Equine Feature Supplement - April 27th, 2023

EQUINE

Preserving the tradition of carriage driving in Ontario

By Chris Zimmerman

ARISS – The Ontario Carriage Driving Association (OCDA) was founded to preserve, protect and promote interest in carriage driving throughout southern and central Ontario.

It is comprised of dedicated driving enthusiasts who compete in driving trials as well as traditional pleasure driving using antique carriages.

Their mission is to expand the community of carriage drivers in Ontario by sharing knowledge and experience through events.

The organization welcomes beginner to advanced-level drivers and all breeds of horses and ponies. It offers a selection of activities to members, including combined driving events and pleasure driving shows. Educational opportunities in the form of clinics, shows and social drives are also offered.

OCDA president Vicki Cork has been a member of the club most of her life. This is her second term serving on the board and first year as president.

“Carriage driving is very attractive to people who perhaps are no longer comfortable riding their horse due to physical limitations,” Cork told the Advertiser in an April 20 interview.

“This is a sport that any wellrounded equine can participate in, with proper training. It doesn’t matter what size or breed a horse is, equipment is available for all types of equines.”

The history of horse-drawn carriages dates back as far as the bronze age (approximately 3300 BC to 1200 BC). Four-wheeled horse carts have

been found in Celtic graves that suggest platforms suspended elastically with basic construction techniques were established during that period.

Modern driving events date back to the early 1970s in Europe. Among the earliest participants was Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who competed for almost 40 years and gave the sport credibility worldwide. The early rule book was drafted under his supervision.

In competitions, the driver and horse(s) complete three tests: dressage, marathon and obstacle driving.

This is based on the Olympic sport known as eventing. The first phase, dressage, tests the ability of the driver and training of the horse. Dressage has roots in a comprehensive cavalry test that required mastery of several types of riding.

The second phase, marathon, demonstrates the fitness and stamina of the entrant over an approximate 8km track with natural and constructed obstacles.

Finally, obstacle driving tests both the driver and equine on a course with pylons positioned as close as six inches wider than the wheel track of the most experienced drivers.

Events are divided to accommodate both the level of training of the horse and the skill of the driver. Those levels are training, preliminary, intermediate and advanced, with the highest level being governed by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI).

In this echelon, the dressage test is performed at a world class level, and the cross-county course is to be completed within seconds of the time allowed. Finishing too soon or too

early is subject to penalty.

Renowned carriage driver Kelly Houtappels-Bruder started her career in Ariss, Ontario, and is currently ranked number one in the world at the FEI level for single horses. At the Fergus Fall Fair, when she was just two years old, she won her first ribbon in the lead-line class and her love and passion for horses began. She has dedicated herself to the equestrian world and trained tirelessly throughout the years.

She progressed through pony club and worked hard as a student before eventually becoming a trainer and coach. Her efforts have been rewarded with numerous championships in dressage, pleasure and combined driving.

“Winning the silver medal at the World Championships in Pau, France in 2020 and the bronze last year at the World Cup in Le Pin-au-Haras, France are certainly highlights,” Houtappels-Bruder said.

“But I’m most proud of topping the FEI rankings last year, as it reflects the consistency we achieved over the entire season.”

In 2008, Houtappels-Bruder was offered a working student position in Belgium, which turned into a significantly extended visit after meeting her husband, Frank. They now operate Gendersteyn Stables in Steensel, in the Netherlands, where Kelly trains, teaches and competes with dressage and combined driving horses.

“Working with horses is a lifestyle, and one I couldn’t imagine my life without,” she said.

“I’m a trainer at heart and even though I’m at a competition in

Germany right now, I’m just as excited to get home and start back with the young horses.”

When asked what advice she would offer youth interested in working with horses, Houtappels-Bruder suggested finding somewhere to

learn, even if it means working in exchange for lessons.

“Good horsemanship, management and great basics are 90% of the sport,” she added.

“Before moving to Europe [for

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Competition – Kelly Hautappel-Bruder and navigator Meike Paridaans.

Photo by Melanie Guillemot

the sport] in 2008, I regularly drove at OCDA competitions and participated in events.

“My mother, Laurie Bruder, has been a huge supporter and board member for many years.”

