valuable life experiences for all our young riders. Rocky Mountain Show Jumping has developed into one of Western Canada’s prominent show venues. We continue to help develop the competitions and athletes along the way. We are a unique Tournament venue offering great prize money at all levels. I look forward to meeting you and your families this 2013 season and sharing memorable moments together! Best of Luck!
Caroline Jones Tournament Manager
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Courtney L Anderson Editor |Dragon Media Group
is the time of the year when once again, many hours and effort converge to create the Rocky It Mountain Show Jumping Coffee Table Book. Looking back, I am amazed we are on our 4th annual publication!
Dragon Media has had the pleasure working with Rocky Mountain Show Jumping since the conception of this product, and through the dedication and persistence of both the people of RMSJ and their devoted competitors, we are thrilled to bring you this years edition!
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The ‘horse world’ is an intimate group of people of which I am proud to call myself a long-standing member. Being part of this group has allowed me many wonderful experiences and has enabled me to become really connected with so many of you — the trainers, competitors and officials in our sport. I also extend a great amount of respect of and admiration for the wonderful corporations I have had the opportunity to work with that are committed to supporting both the venue and the competitions of RMSJ through their advertising and wonderful sponsorship! Bringing together this annual book is a lot of hard work and dedication to the finished product being the best it can be. Through the layout and editing phases of its development, I am able to review so much of the past year of competitions and events, and it makes me so very excited about to the current show season to come! One of the best parts of the creation of this book is being able to relive those moments reviewing the thousands of pictures of the past year. I see so many smiles, and so much laughter and fun is conveyed through these photos — truly the hallmarks of the tournaments at Anderson Ranch. There are some very special people at Rocky Mountain Show Jumping that provide invaluable help and input throughout the year. I would especially like to thank all involved for everything they contribute to this book. It truly is a labour of love putting it together which is aided by this amazing team! As the 4th annual Coffee Table book comes to completion, plans for next year’s edition have already begun. I look very forward to seeing all of your smiling faces at this year’s tournaments! Best of luck to all competitors!
Courtney L Anderson Editor | Dragon Media Group
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Table of Contents 2012
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The Long Road Ahead
George Morris on the future of Show Jumping
21 23 27 83
To Show or Shine? Pia Fortmuller John Pearce Q&Aww Joe Fargis
Lifetime Achievement Award
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Fellers and Flexible
On Their Way to London
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Tracey Epp Steps Up Short list today.
Professional tomorrow.
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The Reproduction Guy!
Dr. Juan Samper
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RMSJ Coffee Table Book 2013 Our Objective | To bring international equine knowledge to the community, and enhance the level of the sport by providing Show Jumping and Dressage tournaments of a higher quality, enabling all levels of riders the opportunity to develop their skills. Rocky Mountain Show Jumping also strives to increase the level of the sport by providing horses & training services to those who wish to advance further in their equestrian careers. President | John C. Anderson Tournament Manager | Caroline Jones www.rmshowjumping.com
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Suite 231, 132 - 250 Shawville Blvd. SE Calgary, Alberta T2Y 2Z7 Phone (403) 256-8652 Toll Free Fax 1 (866) 397-0179
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Edition IV - 2013
ROCKY MOUNTAIN Show Jumping
Design | Courtney L. Anderson DragonMediaGroup.ca (403) 519-6771 Printing and Binding | Allied Printing (306) 522-1681 Articles submitted by Joe Fargis, Marshall Iles, Barbara Pinnella, Carley Sparks Please forward all inquires and future book ideas to magazine@rmshowjumping.com
©ESI Photography
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THE LONG ROAD AHEAD George Morris on the future of show jumping. Spoiler: there’s work to be done. George Morris speaks, people listen. Usually, they listen closely. The storied horseman is not shy about When expressing his opinions, nor his intolerance for interruption. As the USA’s outgoing chef d’equipe—Morris officially
handed the reins over to California-native Robert Ridland this year—a sizeable share of those opinions centre on the crumbling standards of North American show jumping. I sat down with Morris during a clinic he taught at Iron Horse Farm in Burlington, Ontario last fall. He’s says the sport faces a long road to recovery. And it’s time we started down it. What steps are needed to rebuild the US Show Jumping team given the recent European dominance? Our problem in North America, we haven’t kept up with Europe in our standards. First of all, which probably we couldn’t help, they have a great head start in sport horse breeding. We had great racehorse breeding. After the Second World War, we didn’t think sport riding was going to be a big industry. If we had thought about it in both of our countries [Canada and the US], it would have been like the racehorses; we would have been ahead of the curve with sport horse breeding. I didn’t, we didn’t, they didn’t think of it. Hindsight is too late. Now the Europeans are so far ahead. It is such a big industry [there]; it is so professional, so scientific. Yes, we will do our part in breeding, but I don’t see how we could ever catch up. So, that’s something that should be looked at.
You have horse show standards, those have been let down. The professional horseman is interested in his own business, which is really too bad. Years ago, Bill Steinkraus, the greats of Canada, [Jim] Elder and [Tommy] Gayford, they were interested in the big picture. They were interested in the sport and the future. Professionals today, unfortunately, are interested in their own life, their own pocketbook, their own customers. If something jeopardizes that, [they say] lower the fences; take out the liverpool; don’t have real hunter fences, they’re too difficult. They will opt for their own protection, rather than the sport. So the professional who is supposed to run the sport—I believe in the professional first—are lowering their standards. Horse show managers, horse show judges, horse show course builders, those people are beholden to the professional. If the professional says, “I don’t like his courses, he’s too difficult,” he’s not hired again. If the professional says, “That horse show doesn’t let us school the day before, I’m not going there again,” [that show
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will struggle]. So the professional is responsible for the lowering of the standards of every other aspect of horse show management. If that horse show isn’t up to snuff, the professional is supposed to speak up. Not the owner, not the amateur, the professional. If that judge isn’t good enough, the professional has to tell the judge or the show manager that that judge isn’t capable. I say the buck stops at the professional.
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Some feel that the hunter industry is mollycoddling its hunter riders, offering them more prize money than the professionals. Do you agree with that? What has happened with the hunter industry is it has gotten very artificial. It is very fake. They don’t really go by the rulebook. First of all, the courses are supposed to be built with fences that simulate the hunting field, not exactly, but close—gates, brush boxes, proper rampy oxers. The courses [today] are very artificial. They have some fences with four elements: for the oxer, it’s quadruple bars; verticals are triple bars. Those aren’t real fences that simulate cross-country riding. They are very easy for every horse and rider. That’s why the professional likes them, because people who can’t measure a fence still look alright; horses that aren’t very good jumpers still look alright. It caters to the mediocrity. That lowers the standards. Second, they don’t read the rules. Of course, eight good distances are a factor. Pace is a factor! Variety of course is a factor. Variety of obstacles is a factor. The first thing you inject into a horse and rider is bold. Every horse, every rider—flat riders, jumping riders, eventing riders—the first thing put into them is bold. Then you put in variety— different, different, different—that gives confidence and that gives bold. Prize money is not my pet peeve. Personally, I think prize money should be relative to the difficulty of the EQUINE
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competition. But if that’s the way they want to do it, that doesn’t bother me. What does bother me is the courses that hunters jump, the fact that they don’t really go by the rules, the picture of the riders, even the top professionals. There’s no form over fences anymore. That has to be factored into judging a hunter. The picture should be classic; it should be invisible aids, it should be with pace, it should be proper-sized fences. It should go by the rules of the division. Not new rules; traditional historic rules. That’s where the jumpers are far better than the hunters. I have some criticism of the lack of variety of fences in some countries, [but] for most part the evolution of the jumpers has been pretty good. The fences are still big, the fences are often still airy, liverpools in interesting places, different cut out walls—the evolution of the jumper is far superior to that of the hunter. In Canada, people are coasting in the hunter and equitation divisions rather than using them as a steppingstone into the jumpers. Are you seeing that in the US as well? For some people, that should be their end. We have people that will never ever be jumpers. It doesn’t have to be a steppingstone, but it does have to be a sporting event with real fences that are big enough. There has to be some sport to it. There has to be some difficulty to it. Pace! I don’t care if it’s a 3’ adult and that’s their career, it still has to have a sporting element. Do you support Jane Clark’s decision to put Ben Maher on her horses? I’m sure there are two sides to every story. I certainly don’t want to take sides. I’m a very good friend to the [United States Equestrian] Federation. I’m a very good friend to Jane. I don’t know the story. I would say that her decision to take Ben over a Will [Simpson], probably he had done several things. It’s not the
easiest on our list to see people who would work out with Jane. She likes to have her own horses at home. She’s old fashioned. She likes to be involved with the organization, the management, and all that. Some people can’t do that. Some people—I mean American professionals—they can’t be with their horses in Wellington all the time. Some top riders already have top customers. They can’t have another top customer. If you ride for Jane Clark, with her means, her background, her stature, her rider should be her rider. When you go down the list, once you eliminate people who want to keep the horse at home, once you eliminate the people who have other top owners, once you eliminate the people who live abroad, you are getting down to the lesser professional (maybe there are a couple she could have looked at) or the very wealthy amateur. That was one thing.
you have a good eye to select horses, you manage them well, you have an interest in running something, [then] competition is not a problem. I mean, I never kept any ribbons. I had trunks of ribbons—dust collectors! That isn’t interesting. That’s the icing on the cake perhaps, but it’s not the reason we’re in it. I like [teaching clinics] just as much. When I won the big Grand Prix in Calgary years ago that was wonderful. [Training] is wonderful. If there are no people here, I’ll take his horse or his horse and ride in that ring by myself, nobody watching, it’s wonderful.
There was probably some disagreements with her case in Wellington that irritated her. [Clark’s horse Urico was disqualified from the US Olympic Selection Trials following a positive drug test.] There are probably several reasons why she made that decision. I don’t think it was a rash decision. I think she thought about that for months.
Now that your tenure as chef d’equipe is over, what’s next for George Morris?
Jane is still very supportive of the USA. She just bought Leslie Burr a new horse. She has great horses on the Dressage team with Katherine Bateson. She’s big in [combined] driving. She gives real money to the USET Foundation…So it’s not my business to agree or disagree with her. That’s her business. I support her because she’s a friend and she is still very much supporting the country.
My greatest pleasure is when I go to Jane [Clark]’s or Beezie [Madden]’s, nobody’s there, I help the staff get the horse ready, I ride by myself for an hour and I go back to my house. That’s my holiday.
I’m very happy to be finished with that. I did enough. They had enough of me. I had great friends with all of them, but it’s time for a new face. And it’s time for me to get back to this [teaching], where I really concentrate on educating with whatever future I have left. That’s my passion, that’s my contribution. *This story first appeared in the March 2013 issue of Horse Sport magazine. Article by Carley Sparks
What are your thoughts on the future of the sport? What’s interesting about this sport is education. What is interesting is making people riders, so in turn they can be horse trainers and teachers. Now, lots of people become riders. Few become real trainers. Very few, like Jen Marsden, become great teachers; a couple. That’s what’s interesting about the sport. Competition is very easy. If you become a good rider, a good horseman,
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To Show or Shine?
As
we jump into another show season, I want to pose this question that goes to the heart of why we do what we do. On my way home from helping judge the World Horseshoeing Classic in Kentucky, I had plenty of time in airports and on planes to reflect on the work that I saw and the responsibility in choosing the winners. Attended by some the best farriers in the world, including 4 past World Champions, the standard of excellence displayed was incredible and the criteria for determining the outcome required some of the hardest tests, allowing for zero tolerance for interpretation. My instructions to the competitors was to concentrate on fitting the foot, not showing me the “shine” because the last thing the horse cares about is how pretty their feet are. The winning job represented the ultimate union of form and function quality craftsmanship personified, not the shiniest one. It made me smile as I watched the horse whose team had spent so much time and effort polishing their work, step back into a fresh, steaming pile not 30 seconds after the final buzzer went. Transfer that perspective to this crazy horse show/industry/sport/lifestyle that we exist in and I find myself struggling to explain to my teenage daughter what the primary focus should be. We talk about developing you g riders, but when the priorities shift from horsemanship to hoof grease, bling belts and fashion faux pas’, I believe we miss the mark. Understanding that human nature wants to “show” the rest of the world our own primitive plumage, imagine the difference in skill levels and show ring results if we concentrated don the union of horse and rider. We are fortunate to have top level facilities like RMSJ and Spruce Meadows at our fingertips to showcase our horses and talents; let’s use them to truly develop young riders, teaching them the fundamental basics needed to become quality riders. Marshall Iles , CJF
2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
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Favorite Food Chocolate Favorite TV Show Entourage Favorite Pastime Snowboarding Favorite Music Country Favorite Movie Million Dollar Baby Favorite Drink A good ol' Canadian "Caesar" Favorite Colour Yellow
Current Horses “Orion” 1996 gelding by Jazz x Consul “Fablella” 2002 mare by Federmark x Lemon Park xx “Anited” 2005 gelding by United x Cocktail “Santa Maria” 2007 mare by Sir Donnerhall x Weltmeyer
The highlights at this stage in my career have been winning the team and individual gold medal at the 2006 North American Young Rider Championships and being the reserve rider on the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team.
