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Connection Saskatchewan Summer 2014 The Official Publication of the Saskatchewan Horse Federation TURNING A DREAM INTO REALITY LINK TO THE PAST WITH JACK GRAD RECIPIENT OF THE DR. BYRNNE ROTHWELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

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Page 1: Sask. Horse Connection Summer 2014

HorseConnection

Saskatchewan

Summer 2014The Official Publication of the Saskatchewan Horse Federation

TURNING A

DREAM INTOREALITY

LINK TO THE PAST WITH JACK GRAD

RECIPIENT OF THE

DR. BYRNNEROTHWELLMEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Page 2: Sask. Horse Connection Summer 2014

P r o m o t i n g E q u i n e E x c e l l e n c e

Page 3: Sask. Horse Connection Summer 2014

P r o m o t i n g E q u i n e E x c e l l e n c e

No solicited submissions will be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Saskatchewan Horse Connection, formerly Show Trail, reserves the right to edit material submit-ted for publication. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily by the publisher.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means electronic, mechan-ical or otherwise, including but not limited to photocopying, recording or by any other information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of the Saskatchewan Horse Federation.

The SHF Board of Directors is pleased to hear from members, however, all letters must signed as the Board does not consider anonymous letters.

Publication Agreement No. 41251513Return Undeliverable

Canadian Addresses to:Saskatchewan Horse Connection

2205 Victoria Ave. Regina, SK S4P 0S4

C O N T E N T S

1

SHF Administrative Office2205 Victoria Avenue

Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 0S4Phone: 306-780-9244

Fax: 306-525-4009

Executive DirectorKrissy Fiddler

Adminstrative AssistantsPam Duckworth

Stacey Riche

Technical AdministratorKylie Dahlstrom

Communications DirectorBridget Andrews-306-631-9254

[email protected]

ON THE COVER: Shannon Sluser - Turning a Dream into Reality.

3 President’s Message

4 Turning a Dream into Reality

8 Working Safely Around Horses

9 Matching Horse Feeds to Energy Needs

9 Choosing Good Hay

11 Tying Up Syndrome

13 Horsin Around Raffle / Sask. Equine Expo

14 Coach’s Corner

15 Reba

22 Prairie Carriage Driving Club

23 Stable Directory

24 Para-Dressage Equestrian Athlete

25 Heavy Horse Highlights

26 Moose Jaw Cutting Horse Show

27 Saskatchewan Reined Cow Horse Assoc.

28 Saskatchewan Paint Horse Club

DR. BYRNNE ROTHWELL

MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP16

JACK GRAD: LINK TO THE PAST18

Page 4: Sask. Horse Connection Summer 2014

P r o m o t i n g E q u i n e E x c e l l e n c e

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S a s k a t c h e w a n H o r s e F e d e r a t i o n

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2014 SHF Board of Directors

PresidentRobert Lewis, Moose Jaw, SK

President - Elect

Shirley Brodsky, Saskatoon, SK

VP FinanceJill McDonald, Saskatoon, SK

VP SportsBrenda Gilchrist, Maple Creek, SK

VP IndustryDr. Jim Sawatsky, Humboldt, SK

VP of RecreationShirley Mawson, Battleford, SK

Past President Doug Howe, Moose Jaw, SK

DirectorsJim Pollock, Moosomin, SK

Mary Olson, Saskatoon, SK

Pat Michael, Regina, SK

Pauline Long-Wright, Montmarte, SK

Colleen Norrish, Saskatoon, SK

Director at LargeMerlin Ford, Buchanan, SK

3S a s k a t c h e w a n H o r s e F e d e r a t i o n

he summer is moving along at a good gallop and by all reports it has been a very successful show season

so far. I hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather and taking advantage of the many horse related activities that are happening throughout our Province. The shows I have attended and con-versations I have had regarding the operations of the SHF have been very positive and insightful. This type of feed back is totally attributed to our excellent staff and volunteers in the many facets of the organization. When you find yourself in the company of a Director or one of our Staff, it would be appreciated if you would convey any concerns or comments that will afford us the opportunity to deal with any issues in a positive manner; there by enhancing the profile of the SHF in our horse community.

Over the past year Shirley Brodsky and Krissy Fiddler have been very involved with Equine Canada and the process of delivering a new set of By-laws for the National body. It has been an arduous task for everyone involved, and often goes unnoticed regarding the time and energy that is required. I would like to thank both of them for the commitment they have made and the leadership roles they have taken. When the Bylaws are finally adopted, SHF mem-bers can be rest assured that the information and recommendations presented by these ladies are in the best interest of the Saskatche-wan Horse Federation and it’s Membership.

Here’s hoping the remainder of the summer season is the best it can be for everyone in the Saskatchewan horse community.

T

Robert LewisSHF President

October 25th & 26th Western IOB Evaluation

November 1st & 2nd Course Design/Steward Clinic

November 14th-16th English Coaches Extravaganza

December 6th & 7th NCCP Equestrian Theory

ATTENTION POTENTIAL COACHES

Page 6: Sask. Horse Connection Summer 2014

S a s k a t c h e w a n H o r s e F e d e r a t i o n P r o m o t i n g E q u i n e E x c e l l e n c eP r o m o t i n g E q u i n e E x c e l l e n c e

COVER STORY

4 S a s k a t c h e w a n H o r s e F e d e r a t i o n

TURNING A DREAM INTO REALITY| BY BRIDGET ANDREWS

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HOW DOES A FARM GAL FROM SMALL TOWN SASKATCHEWAN BECOME AN ELITE, HIGH PERFORMANCE DRESSAGE ATHLETE IN WESTERN CANADA

hannon Sluser (nee Camphaug) grew up on a mixed, family farm north of Caron, Saskatchewan

along Pelican Lake. Like most young rid-ers, Shannon began her riding career at the age of 7 in the Western discipline. Shan-non’s mother, Shawna, has always been passionate about horses and she wanted Shannon to experience this passion so she enrolled her in the Moose Jaw Pony Club. Shannon loved it and from this point for-ward she knew this was something she was meant to do. Shannon would make her first competitive dressage debut at the 1996 Sas-katchewan Summer Games.

In 1998, Shawna and Shannon decided to take their Andalusian stallion, Lepanto, to the Spruce Meadows Masters. Here, Shan-non had the opportunity to watch Anky Van Grunsven from the Netherlands. It was this moment where she became hooked on the sport of dressage. When she ar-rived home from Spruce Meadows Shan-non and Shawna began researching what working opportunities were available for new, young dressage riders. In Shannon’s grade 12 year (1999-2000), she packed her bags and headed west to become a work-ing student at Shuswap Meadows Inter-national Inc, in the interior of British Co-lumbia. Shuswap Meadows International Inc. was a training stable geared for high performance dressage horses. The stable was owned by a Japanese business wom-en, Sayoko Nakatani, that was passionate about horses. The stable was managed by Henk Glijn, an European Grand Prix train-er. Shannon trained under Henk for two years and had the opportunity to ride var-ious horses from newly started under sad-dle to Grand Prix. This was a learning op-portunity for a lifetime. She finished high school in British Columbia and decided to head back to Saskatchewan to train on her own and begin her post secondary ed-ucation in Commerce at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.

Shannon continued to train, ride and at-tend school. In 2003, Connie Argue, a dressage judge, approached Shannon about participating in the North American Young Riders Championship in Bromont, Quebec. There was only one problem. Shannon needed a coach in short order. She contact-ed Betty Wells, an experienced coach from Prince Albert to help her prepare about a

S

PassionHard WorkDedication

Above: Shannon cantering Flamboyant in competition at Wellington, Florida

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S a s k a t c h e w a n H o r s e F e d e r a t i o n P r o m o t i n g E q u i n e E x c e l l e n c e

Shannon began training and showing Flamboyant in the 2010 Western Canadian Dressage Show Circuit with great results. 2011 brought great excitement to their family as Shannon was expecting. Their son, Colton, was born in 2012. Now began the challenge of balancing training with being a mother. Shannon was up for the challenge. She began searching for a coach closer to home.

Crystal Kroetch, a Pan-Am Games medalist from Calgary became Shannon’s coach. Shannon would haul her horse to Calgary for training. Shannon was inspired by Crystal’s knowledge and pas-sion for the sport. Crystal convinced Shannon to bring her horse for training to Lady Jean Ranch, Jupiter, Florida from January to April in 2014. Crystal hauled Flamboyant down with her horse and Lee, Shannon and Colton flew down to join them. Shannon and Colton would stay down for the three months with Lee flying down every third week.

Lady Jean Ranch hosts a few top riders from North America and is 30 minutes from Wellington, where top riders from around the world train and compete in the winter circuit. There is a competi-tion every weekend and 2-3 CDI competitions every month versus 1 CDI competition per year in Western Canada. To qualify to enter a CDI event you must have dressage scores over 62% at the ad-vanced level at national level shows.

month before the Championship. This would be Shannon’s first Interna-tional Show, first time to represent Canada and the first time a Canadian Andalusian competed in dressage. This was an opportunity of lifetime that made Shannon want to compete at a higher level of competition.

In the meantime, Shannon had heard that Sayoko Nakatani had decide to close her equine training facility. Shannon decided to contact Sayoko to see if she would sponsor her dressage career by providing Shannon her top quality dressage horse, Monaco, a KWPN (Dutch Warmblood Horse of the Netherlands) . Monaco was 8 years of age and was trained to second level.