Governance for carriage driving in Canada falls under the umbrella of Equestrian Canada (EC). There is a discipline specific committee selected to represent carriage driving in EC – the Drive Committee.

OCDA rules closely align with the American Driving Society, which governs driving in the United States as there are numerous Canadian members competing South of the border.

“Our volunteers have training sessions and are paired with an experienced event volunteer,” Cork said.

“Typically, we don’t have a lot of spectators at our events, although we welcome all who wish to come watch.

“To encourage youth participation, we offer reduced or free entry fees for any youth member. It is not unusual for some of us with seasoned show animals to offer them to junior drivers if they don’t have their own equine.”

This year’s season kicks off on April 29, with a clinic focused on improving obstacle driving skills led by Barbara Chapman, the 2021 advanced single pony combined driving champion.

The first driving event will be held June 10 with entrants judged on their dressage and completion of an obstacle driving competition. The event is set to take place in Ariss and is hosted by Windy Knoll Farm.

To get involved in carriage driving, the events are a great way to see what the association offers. Spectators are always welcome, and volunteers are needed. For more information visit www.carriagedriving.ca or follow OCDA on Facebook or Instagram.

JohnMel stables in

Puslinch hosts beginners’ cattle sorting clinic

By Robin George

PUSLINCH

– Sounds of laughter and mooing filled the arena at JohnMel Stables during the introductory cattle sorting clinic here on March 26.

The clinic was led by Samantha McFadyen from Restoration Ranch in Cambridge.

Participant Kirsty Dies brought her five-year-old “offthe-track thoroughbred rescue” Darth Bodhi to the clinic, who she said is really “just a baby.”

It was the horse’s first time working with cattle, and Dies said admittedly the start didn’t

go as well as she had hoped, as Bodhi was very nervous around the cows.

The clinic accommodated him by adjusting expectations for the second round, when Dies walked him slowly around the cows in the enclosure, instead of moving them individually from one half of the ring to the other, as the other participants did.

Dies said she came to the clinic because Bodhi is “young, and I want to give him as much experience as possible – give him experience in different environments.”

She added she wants him to “learn he can be stressed and come back down.”

Dies and Bodhi do lots of liberty work together (interacting without any sort physical restraint), she noted, and he even knows how to give her a “high five.”

During the clinic participants paired up into teams of two horses and two riders to sort the cows, and Stephanie Pignoli rode her horse Louie alongside Bodhi and Dies.

Pignoli and Louie took part in a similar clinic in December, a cutting clinic with the same clinician, “Sammy,” Pignoli said.

Cutting is a competition where a horse and rider separate a single cow and prevent it from getting back to the

herd.

Pignoli said the “cow thing is new” to her and Louie - they typically do barrel racing - but she’s always been interested in learning cattle work.

“I haven’t taught myself how to rope yet,” she noted.

“I really like this (clinic),”

Pignoli added, and “this facility is beautiful,” making it well worth waking up early for the three-hour drive from their home near Kingston.

Dies said the cow clinic was “very well run.”

This was the first time JohnMel Stables has hosted a cattle sorting clinic. Officials plan to organize another one since the first was a success.

Fancy ride – Carolyn Aarup driving her miniature horse Dakotawinds Favonius. Photo by McGinny Photography

Learning something new – Kirsty Dies and Stephanie Pignoli give cattle sorting a try with their horses Darth Bodhi and Louie.

Photo by Robin George

Caledon Pony Club fostering love of horses

By Chris Zimmerman

CALEDON – Established

in 1960, the Caledon Pony Club (CPC) is a memberowned riding club founded by Joan Kendal and her daughter Nicola.

The club is a branch of the Canadian Pony Club within the western Ontario region, and its main facilities include hosting events, giving riding lessons, and providing educational opportunities to youth.

The CPC has members from Fergus, Erin, Guelph, Rockwood and Caledon, run by a parent committee.

Members participate in disciplines and activities throughout the year with their ponies and horses, including dressage, show jumping, rally, Tetrathlon (Pony Club’s version of the modern pentathlon), and the Prince Philip Games to name a few.

During the off-season, they participate in several social and educational activities.