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I started riding even before I was born. My mother Dagmar Fortmuller, a very accomplished horsewoman, rode for the first six months of her pregnancy with me. Horses have always been a regular part of daily life; consequently being around horses has always felt like “home” for me. As kids we always had the option to ride, but we were never forced to. I have the BEST travelling companion and sidekick ever!!! My dog Lecoya, an Australian cattle dog mix, is always at my side and goes everywhere with me. She is my shadow both at home and on the long road trips to competitions. I do my best to pay her back by playing Frisbee with her whenever we have a spare minute! My most memorable travle experiance was In 2008 I was invited to the Sydney CDI where I competed on a borrowed horse. My brother Loisl flew over to Australia with me, we arrived in Sydney a week before the competition so that we could do some sight seeing. This worked out great because both of us had never been to Sydney, or Australia for that matter, and we spent the first week exploring. The competition was the second week of our trip and it was also an incredibly memorable experience that I will never forget. Most people don’t know that aside from dressage, I learned to surf on Bondi Beach (one
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Pia Fortmuller of my favourite memories of my trip to Australia); I am passionate about snowboarding and I love the adrenaline rush of skydiving. Not only is my mother the reason that horses have been such a major part of my life, she also has been my strongest and most constant supporter throughout my entire riding career. Most importantly, she taught me the importance of all-around horsemanship, and that if I ever want to achieve something great the words “I can’t” are not allowed to exist in my vocabulary. At the beginning of 2012, I broke my wrist when I got bucked off a very frisky young horse, which made for a troublesome and daunting start for an Olympic year. I needed to start collecting my qualifying scores if I was serious about making it on the team. Because I was determined not to let anything get in the way of my goals I rode my first Olympic qualifying competitions with my cast. I really admire my older brother Max is someone (one of Pia’s 4 siblings: 3 brothers Mac (29), Loisl (27) and Rosmond (8) and sister Jade (10)). He is a professional bull rider and he and I are often each other’s “mental coach in the corner” when it comes to dealing with the pressures and challenges of our respective sports. Although we compete in two very different sports, there are many parallels that can be found in the mental preparation. The greatest reason for my admiration of Max is his ability to look fear and self doubt straight in the eye.
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Equestrian Hero John Whitaker Favorite Food Prime Rib & Sushi Favorite TV Show Boardwalk Empire Favorite Pastime White Water Rafting or Fishing FavoriteMusic Country Favorite Movie Rocky Favorite Drink Budweiser Favorite Color Yellow
a sunny afternoon in late March at the conclusion of the On 2013 Hits Thermal circuit at the beautiful Rancho Polo grounds, John
Pearce was enjoying a well deserved late afternoon beer after riding in the heat. Since John was hot of a great second place finish in the first ever Hits Million, we thought it would be great to share some of his story.
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Born in Toronto, Ontario on May 3, 1960, John began riding at the age of 11 on his family’s farm. After many years in the junior and amateur divisions, he began his grand prix career in 1990. In 1992 he represented Canada at the World Cup final before becoming a member of the winning Canadian team in 1992 CSIO Mexico Nations’ Cup riding Super Trooper. In 1998 Pearce earned the Leading Grand Prix Rider title at the HITS Indio circuit in ride California with Vagabond and represented Canada at the 1998 World Equestrian Games where he was Canada’s top performer. Pearce’s long partnership with Vagabond extended to the 1999 World Cup final and into 2000 when the pair made their Olympic debut in Sydney. At the 2007 World Cup Final, Pearce finished 14th overall riding Archie Bunker. In 2010, Pearce found himself back in the spotlight winning multiple grand prix events with both Chianto and Son of a Gun. As a result, Pearce and Chianto were named to the team for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, helping Canada to a fifth place finish and placing eighth individually. Formerly from Stouville, Ontario, Pearce
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John Pearce Q&A is currently based in Bermuda dunes California where he lives with his wife, Gretchen. How did you ever become involved in the sport of Show Jumping? It’s been a hobby in our family since I can remember. My father was a business man and it was a hobby of his and he got our whole family involved at our farm in Stouville, Ontario. Who would you say was your biggest influence in the sport? I would have to say all of the Canadian riders that I’ve had the chance to compete with over the years. I could rhyme them all off, Ian Millar, Beth Underhill, Mario Deslauriers, yourself, Jill Henslewood ... the list goes on and on. All of the Canadian riders are a great group that I have had the 27 privilege to compete against over the years. They are all extremely talented and competitive, and I’ve learned a lot being in the midst of that strong group. I never really had a lot of formal instruction and have learned from all of these riders. In my early twenties I did spend time with Mac Cone and Torchy Millar and did a lot of clinics with many different people. I also took a lot of lessons in Dressage with a lot of top people, including Ashley Holzer, who I rode with for two years. I even showed up to Prix St. George. Those years were great for my flat work Which horse would you say was your first real good one and why? I’ve been lucky to have many good horses in my career, some that unfortunately I had to sell because I couldn’t turn down the offer, but I would have to say that the first real good horse that I had was Vagabond, who took me to the World Equestrian Games in 1998 and the Olympics in 2000. He was just such a solid player, and a pretty dependable horse. PHOTOS John Pearce and Vagabond at the Sydney Olyimpics in 2000. | Photos Credit Cealy Tetley
What are some of the other great horses you’ve had over the years? I’ve been so lucky to have many great horses over the years. Thinking about it, I’ve had about 14 horses that I’ve brought to the
2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
top in the sport, including Spanish Eyes, Air Jordan, Harry Potter, Archie Bunker, and Super Trooper to name a few, but I would have to say that my all time favorite would be Chianto. I have such a tight partnership with him. It’s a real blessing. What was your most memorable moment in your career? Definitely being a part of the Canadian Team when we won the Nation’s Cup at Spruce Meadows in 2006. It took Canada 31 years to win on home turf at Spruce Meadows. I was riding Archie Bunker, and it was for sure the biggest test in his career. He jumped great and we had a great team with Ian as the anchor. It was just great to be a part of the team that finally won the Cup on home turf. I remember the crowd going nuts!
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You always seem to dominate at Hits Thermal, what do you attribute to your success in the desert? I think it is just because I feel at home. I came here for many years when I lived in Ontario. I kept coming back because I always did so well here, and then of course finally moved to California. I really just feel at home, and the circuit has always been a real focus of mine! You’ve competed in all three of the Hits Million dollar classes so far. What do you think of Tom’s contribution to our sport? I think it has been wonderful. The Hits Thermal Million has put the West Coast on the map again in our sport. These big purses were unheard of even a decade ago. Tom is a real businessman, and he is seeing opportunity for sure, but his ideas are helping to improve our sport. The rate of growth that Tom is creating is quite commendable, and eyes are turning away from other shows and he is drawing more and more attention to his venues across the country. It is forcing other horse shows to step up to the plate, which only helps the sport in the long run. Your life has been horses so far. What are your plans in the future? Well my wife Gretchen and I are in the process of adopting right now, and I’m really looking forward to starting a family. I don’t really plan on changing things too much in the near future. I plan on continuing with my business here in southern California and
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following the money here, as well as at Hits Saugerties. If a Championship or Games horse comes my way again, I would certainly like to take part in that! My passion in the sport is really to produce good horses!
What do you think about the next generation of riders coming up in the sport? I see the next generation of riders coming up not cut from the same cloth as I am. Some are getting dragged through the trenches in their youth and really learning how to be good horsemen, but I don’t see as many as I used to like when I was growing up. There’s no question many of them will be great riders, but fewer of them will be great horsemen. The sport has changed, especially with the amount of money that has come into it over the last number of years. Too have longevity in the sport I think it takes more than being a good rider. You need to have real horsemanship, because that’s what gives you the edge.
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What would you like to see different about our sport in North America today? I would like to see more young horses being developed here in North America. It costs us so much in North America to develop young horses. I would like to see some kind of system that gives young horses a break. I would love to see a way for people to bring their young horses to shows without it costing so much.
PHOTOS John Pearce and Chianto at the World Equestrian Games | Photos Credit Cealy Tetley
2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
Bow Valley Classic 2012
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Bow Valley Classic 2012
Photo Credits DragonMediaGroup.ca | KVE
2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
Two Willows is committed to producing top quality sport horses and ponies for all disciplines. Our young horses are ranch raised minutes from Red Deer and trained by experienced industry professionals.
Two Willows Equine www.twowillowsequine.com Janine Olson and Trish Mrakawa | Red Deer, AB janine@twowillowsequine.com | T 403.886.2676 | C 403.350.4062
LET OUR EQUINE EXPERTS HELP YOU FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK! ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT Using advances in Sport Science and Coaching to develop athletes at all stages: Playground to Podium. EQUINE MANAGEMENT Over 30 years of experience in breeding, training, and managing performance horses. SALES CONSULTING Supporting equine enthusiasts in the promotion and marketing of the equine athlete. EVENT HOSTING Providing a calender of tournaments, clinics, and training opportunities to help riders meet their goals.
Certified Coaches providing training and instruction in hunter, jumper, and three day eventing. Competitive and recreational riders are welcome. School and lease horses available.
Willow Grove Stables Inc. www.willowgrovestables.com Trish Mrakawa NCCP Level 3 Coach | DeWinton, AB trish@willowgrovestables.com | T 403.938.6398 | C 403.540.5380
Mid Summer Classic 2012
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Mid Summer Classic 2012
Photo Credits DragonMediaGroup.ca | KVE
2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
FORD F-SERIES. ALWAYS ON COURSE.
ALWAYS A CLEAR ROUND. For over half a century, Ford Trucks have been getting more Canadians (two and four-legged) where they need to be than any other brand. For thirty years, Woodridge Ford has been the place more Calgarians choose to get their F-Series Trucks and keep it running at its very best. Woodridge Ford is proud to be the Official Vehicle Sponsor of Rocky Mountain Show Jumping.
Purchase or Lease a vehicle from Woodridge and receive a $500 credit to tournament fees at any RMSJ tournament in 2013.*
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St.George’s Derby Day 2012
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St.George’s Derby Day 2012
Photo Credits DragonMediaGroup.ca | KVE |DT
2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
Kildares in Silverado wishes competitors at Rocky Mountain Show Jumping the best of luck in 2013.
22X
210 Ave. SW
Kildares Ale House 1202 19369 Sheriff King Street SW Calgary AB T2X 0T9 403-719-0256 www.kildares.ca
RMSJ
Sheriff King St. SW
Located 5 minutes from RMSJ, in Silverado.
Spruce Meadows Way SW
Kildares, your neighbourhood pub.
N
Macquarie leaps to glory
The Macquarie Group Foundation matched JustWorld International Ambassador Alexandra Hopkins’ donation of 20 percent of her overall 2012 season winnings. As an Investment Advisor and public venture capital specialist, I can provide astute advice to enhance your wealth and keep your family’s equestrian dreams alive for generations. Contact me for a complimentary portfolio review.
Darrin Hopkins Vice President, Public Venture Capital Division Investment Advisor T: 403 260 3877 | TF: 1 800 661 1596 E: darrin.hopkins@macquarie.com
Macquarie Private Wealth Inc. 440 – 2nd Avenue South West, Suite 2200 Calgary, AB T2P 5E9 Visit macquarieprivatewealth.ca Macquarie Private Wealth
No entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies is registered as a bank or an authorized foreign bank in Canada under the Bank Act, S.C. 1991, c. 46 and no entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies is regulated in Canada as a financial institution, bank holding company or an insurance holding company. Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 (MBL) is a company incorporated in Australia and authorized under the Banking Act 1959 (Australia) to conduct banking business in Australia. MBL is not authorized to conduct business in Canada. No entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies other than MBL is an authorized deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Australia), and their obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of MBL. MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of any other Macquarie Group company. Macquarie Private Wealth Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and IIROC.
CADA Dressage 2012
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CADA Dressage 2012
Photo Credits DragonMediaGroup.ca | KVE
2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
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Bar None Ranches Our Program...