Sayoko agreed and a partnership developed. Shannon was responsible for the training and showing of Monaco. “He was a tough horse with a strong will in the beginning, but as our partnership developed Monaco would do anything for me,” she said.

The horse was shown under Sayoko’s name and Shannon was listed as the trainer. Sayoko would attend numerous dressage events. “This was a wonderful experience as it gave me a start. Sayoko believed in me and she was so supportive and wanted me to learn and improve,” states Shannon. By 2004, Monaco moved up to third level and in 2006 they competed in the Prix St. George (PSG) and I1 levels.

University would also be the place where Shannon would meet her future husband Lee Sluser. Lee completed his Diploma in Agriculture in 2002 and Shannon graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce in 2006. The young couple were married in 2006 and moved to Glenavon, SK to be part of Sluser family farm and develop Gateway Dressage. It was a busy time at the farm, but Shannon continued to train Monaco and other Andalusians that they bred and raised, plus compete at an advanced level. Shannon knew Monaco was ready to take the next step.

She contacted Gina Smith, a Canadian Olympian and Olympic Bronze Medalist to be her coach. Gina agreed, so she packed her bags and head-ed east. She spent one month training in 2006 and two months training in 2008 with Gina near Ottawa. During this time she participated in the CDI competitions in Ontario and Quebec. Sayoko continued to support and sponsor Shannon financially. “If it wasn’t for Sayoko’s support, there would have been no way I could have competed in this level of competition. Her support has meant the world to me and my family,” explains Shannon.

Returning home from Ontario, Shannon and Monaco competed and won the Saskatchewan, Alberta and Western Regional Dressage Cham-pionships at an Advanced Level and were long listed for the Canadian Team; an outstanding accomplishment for this horse and rider combina-tion. However, Shannon knew it was time to begin looking for a new horse.

Shannon and Sayoko decided to sell Monaco in the spring of 2009; a sad day when Monaco left the Sluser farm. Shannon began looking for a new horse. She knew Gina Smith had a beautiful Hanoverian gelding named Flamboyant that she imported from Germany as a 3 year old. Gina had been training and riding him since 2006. Shannon fell in love with this horse the moment she saw him in 2007, but the question was affordability. Shannon discussed the horse with Sayoko and Sayoko de-cided to re-invest by purchasing Flamboyant.

“When the opportunity presented itself, Shannon had the courage to take a risk that would change her life forever.”

Above: Shannon, Colton and Lee Sluser

Left: Lady Jean Ranch, Jupiter, Florida, where Shannon trains in the winter.

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Each CDI competition has pre-requisites prior to competing. 1) Day Before Competition - Vet inspection in the stall2) Later Day Before Competition - Rider and horse compete in the “jog.” Riders are required to dress in specific attire and your horse must be braided. Judges and vets then ask riders to jog their horse in front of them and they decide if you are able to compete in the competition. They let the rider know after the jog if they have been approved to com-pete. Just because you have entered your horse in the competition does not mean you are able to compete.

“Training in Florida gives you lots of experience and exposure at a high level of competition. I was able to really focus; it’s all about you and your horse. You need to get the best out of your horse and yourself as a rider. Fitness of both horse and rider is very important. I would go to the gym daily and Flamboyant would work three days and then get one day off to support his muscle development. We also worked with a massage therapist and osteopath to ensure we stayed in our own top form. I have also learned how important nutrition is - what to feed, how to feed and when to feed. I work with a sports psychologist as well. This has helped me learn different ways to prepare mentally for the challenges of stressful competitions. How I warm Flamboyant up for his classes is also very important. I need to focus on our overall quality of gaits and connection rather than riding movements from the test over and over. If we are warmed up properly we enter the ring more confident and better prepared. Training in Florida has really inspired and shown me how im-portant it is to continue with a higher level of training to achieve positive results,” explains Shannon.

“It’s difficult to reach this high level of competition . Your fami-ly has to be supportive and committed. My mother has supported and encouraged me every step of the way, rarely missing a competition or training adventure. I am very lucky that Lee, our families and Sayoko have supported me on this journey. Secondly, you have to have the drive and willingness to work for it. It doesn’t come easy and it is expensive. For riders that want to reach “that next level of competition” join the Saskatoon or Regina Dressage Associations, find a coach that works well with you and can help you reach your goals. If finances are a limiting factor consider a working student position. This way you get experience without being financially strained,” says Shannon.

Flamboyant and Shannon performed well together. In 2011, they showed 3rd Level, scored an average over 70% with scores as high as 78 and won all division championships. They also won the Alberta and Saskatchewan Provincials and Western Regional’s. Last year, they entered the Prix Ste. George and received scores in the mid 60’s-70’s. They also won the Saskatchewan Provincial Championship at the RDDA Dressage Show.

During this past winter, Shannon competed in Florida with great re-sults. Her scores were between 68 and 72 and she placed top 5 in all classes. Some classes had up to 32 riders with riders participating from Sweden, Mexico, Germany, Canada and USA. Shannon received 2 firsts, 2 seconds, one third, one fourth and a fifth. This past June, Shan-non and Flamboyant competed in their 1st International Competition in Calgary in CDI I1 Level and placed 2nd in the I1 Freestyle (69%). Representing Canada at an International Level is Shannon’s lifetime goal of achievement. “With hard work and determination nothing is impossible.”

Above and Below Left: Shannon and Monaco competing in Red Deer, Alberta

Above: Colton helping with chores

www.gatewaydressage.comAbove: Training Facilites at Gateway Dressage

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EQUINE HEALTH & SAFETY

8

hether you are learning to handle your first horse or just enjoy leaning over the fence watching, learning a few safety precautions

will prevent accidents and injuries. The calmest horse or smallest pony has the potential to hurt someone if it is startled or scared. These recommendations may help you avoid kicks, trampled toes, bites, drags, or run-aways. If you are just starting out, you may feel a bit overwhelmed at all you need to remember. But quickly safety rules become habits, just like looking both ways before crossing the street.

As prey animals, a horse’s ability to react quickly and out-run a predator was key to their survival in the wild. This instinct remains strong in domestic horses.

On the ground: - Be calm and quiet. Sudden moves can cause a horse to shy (jump sideways) or kick out.

- The safest way to lead a horse is with a halter and lead rope. Don’t hook your fingers through the halter straps, rings or the bit. If the horse pulls away, your fingers could be caught, injuring them or catching your hand so that you are dragged.

- Never stand directly behind a horse. If you are grooming its tail, stand to one side and pull the tail gently over.

- When cleaning a horse’s hooves or putting on leg bandages, don’t squat or kneel. Bend over so that if the horse moves you can get out of the way quickly.

- Never loop lead ropes, longe lines, or reins around your hands or any other body part. If your horse pulls away, you could be dragged.

- Feed treats from buckets or tubs. Horses can very quickly be-come greedy and mistake fingers for carrots.

- Wear sturdy shoes or boots that will protect your feet if your horse or pony steps on them. No sandals or thin shoes!

- When tying use a quick release knot or panic snap so that if your horse gets scared and pulls he can quickly be freed. The feeling

of being constrained can make a scared horse panic to the point of hurting himself or you.

- The safest place to stand is beside your horse’s shoulder where you can see each other, or about 10 or more feet away.

- When grooming, saddling up, or cleaning your horse’s stall, tie your horse up. A loose horse in a barn can cause havoc. And don’t leave a tied horse unattended.

- When going through a doorway, make sure the door is wide open so the horse doesn’t hit itself on it. This can startle the horse and result in you being trampled or dragged.

Photo Credit: horses.about.com

Working Safely Around Horses

| BY JOHN LYONS (ABOUT.COM)

“Human safety is first. Horse safety is second. Everything else is third.”

W

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EQUINE HEALTH & SAFETY

9

Matching Horse Feeds to Energy Needs

| BY LIZ OSBORN © HORSESCIENCENEWS.COM

nowing how horses respond to dif-ferent feeds might help in design-ing a horse’s diet to best meet their

exercise needs. The energy demands of a horse entered in a barrel race differ from those of a horse on a long trail ride. One runs powerful yet brief dashes, the other needs to trek at a steady pace for many hours.

For horses, as well as for people, eat-ing highly glycemic carbohydrates is ide-al for fueling muscles working in vigorous bursts. Longer-term energy that drives ac-tivities requiring endurance is best derived from low glycemic carbohydrates because these enter the blood stream more slowly.

To identify sources of high and low gly-cemic carbohydrates for horses, researchers from California tested how various common feeds affect energy levels in quarter horse

mares. The scientists mea-sured the mares’ blood glu-cose concentrations, which generally peaked one-and-a-half to two hours after eating. The study found that the rise in blood sugar var-ied considerably, depend-ing upon what was eaten.

The biggest response in blood sugar lev-els came from eating sweet feed, corn or oats. Among the horse feeds tested, these three generated the highest glycemic values.

In comparison, the horses experienced a much lower blood sugar spike after eating beet pulp, alfalfa, rice bran or soy hulls. Ly-ing in between these two ends of the glyce-mic spectrum were barley and wheat bran.

Depending upon what sort of activity your horse is involved in, selecting a feed with either a high or low glycemic response could be most appropriate your horse.