Volunteers who run the club are committed to fostering loyalty, responsibility, friendship, and sportsmanship among its members.

Pony Club originally started in Britain in 1929 before spreading worldwide. Today it is represented by no less than 25 countries with membership exceeding 100,000. Canada has about 150 branches and a membership of over 2,100. It is supported by some 1,000

volunteers.

The CPC is a grass roots equestrian skill building organization that builds the proper foundation, knowledge, and

ability for participants to make it to the top of their chosen equestrian discipline.

Currently the club has members ranging in age from 7 to 18.

Members meet for educa-

tion, socials, and competitions from May through September and gather weekly to ride on the grounds of the Caledon Riding Club. They host riding lessons on a weekly basis.

CPC district commissioner Aislinn Jones is the main representative attending regional meetings. She assists with questions and sign-offs related to Pony Club member

competition requirements and organizes educational events.

“Pony club is a volunteer- and parent-driven nonprofit organization. We rely on fundraising and volunteers to support the bulk of Pony Club, making it affordable and allowing as many children as possible access to ponies, horses, and an understanding of how to care for them,” Jones said.

“Wellington County members work hard and volunteer to give back to the equestrian community.”

The CPC hosts a riding sleepover camp at the Caledon

Riding Club. Instructors give lessons to members over a week-long period, teaching them how to care for their equines in a group environment focused on team building and safety.

“Our competitions have rules, restrictions,and requirements to ensure safety while competing. All equestrian events carry some risk, but the club works very hard to mitigate that risk,” said Jones.

“Pony club is designed to make our members and children safe, well-educated and responsible horse owners, equestrians, and competitors

for the future.”

The club has ties with members in the equestrian community to broaden education. It offers members the opportunity to take part in field trips to various institutions in the equine industry. Racetracks, vet clinics, breed shows, and farrier demonstrations are among the trips included.

Lessons from various highlevel instructors in a variety of disciplines also contribute the success of aspiring riders.

CPC treasurer and Prince Philip Games representative Aimee Adams hopes to have more involvement in the future working alongside other agricultural events in the area.

“Many of our members go on to do amazing things. Most of our coaches and trainers were members of pony club when they were kids,” Adams noted.

“We’ve had kids that have competed on an international level through pony clubs international exchange program.”

This year Adam’s daughter Adriana is the first alternate to go to Australia to compete in the international Prince Philip Games competition.

“There are so many opportunities for these kids to travel and have so many fun and educational experiences,” she added.

An all-breeds event will be hosted May 26 by the Ontario Society for Working Equitation in Ancaster, where invited members from the Pony Club will compete in teams to complete an obstacle course.

“It’s for fun and bragging rights, and to let people see what these kids and ponies can do,” Adams said.

The tetrathlon regional competition will take place July 1 and 2. It is a combination of riding, running, shooting, and swimming. Ages seven and up compete at different levels.

Tetrathlon is similar to the Olympic event Pentathlon which includes the sport of fencing.

Individuals interested in joining can find information at the Western Ontario Region Pony Club website at wor. ponyclub.ca.

Regionals – Isabelle Thompson with Marshmallow at the regional Prince Philip Games in 2022. Photo by Aimee Adams

Most of our coaches and trainers were members of pony club when they were kids.

- Pony Club Treasurer Aimee Adams

“

Avery Broadfoot rides Polly at the Regional D Rally 2022

Photo by Aislinn Jones

Equine assisted learning helps people feel ‘stable’

By Robin George ROCKWOOD

– At the end of each session she was smiling, and months later she’s still benefitting.

That’s what Lisa Russell said of the equine assisted learning (EAL) program at Sierra Acres.

Five minutes southeast of downtown Rockwood, Sierra Acres Equine Assisted Learning supports people with personal development, mental health and corporate team building.

Anne Porteous, founder and CEO of Sierra Acres, said EAL revolves around relationships between horses and humans and helps people “explore what’s going on inside of them.”

Porteous is certified with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). She’s also a nursing professor with over 40 years experience in nursing and a trauma-informed counsellor who has facilitated EAL for over a decade.

In addition to her work at Sierra Acres, Porteous supports first responders with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at The Stable Grounds residential facility in Rodney.