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We prepare horse of all ages for competition, we teach riders how to become competitive show jumpers, and in working together we strive to provide quality service to every client whether at home or away at competitions. Riders work with both trainers consistently to enhance their learning experience through continual support. For inquiries please contact Jim 403-620-1241 or Andrew 403-703-4219
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RMSJ 2013 WHO TO WATCH
Ally Jean Penic BIRTHDAY MAR 17 , 1998
Angela CovertLawrence BIRTHDAY MAY 29 , 1976
Favorite TV Show Modern Family Favorite Pastime Riding my horse and facebooking Favorite Music Pop and Country!!!! Favorite Movie The Lion King 2 Favorite Drink Mint tea solves all my problems Favorite Colour Blue, specifically turquoise Who are your current horses? Cimarron (aka cimy or cims ville) and Carot (aka bubbles)
Favorite Food Annie’s Macaroni and Cheese Favorite TV Show Grey’s Anatomy Favorite Pastime Bikram Yoga Favorite Movie The Notebook Favorite Drink Champagne Favorite Colour Blue Who are your current horses? Utan, Unica Van de Roshoeve, Estar
What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? My very first ride at Spruce Meadows I was extremely nervous, but I still had a double clear round. How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved in horses? Every day, since I knew what a horse was, I begged my parents to let me have lessons, then when I was about six years old they finally gave in and I got to go to summer camp and start weekly lessons. Who was your biggest influence in you riding career and why? Sarah Simpson is one of my biggest influences in my riding because she was my first instructor. She taught me most of what I know, from sitting on a horse to competing and jumping. Do you have any pets and what are their names? I have two ragdoll kittens named Thor and Hercules who are the softest and cuddliest things in the world. What is the funniest moment that’s ever happened to you? When I was in Palm Springs my family attacked me and threw me in the pool, with all my clothes on. Then they wouldn’t even let me get out for an hour. Do you have any siblings, how many, what are their names, gender and ages? I have a 13-year-old sister, who looks a lot like me but is smaller.
What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? Member of Winning Nation’s Cup Team CSIO Buenos Aires 2011 How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? I was 6 yrs old. My mother rode and got my sisters and I involves as early as she could! Who was your biggest influence in you riding career and why? My mother has always had an incredible love for horses and a strong passion for the sport of showjumping. She instilled that in me from a very young age. Do you have any pets and what are their names? I have two dogs, Finnigan is a mix, and Tango is a Beagle that I rescued and brought home from Argentina. I have two barn cats named Pumpkin and Dolly, and a house cat named George. I also have a miniature donkey named Budweiser and a not-so-miniature pot bellied pig named Poppy. Do you have siblings, how many, what are their names, gender and ages? I have two sisters. Tiffany is 37 and Samantha is 32.
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RMSJ 2013 WHO TO WATCH
Anya Bereznicki
Crystal Kroetch
BIRTHDAY JUL 30
BIRTHDAY JUN 18, 1957
Favorite Food Sushi Favorite TV Show Heartland Favorite Pastime Playing with our mini donkeys. Favorite Music Country and Pop Favorite Drink Shirley Temple Favorite Colour Green Who are your current Horses? Silver Buttons, Lighting McQueen and Sanalta’s Pepper Dust
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What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? Winning the Handy Pony Hunter class in Hits, Thermal, California How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? I started riding when I was four and I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. What would people find surprising about you? Even though I am really shy I can sing in front of a crowd and rode all my jumper rounds in March with a Leprechaun hat over my helmet. Do you have any pets, what are they and what are their names? Four Border Collies, Arnold, Chip, Robbie and Viv, a Golden Retriever named Joey, three cats, Garfield, Diego and Hornet, a pregnant Donkey named Thelma and three laying hens named Henny Penny, Gertrude and Clemantine. If you could possess one super-human power, what would it be? I would like the ability to have conversations with my animals. What celebrity would you most want to meet and why? I would like to meet Carrie Underwood because I love her music and the words to her songs. What is your happiest memory? When I found out that my parents had bought my pony Peppy and when our brood mare had a foal.
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Favorite Food Lobster Favorite TV Show X Factor Favorite Pastime Riding! Favorite Music Adel/Hip Hop Favorite Movie Blind Side Favorite Drink Prosecco Favorite Colour Yellow Who are your current horses? Lymrix & Zedor and searching for another! What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? My Career highlight which also is my greatest achievement in riding was competing at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara Mexico and winning a silver medal! Who was the biggest influence in your riding career and why? The biggest influence in my riding career was my sister Pat, when she moved home from living in Denmark in the early “80s she got me hooked on dressage and away from all the western events. Do you have any pets, what are they and what are their names? I have a beautiful long wire haired black and white Jack Russell who’s name is Anky Van Grunsven , she is my little shadow. Goes with me everywhere! What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you? The funniest thing that has happened to me was when several years ago on a dare I rode a dressage test with a bag over my head!! We decorated it all up with big lips and eyes and kept it on with a bandana, everyone at the show came to watch!! If you could possess one super-human power, what would it be and why? If I could possess one super human power it would be “to know then, what I know now”. It would sooooo speed up the progress in riding.
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O K O T O K S,
CANADIAN CHAMPIONNATS INTERPROVINCIAL ÉQUESTRES EQUESTRIAN INTERPROVINCIAUX CHAMPIONSHIPS DU CANADA w w w. c e c - e n . c a
CANADIAN INTERPROVINCIAL EQUESTRIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
CHAMPIONNATS ÉQUESTRES INTERPROVINCIAUX DU CANADA
A L B E R T A
RMSJ 2013 WHO TO WATCH
Caitlin Fantin
Ashley Stannard
BIRTHDAY FEB 8, 1998
BIRTHDAY NOV 24, 1984
Favorite Food Chinese food and pizza Favorite TV Show The Big Bang Theory Favorite Pastime Kick back with a good book or music. Favorite Music Which is pretty much anything. Favorite Movie A Knight’s Tale and The Crow Favorite Drink Arizona Ice Tea is my drink. Favorite Colour Green Who are your current horses? I’m leasing Mackenzie Edward’s Lady Antebellum. What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? I think my “Greatest Achievement” in riding is my adaptability. I like the challenge of being able to ride a diverse group of horses and ponies. How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? I started riding in my dreams as soon as I started to dream but had to wait until I was six for the real thing. What would people find surprising about you? One thing that is most surprising about me is that I’m extremely uncoordinated. More so when I’m not in the saddle! Who was the biggest influence in your riding career and why? The horses are. I want to become the best rider I can possibly be – for them. Do you have any pets, what are they and what are their names? Drake, my tuxedo cat is my house pet but we have two others cats as well. If you could possess one super-human power, what would it be and why? If I could have one super-human power it would be the ability to control time, it would make my life so much easier! What is your happiest memory? My happiest memory was getting my first pony (Destiny’s Child) when I was 8.
Favorite Food Mozzarella cheese Favorite TV Show Modern Family Favorite Pastime Spending time at the lake Favorite Music Country Favorite Movie Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken Favorite Drink Pino Noir Favorite Colour Black & Gold (Ashbrook Farm colors) Who are your current horses? Whisper VC, Zunique What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? 3rd in Scottsdale Season Finale Grand Prix 2012 and other top Grand Prix placings in 2012/2013 How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? 9 years old in Minneapolis, MN at Skyrock Farm. My mom received a brochure in the mail. I ended up riding there for 12 years. Do you have any pets, what are they and what are their names? I have a chocolate labrador named Minnetonka “Tonka” for short, named after my favorite lake in Minnesota What is your happiest memory? S t a r t i n g Ashbrook Farm in 2010, it was happy and scary but mostly happy :) Also purchasing Whisper VC in 2012 was one of my happiest days. What are you really bad at that you’d love to be great at? I would love to learn how to play the guitar. I happen to be excellent at the Guitar Hero game but unfortunately it doesn’t transfer over to the real instrument. What has been your most memorable travel experience? I took a trip in 2011 to the Cayman Islands with my college girlfriends. The island and the water were amazingly beautiful and I love the sun and water.
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RMSJ 2013 WHO TO WATCH
Dustin Cossaboom
Elicia Edgar
BIRTHDAY JAN 24, 1982
BIRTHDAY JUNE 22, 1981
Favorite Food Sushi Favorite TV Show Criminal minds Favorite Pastime Playing fetch with my dogs Favorite Music Classic rock Favorite Movie Secretariat Favorite Drink Soda cranberry juice Favorite Colour Blue Who are your current horses? Whisper, Q, Corleone, Cippolini and Contara
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What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? The first time I entered the show ring on a horse I had raised from birth. It is very gratifying knowing I have been part of the process from conception. How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? 9 years old. My family moved within walking distance of Whitemud Equine Center. My parents though riding lessons would make a good Christmas present. Hind sight is 20/ 20.... Who was the biggest influence in your riding career and why? My parents, They taught me about working hard to achieve your goals. Without their support I would never have been able to start! Do you have any pets, what are they and what are their names? I have 4 dogs, Hercules is my Golden retriever, Duchess is my Yellow lab they both travel with me. Bear and Bell and great white Pyrenees and they live at my farm. If you could possess one superhuman power, what would it be and why? I would like to be able to fly. I think it would be an interesting perspective on what is happening on the ground. Also I could travel anywhere at the drop of a hat!
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Favorite Food Taco’s Favorite TV Show The good wife Favorite Pastime GYM…Physical fitness! Favorite Music I like everything from Tracy Chapman to Azealia Banks, Frank Ocean is a new favorite. Favorite movie Black Beauty! Favorite Drink I love sparkling water. Favorite Colour Dark Bay How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? I think I was 12, it started because Rose and Jennifer Pierce invited me to a summer riding camp. Who was the biggest influence in your riding career and why? My mother has the best sense of humor and I think my sense of humor makes the things I teach and say memorable. New research links humor with memory and recovery of information! Lots of great people have helped the technical aspects of my career, but my sense of humor really is the thing that separates me, not just being light hearted in difficult situations but my statements become memorable. If you could possess one superhuman power, what would it be and why? The power to heal. What celebrity would you most want to meet and why? I believe that I am the male version of Chelsea Handler so I think that would be really fun. What is your happiest memory? As a small child I idolized my big bother, so the day I became a big brother was probably my happiest day. I was only six at the time but I remember how beautiful my mom looked and how much I instantly loved my sister, I felt purpose and pride instantly. What are you really bad at that you’d love to be great at? Forgiveness.
Welcome to the 3rd season - 25 nationwide events offering $200,000
Featuring the richest hunter class in Canada
$30,000 Canadian Hunter Derby West Championship at Rocky Mountain Classic III with 2x qualifying points for the
Canadian Hunter Derby Championships at the Royal $25,000 Knightwood / $25,000 Hogan’s Inn Hunter Derby
The West dominated in 2011
The East won in 2012
Good luck in 2013 to all hunter derby riders! See HunterDerby.ca for the complete 2013 schedule and specs
RMSJ 2013 WHO TO WATCH
Jacky Clappison BIRTHDAY JAN 2, 1990
Kirstyn Hammer BIRTHDAY FEB 23, 1996
Favorite Food Spanish Rice Favorite TV Show Dexter Favorite Pastime Spending time with all my puppies! Favorite Music I love country and Hip-hop Favorite Movie Super Troopers! Favorite Drink Caesars!! Favorite Colour Blue Who are your current horses? Ethan Hawke! He is an 8 year old Canadian Warmblood Gelding.
Favorite Food Pizza Favorite TV Show Vampire Diaries & How I Met Your Mother Favorite Pastime Riding, Reading, & Hanging with Friends Favorite Music Country Favorite Movie Pitch Perfect Favorite Drink Coke Favorite Colour Emerald Green Who are your current horses? Seal The Deal (Dragon) and Candaro (Andy)
What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? Being in the Spruce Meadows Victory Gallop with the ‘Champion’ Cooler is by far my career highlight!! Could not have wiped the smile off my face for weeks :) How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? I started riding when I was 11 years old, my mom bought me a lesson package for Christmas and I never looked back. All throughout elementary I remember setting up jumps and my friends and I pretending to be horses!! Do you have any pets, what are they and what are their names? I work at a Pet Store so I have many pets!! In the mix I have a 3 year old German Shepherd named Jackson, a 11 year old Malamute named Rocky and a 6 year old Lab cross named Brooks!! I also have 2 older cats named Fifi and 3 Shoes (He is 3 legged lol). If you could possess one super-human power, what would it be and why? I would FOR SURE choose to be able to time travel!! I hate highway driving or flying so if I could get from Point A to Point B really fast, I would in a second! What are you really bad at that you’d love to be great at? Singing!!! Love to sing in my car or shower....where no one can hear me!! LOL
What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? Placing 2nd at the CET Prairie Regional Finals and going to the Royal as well as several year-end championships on previous horses. How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? I can’t remember not being around horses and I owe it to my Mom and well as my Grandparents for getting me involved! What would people find surprising about you? Many people are very surprised by how shy I am when I first meet them because once I know someone I am very outgoing. Who was the biggest influence in your riding career and why? The professionals that I have developed my riding around were the biggest influence in my career because they showed me the incredible results that hard work can result in. As well as this they have displayed incredible sportsmanship and the importance of quality rounds over results. What is your most embarrassing moment? When I was younger I was at Teesdale with some friends waiting for the pony six bar to begin, we decided to jump through the combination on foot...over the last jump I tripped and fell in front of the huge crowd of people waiting for the class to start.