ReferenceAnne V. Rodiek and Carolyn L. Stull. 2007. Glycemic Index of Ten Common Horse Feeds. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 27(5): 205-211

rass and legume hays have basic nutritional qualities that can provide most horses with all the sustenance they need. How-

ever, if the hay you feed is not of the utmost quality, your horse won’t be getting the right nutrition. For this reason, it’s important to inspect every bale of hay you purchase before you feed it to your horse.

A good bale of hay should be crisp, bright in color and free of dust, since dust is an indication of mold,” says Juliet Getty, Ph.D., an equine nutritionist in Haslet, Texas. “Avoid any hay that is dark, browning or is hot to the touch, which is an indication of fermentation. When separating a flake of hay, look for any signs of mold—a white cloud of dust with a moldy smell, white or gray fuzz or blackened, dusty areas.

Legume hays are more prone to developing mold than grass hays,” she says. “Stalks and leaves should be clearly identifiable and not all packed together in a large mass. This is an indication that the hay was produced while the plant was wet. Mold is more likely to occur in this situation.”

Getty notes that hay containing a lot of thistle and other weeds has little nutritional value and should be avoided. She also recommends avoiding hay that is infested with insects.

Choosing Good Hay| BY AUDRY PAVIA - HORSECHANNEL.COM

Continued on Page 12

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The Next Saskatchewan Horse Connection deadline is Nov. 1, 2014

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• Heated Arena • Schooling Shows • Outdoor Arenas • Meeting & Convention Centre – Catering from 10 to 1500 People • Rodeos • Horse Shows

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Tammy McLeodSHSRASecretary

[email protected]

When buying alfalfa, it’s particularly important to ask the seller if the hay is of horse quality. “If the hay is horse quality, ensure it’s not infested with blister beetles, which can be deadly,” Getty says. “Blister beetles tend to be a problem in end-of-summer cuttings, so first and second cuttings are the safest. These insects produce a toxin that can destroy a horse’s kidneys and intestines. It produces colic, and in high enough amounts can kill a horse.

“Most horses do well on a 12 to 14 percent crude protein content, if, and only if, the quality of the protein is high,” Getty says. “If a poor quality protein is fed, there will not be enough protein building blocks (amino acids) to build body tissue (e.g., muscle, bone, skin, hair, hooves, enzymes, red blood cells, antibodies, et cetera). And, consequently, the kidneys will be taxed to remove excess nitrogenous waste from the blood. If the urine has a strong ammonia-like odor, it is often an indication that the amino acids in the feed are not being utilized (due to feeding a low-quality protein).”

She adds that horses produce vitamin A from the beta-carotene that exists in plants. “So, getting enough vitamin A is generally not a prob-lem—in fact, we see vitamin A toxicity situations in horses that are oversupplemented. Grass hays do have a fair amount of beta-carotene, but only about a third as much as the amount in alfalfa.

Alfalfa is also high in vitamin D, unlike grass hays,” Getty continues. “Horses that live in sunny areas and are kept outdoors during the day will generally produce enough vitamin D. Otherwise, supplementation is appropriate.”

Vitamin E, however, is low in most horse diets. Even alfalfa, though higher than grass hays, is quite low in this fat-soluble vitamin.” Getty says that vitamin E serves as a potent antioxidant. It also helps protect horses from stress-related damage.

EQUINE HEALTH & SAFETY

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ying-up syndrome, or rhabdomyolysis, is a myopathy (disorder affecting the body’s muscle system) that causes muscle-cell de-

struction and decreases an affected horse’s perfor-mance. Common systems include painful muscle cramp-ing and hardening as well as severe increases in muscle enzymes that can be detected through lab-oratory testing. Exertional rhabdoyolyses are disorders that typ-ically occur in horses performing exercise beyond their conditioning status — or horses performing strenuous exercise after a period of rest and inac-tivity.Exertional rhabdomyolysis may be sporadic or can chronically recur in some affected horses. Sporadic exertional rhabdomylosis occurs in horses perform-ing exercise beyond their conditioning status and in horses per-forming strenuous exercise after a period of rest and inactivity.

• Clinical signs: The signs, which can appear very quickly, include a reluctance to move and/or a stiff gait, firm and painful muscles, weak-ness and fatigue, and signs of anxiety such as sweating, rapid heartbeat and rapid breathing. Some affected horses may also pass dark urine, and in severe cases, affected horses may go down. • Risk factors: Inadequate conditioning, high carbohydrate intake, de-ficiency in vitamin E and/or selenium, hypothyroidism, and bacterial or viral infections are some of the risk factors that veterinary researchers have considered. However, the evidence supporting these factors is still unclear. Since female horses seem to be predisposed, hormones may be a factor. Differential diagnoses of lameness, colic, pneumonia, back pain or neurological diseases can be ruled out by a complete physical examination and with lab tests of blood and urine. • Treatment: Treatment includes rest, intravenous and/or oral flu-id therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) for pain control and, if necessary, sedatives to control anxiety. If deficiencies in vitamin E and selenium are identified, supplements should be provided. In the disease’s acute stages, horses shouldn’t be forced to move, and their return to exercise should be based on improved lab results as well as their willingness to move. Recumbent horses should have soft bedding to prevent injury, and their caregivers should encourage them to stand and turn every few hours to avoid bedsores. If a horse can’t stand, the animal should be turned every few hours. In some cases, it may be necessary to use a sling to help an affected horse stay upright. However, horses that are

in pain should not be forced to stand for extended periods of time.

• Prognosis: The prognosis for recovery is generally favourable as long as the animal is treated early enough and doesn’t develop com-plications such as kidney failure. The recovery time depends on the severity of the disease; an adequate rest period and gradual return to exercise are required. Proper conditioning and regular exercise — in-cluding pasture turn-out — are also recommended. Chronic recurrent rhabdomyolysis: This disease group causes recur-ring episodes of rhabdomyolysis. The severity and the intervals be-tween episodes can vary greatly, and genetics may be an underlying factor. To maintain their athletic capability, affected horses require careful lifelong management as well as changes in their diet and exercise reg-imen. Horses that are diagnosed with this condition may never be able to perform as racehorses or participate in other high-level performance events. On the other hand, they may do well in other less challenging occupations. Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) is a common cause of chronic recurrent rhabdomyolysis in quarter horses, paints and ap-paloosas as well as in warmblood breeds and draft horses. PSSM is caused by a genetic defect that’s particularly common in PSSM-affect-ed quarter horses and draft-related breeds. As a result, veterinarians recommend genetic testing for some breeds. • Clinical signs: Clinical indications of PSSM include repeated episodes of “tying-up” with less than strenuous exercise, muscle stiffness during and after work, exercise intolerance, and, possibly, changes in behaviour.

• Diagnosis: The first step in diagnosing PSSM is ruling out other causes such as lameness through careful examination and laboratory tests. The next step is often exercise testing which may be followed up with further diagnostics like muscle biopsy and genetic testing.

Tying-up Syndrome

| BY WCVM TODAY 2014

T

EQUINE HEALTH & SAFETY

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• Treatment: Veterinarians recommend mild exercise as soon as pos-sible for PSSM-affected horses. Other recommendations include mak-ing dietary changes, maintaining an ideal body weight and following a specific exercise regimen. Dietary changes involve reducing carbohydrates and increasing fat as an energy source. While commercial diets are available, an alterna-tive is to gradually add rice bran or vegetable oils to the horse’s feed. High-performing horses may require additional calories in their diet.Regular exercise is important; pasture turnout is ideal and stall rest should be limited as much as possible. Unless there’s adequate prepa-ration and conditioning, horse owners must avoid sudden changes to an affected horse’s exercise regimen — such as a long trail ride. As well, affected horses shouldn’t take long trips in a trailer or be involved in other stressful events. Owners who follow veterinarians’ recommendations for diet and ex-ercise are more likely to see a reduction in the frequency and severity of PSSM episodes in horses diagnosed with this condition. Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) is a condi-tion that presents similar symptoms to PSSM and is main-ly diagnosed in thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses.

• Risk factors: Episodes of RER may be related to the stress of training and racing. Young horses — particularly fil-lies and horses with nervous dispositions — may be at a high-er risk. Researchers have also identified high-grain rations and certain training strategies as possible risk factors for RER.

• Diagnosis: Exercise testing and a muscle biopsy are the most useful tools for diagnosing RER. • Treatment: Managing RER is similar to PSSM in terms of diet and exercise. As well, it’s essential to reduce stress in affected horses’ lives. For example, owners should standardize the horses’ daily rou-tines. The animals should be exercised and fed before their barnmates, and low doses of anti-anxiety drugs may be given prior to exercise. Several drugs such as dantrolene (a muscle relaxant) and phenytoin (an anti-convulsant drug) may be helpful in preventing episodes of rhabdo-myolysis in affected horses, but these medications should only be used under veterinary direction. Rhabdomyolysis remains an important cause of morbidity and mor-tality in horses. Recent advances in identifying underlying myopathies, some of which are now known to be genetically determined, have helped veterinary researchers gain a better understanding of this group of disorders and to develop more specific treatment and management recommendations. To optimize management and to make important breeding decisions, it’s important for horse owners and their veterinarians to pursue thor-ough diagnostic testing of animals with rhabdomyolysis — especially if it’s a recurring problem. Reference: Lohmann, Katharina L. “Equine Myopathies: An Update (Part 1)” Large Animal Veterinary Rounds 8(7), 1-6. Original article sum-marized by Lynne Gunville.