“All the years I’ve done this it still amazes me; horses so non-judgmentally just show us what we need to start addressing,” Porteous said in an interview with the Advertiser Areas of focus

EAL helps with communication, confidence, boundaries, resilience and problem solving, Porteous said.

Russell went to Sierra Acres primarily because of her PTSD.

“Medications and the current medical world was not alleviating any of my issues,” she said in an interview.

Russell said her diagnoses include treatment resistant depression, generalized anxiety and borderline personality disorder, but PTSD is the central concern.

Her goals at Sierra Acres included decreasing depression and anxiety and increasing self-confidence, gratitude, hope, and comfort in her own skin.

Russell rode horses in her youth, but previous experi-

ence with horses is not needed for EAL and sessions at Sierra Acres do not involve riding – participants work with the horses from the ground.

Learning from horses

“Horses have evolved over 43 million years,” Porteous said, and during this time “they’ve learned to manage.”

She describes the animals as “masters of the moment,” noting when something scares a horse, their instinct is to run away, and then return promptly to what they were already doing (usually eating).

They don’t spend time “ruminating,” or worrying whether that predator will come back, Porteous said.

Russell remembers noticing this at the end of her first session, when she went out to the paddock to meet the “team.

“Two horses got into a little tiff,” Russell recalls, and one of them walked away, went to the water trough, took a drink, and then returned to the hay bale in the center of the herd.

“He took some time, separated himself from the situation, and then went back when he felt stable,” Russell said, noting that sets an example of how people can respond to stressful situations.

There are seven horses in the program: mares and geldings of different breeds, sizes, and ages, Porteous said.

“Each horse brings a different quality and strength,” she said, and she usually asks her clients to pick the horse they

feel most drawn to.

Russell chose Molly and Zena, and describes Molly as caring, calm, compassionate and chill, while “Zena had a more strong and confident presence,” and was motherly and courageous.

Porteous and Russell note how “intuitive” horses are, and Porteous adds “you can’t lie to a horse.”

Porteous said horses “help us to see areas we can work on to improve ourselves,” and can teach people “how to be more authentic, more our own true self.”

She said since the COVID19 pandemic many of her clients feel lost and lack a sense of identity and connection to the world.

Russell noted she was “not really feeling able to connect with people.”

“Being with the horses can help with that,” Porteous said.

EAL helps people “start taking off some of the layers that have built up over the years that don’t serve a purpose anymore,” she added.

When someone is interested in signing up, Porteous begins by meeting with them for a “discovery session.”

This involves Porteous and the client gauging if they’re a good fit. If they are, Porteous creates a customized program to meet their needs.

Before her first session, Russell felt nervous, but she sat down with Porteous in the arena – just the two of them,

without any horses.

She said Porteous is “easy going and leveled,” and “asked why I thought this might be something that could change something for me,” adding “obviously traditional medicine hasn’t really worked.”

Matching energy

Russell said during the sessions she felt “really contemplative” and tried to absorb as much as possible.

Sessions involved “little exercises,” she said, like leading the horse around the arena.

She said if the horse didn’t initially walk with her she would pause, take a deep breath, square her shoulders,

and try again.

Russell said Porteous taught her to mirror the horse’s energy and pace.

“In order for the horse to connect with you and for you to connect with the horse, you need to be able to match their energy,” she added.

“It’s so intense.”

Russell said mirroring the horse’s energy helped her feel “determined, confident, and calm.”

Porteous said some new clients have a fear of the horses in the beginning, “but it’s a wonderful moment when people realize they can learn how to overcome their fear.”

They can then take what they learn from facing that fear and use it out in the world, she added.

Porteous said “participation in any activities with the horses is by invitation – it’s okay to say ‘no’ or I’’m not comfortable doing that,’” and she works “with the client to engage to the best of their ability in that moment.”

The ‘best day’ Russell frequently reminisces about her “best day” at Sierra Acres.

“I was walking with Zena and Molly,” Russell said, “huge draft horses on either

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday | 6:30pm EXCEPTIONS: No live racing August 25 and September 4 & 25 Special

Greeting – Anne Porteous greets her horse Wyatt, who is part of the equine assisted learning program at Sierra Acres.