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RMSJ 2013 WHO TO WATCH
Kyara Semrau
Mackenzie Edwards
BIRTHDAY FEB 14, 2003
BIRTHDAY FEB 3, 1997
Favorite Food Sushi Favorite TV Show Heartland Favorite Pastime Riding my ponies. Favorite Music Pop & Country Favorite Movie Black Beauty Favorite Drink Shirley Temple Favorite Colour Pink Who are your current horses? Snickerdoodle & Theory
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What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? Winning the 2012 Spruce Meadows Pony Championship and qualifying for The Royal in 2012. How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? I was 4 yearrs old when I started riding with Sarah Simpson and the Springbank Pony Club. What would people find surprising about you? I sang the Canadian National Anthem at Stampeder’s football games and the RMSJ Grand Prix. Who was the biggest influence in your riding career and why? My coach, Rodney Tulloch and friend, Jenn McGinn. They are both amazing riders, they’re always supportive and encourage me to do my best. Do you have any pets, what are they and what are their names? Hairless Cat (Sasha) ~ Jack Russell (Harley) ~ Pug (Zoe) What is your most embarrassing moment? When my pony, Captain Jack, bucked me off in a Pony Hunter U/S class. What are you really bad at that you’d love to be great at? I love to be more coordinated in other sports. Who do you admire the most in your family and why? My Mom and Dad because they support my dreams. Do you have siblings, how many, what are their names, gender and ages? My brother Kaden is 7 yrs old.
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Favorite Food Sushi Favorite TV Show Dance Moms Favorite Pastime I don’t really have time for anything else but horses! Favorite Music Mumford and Sons Favorite Movie War Horse Favorite Drink Dr. Pepper Favorite Colour Purple Who are your current horses? LL Cool J- 9yo Westphalian gelding, Leavin’ Tracks-11yo Holsteiner mare, Above & Beyond-11yo Westphalian mare, Galant Van’t Prinsenveld-7yo Belgian Warmblood gelding, Jamaika Z-9 yo Zangersheide mare and Orphan Car-11yo Selle Francais gelding. What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? Winning both the 1.15m Mini-Prix, and the 1.15m Jumper Derby during the 2012 RMSJ June Classic. It was a big accomplishment for me to stay consistent for two weeks straight, and get such great results! How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? I started riding at around 6 years old, and got my first horse at 12. I was born with horse fever, and it’s never been cured! If you could possess one superhuman power, what would it be and why? I would want the power to never forget anything, because then I would always remember the jump off!! Do you have any pets, what are they and what are their names? I have a Golden Retriever named Millie, she is definitely not the smartest dog, but for sure the sweetest!
Dr. Candice Crosby, DVM
Dr. Dan French, DVM, DACVS
Dr. Suzon Schaal, DVM
“Our goal is your Success” Contact us
t 403.691.9808
f 403.254.9689
e tdequinevet@gmail.com
Focusing on English and Western Performance Horses
Your Connection to the World of Hunters & Jumpers! For Advertising Opportunities view our Media Kit online or call 714-797-1404
www.iJumpSports.com Cover Photos Š Anne Hoover, Sharon McElvain | Ad Design by Working Lens Productions
RMSJ 2013 WHO TO WATCH
Megan Randal BIRTHDAY AUG 1, 2000
Favorite Food Veggie pizza Favorite TV Show Catfish Favorite Pastime Pretty much just horse jumping Favorite Music Indie or alternative rock Favorite Movie The Black Stallion Favorite Drink Strawberry Milkshake Favorite Colour Neon yellow Who are your current horses? Teddy a 17 year old, palomino, gelding. Frenchie a 9 year old, bay, gelding. FlipFlop a 11 year old, bay, gelding. What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? One of the many highlights in my riding career was when our barn held a halloween puissance, and Frenchie and I jumped meter forty-seven. How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? I started riding when I was 9, what got me involved with horses was that many of the people that I knew had been taking lessons or had horses. What would people find surprising about you? What people may find surprising about me is that I’ve only been riding for three years and only been competitive for two. Who was the biggest influence in your riding career and why? My biggest influence in my riding career is definitely my Trainer (Lynne), because she has brought me so far and I would never be where I am today without her. Do you have any pets, what are they and what are their names? I have 6 pets (including horses), I have 2 outdoor mouse hunting cats one named Ralph and the other Precious. I also have one 8 year old chocolate lab named Odie.
Morgan Eade BIRTHDAY OCT 29, 1998
Favorite Food Chicken wings Favorite TV show Grey’s Anatomy Favorite Past time Riding Favorite music Country Favorite movie Death at a funeral Favorite Drink Coke Favorite color Green Who are your current Horses? Chloe 4 year old Warmblood and Allie 12 year old Quarter Horse What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? Training my 4 year old Chloe and seeing the improvement she has made. How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? I was 7 when I started to ride, my mom is the one that got me into it. Who was your biggest influence in your riding career? My mom is a big influence by supporting me and my trainer Brittany McCully she is amazing at training me and keeping me motivated. Brittany has taught me so much in the last year with her positive training it has made me the rider I am now. Do you have any pets, what are they and what are their names? I have a 13 year old Shih Tzu Rocko and my brother has 2 Bearded Dragons King and Chloe. What was your worst injury form riding and how did it occur? Fortunately I have not had any injuries from riding. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you? My horse Allie and I were in the warm up ring at a show and she stopped at the jump, I went over her head and somehow caught myself. Next thing I knew I was upside down hanging on to her head like a koala bear.
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RMSJ 2013 WHO TO WATCH
Ruth Foley
Robyn Walker
BIRTHDAY APR 23, 1996
BIRTHDAY JAN 30, 1998
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Favorite Food Indian Food Favorite TV Show The Community and Friends Favorite Pastime Reading or spending time with friends Favorite Music Pop Favorite Movie This Means War Favorite Drink Virgin Mojito Favorite Colour Blue and purple Who are your current horses? Coca, Tino and Heartbreaker
Favorite Food French Dip Favorite TV Show Bones Favorite Pastime Playing Guitar Favorite Music I like pretty much everything... Favorite Movie School of Rock Favorite Drink Dr. Pepper Favorite Colour Turquoise Who are your current horses? I have a wonderful 15.3 hh bay jumper mare named Ahu Akivi, or just “Kivi”.
What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? Representing Canada in the FEI Children’s World Finals How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? My mom rode and that is what got me involved in horses. When I was a baby she would sit with me on her lap and we’d walk around together. I was 6 when I started regular lessons. What would people find surprising about you? I also play Tier 1 competitive soccer with the Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club. Our team has won Provincial championships and hoping to qualify for Nationals in the years to come. If you could possess one super-human power, what would it be and why? It would be the ability to read minds. When I see people zoned out or staring into space I’d die to know what is on their mind! What celebrity would you most want to meet and why? Sydney Crosby, he is good looking and is an amazing and successful hockey player. What is your happiest memory? Qualifying at Thunderbird for the Children’s Final. I had to wait three weeks to find out if I’d made it or not and I was ecstatic to learn that I had!
What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? Kivi and I were Mid-Circuit Champions in the 1.20 Low Junior Jumpers at Thermal this year. It was my first experience at Thermal and it was a great one! How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? When I was 8 years old I visited my grandpa in Colorado who, at the time, was working at a dude ranch and regularly took tourists on trail rides in the mountains. I did two of the trail rides and I was hooked, and started taking lessons shortly after returning to Tucson. What would people find surprising about you? As a kid I absolutely hated getting wet, getting hurt and getting dirty, and I was really horse-shy as a beginning rider. For these reasons my parents thought it would be entertaining to see just how long I would last in this sport. I think I surprised them. If you could possess one super-human power, what would it be and why? I would want to fly because how awesome would that be. What are you really bad at that you’d love to be great at? I wish I could actually play my guitar...I can play like one and a half songs and that’s it.
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RMSJ 2013 WHO TO WATCH
Scarlet Sprung BIRTHDAY NOV 19, 1996
Barbara SHEA (I SHEA) Buckland GO BY
BIRTHDAY JUL 28, 1997
Favorite Food Indian Curry Favorite TV Show Vampire Diaries Favorite Pastime Hanging with my friends Favorite Music Indie/Alternative Favorite Movie Moulin Rouge Favorite Drink Coffee Favorite Colour Purple Who are your current horses? Vigaro What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? I have to say a highlight in my riding career has been my very recent success in the team cup at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair! Prior to my last round I fractured my wrist and went out and jumped a clear round! Our team ended up second overall. How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? I began riding before I can even remember, I grew up on a ranch and because of this riding has always a part of my life. Do you have any pets, what are they and what are their names? I have one dog, he is a chocolate Labrador, and his name is Coco. If you could possess one super-human power, what would it be and why? I think telekinesis would be a really fun super power to have! It has always seemed like the coolest super power out there because you could basically move anything around you. What celebrity would you most want to meet and why? I would really love to meet Miley Cyrus, she seems like a very hilarious person and someone you could have a lot of fun with! Do you have siblings, how many, what are their names, gender and ages? I have one sister, her name is Shelbi Sprung and she will be twenty on April 20th.
Favorite Food Bacon & cheeseburgers with french fries Favorite TV Show Pretty Little Liars Favorite Pastime Summer time with my friends in the boat and on the beach at the lake. Favorite Music Maroon 5 Favorite Movie The Proposal Favorite Drink Coke Classic Favorite Colour Red Who are your current horses? My new 6 year old “DALTON” What is your career highlight or greatest achievement in riding? Having the most medal points accumulated in the CET mini medals, and winning every medal class Rockstar and I were in last year. How old were you when you started riding and what got you involved with horses? I have always loved horses and my uncle John used to sit me on his horse Billy and lead me around when I was little. I bugged and bugged my mom for riding lessons and she gave me lessons for my 11th birthday and I have been riding ever since. What are you really bad at that you’d love to be great at? Dancing and singing. Who do you admire the most in your family and why? My little brother, Dawson, in the way that he has no fear about trying or doing new things. Plus he has no fear of heights. Do you have siblings, how many, what are their names, gender and ages? 1 brother Dawson, who is 12 and is a Ski Jumper. What has been your most memorable travel experience? I went to the Olympics last summer in London with just my mom and Grandma. I met so many new people and watched top-level riders!
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RockyMountainShowJumping.indd May 14, 2012 – Rocky Mountain Show Jumping Magazine – 7.5 x 4.875 – Courtney Anderson – magazine@rmshowjumping.com
12-05-04 2:10 PM
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Rocky Mountain Classic 2012
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Rocky Mountain Classic 2012
Photo Credits Briarwood Photography, DragonMediaGroup.ca | CLA, Ryan HK
2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
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CET Prairie Regional Medal Finals 2012
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CET Prairie Regional Medal Finals 2012
Photo Credits DragonMediaGroup.ca | CLA
2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
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Halloween Classic 2012
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Halloween Classic 2012
Photo Credits Adrian Shellard
2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
Santa Claus Classic 2012
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Santa Claus Classic 2012
Photo Credits Christel Havre| Dressage Boutique.com
2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
fiesta series dressage shows Save the Dates!