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For Clubs that Applied for the Grants

M.A.P. Grant - $700.00 Community Clinic Grant - $400.00

For more information and to find the Follow Up Reports go to our website

https://www.saskhorse.ca/Grants-MembershipAssistanceProgramGrant

https://www.saskhorse.ca/Grants-CommuintyClinicGrant

Follow Up Reports Due on or before October 31, 2014

Athlete Assistance

Details and Applications/Follow up Reports are available on the website

https://www.saskhorse.ca/Global-Grants

Applications/Follow up Reports Due on or before October 31, 2014

High Performance Athlete Assistance

Applications from the Saskatchewan Hunter/Jumper Association, Saskatchewan Dressage Development Association and the Saskatchewan Reining Horse Association are

available on the website

https://www.saskhorse.ca/Global-Grants

Attention SHF Members

Page 15: Sask. Horse Connection Summer 2014

P r o m o t i n g E q u i n e E x c e l l e n c e

We have some exciting news for the Horsin Around Raffle for 2014. We are happy to announce our new Corporate Partner, UNIGLOBE Travel. With the help of UNIGLOBE Travel we are very excited to add two new Major Prizes. Two (2) Round Trip Packages to Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Each package includes flight and hotel accommodations for 4 nights for two (2) people.

UNIGLOBE has now joined the members discount first program. This offers all of our members a unique leisure service and allows access to special vacation and cruise packages at discounted rates. When minimum airfare booking requirements are met, Air Canada and West Jet discounts will be earned for all members. As an added bonus, UNIGLOBE is offering $50 off the first vacation you book with them (restrictions may apply.) You will receive these fantastic benefits by stating you are a member of the Saskatchewan Horse Federation. We are looking forward to a great relationship with UNIGLOBE and cannot wait to see who wins one of the Raffle Grand Prizes.

HORSIN AROUND RAFFLE ANNOUNCES NEW CORPORATE PARTNER

Proud partnersof Saskatchewan

Horse Federation!

BONUS!

Discounts of up to 5% off Air Canada tickets and up to 10% off WestJet tickets.*

Availability of special discounted group rates on select cruises and vacation packages only

available to UNIGLOBE clients

Saskatchewan Horse Federation Members will receive $50 off on their first vacation or cruise package booked with UNIGLOBE Travel! (Restrictions apply, contact us for details.)

*Minimum spending must be met with Air Canada and WestJet before discounts will apply

Circle Drive office4-415B Circle Dr E

Saskatoon, SK S7K 4B4306-934-3400

Sutherland office2-800 Central Ave

Saskatoon, SK S7N 2G6306-955-1449

Visit us online!www.uniglobevacation.com

MEMBER-BENEFITS:

HORSIN’ AROUND RAFFLE

oing into the 4th year of the annual Saskatchewan Equine Expo at Saskatoon’s Prairieland Park, expectations are running high for another outstanding event. It is evident,

based on the previous number of attendees, that Saskatchewan is embracing this event, which focuses on the equine industry.

Each year organizers offer a number of different programs, while continuing the ever-popular NAERIC Trainers Challenge and the trade show where vendors showcase the latest technology, nutrition and information for horse enthusiasts. The three-day weekend event includes equine related lectures, presentations, demonstrations, entertainment, competitions and opportunities focusing on the equine industry. Whether participants and spectators are amateurs or professionals, they will experience the newest equine products, techniques and services.

Offered once again will be the guided tour of the Ryan/Dubé Equine Performance Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. Pre-registration is required and a limited number will be accepted. Registration includes tour and return transportation from Prairieland Park. Information and forms are available on the website.

2015 will be the fourth year that we will welcome competitors for the exciting “Canada’s Ultimate Cow Horse Competition”. This three-day competition includes reined work, herd work, and fence work components and will be one of the features of the two evening Equine Extravaganza performances. Canada’s Ultimate Cow Horse Competition attracts top horsemen and horsewomen from across

Canada. This year there will be a non-pro division as well.It will be the second year for The Battle of the Breeds competition that was so popular in 2014 The Equine Extravaganza is again scheduled for both Friday and Saturday evenings; tickets for the evening performances will be required. (Ticket packages are available online.) As well, a very high quality live video feed will be available in the Trade Centre where patrons will be able to watch the event in comfort and enjoy a variety of food and beverage items with no extra ticket purchase.Prairieland Park is pleased to present The Saskatchewan Equine Expo in partnership with the Equine Health Research Council of the WCVM and the Saskatchewan Horse Federation. For full schedule, details and entry forms and visit the website at www.saskatchewanequineexpo.com

SASKATCHEWAN EQUINE EXPO February 13 – 15, 2015

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S a s k a t c h e w a n H o r s e F e d e r a t i o n P r o m o t i n g E q u i n e E x c e l l e n c e14

Kylie Dahlstrom was hired in May of 2014 as the Technical Administrator for The Saskatche-wan Horse Federation. Kylie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and is working towards her Cer-tificate in Public Relations through the University of Regina. Even though her education lies in a completely separate category, horses and equestrian sport have always been her passion.

Kylie started taking riding lessons at a young age. She got her first horse “Buster” an Appaloosa, at the age of 13 and decided to show and compete in barrel racing. A few years later when Kylie was 16 and competing in High School Rodeo, she had a choice between a car and a new horse, logically she chose the horse. Her partnership with “Kilho” a sorrel Quarter Horse gelding began. Since that time she has had the opportunity to compete at Spruce Meadows in 2013 as part of team Gypsy Vanner in “Telus’ Battle of the Breeds” and will be back in this, its final year as part of team Paint. She hopes to attend more shows next year with a Gypsy Vanner gelding named “Finn”. Kylie sees equestrian sport as being both challenging and extremely rewarding. Not only does it teach our youth sportsmanship and comradery but patience and responsibility as well. Kylie doesn’t take her experiences in eques-trian sport for granted. She knows that if it weren’t for the support of her family and friends, she would not be where she is today.

Kylie has had immense support and encouragement from both the office and board of directors. She appreciates all of the help she has received in the first few months of her career as Technical Administrator and is very excited to see what she can do for SHF coaches, officials, and competitions. She welcomes any suggestions anyone has to improve each of these categories.

NEW TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATOR JOINS THE SHF TEAM

Kylie Dahlstrom and Kilho SHF Technical Adminstrator

COACHES CORNER

Saskatchewan Horse Federation Announces Discipline Coaches for

2014 Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships Saskatchewan Team

Regina, SK, July 9, 2014 - The Saskatchewan Horse Federation is pleased to announce the Discipline Coaches selected to lead Team Saskatchewan to the 2014 Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships(CIEC). Blainsville, Quebec will be hosting the CIEC this year October 3-5th.

Jumping Coach - Connie Dorsch, Weyburn, SK. Connie is also named the head coach for the Sask Team. Connie is a veteran of leading the Jumping team to vic-tory with one of our Jumpers bringing home Gold in 2013. Connie brings to us her experience coaching high caliber athletes both in Canada and Internationally.

Dressage Coach - Pat Micheal, Regina, SK, Pat is also a veteran leading the Sask Dressage team to CIEC. Pat comes with a wealth of experience competing, coach-ing and Judging Dressage and we are very honored to have her back.

Reining Coach - Shauna Getz, Lucky Lake, SK. We extend a huge welcome to our new coach to join the team. Shauna brings to us the drive and dedication our reining team needs.

“I am delighted that we have such solid coaches to lead the team for this year’s CIEC. Saskatchewan has had a very strong presence at CIEC in the last three years and we want to ensure we have the coaches for our talented athletes.” said Krissy Fiddler, chef d’équipe for the Saskatchewan CIEC Team.

The Jumping/Dressage training camp will take place at in Saskatoon on September 6th and 7th.

October 25th & 26th Western IOB Evaluation

November 1st & 2nd Course Design/Steward Clinic

November 14th-16th English Coaches Extravaganza

December 6th & 7th NCCP Equestrian Theory

ATTENTION POTENTIAL COACHES

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P r o m o t i n g E q u i n e E x c e l l e n c e 15

I have learned that you don’t have to be blood to be family and I learned it from this little phenomenon named “Reba”. I have very few childhood memories

that don’t include her. Mom picked her up and brought her home when I was three years old. Reba is bred to be nothing special and I couldn’t even tell you who her sire and dam are. All we knew was that she was a paint arab cross and she was LITTLE. Dad didn’t even start her until she was four. I remember watching her under saddle for the first time and carrying dad, it looked rather comical. Like a big kid on a tricycle. I was chomping at the bit to ride her for months before dad gave me the ok. I was ten when I paid my mom $650 for Reba from my 4H calf money. I was so proud of buying my first horse with my own money and I still have the receipt.

Growing up in a rodeo family, I was so excited to have my very own horse to barrel race and not have to borrow one of dad’s rope horses. Our very first jackpot together I won twenty dollars and I was so excited about it that I offered to buy pizza so mom wouldn’t have to cook that night. Surely, I thought, with a horse like this I was bound to win money all the time. I broke my leg that summer barrel racing and was laid up for a few months after Reba fell on me. I was nervous when I climbed back on and it wasn’t until I entered a rodeo at the urging of my very encouraging mother that I was able to finally get past it. Reba was a saint through all of it. She carried me through, smooth and easy until my confidence returned. I couldn’t wait to enter again after that. I had my best friend Reba at my side and nothing could knock a little girl’s dream from atop such a mighty horse. I’m sure my friends grew tired of me bragging about her but with Reba, I believed I could achieve anything. She brought some great friend-ships my way through experiences at riding camps and barrel racings which have lasted to this day. I can only be forever grateful to God for giving me such a wonderful partner for the time I had her.