Photo by Robin George

‘Smiling’ – Lisa Russell stands with Molly during an equine assisted learning session at Sierra Acres. Submitted photo

assisted

side of me” and after looping the lead ropes over their backs, she “just let go.”

Russell kept walking, and to her amazement the horses did too.

“I didn’t even have to touch them,” she exclaimed. “That was just incredible, feeling a horse follow you. You’ve connected with the horse and now you are working together. That’s when the confidence really comes in.

“I had the biggest smile.”

Now, when Russell wants to boost her mood or lift her confidence, she shuts her eyes and remembers that moment, “and it puts a smile on my face.”

She said the sessions made her feel “more aware that I do have some power to manage my diagnosis.”

Funding

Porteous said EAL is “not recognized in most insurances,” so the majority of her clients pay out of pocket. She notes occasionally Children’s

Aid and Victim’s Services will sponsor the sessions.

Russell said Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) did cover the transportation costs for her to take a cab to and from Sierra Acres (she lives in Guelph).

“I feel really grateful for that experience, even though it came out of my own pocket, it was definitely worth it,” Russell said.

Long-term impact

Porteous said after completing the program her clients report increased confi-

Importing European equine to Canada: a luxury few breeders can afford

By Chris Zimmerman

dence, a better understanding of themselves, a higher level of awareness, and they’re more responsive instead of reactive.

“It’s kind of amazing,” Russell said, that horses can contribute to treating “horrible mental illnesses.

“Every time I left I was smiling,” she said, in spite of always feeling depressed when she showed up.” She said she’s “still learning from it,” even though her sessions finished at the end of January.

Since the EAL program Russell has been journalling every morning and evening, practicing mindfulness exercises she learned at Sierra Acres two or three times daily, and has a quick check in with Porteous over Zoom once a month.

The sessions “got me a little bit more stable,” she said.

“But I still need my meds to keep me stable.”

For more information about Sierra Acres EAL visit https://sierracres.ca.

BELWOOD

– The importation of European horses to Canada has been a long-standing tradition in the country’s equine industry – and while it has always been costly, recently the process has become even more expensive.

This trend is due to a combination of factors, including exchange rates, transportation costs, and increased demand for high-quality horses in Canada.

Despite the increases, Janet Konyer, owner and trainer at Lookout Farms outside of Belwood, has had success

importing horses from abroad.

In 2022, a German-born stallion named Feinrich arrived at Lookout Farms and has been adjusting well since.

Some Canadian equine enthusiasts are willing to pay a premium for these animals due to their exceptional perfor-

mance in disciplines including dressage, show jumping and eventing. Many breeders view importing European horses as a way to diversify the genetic pool of Canadian horses and improve the quality of the country’s horse population.

“There are lots of Canadians and Americans breeding the same lines available in Europe, here in North America,” Konyer said.

“For example, all my mares have European bloodlines and are bred back to European stallions. I think breeders could definitely rely less on importing and support breeders that are producing equivalent quality here in Canada.”

All of Konyer’s horses are inspected and registered with Germany. They are of German stock and are graded against international standards.

Canada has very specific requirements for both isolation and quarantine of horses. These requirements can be met at private facilities in some cases, but not always.

“Testing is done for several diseases to ensure [the horses] are not carriers that could potentially expose North American horses,” said Konyer. “It’s more stringent for stallions. Geldings are the most straightforward to import because they’re not of any reproductive value.”

Horses typically travel well by air and are accompanied by a trained veterinarian technician. Konyer believes it would benefit Canadian breeders to come together with a better format for presenting horses.

“Auctions in North America tend to be for the lower-grade quality of horse whereas in Europe, traditionally their best horses go to auction,” she said.

“It has been tried here but it hasn’t quite taken off ... The Europeans have way more numbers. I don’t know the exact numbers offhand, but they have millions of horses compared to our thousands.”

Winner – Lookout Farms’ foal “Firenze” is awarded first place blue ribbons. Submitted photo

Porteous’ team of horses spend most of their time relaxing in their paddock at Sierra Acres in Rockwood. Photo by Robin George

are lots of Canadians and Americans breeding the same lines available in Europe ...

- Janet Konyer