Cdi2★/ National gold show June 27-30, 2013
alberta Provincial Championships/ National gold show August 30 – September 1, 2013 Fabulous awards and prize money to be won! Hosted at aNdersoN raNCh, Calgary, ab
Joe Fargis Acceptance speech from USEF Lifetime Achievement Award. January 1, 2013 “The horse has come to us by chance, not by choice. Of all the animals that have naturally come from the wild, there are very few that have shown any disposition to tolerate man and live with him on the terms we impose. In the mental make-up of the horse there is a quality of submission that has benefited man to no end. The horse will carry out duties without reward. He is a giving creature who asks for nothing. Horses have served as man’s partner throughout the history of civilization, through the centuries without complaint they have served in war, commerce, agriculture and entertainment. They have born men and munitions into battle, pulled wagons and carriages, plowed fields, provided endless sport; polo, racing, dressage, fox hunting, three-day eventing, show jumping, reining... just to name but a few. Horses are embedded in our culture and our memories. The horse has an athleticism, grace and power. Beyond the horses physical attributes and his contributions to human well-being I am astounded, above all else, by his inner self, his spirit and his sweet and generous nature. The horse’s adaptability and willingness to serve us has earned them a special place in our hearts. He is not a conquest of man. It is his nature to accept ‘what is’ with nobility. I think horses have helped give all of us in this room a wonderful life. Thanks to them I have received great personal satisfaction and felt closer to nature. Countless people experience the fulfillment of spending their days around horses. This is one of the best way to use one’s time on earth. We are together tonight because of our bond with horses, let us protect and guard these wonderful creatures to the best of our ability.” –Joe Fargis, 1/19/13
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Fellers and Flexible official – after all of the trials and observation events, Rich Fellers and Flexible have qualified for the Olympics, It’s being ranked number one! Just to seal the deal on their Olympic trip, the pair won the last USA Olympic Observation Trial, the $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows, in exceptional style. It was a very tricky turn in the jump-off, one that Fellers didn’t want to have to use, that brought home the win. Rich explained that jump-off ride and what led up to it. “I didn’t want to do that turn,” he told us, “because it was a squirrely little S turn with a bit of a blind approach to quite a big oxer, so I didn’t really want to do it. I was actually last to go, but Reed (Kessler) had two in the jump-off. I thought if Kent Farrington had a great round, then that would obviously be the round to beat. I didn’t need to make the crowd wait for Reed, I just moved up in the order.”
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As Fellers expected, Farrington was extremely fast and hit every jump spot on. “That’s when I decided that to be on top I better take that short-cut, twisty, blind turn thing. I got a good angle to the vertical and he jumped high and hard. When he was in the air I felt I had room to maneuver so I opened my left rein and got him to turn a little bit.” “He landed, cut left and then I cut back right between 6A and B but he slipped and both front feet just about went out from underneath him. At the time he slipped I was seeing my distance out of this kind of a blind turn and the distance was quite long.” “He’s such a great horse, so bold and aggressive,” Rich continued, “that I just legged him and leaned forward like I always do. He left long, jumped up for fun over the oxer and just stayed in the air. Then to the wall on an angle, cut back to the last fence in the jump-off. He was incredible.” Rich has always ridden forward, and we wondered if his style really fit the smaller Flexible better than someone else’s might have. “I believe in my style. I think it helps all the horses, I really do. Being forward, light on their back and letting them carry a little gallop, I just think it makes it easier for them. For the long-term it reduces injury and it increases the life of a show jumper. Flexible is 16 and McGuinness is 17, both still winning.” We wondered what Fellers’ feelings were about the petition that went around about him not having to compete in all of the trials – that he and Flexible had proved themselves enough. “I think that was really neat and I appreciate all the concern. I understand what was behind the petition, but that’s not the system that was in place this year. The criteria specs were very specific. I think most people can understand the potential for legal consequences if you don’t follow the rules. I knew a long time ago what I was getting involved in and I
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on Their Way to London knew what I needed to do in order to give myself a chance to make the team. Everything I’ve done so far is exactly what I planned. Flexible is 16, he’s getting a little older, but he’s very sound, healthy and jumping great.” “He’s no different than any other show jumper, he needs to compete some; he can’t just not compete. He needs to stay on his game. Two classes in Thermal and then he wasn’t really peaking for the trials in Wellington, but he jumped well there anyway.” “He didn’t jump again until the World Cup Finals and we know how super he was there. He flew home, had a week rest, and jumped two classes at Del Mar. Then six weeks off of showing, and jumped two classes here last week. He’ll have two weeks rest now, then at the North American he’ll do a 1.60 class the middle of the week and finally the Queen’s Cup. Then four weeks rest and off to the Olympics.” “For me and my program, that’s not a lot of showing. That’s less than he did the last two years. I totally respect people’s concern and compassion, but I knew what I had to do, I had a plan, and I felt my plan was fair to the horse. So far it seems to be working alright.” Yes, one would have to say it’s working alright. But there is one other thing that Rich wants to prove as well. “I’ve never gotten anything really quick in my life, no instant success or instant wealth. I’m still working on making enough money to put both my kids through college and have a good retirement. I’m not used to getting things quickly and I wanted to prove to myself and all the people involved with picking the team that Flexible was really legitimate, so I went to compete in Calgary. I’m really glad I did,” he finished with a laugh. This special little chestnut flash, and his brilliant rider, will be able to showcase their skills on sports’ biggest stage, as they both compete in their first Olympic Games. But Rich is quick to remind us that nothing that has happened is a oneman effort. “A huge amount of credit has to go to our whole team. I’m up there riding the horse, but it’s kind of like the quarterback of the football team who gets the attention. We have a lot of people around on our staff that made this happen, obviously Harry and Mollie, and a lot of supporters and contributors to the success we’ve had in the last few months. All of those are what has us headed to London!!” PHOTOS Rich Fellers and Flexible at Spruce Measows | Photos Credit Holly Burns
We want to wish Rich and Flexible, and all the other competitors for the USA much luck in London!! Article by Barbara Pinnella
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Lac La Biche • Blindman Valley • Pine Creek Ranchlands • Mount Alberta
Issue Four
www.altalandandlife.com
A Road Less Travelled
The Magazine of Alberta’s Diversity Stories on the North, South, Parkland and Rocky Mountains
$8.95 CDN / $8.95 USA
Issue No.4
The North Canoe Country Old and New Routes on the Portage La Biche Story and Photographs by Darin Zandee, PearlAnn Reichwein, Earl Dean and Brian Peters
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The South ranChland iCons The Spruce Meadows Trail & Pine Creek Valley Story and Photographs By Gloria J. Toole, Tony Field, Ursula Krol and Brian Peters
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The Parkland the Beautiful Blindman Valley People and Places Of A Country Idyll Story and Photographs By Rob Gilgan, Bill Baergen, Natasha Schmale and Brian Peters
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The Mountains the forBidding Peak Rare Air, Rare Ascents on Mount Alberta Story and photos by Bill Corbett, Nancy Hansen, Raphael Slawinski, Don Beers, Ross Pugh, PearlAnn Reichwein and Brian Peters
W
The Forbidding Peak
Rare Air, Rare Ascents on Mount Alberta By Bill Corbett
traVels With alBerta land & life ‘Read around the world’
Front Cover Bow Lake viewed from near Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, Icefields Highway, Banff National Park. Photo: Brian Peters
F
alBerta sPorting legends Al Hamilton, The Original Alberta Oiler
Back Cover Prairie scene, near Bindloss. Photo: Brian Peters
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Contents Page Portage La Biche Voyageur Rendezvous. Students from École Beauséjour in Plamondon paddling the Haskin 18-man Montreal Clipper Canoe, from Plamondon Whitesands Resort to Lac La Biche Mission National Historic Site, then onwards to Lac La Biche, landing at the old Hudson’s Bay Co. Fort beach by McArthur Place. 37km. Six hours paddling, with lunch break at the Mission. Paddlers: Nicole Malo, Morgan Rohl, Mackenzie Girard, Darcy Plamondon, Etienne Vaillancourt, Tyler St. Jean, Guillaume LeBlanc, Derek Gauthier, Dylan Ulliac, Marc Plamondon, Gabriel Mahé. Steersman: Priscilla Haskin. Photo: Brian Peters 2
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or a moment, I pause to look over my shoulder at one of the most stunning panoramas in the Canadian Rockies - the north lip of the Columbia Icefields, with its jumble of ice ending precipitously in huge rock walls that disappear in the darkened valley below. The peaks along this rim - Mount Columbia and the North and South Twins - are among the highest in the Rockies, but I’m not looking up at them; I’m looking across at them. It’s an aerial view that perhaps a couple of hundred people have ever been blessed to behold. But undoubtedly like most of the others, it’s not something I savour. For directly below is the pressing business at hand: a kilometre of gently undulating rock ridge that leads north to the summit of Mount Alberta. By mountaineering standards, the ridge is not particularly narrow - in many places the width of a sidewalk. But it’s the six-thousandA lbertA l And & l IFe foot plunge into the abyss along both edges of this buckled sidewalk that tend to focus one’s attention and stiffen the legs. In our case, the challenge is enhanced by a fresh coating of snow that narrows the firm footing even further. Then there’s the ‘notch’, a short but steep dip in the ridge sufficiently knife edged to demand that I put one cramponed foot directly behind the other as I gingerly descend the icy incline. Where the ridge narrows to a few inches, I straddle it and slither along on my groin until I’m able to use the ridge as a handrail and kick steps along the steep face, with my quivering butt hanging over the void. At this point, I’ll crawl if I have to. Finally, there’s the disappearing daylight. After some 12 hours struggling upward and onward from our high camp, climbing partner Nancy Hansen and I are still a short but corniced stretch of ridge shy of the summit, with sunset beckoning.
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The Beautiful Blindman Valley People and Places of a Country Idyll
Stories and Photography by Rob Gilgan, W.P.(Bill) Baergen, Natasha Schmale, Brian Peters, Harvey Brink, Deb Clark, Rick Erlendson and Rob Stratton
Photo: Bill Corbett
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hile it’s little more than a footnote in history books, the Blindman Valley has been a conduit for travellers, settlers, farmers and oilmen for more than 250 years. And that’s just the white people. Long before Anthony Henday visited in 1755, the valley named for the meandering river was home to the Cree. They knew a good thing when they saw it, evidently. As valleys go, it’s a beauty. It seems that no matter which direction from which one views it, the reward is rich and vibrant. The valley heralds the spring like no other around, turning a green so gorgeous Irish hearts settle into deep contentment. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch. But from every direction, come the long weekend in May (I refuse to call it May Long), this valley sings out the renewal of nature like a philharmonic choir. While the Cree, Stoney and some Blackfoot families lived in the Blindman, for the explorers like Henday and later David Thompson, it was a conduit to another destination. As fascinated as they may have been at the time, it’s locations in other parts of their journeys that bear their names today. The Blindman Valley became home for many other remarkable people, some who still live here, some who’ve moved on and doubtless many more in the years to come. Let’s be honest: there are remarkable people everywhere, no one place or region owns that franchise. But there does seem to be either a greater number, generally, in this valley or, for one reason or another, there seems to be a greater awareness of the people and their accomplishments. We know that the Blindman Valley was well served for many decades by a fine newspaper, the Rimbey Record, and we also know that a local historian, Fred Schutz kept that paper well-stocked and a worthy read with his finely-crafted columns that focused on the comings, goings and people in the valley and the surrounding region. And it’s an interesting contradiction that Ralph Klein, when searching for the heart of his populist reign, found two fictitious characters from Rimbey, the urban epicentre of the Blindman Valley, and proclaimed them “severely normal”. Odd that he’d centre out thoroughly average when so many in the region stand out from the crowd, not for their zaniness or notoriety, but for turning a normal life and livelihood into something special and noteworthy. That’s why you’ll find the stories in this edition compelling. They are about ordinary people from an ordinary part of the world, who set themselves apart by what they do and how they do it. Is it remarkable that someone from a farm community in rural Canada would be instrumental in the development of the International Space Station? Definitely. But when you learn more about the Blindman Valley and the extraordinary people who make their lives there, it starts to make more sense. In the early days, the availability of homesteads attracted a certain kind of people. They were resourceful and adventurous, by nature. They may not have needed creature comforts, but they did have some drop-dead requirements: good land, access to water and basic supplies close enough to not require a major undertaking to get them. With a rail line connecting the Blindman Valley to central Alberta, and therefore the world, it was the natural environment that mattered most. Good farmland, water for crops and livestock and a means of getting produce to market. There was enough business in the valley to support a variety of shops and enterprises, which in turn, meant that
Photo: Brian Peters
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The Blindman River from Highway 2A. The small earthwork was possibly the original Calgary to Edmonton trail. 64
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The daunting view of Mount Alberta from the Stutfield Col on the Columbia Icefield. I ssue F our
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Featuring Rocky Mountain Show Jumping and the Pine Creek Valley The Anderson Ranch and Rocky Mountain Show Jumping
H
e wears the red blazer of Canada’s national team in the ring and he wears the passion for his sport on his sleeve. John Anderson, owner of Rocky Mountain Show Jumping and Anderson Ranches, surely eats, sleeps and dreams about the pursuit of quality show jumping in the greater Calgary area, Alberta and the country. A member of Canada’s 1988 Olympic Team in Seoul Korea and numerous other national team appearances around the world. who gave up a successful career in investment services to return to his sporting roots.