Through junior high and high school, Reba was with me. We finished fifth in the 1D at SBRA finals as a youth and people were always so surprised to see this little 800 pound horse carry me to so many victories. In high school she qualified me to the NHSFR in pole bending every year that I ran her. The better I took care of her, the harder she tried. She taught me to respect the horses I had and take care of them because that was what a teammate did. She taught me tenacity and courage and she taught me how to give of myself to others when I had nothing to gain. Everywhere I went, my little bald faced sorrel friend was with me. She played with me like a puppy and we would chase each other up and down the pen until I ran out of breath or she got bored. There was nothing this little horse couldn’t do and growing up on a PFRA pasture, there was no shortage of riding to be done. Everyone wanted to ride Reba when it came time to move cows. Dad would borrow her to move bulls and even roped a few off her when he needed to. She was gamey and tough. No one told her that the bulls she was snubbing had 400 pounds on her.

My very last high school run on Reba was at Canadians in 2009. After a rocky start, we posted the third fastest time of the week out of sixty runs. The pattern was a tough one for us because the score line was so long that Reba often got outrun. No one wanted it more than

us though. Her fine boned legs were kicking up more dirt than anyone else out there. People were shocked by what they saw that day. When they asked all I could say was that she had the heart of a lion.

After my high school career, the window of my time for Reba got smaller. I had young horses to ride, prospects that would try to fill Re-ba’s shoes but never quite take her place in my heart. I entered her in show jumping classes that fall after taking a few lessons for kicks and giggles and she took to it like a fish to water. She was so brave and would jump anything. I won some ribbons with her but didn’t pursue it past that. I knew that, sooner or later, I needed to bless another little girl with a friend like Reba. I held onto her for another year, occasion-ally riding her to help dad in the pasture.

It wasn’t long before a family came along with a young daughter who had dreams of barrel racing. The little girl was timid to begin but with Reba her confidence grew and I knew she would teach this girl many things if she wanted to learn. I made the very difficult decision to let her go. I cried for months after that. I saw her at a rodeo eight months layer and started crying immediately. She turned her head into my chest and held it there as I cried. Her eyes softened and she lipped the sleeve of my jacket every so often. I climbed on her just to sit and she kept turning her head back to rest her nose on my boot. I leaned forward, rubbed her beautiful face and continued to let the tears fall. When I said good bye to her that day I walked to the trailer and held her face like old times. I told her I missed her and I loved her. And then I walked away. She paced and pawed the trailer as I climbed into my car. I drove away watching her in my rear view mirror. She was whinnying and pacing. I didn’t know it was possible for such a bond to exist between a human and a horse but Reba was no average horse.

There is always something in your childhood that changes your life. And if you’re blessed enough to grow up with horses you will always look back and remember that one horse that shaped you. Reba, I know you can’t read but I wish that there was a heaven for horses like you. I want to thank you for being the friend of my youth. Thank you for being there through my first broken heart and letting me cry into your mane. Thank you for the amazing runs we had together. Thank you for teaching me respect and integri-ty in relationships. I love you and I am so overwhelmed that God put you in my life. Until we meet again my little baby queen, I miss you.

Reba |BY NAOMI ELFORD

Right: Reba and Naomi

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S a s k a t c h e w a n H o r s e F e d e r a t i o n P r o m o t i n g E q u i n e E x c e l l e n c e16

SCHOLARSHIP

ongratulations to Makayla Rettger, inaugural recipient of the Dr. Byrnne Rothwell Memorial Scholarship!

This scholarship is presented in memory of Dr. Byrnne Rothwell, in recognition of the contributions he made to the equine industry within the Province of Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Horse Federation is excited to recognize extraordinary students within the Province of Saskatchewan that share the love of animal health and welfare, much like Dr. Rothwell. The Dr. Byrnne Rothwell Memorial Scholarship fund provides $1,000.00 to re-cipients entering their second year of post-secondary education at a college or university institution furthering their education.

Makayla’s biography and essay below clearly show her leadership, dedication and pas-sion for the horse industry. We wish Makayla all the best in her studies at the University of Saskatchewan.

RECIPIENT OF THE DR. BYRNNE ROTHWELL

MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

C

Above: Makayla Rettger Recipient of the

Dr. Byrnne Rothwell Memorial Scholarship

Biography

I have been an extremely active member of the horse industry for many years. I was involved in the 4-H organization for 11 years in the Light Horse, Young Horse, and 4-U Self Determined Projects, which was a research project and presentation on equine deafness. Through this organization I was actively involved on the club, district, regional, provincial, and national level. Throughout these levels, I have held various leadership roles including nearly every executive position at the club level, district Secretary, district representative for the Provincial 4-H AGM, and have been a representative for the Saskatchewan 4-H on the national level at the Citizenship Seminar in Ottawa. I have competed in judging events, public speaking, horse shows, youth conferences, and leadership workshops. I am forever grateful for my years in the 4-H organization.

Apart from 4-H, I have been active on the SHF Heritage show circuit for the past 6 years. I have flourished into a mature horsewoman and have honed my riding skills with the experience of showing competitively on the Heritage Circuit. I have been involved in the Sask. Reined Cowhorse Association, Sask. Quarter Horse Association, Sask. Paint Horse Association, Saskatoon Team Penning Club, and the Sask. Riding Clubs Association as a member and show enthusiast. I had the opportunity to be a part of Prairie Central’s Reining Team for the Saskatchewan Summer Games in 2012. My teammate and I were awarded a bronze medal in Team Reining. Competing and being involved in numerous equine groups has given me the experience to be leader, to gain more knowledge, and to value becoming a life-long learner.

I have always been extremely interested in equine health. For the majority of my life I had planned on becoming an equine veterinarian, but as high school came to an end, engineering sparked my interest and seemed to better suit the lifestyle and work schedule I am inter-ested in living. We have always tended to our own animals including abscesses, wounds, and preventative vaccinations. Through 4-H, we had the opportunity to go to the U of S’s Vetavision and WCVM Equine Education Day on many occasions. I had the opportunity to participate in our school’s work experience program at the U of S’s Vaccination and Infectious Disease Organization, VIDO. I learned the process of trying to develop a vaccine, which had always interested me. I’ll be sure to carry all of this experience into my adult life when I have my own farm of horses.

Although my career choice of an engineer doesn’t exactly involve horses in the everyday work, they will always be a part of my life. My strong abilities in mathematics and science led me to pursue an Engineering degree. My first year was challenging but rewarding, as I passed all of my classes and labs with a 73% average, which is very respectable for the first year in engineering with a full course load. I am excited to start my second year in the discipline of Geological Engineering. Once I graduate, I’m very interested in having a career involving the extraction of petroleum. With my leadership skills I have gained in the horse industry, I hope to be in a managerial position and to be running a company in the future. I look forward to graduating and entering the work force, while keeping a horses a part of my life.

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P r o m o t i n g E q u i n e E x c e l l e n c e 17

SCHOLARSHIP

Essay

Health and Welfare Issues in the Equine Industry: Western Pleasure

Western Pleasure in the past has been controversial in the horse sport industry because of its sometimes-questionable practices towards the athletes. In this class, the horse is to travel both directions around the ring at a walk, jog, and lope in an easy-going and relaxed man-ner. However, many controversies have surrounded the sport. Animals that were supposed to be beautiful and talented were seen doing opposite of what was described in the rulebooks. Many improvements have been made in recent years, however more can be done to give the horses a better life and to improve the reputation of the sport. Equine wellness in Western Pleasure can be improved by making futurities for 3-year-old horses, and by stopping “in style” trends and training techniques that promote unnatural movement.

In the Western Pleasure world, professionals’ income comes mainly from futurities. Majority of these prestigious futurities are competi-tions for 2-year-old animals. For the wellness of the horses, these futurities should be made at least for animals a year older. When a horse is bred to the substantial size and build of a Western Pleasure horse, many parts of their body, especially their legs, are not developed for the workload they are subjected to in order to be competitive in the futurity world. They are started in the fall of their yearling year to be ready for many popular stock breed futurities that are held in the spring. Their knee joints have not properly closed, while their mus-cling isn’t developed to continue extremely collected work for multiple workouts a day. Pushing these athletes to grow up faster than an average horse causes many lameness problems later in life and often results in a short career. The wellness of the horse will not improve unless the industry agrees to have 3-year-old, rather than 2-year-old futurities.

The sport of Western Pleasure is often influenced by trends and training techniques of the top contenders. The stock horse associations has started penalizing horses for travelling too slow and for carrying their heads and necks too low after the majority of competitors were adopting these “in style” movements. In more recent times, horses are loping with their hips canted in, away from the rail. Many training techniques used in Western Pleasure promote unhealthy movements of the horse. Draw reins force the horse to have headsets below their withers. The spur stop technique allows them to travel without any rein contact. This can result in unnaturally slow movement and stop-ping on their forehand. Athletes of Western Pleasure need to move naturally and without gimmicks in order to remain in good-working health. By postponing futurities, refusing to follow fads, and discouraging adverse training techniques, the Western Pleasure horses well-being will be put into priority. As a Western Pleasure exhibitor, I acknowledge that much can be done to improve the welfare of the horse in the industry. The sport is heading in the right direction, but lots can be done to improve it. The only way the horses’ health will become the priority is if competitors choose to train in a natural way. In any sport, not only Western Pleasure, the horses’ health needs to be put in first priority before any trend or dollar amount.

| BY MAKAYLA RETTGER

www.debramarshall.ca306.382.9139

VISIT WWW.SASKHORSE.CA FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

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FEATURE

Link to the PastJack Grad

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO PAST FARMING PRACTISES IS JUST ONE ITEM JACK GRAD HAS ACCUMULATED IN HIS HORSEMAN PORTFOLIO

his will mark #17 in the books for Jack Grad and the Qu’Appelle Val-ley Horse Pull Club Pioneer Harvest

and Field Day at the Jack Grad Farm, 4 miles north of Vibank, Saskatchewan.