Jumping and the sport is anchor for this valley of the horse, where many of the icon people of show jumping, dressage and hunter class sports live. Here live former world Champion Gail Greenough (:first woman to ever win a world championship, 1985), Nancy Southern of the Spruce meadows dynasty, John Tinsley of the Tinselly Group, and several other national team and level stables in the greater Pine Creek Valley region. But Rocky Mountain Show Jumping is more than about champions. Anderson sees Anderson Ranches as providing the broad range of opportunities from
greater Calgary area, Alberta and the country. A member of Canada’s 1988 Olympic Team in Seoul Korea and numerous other national team appearances around the world. who gave up a successful career in investment services to return to his sporting roots. Anderson is driven as much to bring others into the sport and along for the ride. Located five kilometers south of the Spruce Meadows Trail, Anderson Stables is tucked into the northern sheltering slopes of Pine Creek, and the ranch covers section sections of prime real estate in this northerly district of the MD of Rockview County. Overall the ranch covers over 3000 acres in the Pine Valley region. If Spruce Meadows is an international place, Rocky Mountain Show Jumping is all places, attracting a wide range of riders of all ages, from beginning to international competition, like Anderson himself. Young riders come here to learn the basics, intermediate riders come to
Anderson also keeps his links with Calgary, and sees the value in taking the sport into the city. For the first time in 30 years, he’s partnering with the Calgary Stampede to bring show jumping back into Calgary, with the Royal
“Young riders come to learn the basics, intermediate riders come here to develop their skills with coaching and learn the edge of competition, and international riders come up for an international quality event.” Western, running the week before Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair, and designed to be a late fall indoor event. “we’ll also bring an Oktoberfest theme into the Royal Western, and make it accessible to school kids and attractive to downtown Calgary business people. ce level competition
Young Mule deer laying in the hayland, camouflaged except for the antlers in the velvet stage. Above: A Bobcat casually rests on a quiet municipal road by the conservation area. Anderson is driven as much to bring others into the sport and along for the ride. Located five kilometers south of the Spruce Meadows Trail, Anderson Stables is tucked into the northern sheltering slopes of Pine Creek, and the ranch covers section sections of prime real estate in this northerly district of the MD of Rockview County. Overall the ranch covers over 3000 acres in the Pine Valley region. If Spruce Meadows is an international place, Rocky Mountain Show Jumping is all places, attracting a wide range of riders of all ages, from beginning to international competition, like Anderson himself. Young riders come here to learn the basics, intermediate riders come to develop their talent, and come here to compete with the best. His enthusiasm is unrestrained, and his love for Show 104 A lbertA l And & l IFe
introductory lessons to horse purchases, to providing both novice level competition to international. Anderson also keeps his links with Calgary, and sees the value in taking the sport into the city. For the first time in 30 years, he’s partnering with the Calgary Stampede to bring show jumping back into Calgary, with the Royal Western, running the week before Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair, and designed to be a late fall indoor event. “we’ll also bring an Oktoberfest theme into the Royal Western, and make it accessible to school kids and attractive to downtown Calgary business people. He wears the red blazer of Canada’s national team in the ring and he wears the passion for his sport on his sleeve. John Anderson, owner of Rocky Mountain Show Jumping and Anderson Ranches, surely eats, sleeps and dreams about the pursuit of quality show jumping in the
develop their talent, and come here to compete with the best. His enthusiasm is unrestrained, and his love for Show Jumping and the sport is anchor for this valley of the horse, where many of the icon people of show jumping, dressage and hunter class sports live. Here live former world Champion Gail Greenough (:first woman to ever win a world championship, 1985), Nancy Southern of the Spruce meadows dynasty, John Tinsley of the Tinselly Group, and several other national team and level stables in the greater Pine Creek Valley region. But Rocky Mountain Show Jumping is more than about champions. Anderson sees Anderson Ranches as providing the broad range of opportunities from introductory lessons to horse purchases, to providing both novice level competition to international.
to international. Anderson also keeps his links with Calgary, and sees the value in taking the sport into the city. For the first time in 30 years, he’s partnering with the Calgary Stampede to bring show jumping back into Calgary, with the Royal Western, running the week before Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair, and designed to be a late fall indoor event. “we’ll also bring an Oktoberfest theme into the Royal Western, and make it accessible to school kids and attractive to downtown Calgary business people. designed to be a late fall indoor event. “we’ll also bring andesigned to be a late fall indoor event. “we’ll also bring an Oktoberfest theme into the Royal Western, and make it accessible to school kids and attractive to downtown Calgary business people. designed to be a late fall indoor event. “signed to be a late fall indoor event. “we’ll also bring an O I ssue F our
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Icons of the Ranchlands
Spruce Meadows
The Truly International Place
Icons of the Ranchlands
Where the Buffalo Roam
Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranches
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r. Terry Church loves his view. And his retirement, as brief as it was. When the veterinarian and animal health expert retired as Director of Alberta Agriculture’s Specialty Livestock Development Division in 2000, his career path beckoned him south to the Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranch, nestled in the foothills along Pine Creek, where he assumed a job as Resident Manager. Now Church and his wife Pat share the idyllic vista of the creek’s headwaters where buffalo and elk graze on the slopes, along with the odd Texas Longhorn. Despite towering fences and the occasional curiosity seeker pulled over on the country road to stare at the buffalo, you can close your eyes, hear the quiet and imagine Dances With Wolves. Its easy to see why this valley has caught the eye of Hollywood directors and movie goers around the world, for within a stone’s throw from the ranch properties is the old Wolly-Dodd Ranch, where scenes from Legends of the Fall and Brokeback Mountain were filmed. There is a prevailing calm here, a ranch sheltered on three sides by the hills surrounding the north fork of Pine Creek. On a lazy summer day when the aspens don’t tremble, Mountain bluebirds are easily spotted up close, heedless of intruders, flittering in and out of their birdhouses along the several kilometres of roads near the ranch, and on the north quarter boundary, a falcon’s nest sits safely out of harm’s way atop a fencepost. Observing Church at business in these park-like setting is like watching a child play in a puddle. Riding herd with “wild” livestock still requires a wary eye but with this gentle giant it hardly appears to be work; Church thrives on enthusiasm, knowing that good animal husbandry practices here in the Pine Creek valley are directly linked to the fine dining experience in the CRM Resort restaurants. “On a good day at the ranch, I think to myself this is pretty good and I’m pretty lucky.” says Church, “On a bad day when I have to unload a whole skid of meat by myself, I think I haven’t come very far since I worked in my parents’ meat market as a kid.” Church is 73, although he probably moves faster than many in their 30s. Former president of the Canadian Cervid Council and once a board member with the Alberta Veterinary Medicine Council, Church is probably the ideal candidate for managing this unique agribusiness. Animal health, husbandry and a natural aptitude for marketing make him a good fit for the ranch-toresort operation. He has lived a life around the food industry, as the family owned a butcher shop in Elrose, Saskatchewan when he was a kid. Through his entire work career he’s worked in animal health and food processing. Church is also a bit of a joker, which probably calms both the bison and the perfectionist chefs of the sister Canadian Rocky Mountain Resort group. The CRM Ranch lands, in the M.D. of Foothills No. 31, are south on 128 Street off the Spruce Meadows Trail, which connects north with Calgary’s 69 St. SW. They were purchased over three quarters of a century ago by John Jeremiah O’Connor, and now are owned by grandson Pat O’Connor and his wife Connie. Their son Brad is the Ranch Manager, bringing four generations of the family livestock heritage to Pine Creek, but
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hen Alberta author W.P. Kinsella wrote the novel Shoeless Shoe about a baseball diamond in the Iowa cornfields, later made into the iconic movie Field Of Dreams starring Kevin Costner, little did he know that a real field of dreams was already under construction, just a few hours drive south on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway. In the 1970s. Ron and Margaret Southern had a dream to build a show jumping facility in the foothills fields south of the old town of Midnapore on Calgary City Limits. Their dream was also a vision, to build one of the best show jumping facilities in the world, one that would serve place Calgary on the international map. Within 20 years, the corrals and stables had gradually grown, and in 2000 their vision, Spruce Meadows, was recognized by being awarded the best show jumping facility in the world. When the land was first purchased, it was mostly open land west of the Senator Burns Trees that lined the old Highway 2 south of Calgary. Now the Spruce Meadows boasts 87 full time staff, 150 part timers and another 500 plus volunteers at events. In the earlier years, the the facility hosted few than 30 days a year, mostly show jumping, but now people attend events from jumping to mixed horsemanship to world economic summits, some 300 days per year. It is more than a village, a town, it is a kingdom-by-thestampede-city, with its own royalty, its own ambassadors and its own culture. An international place. Dressage and The Show Jumpers. An international Place. The audience. An international Place. The royal Legacy. An international Place. The Course. An international Place. The Battle of the Breeds. An international Place. The National Legacy, The Canadian Team. the Olympics. An international Place. The Economic Forum. An international Place. The Marketplace. An international Place. The other show jumping stables and world Champions, coaches. When Alberta author W.P. Kinsella wrote the novel Shoeless Shoe about a baseball diamond in the Iowa cornfields, later made into the iconic movie Field Of Dreams starring Kevin Costner, little did he know that a real field of dreams was already under construction, just a few hours drive south on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway. In the 1970s. Ron and Margaret Southern had a dream to build a show jumping facility in the foothills fields south of the old town of Midnapore on Calgary City Limits. Their dream was also a vision, to build one of the best show jumping facilities in the world, one that would serve place Calgary on the international map. Within 20 years, the corrals and stables had gradually grown, and in 2000 their vision, Spruce Meadows, was recognized by being awarded the best show jumping facility in the world.
Above: Bison grazing on the Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranch, Pine Creek Valley
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Valley of the Horse
Photo: Tony Field
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Upper Right: Brad O’Connor(left) and Dr. Terry Church(right) discuss feed, forage and the coming winter season. Photo: Jennifer Santos I ssue F our
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ometimes the noise, gridlock and steel of cities make us search for magic escape routes to the country. Calgary has one. A short road off takes you to wonder. Travel the gravel lane off Spruce Meadows Way to the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area and enter the awe
like a woman with a vast wardrobe she loves to flaunt. The first day I visit is lit by the fire of fall. Red brush, yellow aspen, waves of tow-headed long grass. Mauve, white and yellow asters poking through the centre of the pathways on this rolling land. Grasshoppers springing into the wind as thistle fluff drifts down towards a pond. Purple-bottomed Photo: Ursula Krol
Young Mule deer laying in the hayland, camouflaged except for the antlers in the velvet stage. Above: A Bobcat casually rests on a quiet municipal road by the conservation area. of foothills. This 4800-acre reserve is worth hundreds of millions, but Sandy and Ann loved nature way more than money. They gifted the property to the province in 1988. What a legacy! Here is a view that sweeps from prairie long grass to the front ranges. Here is the detail of lichen, burrows, nests, and fleeting wildlife. I’ve caught it in two seasons. Reg Rempel, Habitat Manager, and Maureen Luchsinger, Education Director, have breathed the seasons for years. We all feel connected. Reg came as a cowhand in 1984. For him, it’s a link with “the vast.” The calling card that “made the ticker go” and lured him to the Cross Ranch was Pine Creek. Reg loved the beaver that dammed the creek right up to the headwaters. Me? I’m still figuring out what’s here. The area changes 112 A lbertA l And & l IFe
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clouds reflecting the white and purple striped mountains beyond... The vista is huge; alive with colour and the sound of school kids learning how to care about conservation. I pass red-haired shorthorn cattle as I leave. The next time is the first day of winter, a day of silence and silvered contours. A day of nestling in. Mule deer stand in the falling snow near where I met the cows last time. Snow pockets open to copper-coloured stones and pale tinted lichen. Crescent-mooned spaces form downwind of dried olive leaved flowers. The rough fescue is covered with snow waves and ripples. Only the bronze brome rises through the pristine white. Flakes soften the thin black lines of aspen. The pond is steel-grey edged in slush. I see a deer suspended above a snow field before it bounds into the woods. The rolling hills are hazy; the
Ann Cross and the late Sandy Cross, benefactors of a unique conservation site and natural heritage. I ssue F our
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A Rare Romance
Queen of the Rings
The Story of the Leightons and Their Foothills Legacy By Gloria J. Toole
Madison MacDonald, Fancy Rider
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he rides like the wind, and it’s almost always been this way for Madison MacDonald, a Grade 12 student at StrathconaTweedsmuir School near DeWinton, Alberta. Ever since she was three years old, she knew what she wanted to be when she ‘grew up’--a performer on horseback. Now Madison is living her dream, showcasing her talents as a fancy or trick rider in the summer months and competing at high school rodeos the rest of the year. She has defied gravity and awed spectators across North America, from the Fiesta of The Spanish Horse in Los Angeles to the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. If it looks easy, it is not. Fancy riding isn’t simply hanging from a fastcharging horse. The dazzling acrobatics require tremendous core strength, exceptional balance and precision moves. And, there is another partner on this team: the horse. The tricks require an impeccably well-trained mount that can instantly accommodate sudden weight shifts, especially one where Madison moves from one side to the other under the horse’s neck. Every movement has a dramatic countereffect on the horse for which it must immediately compensate; horse and rider perform together as one. “You must trust them, and they must trust you,” says Madison. Madison’s inspiration has been her mother Debrah, a former Calgary Stampede special events manager who staged Wild West shows for the ‘Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.’ Wherever mom went, Madison went. She started learning tricks on her small pony when she was seven, and honed her talents until she was nine, when she purchased Pal, her first full size horse. “Learning trick riding with a big horse was a graduation to the big time”, says Madison, “with a big horse you train seriously and it’s much more difficult to learn and execute the tricks.” Those she has mastered, to the amazement of crowds across the continent. (Editors note: Several video clips of Madison MacDonald are posted on YouTube. To search and view, enter ‘Madison MacDonald’ or ‘Madison MacDonald, Trick Rider.’)
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Madison MacDonald performs the Stroud-Layout trick at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose. I ssue F our
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he bride wore ivory chiffon, a “drooping hat” and a pale green velvet coat. Sixty people attended the reception. The society page write-up of the wedding of Barbara Harvey and Alfred Crocker Leighton on May 31, 1931 suggests a rather opulent, but conventional event held in Calgary during the depths of the Great Depression. What it doesn’t say is that A.C. Leighton, an internationally known artist, had established a romantic relationship with one of his students while he was head of the art department at the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art. Nor does it say that their wedding was only announced the day before, that it occurred on a Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. and that the bride and groom had already left for a “tour of the mountains” before the reception. Barbara and Ace’s union was deeply romantic AND fiercely unconventional. Their love of art and landscape drew them to wild places. It eventually birthed the Leighton Art Centre designed to “unleash the art in everyone”. The Leighton’s six week honeymoon wasn’t a rail trip through the Rockies with stops at the Banff Springs and high tea at the Empress in Victoria. Barbara rapidly stashed her drooping wedding chapeau and velvet coat for a beaten up felt fedora and a riding slicker. Their wedding night was spent in a canvas tent. They camped in the mountains leading Gourlie, a Brewster pack horse, and Peter, their black mongrel, through brush and rough trails to reach the best views. Ace frequently painted in the rain as Barbara held an umbrella above him. Their wedding portrait is a blue-washed canvas of Barbara -- decked out in her rain coat and holding a saddle -- looking over a windswept mountain lake. She would have been wearing her $1.00 silver engagement ring bought with the remainder of the ten dollars Ace had given her to get the ring and a down sleeping bag for the trip. Life never settled down. “You have to be ready to go where the landscape 116 A lbertA l And & l IFe
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Photo: Brian Peters
By Gloria J. Toole
Icons of the Ranchlands
Photo: Ken Cornett
Photo: Supplied by Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area.
Photo: Ursula Krol
Icons of the Ranchlands The Legacy of Ann and Sandy Cross
A room with a view, fitting of its artistic owners. The Leighton Centre is situated at the head of the Pine Creek valley, with a spectacular view westward to the Rockies. I ssue F our
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Tracey Epp prepares to leap out of the amateur ranks. EQUINE
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Photo Credit Briarwood Photography
Tracey Epp Steps Up Short list today.
Professional tomorrow. Epp knows gravel. The granddaughter of Lino Gagno, she’s a third generation aggregate recycler and the Tracey current Office Manager of her family’s Richvan Holdings in Richmond, BC. Five days a week, Epp gets up before sunrise to muck, feed and turnout the eight horses stabled on her farm before heading into the office. It’s a secure and well paying position. And it’s one she’s about to give up. “It was a really hard decision to make. It’s a great job. I make good money and they give me flexible hours to ride and go to horse shows. But when I’m at work, all I think about is riding,” confesses the 27-year old. Her preoccupation is not without merit. In the past two years, Epp has been named to the national Talent Squad, won her first international Grand Prix victory, and, as of January 2013, been short-listed to the Canadian Equestrian Team (CET). Now the BC-native is preparing to embark down the rocky road of a professional horsewoman. In the Beginning Unlike many of her peers, Epp didn’t dream of horses as a young girl. She fell into riding by trial and error. “As a kid, my parents put me in swimming, gymnastics, piano, skating—you name it, I tried it. But I hated them all. Then they gave me riding lessons for my 12th birthday and I was addicted,” says Epp. That same year, they bought her a white Halflinger pony named Moonstruck. The pair jumped into showing, competing in the Large Pony division on A Circuit. “Moonstruck was a machine,” she recalls. “She was 12 when we got her and really well behaved. We kept her until she passed away a few months ago. She was 28.” At 16, Epp’s riding career took a more serious turn when her parents bought a farm in Richmond. With her horses now living on her property, she began riding with Brent and Laura Balisky of Thunderbird Equestrian Centre. For three odd years, she made the hour commute to Langley, with her horses in tow, twice a week for lessons. “They were amazing. Laura has been to the Olympics. She’s a great rider. Brent is a hands on, set big goals kind of guy.
He’s great at teaching you how to jump big jumps,” says Epp. “And they have very good horse knowledge. They taught me about icing your horse, electromagnetic blankets—all the general stable care needed to keep high performance horses sound and happy. To this day, I still go back to what I learned from them.” Under the Baliskys tutelage, Epp won the Pacific North West Region World Hunter Championship in 2004 and qualified for the CET Medal Finals at the prestigious Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario in 2005. The following year, she moved into the jumper ring. “The horse I qualified for the CET on was given to me from some people in Alberta. He didn’t want to be a jumper anymore, he just kept stopping, stopping, stopping. We used him as an equitation horse. Well, the next year I thought, ‘I can get this horse around.’ So I tried to re-make a jumper of him,” says Epp. It didn’t go as planned. “I probably fell off him once every horse show! We’d win a class one day and the next day he’d slam on the brakes and I’d fall off. It was so hard, but it definitely made me a tougher rider,” she laughs. The Gap Years Upon graduating high school, Epp assumed a full-time position at the family gravel business, leaving little time to commute to Thunderbird. She recruited local professional Gary Brewster to train her at home. “Gary is the nicest person in the world. He always wants you to have fun and gives you the confidence to step up into the Grand Prixes,” says Epp.
2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
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With Brewster she found her current “number one” mount, the 13-year-old gelding Santee.
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“We went to Robert Daley’s place in Ireland to look at horses in December [2009]. I tried Santee and loved him, but the pre-purchase exam revealed a bone chip. They ended up doing the surgery and rehabbing him for me. And I bought him after that,” she says.
And work out it did. In August that year, Epp logged her first international Grand Prix victory aboard Santee—the $53,000 Sotheby’s International Realty Canada CSI 2* Grand Prix at Anderson’s Rocky Mountain Show Jumping tournament. (They were second in the Grand Prix the Saturday before.) She didn’t have long to savour the victory, though.
The pair found immediate success. In August 2010, after just a week together, Santee and Epp jumped clean in a Jump Canada Talent Squad qualifier. By September, they’d earned enough points to qualify for the Finals.
“The Grand Prix we won was on a Thursday night. That Saturday was the $100,000 Grand Prix. It was big. I jumped clear in the first round. I’m feeling like I’m in it to win it. And then I fell off in the Jump Off. It was so embarrassing!” says Epp.
“Competing in the Talent Squad Finals at the Royal Winter Fair was a career highlight for sure. It was my first time stepping out of our area to jump with the rest of Canada and I had just gotten Santee,” recalls Epp.
“I tried to turn inside the Open Water. Santee spooked at the water and turned even tighter. We end up jumping the standards and I got jumped off. I went from the highest point in my week to the lowest real fast.”
The following year they were named to the Talent Squad.
Hiccups aside, Epp’s consistent results in 2012 earned her a place in the Canadian Championships at The Royal and, as of January 2013, a spot on the CET Short List.
In 2012, Epp struck out on her own, getting occasional help from Canadian Equestrian Team veteran John Anderson. She credits him with giving her the competitive edge to win at the top level. “John is very competitive. He can be tough on you when you come out of the ring. Second place is definitely not good enough. He always wants you to win. He wants you to push yourself further and try bigger classes, to step up into bigger Prixs that might feel like you don’t belong in. He gives you the confidence and your horse the confidence to do it and it always ends up working out.”
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The Road Ahead With her sights now set on a professional riding career, Epp harbors no false ideas about the difficulty of the undertaking. “It’s hard to leave something so secure as opposed to venturing out and trying to be a professional with no guarantees that you’ll be able to make a go of it. I just thought this is a good time in my life right now to give it a try,” says Epp.
“I really like young horses. We have a couple foals each year. I just started breaking the oldest ones this year and I love it. They do the smallest thing and it feels so great. I like that more than anything else. I’ll maybe take on a few sales horses and a handful of customers that want to come to the horseshow. “It’s scary, but I want to give it a try.” Sidebar: Horse Power This summer you’ll see rising talent Tracey Epp in the ring with these four top horses. Santee 13-year-old, Dutch Warmblood gelding “He’s my go-to guy, my number one horse. Every time you go in the ring you know the worse thing [that could happen] is you might have a jump down. He’s not spooky. He doesn’t change. I save him for bigger classes,” says Epp. Lavinia Seven-year-old, Czech Warmblood mare “I bought Lavinia last year. I’m very excited about her. She’s super careful. She won the young horse class in Thermal out of all the seven and eight year olds and didn’t have one rail the entire time! They hardest thing is staying on her. She jumps super hard and high in the air.”
Clementine Seven-year-old, Canadian warmblood mare “Clementine is a local Calgary horse I own with John Anderson. She’s a warrior. She’ll jump anything but she kind of has her own way of going. You can’t tell her, you have to ask her and kind of adapt to the way she goes. She’s doing 1.40m already is definitely going to be a Derby horse and a speed horse. She’ll jump the big jumps,” says Epp. Indy Nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding “I found Indy in a field when he was three. He wasn’t halter broke. He was very nervous, scared of his own shadow. I trained him and now he’s just starting to jump the 1.40m and 1.45m. He’s a fast horse. I use him more for speed classes.” Article by Carley Sparks
PHOTOS Tracey Epp and Santee winners of the Sotheby’s International Realty Canada CSI 2* Grand Prix during the 2012 Rocky Mountain Classic II at Rocky Mountain Show Jumping in | Photos Credit Briarwood Photography
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2013 RMSJ Coffee Table Book
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A Better Way to Build
The Reproduction Guy! Dr. Juan Samper
you have never heard of Dr. Juan Samper, chances are you are not involved with breeding horses. But in the If breeding world, and well beyond the borders of BC, Juan Samper is a household name. His veterinary career has specialized in reproduction, from freezing semen to embryo transfer, and it has taken Juan all over the world – as a lecturer, author, researcher and practitioner. It might come as a surprise to those who don’t know him that his business, JCS Reproductive Services, has its home on 216th Street in Langley, BC. Juan’s passion for the science of breeding horses has brought happiness to countless owners and breeders over the past two decades.