Jack Grand was raised on the family farm near McLean, Saskatchewan, just east of Regina. It was a mixed farm that worked the land with horses, milked dairy cows and sold the cream for income. Horses were a way a life for the Grad family They were alway riding, breaking or training horses to drive. “ We would wait until our parents left the yard and we find the wildest, crazi-est horse on the place to ride. It’s funny we didn’t get hurt in those days!,” Jack laughs.

Through Jack’s teens, he became involved in rodeo and team roping. He later met his wife Shirley and expanded his fami-ly with 3 boys (Keith, Kevin and Curtis). In 1963, Jack and Shirley moved north of Vibank. The kids were busy participat-ing in Gymkhana and Shirley barrel raced as well. They were a busy rodeo family. Close to Vibank was the Strawberry Lake Provincial Community Pasture. Jack was given an opportunity to manage the pasture; which he excitingly accepted in 1969. Jack managed the pasture for 37 years and has

never missed a round-up at the pasture in 47 years. One of Jack’s highlight events of the year.

In the early 1970’s, Jack and Shirley also established a 140 mare PMU operation. Between the pasture manager position, busy kids and the PMU operation it was a busy place around the Grad household.

Unexpectedly a curve ball was thrown at the Grad family as Shirley was diagnosed with cancer. Fighting a courageous battle, she passed away in 1992, leaving Jack to manage the fort on his own and he did.

The PMU business was good, but it did have a down side. It was difficult to mar-ket the foals. Jack decided to hold an an-nual production sale for Performance and Race Bred Foals. The sale was known as the September Showcase. The sale ran for 14 years (1993 - 2007). Jack halter broke ev-ery colt so the new

owners would be able to handle their foal better. “One year we broke over 100 foals for the sale. It was a lot of work,” said Jack. They privately marketed quarter horses and paints off the farm and pasture work-ing horses were sold at 4 months of age as weanlings. “Never let a horse off the place without being branded,” says Jack. In Jack’s travels, he still sees horses with the Grad brand. “You feel a sense of pride seeing a horse you sold working for some-one else.”

T

Above: Heavy Horses, Ruben (left), Blackjack (right) and Jack

| BY BRIDGET ANDREWS

Continued on Page 18

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FEATURE

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After the PMU contracts were eliminated, horse values dropped. Jack decided to in-crease his draft horse numbers and became involved in the Qu’Appelle Valley Horse Pull Club. He calls them, “Gentle Giants - they are “down to earth” horses that take their time doing things and are easy to handle.”

At present, he has 30 - 35 draft mares and geldings and has been actively pulling for the past 15 years. Jack has participated in horse pull competitions at Canadian West-ern Agribition, Minot, Nokomis, Carnduff and many more. He normally pulls in 10-14 events per year and in the past has won the Chore Team Competition at different places. “I always had a desire to work with hors-es. When I increased the drafts I wanted to hold an event that would bring back the past and show people how we farmed in the “old days.” I get a charge out of watching people especially seeing how the older people react when we bring out the Binder and Stooker or have the horses plow in the fields. The Pio-neer Harvest and Field Day comes alive. It’s a lot of work for one day, but I don’t look at

it that way. It’s well worth it!” explains Jack. The Pioneer Harvest and Field day is host to 500 people annually and is held right at Jack’s farm. Demonstration events such as manure spreading, plowing, discing, harrow-ing, threshing and binding and stooking are all worked by horses. People attending are able to take part in the events. Not to mention the po-tato digging that gets the young kids involved by picking potatoes. Jack plants red, white and “the Purple Potato” that makes a good conversation piece. The afternoon ends with a Heavy Horse Pull Competition followed by a barbecue beef supper.

When Jack’s not planning the field day he is busy making 4-5000 square bales in the haying season. Most of the squares are sold to horse owners and he sends a load to Cana-dian Western Agribition each year. “There’s always someone coming in the yard needing a bale or two!”

In between, Jack provided horse and car-riage rides for weddings. Both draft and quar-ter horses were trained to pull the carriage. He did 12 weddings with a pair of 2 yr. old draft horses that he trained to drive. Since the late 80’s Jack has done approximately 75 weddings and recently has retired his horse and carriage service.

Jack’s talented horsemanship was easily passed on to his kids. His eldest son, Keith is involved in team roping and his daugther, Krystal, Jack’s granddaughter, raises and sells barrel racing horses.

Above: Jack awaiting his turn at the Yorkton Horse Pull

Above: Jack’s Farm - Host to the Pioneer Harvest & Field Day

Above and Below: “The Famous Potato Digger”

“I ALWAYS HAD A DESIRE TO WORK WITH HORSES. WHEN I INCREASED THE DRAFTS I WANTED TO HOLD AN EVENT THAT WOULD BRING BACK THE PAST AND SHOW PEOPLE HOW WE FARMED IN THE “OLD DAYS.”

Above: Demonstration of horses plowing the land at the Field Day

FEATURE

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P r o m o t i n g E q u i n e E x c e l l e n c e 21

“I ALWAYS HAD A DESIRE TO WORK WITH HORSES. WHEN I INCREASED THE DRAFTS I WANTED TO HOLD AN EVENT THAT WOULD BRING BACK THE PAST AND SHOW PEOPLE HOW WE FARMED IN THE “OLD DAYS.”

Coyote Flats Performance Horses is owned by Kevin, Marla and Charmaine Grad. They raise and sell top quality quarter horses. Kevin is involved in team roping and is a qualified judge in the CCA and MRCA circuits. Marla and Charmaine barrel race and hold a bar-rel racing jackpot once a month at their farm. Charmaine is the presi-dent of the Saskatchewan Barrel Racing Association.

It’s the heart felt presence you feel when you meet Jack Grad. The tilt of his weathered cowboy hat tells the story. His passion for horses, agriculture and the knowledge he shares about the past is unforget-table. He is a great mentor for any person, young or old, wanting to learn about horsemanship. Knowledge from a lifetime of learning.

His goal, ‘To make it to the 20th Pioneer Harvest and Field Day!” See you there Jack.

Above: Jack making sure the stooks are ready for the Field Day!

Above: The Team: Pearl, May, Blackjack and Beauty

Photo Credit: Prairie Wind Photography Above: Jack presenting a Horse Pull Award to Norm Vertefeuille at the Field Day

Above: Jack and “The Team” swathing crop with a binder at the Field Day

Above: Jack and “The Team” raking at the field day

FEATURE

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Cain Quam Performance Horses Ride in comfort this winter Contact: Roberta Quam 306-424-2034 www.quamperformancehorses.com 50 minutes SE of Regina, 48 highway Horse Boarding now available in our heated, indoor riding arena and barn – 80 X 180. Daily and monthly rates available. Professional horse trainer onsite – 30 years experience. Boarding, lessons, training, equine assisted learning and clinics. Regardless of discipline, new horse owner, or veteran horse owner, find the support and guidance you seek. Lessons available on horsemanship, reining, working cowhorse, cutting (buffalo or flag), mounted shooting, barrels, poles, or anything else horse related.

Grasswood Equestrian Centre Dale Gibbon, 306-934-0092 [email protected] 2422 Clarence Ave. S, Saskatoon, SK S7J 1M2 www.grasswoodequestrian.com Located 2 minutes south of Saskatoon, corner of Grasswood Rd & Clarence Ave. Western riding programs, lessons & clinics, indoor riding arena-164 x 84 coverall; long term & short term boarding.

North Fork Equestrian CentreDale & Cheryl Nygaard, [email protected] www.northforkequestriancentre.ca

Located less than 15 minutes north of Saskatoon Our 150 acre family owned ranch; offers high quality reasonable boarding for your horses. Indoor & outdoor arenas, indoor wash bay, on-site staff, double-saddle tack lockers, on-site trailer storage. Pasture, paddock & stall boarding available, horse training & lessons available.

K&K Training StablesKelly & Heidi Adams – 306-355-2599Box 234, Mortlach, SK S0H 3E0Website: www.SilenceSpeaksMore.com YouTube: www.YouTube.com/SilenceSpeaksMoreEmail: [email protected] km west of Moose Jaw, ½ mile south of #1 Highway (look for the big red & white tent)

A Full Service Equine Facility. The facility includes 17 box stalls with attached indoor arena, 16 boarding pens, and 3 out-door arenas. 35 years experience. Full Care Board, Training, Conditioning, and Lessons are available. Also available West-ern Style Dressage, Horsemanship, and Saddle Seat Clinics. Work with Kelly & Heidi and find out that Silence really does Speak More. NEW for 2014 – Intensive Equine Adult Retreat and 2 week Horse Training Intensive.