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Go north, young man Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Juan was exposed as a child to horses through polo, a sport he played when he was young. When asked about the moment he knew he wanted to become a vet, his response is immediate: always. “In Colombia, when you finish high school you go directly into whatever field you want to pursue,” he says. “It’s more like Europe in that way.” As soon as he graduated from high school, Juan applied to both medical school and veterinary school, but the med school application was always Plan B. Accepted to both, he went with Plan A. When Juan graduated from vet school at the age of 26, he practised in Colombia for the next three years, primarily on cattle and horses. He had the opportunity to pursue graduate studies at the University of Minnesota; it was in Minnesota that Juan began the research that launched his career in what is officially called theriogenology (in layman’s terms, animal reproduction). Juan believes that it was his upbringing on a dairy farm that sowed the seed of interest in reproduction. “When I was growing up, the dairy business was 90% reproduction – breeding and artificial insemination,” he says. “I think growing up around that was really the key point to my interest.” Juan’s studies in Minnesota continued beyond a Master’s degree, when his thesis advisor, Dr. Bo Crabo, invited him to do a PhD. Over the six years he spent at the University of Minnesota, Juan’s research was focused on artificial EQUINE
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insemination in horses. It was the early 80’s, and in spite of the fact that AI had been in wide use in the cattle industry for some time, it was still a new technology in equine reproduction. “AI in horses has a bit of an interesting story,” he explains. “Back in the mid to late 60’s ABS [American Breeders Service], one of the biggest companies that freezes and markets bull semen, took an interest in horses. They thought that since they had the bull figured out they could just extrapolate everything to the horses. And they failed miserably.” It turns out that bull semen is quite different to horse semen, which is more fragile. The fluid in which the sperm are suspended is also composed differently. The consequence of the failed ABS project was that AI in horses did not develop in the United States for the next two decades. It was the Germans who developed a technique for AI in the late 70’s. Juan’s arrival into the field in the early 80’s was excellent timing for someone interested in reproductive technology Mares, mares and more mares It was through his advisor Crabo, a Swede by nationality, that Juan found himself in an ideal situation for his research. “Bo had been involved with Swedish Warmbloods for a very long time,” he says. “He was interested in doing a project that would analyze the changes that happen to sperm during the freezing process. In order to test our hypotheses we would have to breed a number of mares. In Minnesota you can find everything frozen, but there
aren’t many horses to breed!” Crabo had connections at the Swedish National Stud, Flyinge, whose director offered to let Crabo use a group of the mares at Flyinge for his research project. In those days, breeding was not as scientifically advanced as it is today; for example, the hormones that are now used in managing a mare’s cycles were not yet in use. “We bred 160 mares over two months with frozen semen,” Juan remembers. “When you do that you either get sick of it and never want to see another horse again, or you develop a passion for it.” It’s obvious that it was the latter which happened to Juan. After some additional research work the following year at Flyinge, the stud hired Juan full time. At the end of 1989 he was offered a permanent situation there, but he and his Canadian-born wife Juanita made the decision to go back to the US. Juan returned to work at the University of Minnesota, and shortly after that he was offered a position at Guelph. He taught at Guelph for three years, during a period of economic downturn in Ontario. Having done some work for Dr. David Paton’s practice, Juan received an offer to come to BC and work with Paton Veterinary Services (which is now Paton & Martin Veterinary Services). After almost two years with Paton, Juan opened the doors to his own practice in 1994. “There was a lot of breeding going on at that time in the lower mainland,” he recalls. “When I started I had a lot of work.” Almost 20 years later, Juan estimates that 80% of his business is reproduction-based. He currently owns a herd of more than 20 mares used as recipients (surrogates) for embryo transfer, the majority of which are Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. In 2012, approximately 40 foals were born at the clinic, which is on a ten acre property with a 30 stall barn. Juan’s newest specialization is in embryo transfer; between 30 and 35 embryo transfers were performed at the clinic last year.
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The Latest Technology Research into embryo transfer in horses began in a small way in the 70’s, but Juan says in the 80’s the technology began to take off. An Australian veterinarian
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named Angus McKinnon was a graduate student at Guelph when Juan was working there. McKinnon went on to work at Colorado State University, where he and Dr. Edward Squires became the driving force behind embryo transfer. The procedures have advanced a great deal since the early days, when surgery was required to both remove embryos from pregnant mares, and to transplant them into recipients. Embryo transfer is becoming increasingly popular, both with big breeders and with horse owners who want a single foal out of their only mare. The advantages of embryo transfer are several: foals can be produced from a mare without interrupting her performance career; more than one foal can be produced in a year from the same mare; and the health risks inherent in pregnancy are avoided for the mare. Embryo transfer also offers an alternative with mares that have issues like suspensory ligament injuries, that would make pregnancy painful or difficult. And for mares that don’t carry foals to term, embryo transfer is an opportunity, as Juan says, “to take an embryo from a mare that has a bad reproductive system and put it into a healthy one.”
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In addition to embryo transfer, the business of breeding these days includes a lot of frozen semen, and that’s a field in which Juan has a great deal of experience. He represents a number of stallions and sells their frozen semen. “The reason I have the semen is often because I have frozen it myself and I can feel sure that I have a good product. Frozen semen used to take some criticism, but it’s very different now to 15 years ago. Now there is very little hesitation with mare owners to use frozen semen.” Among the stallions whose semen Juan represents is one of the most famous in the world: Totilas. The Schockemoehle connection Juan clearly remembers the year that he received a request to travel to Germany and meet with renowned breeder Paul Schockemoehle. “It was 2003, the year that I finally quit smoking!” Juan was contacted by a German acquaintance, a veterinarian working for Schockemoehle, who had recently expanded his breeding empire to what is known as the Lewitz stud, in north eastern Germany. “When Paul bought the farm, he wanted to do embryo transfer in a serious way,” says Juan, who accepted the invitation to go to Germany. He has been going back to Schockemoehle’s three or four times a year ever since. One of his primary roles is to make an assessment at the end of each year, looking at why some mares didn’t get pregnant, and determining the embryo transfer program’s efficiency. Lewitz is the breeding business on a massive scale. Between 800 and 1000 mares are bred
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each year, and 200-250 of those are embryo transfers. Schockemoehle has an entire team dedicated to the embryo transfer program, as well as his own lab for the handling of all his stallions’ semen. The sheer scale of Schockemoehle’s program has provided fertile research ground for Juan. “We’ve done a lot of work at his place, with the size of the operation and all the horses belonging to one person. He’s allowed us to test different procedures to test pregnancy rates, which is something that would be very difficult to do in a practice with a hundred different owners.” When Shockemoehle is interested in purchasing a new or young stallion, Juan examines the stallion’s semen and assesses how well it freezes. One stallion whose frozen semen has benefited from Juan’s expertise is Totilas, whose frozen semen had been only adequately fertile while he was at stud in Holland. “There were a number of procedures we used on him, including a different centrifugation process. The way you handle the semen is very important, and it varies from stallion to stallion.” Schockemoehle was understandably interested in finding out how little semen could be used to get a mare pregnant, and the research conducted at his facility has resulted in a reduction in the number of straws that are supplied for a single breeding. Juan’s work with Schockemoehle and with Totilas has born fruit closer to home, as well. Jacqui Oldham, one of BC’s most respected dressage trainers and judges, was a great fan of Totilas before she passed away in 2010. Last year, a surrogate mare gave birth to a dark bay colt by Totilas, whose dam was Jacqui’s Grand Prix horse Cassat. The colt, now a yearling gelding co-owned by Bill Oldham and Juan, is growing into a handsome young talent at the Oldhams’ farm. With a busy travel schedule that goes on hold during the breeding season, Juan has quite a year ahead of him. The father of four daughters, he will watch two of them get married within six months of one another this year. He is sometimes asked what he considers the most important qualities to develop in a breeding program, and in spite of all the technical expertise, his answer is simple: “rideability and temperament.” Article by Karen Robinson
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INTERNATIONAL SHOW JUMPING TO RETURN TO THE HEART OF CALGARY
30 years and a explosion in popularity, Show Jumping is set to return to the heart of Calgary with the launch After of The Royal West at the Calgary Stampede.
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The brainchild of John Anderson of Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, the event, the Royal West, will be a 10-day multibreed show. It will feature a division for international show jumpers, national hunter/jumper classes, hackney and heavy horse classes, and a multitude of other events including indoor eventing, terrier racing, barrel racing and even mutton-busting – “evenings full of entertainment built around the horse,” according to Anderson. He explains the inspiration behind this project. “I grew up here and made my open jumper debut in 1984 at the Calgary International Spring Horse Show in the Stampede Corral. It was part of an Alberta circuit, and they were really fun events right in downtown Calgary. “I’ve always wanted to do something like this,” he continued, explaining that riders in the West cannot always travel east to the Royal Winter Fair because of the expense involved. “I would guess that in the last 10 years the competitors from BC and Alberta would number not more than 30 per year.” Anderson travelled to numerous venues in Western Canada in recent years searching for the perfect venue. After it was all said and done ended up back in his home town of Calgary. "I became aware a few years ago of a potential project that may take shape after the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede in 2012, and the rest is history" said Anderson. The Agrium Western Event Centre complex, which is currently under construction with a projected completion date of June, 2014, encompasses 150,000 sq. ft. of agriculture showcase and competition venue. The 250’
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x 125’ arena floor is the “largest of its kind in Canada,” said Anderson, and with seating for 2,500, “we can pack the house every night.” Housing for horses includes 400 box stalls immediately adjacent to the arena, plus an additional 1,200 stalls on site, wash bays, a large outdoor covered area, and a 20,000 sq. ft. multipurpose space for warm up, a trade show or exhibition hall. Max Fritz, director of Agriculture for the Calgary Stampede, told Horse Sport, in a recent interview, “The new Agrium Western Event Centre will solidify Stampede Park as one of the most unique agricultural showcases in the world. It will be a centerpiece for agricultural education, exhibition, and industry in southern Alberta...truly a lasting connection between urban and rural.” “The design of the new Agrium Western Event Centre is attracting the interest of a variety of equine disciplines ” added Fritz. Anderson said there is a lot of buzz among potential sponsors already, and he expects to be able to offer a minimum of $200,000 in prize money the first year. "Participants will have to qualify, and the show will be “a show jumping tournament with the true standards of the sport – hunters starting at 3’ and jumpers at one-metreten – no lower,” insisted Anderson. He concluded, “We’re building the sport from the ground up, encouraging participation from across the country, and we will host it in true Western fashion!” The inaugural Royal West is scheduled to take place in October, 2014; more details will be released as they become available.
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2014 QUALIFYING GUIDLINES Dear Competitors' I'm pleased today to be writing this letter to my fellow equine enthusiasts, about a new event soon to be added to the North American Show Jumping Calendar. In October of 2014, it will by my pleasure, along with the entire Rocky Mountain Show Jumping team, to introduce the Royal West to our sport.
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Thirty years ago, I made my entry into the Open Jumper division, and it is a memory in my career that I will always cherish. It was a Friday night in early May in downtown Calgary at the Stampede Corral in front of a packed house for the Atco Cup. You can just imagine how I felt that night! It will be thirty years later after a huge growth in our sport, that we will be bringing show jumping back to the heart of Calgary, allowing another generation of great riders to experience that feeling I had that Friday night so many years ago. The Agrium Western Events Centre will be completed next year, just a few months prior to the inaugural Royal West. The complex will be like nothing of its kind in Canada, with an incredible 2,500 seat 125' by 250' main arena, along with a 100' by 200' warm up ring. Competitors will be in for a truly remarkable experience. My family has had an active role in hosting show jumping tournaments for many years, and I plan to carry on that dedication to our sport. This major indoor event that I have dreamed of hosting for years will soon become a reality, and we at RMSJ hope that the event will become as well known and popular as many of the North American Indoor tournaments on the equine calendar. The Royal West will be an event that competitors earn the opportunity to compete in by qualifying throughout the country. There will be all of the "standard" divisions offered with a few special ones soon to be announced. Royal West is an Alberta tournament, and in each division, 50% of the available positions will be offered first to Alberta competitors. The remaining 50% will be offered to competitors in BC and our sister provinces' to the East. A number of positions will be offered to American competitors as well, by invitation. When entering, competitors will provide their point standings from their own provincial Hunter/Jumper Association in their respective divisions. Gold tournaments will act as the qualifying tournaments each year from January 1rst to August 31. Royal West is a RMSJ hosted event, and like so many tournament organizers are prone to doing, we will reward competitors who continue to show us their great support over the years by offering special "points perks." 1. Any competitor that joins us from out of province will be allowed to add their points from any gold RMSJ event to the points of their own provincial association. 2. All points earned at the RMSJ flagship events in August will be counted as "Double." Since August is the final month for competitors in their respected zones (provinces) to qualify for Royal West, we want to offer a perk for those who may need an extra boost to their standings.
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3. Finally, for the 2013 year only, our Flagship events in August will act as a "Head Start" to competitors wanting to be a part of history and compete in the first ever Royal West. Qualifying will start in all divisions at our three August tournaments this year. For competitors wishing to compete in the Open Jumpers at the Royal West, 50 competitors will make up the division. The top 20 competitors in all of the RMSJ Grand Prix competitions' beginning in August 2013 through to August 2014 will receive invitations to compete. The top 7 from BC Grand Prixs, and the top 8 from Eastern province Grand Prixs will be sent invitations. Fifteen "Wildcard Invitations" by a committee soon to be formed, will make up the balance. An International division at Royal West is being planned, and we will inform riders of those details as they become available. We hope you are as excited about the Royal West as we are and look forward to helping us develop what we know will become a great tradition in our sport for many years to come. Yours Truly
John Anderson President Rocky Mountain Show Jumping
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN Show Jumping Suite 231, 132 - 250 Shawville Blvd. SE Calgary, Alberta T2Y 2Z7 Phone (403) 256-8652 Toll Free Fax: 1-(866) 397-0179 www.rmshowjumping.com