CLUB NEWS

PRAIRIE CARRIAGEDRIVING CLUB NEWS

The activities for the year started off with a Sleigh Ride March 9th, at the acreage of Bob Thomas south of Saskatoon and hosted by our Club members, Stan and Lori Garchinski. On this occasion we had two driv-en pairs, six sin-gles and 2 ridden horses. These were accompanied by 21 drivers, riders and passengers. The weather was ideal for sleighing and the terrain great, in that it included some open areas, but mostly protected from winds by moderate bush and a variety of gentle slopes. This was followed by the Drive on May 25th, at the Wolf Willow Ranch hosted by Bill Humeny and included a turnout of seven driven rigs and a couple of riders, as Bill led us over a combination of ditches, grass fields and road allowances, through and over some interesting bush and gently rolling countryside, for a total of something near seven miles. Again, as per usual, for this Driving Club we ended the day with Bill hosting, and many contrib-uting, to a great potluck and social including about 15 sitting down to enjoy the conclusion. The next event for the Club was to be invited by the Pleasure Drivers to a Ride and Drive on May 31st, at the acreage where Francis Crosson keeps his horses and has access to some great driving trails. Although there was a limited number of our members available that Saturday, those of us who made it had a good chance to socialize with the other driv-ers of the area, many who had been around for the earlier sleigh ride.

In the meantime we were preparing for the Clinic by Kristin Dornan of Ireland as she was on her way to some clinics on Vancouver Island. This involved eight drivers and three auditors and again was hosted by Bill Hu-meny at his WWR and took place over the extended weekend of June 7th to 9th. The weather was quite unsettled and although most of the Clinic was run outside it was certainly a big help (essential) to have the availability of the arena to carry on when the weather became a factor in the value of the Clinician’s ring-time. One of the meals was planned as a social to be held at a local greenhouse/restaurant, Solar Gardens, which turned out to be a most eclectic adventure enjoyed by eight people from the Clinic. As with previous clinics this turned out to be another opportunity to welcome new members to the Club, and the benefit to each participant was widely varied but gave everyone something different to take home and put into practice.

The following weekend, June 14-15, Bill H. and Troy Wickenheiser went to Vermilion, to take part in the back-to-back Driving Trials put on by the East/West Chapter of the ACDC, where they joined about 26 other drivers for the weekend and apparently came away with ribbons in some tight competition.

Above: Bill Humeny, driving his Canadian stallion, and Troy Wickenheiser as gator, in Vermilion, AB last month.

| BY TERRY PARTINGTON

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STABLE DIRECTORY

Ebon Stables Phone: 306-477-0199 • [email protected] • www.ebonstables.com Dressage & Hunter/Jumper with a focus on classically correct basics & effective horsemanship. For the serious recreational or competitive rider who would like to benefit from our training program, either full time or on a drop in basis, in a safe and motivating environment.

Contact One of these Stables Near You!

Clearview Arena Connie & Jim Chaplin, 306-332-1332 Junction#10 & #35S, 35 minutes NE of Regina near Fort Qu’Appelle. [email protected] www.clearviewarena.com Horse boarding available. Pasture with windbreaks & water, outside pens with shelters, box & standing stalls, daily or monthly horses. Arena rental inquiries welcome. Inquires invited for full & part time board, indoor & outdoor arena access, tack room, heated viewing area, lessons. Discounts on multiple trainers/instructors.

The Greenwood Ranch – Home of Ghost Wind AppaloosasBill & Joanne Greenwood, 306-957-2181Box 160, Odessa, SK S0G 3S045 min S. E. of Regina Call for Directions Hwy. 48 South East to Odessa, turn south first grid road, 3 miles on right.

Breeding versatile foundation and modern bred appaloosas for all disciplines. We stand the Foundation Appaloosas, Apache Kid Galahad and HMH Phantom Spirit at stud; ApHC, ApHCC, FAHR and IPAA. Our foundation Appaloosa and AQHA mares are truly superior, whose breeding quality directly reflects in our outstanding foals, yearlings, and two year olds. Please check our horses or sales on our website at www.greenwoodranch.ca or www.thegreenwoodranch.com Organic horse hay, horse training, and farrier services are available,

Jackson Creek Warmbloods/Adamson Farms LtdJackson Creek Warmbloods is a small facility located south of Moosomin, SK. with over 20 years experience in Western and English discipline’s, We have a barn with box stalls and standing stalls, turnout pens and pastures, a 75’ X 180’ outdoor arena, a 60’ round pen and lots of trails for hacking. We also operate a Canadian Warmblood breeding program. We have limited space for boarding and also offer lessons/coaching to people who have their own horse(s).

Jaida AdamsonBox 21Fairlight, SK S0G 1M0306-646-4462http://jacksoncreekwarmbloods.ca/

Twin Pine Stables - Tim and Kim RoseTWIN PINE STABLES – Tim and Kim RoseLocated right on city limits - Regina’s west side. (Just south of the corner of 13th Ave. & Courtney St.)

Small scale full service Boarding Stable providing a SAFE, CLEAN and COMFORTABLE surrounding for our clients and their horses.Heated barn with box stalls, daily turnout, well balanced feeding pro-gram, and regular farrier schedule. Indoor sand arena, outdoor sand arena, and outdoor dirt arena.

For more info: Call: 306-359-0622 or email: [email protected]

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CLUB NEWS

SYDNEY RISLER, PARA-DRESSAGE EQUESTRIAN ATHLETE | ERIN MC CORMICK

I am pleased to introduce you to 18 year old Ms. Sydney Risler, Para-Dressage Equestrian Athlete and her 13 year old equine partner “Cutter’s Dry Cody”. Sydney was born with Cerebral Palsy (a dis-ability which has impaired her movement) and began taking thera-peutic horseback riding as a small child at Equilibrium Therapeutic Riding, located North of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, after Sydney’s mom recognized the dramatic improvements in Sydney’s mobility following her riding therapy.

Now, years later, Sydney was busy spending this past winter and spring preparing for her first Para-Dressage horse show under the instruction of Erin McCormick (EC Competition Coach and Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association Instructor) and Kayla Phillips (Cana-dian Therapeutic Riding Association Assistant Instructor). Para Dressage follows the same basic rules and principles as regular dressage, but riders are divided into different grades based on their functional abilities. For example, Sydney rides at Grade 1b, where she is expected to demonstrate working and medium gaits in a dres-sage test with walk and trot. With the show committee of the “Give it a Go” dressage show we were able to organize to have a Para-Dressage class offered at that show, which took place on July 5th and 6th, 2014. This was a first for a Saskatchewan show and for a Saskatchewan rider. Sydney had a very successful first show, with great scores and excellent feedback from the judges. Since the show, Sydney’s confidence has sky-rock-

eted and has resulted in a dramatic improvement in her riding. Sydney plans to continue to progress through her participation in Equine Canada Bronze level Para-dressage classes, eventually working her way to Gold level competitions and “grading” through Para-Equestrian Canada. Becoming Graded means being assessed by a team at Para-Equestrian Canada to determine correct placement in the grading system based on physical and functional abilities. Sydney and her family, Cutter and the staff at Equilibrium Ther-apeutic Riding would like to extend their thanks for the generous support and financial contributions offered from the following people, organizations and businesses: The entire show committee of the 2014 Give it a Go dressage Show, Prairie Spirit School Division, Extreme Landscaping (The Dignean Family), Potashcorp (Patience Lake), Paula and Dave Morch (Hoof Hearted Farrier Service), Greenhawk Saskatoon, Nichola Taylor, Dr. Katherine Robinson, Dr. Sue Ashburn-er and Gait Equestrian.

Above: Ms. Sydney Risler, Para-Dressage Athlete and her partner Cutter’s Dry Cody

VISIT WWW.SASKHORSE.CA FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

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CLUB NEWS

HEAVY HORSE HIGHLIGHTS | MERLIN FORD

One of the first draft horse events of the late spring / early summer season was the PALS Heavy Horse Field Day, which was held at Rama on May 17 and 18. 17 teams, a team of mules, and a pair of steers participated.

The 11th Annual Saskatchewan Working Teamsters Association Field Day was held on the Campbell farm near Bjorkdale on June 14 and 15. About an equal number of participants as Rama took part on Saturday, but unfortunately, as has happened the past few years, the event was rained out on Sunday.

A Horse Around Event had been planned for the weekend of June 21 and 22, at the farm of Norval and Vera Budd near Kelliher, but it also had the misfortune of being rained out. Frontier Days was held in Swift Current from June 27 to 29. Following the draft horse show, some exhibitors also took part in a plowing demonstration. Three Saskatchewan exhibitors showed draft horses at the Calgary Stampede. Frank Blair of Hershel showed a yearling Belgian filly, while Linda Banga of Canora exhibited Clydesdales. Albert and Emma Duhaime of Paynton had a very busy and suc-cessful show season, beginning with the Central Alberta Draft Horse Classic at Olds, which takes place just before Calgary. Their stallion, Duhaime’s Cole, was named the Grand Champion Belgian Stallion at all five of the shows he was exhibited at. Emma Duhaime’s grand-father, Jules Nachtengaele, was one of the province’s first Belgian breeders. The Nachtegaele family farm celebrated it’s 100th year in 2011, and as a tribute the Duhaime’s named the first foal of the year Duhaime’s Nightingaele. The three year old home bred gelding had an excellent year in 2014, being named the Supreme Champion Belgian at the Calgary Stampede, and the Supreme Champion Over All Breeds at

Lloydminster. Colonial Days at Lloydminster was a qualifying show for both the North American Six Horse Hitch Classic Series, and the Fiske’s Canadian Ultimate Supreme Draft Horse Challenge. A total of six six horse hitches competed.

Highlights from the draft horse show at Prince Albert included two eight horse hitches, as well as the usual six horse hitch class. Exhib-itors included four generations of the Morton Seaman family who pitched in to present their Percherons to the public. The draft horse show at North Battleford has grown from approx-imately twenty horses six years ago, to almost 60 this year. There were nine exhibitors in both the Best Dressed and Ladies team class-es, as well as three six horse hitches. A beginners driving clinic will be held near Maple Creek on September 12-14. To register, or for more information, contact Jim Saville at (306) 295-4124. The Donegal Clydesdale Dispersal Sale will be held near Canora on October 4. Greg Gallagher has been breeding Clydesdales for about forty years, and with approximately sixty head in the sale, buyers and enthusiasts from near and far are expected.

It’s good to see the addition of the Chore Team Competition and Feed Team Race to the list of events at Agribition. For more infor-mation, contact the Agribition office at (306) 565-0565, or see their website: www.agribition.com. To view a list of these and other draft horse activities, you can view the Coming Events page at www.clippityclop.ca. If you don’t have internet access and are unable to view the above list, or if you have any other draft horse news or coming events, please feel free to call Merlin Ford at (306) 592-2132.

Rae Rosenkerr of Preeceville discing at the 11th Annual SWTA Field Day at Bjorkdale in June. Photo courtesy of Susan Campbell.

Duhaime’s Nightingaele, the home bred gelding owned by Albert & Emma Duhaime. Photo courtesy of Erin Mitchell.

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2014 MOOSE JAW CUTTING HORSE SHOW LIMITED AGE EVENT | BY ELAINE GOOD

Over 50 horses competed for over $11,000 in prize money at the Limited Age Event held in conjunction with the Moose Jaw Cutting Horse Show, July 31 to August 3, 2014. This event is presented by the Saskatchewan Cutting Horse Association and features this year’s 3 year olds making their debut in the cutting pen!

The Equitop Myoplast Open Futurity Aggregate was claimed by Cats Boonsmal, shown by Jeff Schwitzer, Valleyview, Alberta, for owner Pat Rorison, Dawson Creek, British Co-lumbia. This red roan daughter of High Brow Cat, out of the mare Peptolena Lucinda, was purchased as a yearling from the Brewer Ranch Dispersal Sale at the Super Stakes. Jeff says she’s exactly what you’re looking for: good to train, gritty and cow smart!

One Motime claimed the Non-Pro Aggregate with a solid performance for owner/rider Lee Ganzert, Battleford, Saskatchewan. One Motime is a bay stallion sired by One Time Pepto and out of the mare Mo Flo that he had purchased as a yearling at the Futurity Sale. Lee started him as a 2 year old before sending him to Clint Christianson in September for fur-ther training. Lee describes the stallion as easy going and always thinking about his job. He added that “it’s quite a change between riding a solid weekend horse versus a 3 year old!”

The very talented red roan mare, Spoonful Of Trix won both the Open Aggregate under the saddle of trainer Clint Christianson, Brack-en, Saskatchewan, and the Non-Pro Aggregate with owner Kali Fortner up. This mare, sired by Hes A Pep-tospoonful and out of Shes A Cuttin Cat, was purchased as a 2 year old for Clint to train and develop. She had a strong 3 year old year last year and at the time of writing, Clint and Spoonful of Trix are leading the $15,000 Novice Horse standings in Saskatchewan.

BluRey came back to Moose Jaw as a 6 year old to win the Open Classic Aggregate with scores of 74 both days. In his first appearance at Moose Jaw as a 3 year old he took home the Open Futurity Aggregate! This handy red roan gelding owned by Richard Hollingworth, Valleyview, Alberta is sired by Dual Rey out of Autumn Blue. Shown by Jeff Schwitzer, BluRey has been a finalist at all the major aged events including Red Deer, Calgary and Kamloops. As Jeff says “When I do my part, he’s always there to do his!”

Northern Smooth Cat, owned and shown by Carly Christianson, Stony Plain, Alberta, took the Non-Pro Classic Aggregate. This 5 year old bay gelding sired by Smooth As A Cat out of Rose Holly, was purchased from Lanny Chernipeski and has been a real good fit as a show horse for Carly, observed trainer and Dad, Loren Christianson. Although she hasn’t been showing for long, watch for this youthful but accomplished Non-Pro at all the fall futurities and limited age events.

Above: Non Pro 3 year old-One Motime - Lee Ganzert

Above: Non Pro Classic - Northern Smooth Cat - Carla Christianson

Above: Non Pro Derby - Spoonful of Trix-Kali Fortner

Above: Open 3 year old - Cats Boonsmal - Jeff Schwitzer

Above: Open Classic - Blu Rey - Jeff Schwitzer

Above: Open Derby - Spoonful of Trix - Clint Christianson

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CLUB NEWS

SASKATCHEWAN REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION NEWS | BY DARLENE TINGTVED

The Saskatchewan Reined Cow Horse season is in full swing with three of the seven shows complete. There has been fine food, fellowship and hot competition. We have had cooler weather, rainy weather and it has not stopped the fun. We have seen a number of new competitors come out to play and compete with the seasoned veterans of this awesome circuit. The first show of the season May 10 & 11, 2014 was hosted by Barry and Brenda Clemens, Beaver Creek Ranch. There was a great turnout and despite the cooler weather the competition was fierce. The youth competitors were just as tough as the adults, as this great pic-ture of Jaret Farrow shows. Dallas Pole of Diamond Willow Ranch was on hand and took some amazing photos. At the end of the day the big warm campfire and pot luck supper, were much appreciated.

Diamond Willow Ranch and Kevin and Dallas Pole, will host the Au-gust 9 & 10 SRCHA show at Mortlach, Sk.

Then it was on to the OK Corral at Martensville May 24 & 25, hosted by Clint and Krista Kowalski. The sponsors for this show were PCS Patience Lake, SCM Ranch, Checkered Flag Automotive and Bnj Ven-tures Inc. There were High Point Blankets Awarded in each division.

This vintage looking photo was taken at the show by Elena Coates, it features six horses sired by and one grandson of the stal-

lion Major Pepinic owned by Barry and Brenda Clemens. All of the horses in the photo were in competition at the OK Corral. Another example of how capable our youth competitors are, is Con-nor Wonko who won both the Jr Horse 4 & 5 Yr Old High Point Award, as well as the Senior Youth High Point award at the Martensville show.

June 14 & 15 was the Melfort Show at the Creekside Arena, Melfort, Sk hosted by Ken and Raylene Carlson. After a day of tough com-petition, the evening featured a steak barbeque where everyone had a chance to get together to socialize. A great time had by all. Ken and Raylene are hosting another SRCHA show at Melfort July 26 & 27.

We cannot thank all the hosts enough for their hard work. This is really a group effort with the hosts putting in long days of hard work making it happen. A big thank you goes out to our fellow competitors willing to spend long hours in the saddle to turn back and herd hold, to make sure we all get the chance to have a great run and to the sponsors for these events, they help it make it all happen.

Next stop for the SRCHA is Swift Current Frontier Days June 27 & 28, with 4 shows including the Futurity/Derby in Saskatoon left to go. All show information is available on the SRCHA website www.reinedcowhorse.net

Above: Dave Coates, Deanna Ratcliff, Teagan Douglas, Jody Eyolfson, and Brenda and Barry Clemens

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CLUB NEWS

SASKATCHEWAN PAINT HORSECLUB NEWS | BY RONNI NORDAL

Hard to believe that July is almost over. It seems like summer just got here and soon it will be gone. Oh, wait – summer did just get here! Here is hoping it sticks are around for a long time.

We hope you all agree that 2014 has been GREAT for the Saskatchewan Paint Horse Club and its members. The year started with the Lloyd-minster Spring Show, but the fun and successes didn’t stop there.

On June 15 & 16 the SPHC hosted the Loud & Proud Show, which was a SHF show followed by a APHA single judge show, held at Willow-ridge Stables in Saskatoon. Stephanie McMillan was the driving force behind this show and the hard work certainly showed. She will be giving more news from the show – acknowledging the winners and the generous sponsors that made it possible. A few that I know of are from the APHA show day:

Hi Point 13 & Under – Cassidy BoxallHi Point 14 to 18 – Taylor GardnerHi Point Youth Solid Paint Bred – Sam BoxallHi Point Amateur – Angie MorrowHi Point Amateur Solid Paint Bred – Rebecca Katz

A couple special awards were handed out at the Loud & Proud, and perhaps they were the most important awards of all as they were the Sportsmanship Awards. Congratulations to Tianna Gallerneault (Below Left) and Alivia Boxall! (Below Right) Keep it up.

It is always great to see new SPHC members and exhibitors. This year we are pleased to see Meghan Schmidt showing One Hot Italian. They are going to be a force to be reckoned with – and their successes were already being noticed at the Loud & Proud.

The events kept coming and thanks to the hard work and dedication of Laura Martin, Candy Schick and Tammy Francis, our SPHC 3rd Annual Trail Ride and Trail Challenge was held at Trail’s End Guest Ranch, Aylesbury, SK. They provided a brief news report with pic-tures taken by Chelsey Coe.

With some extra rain in the area and the help of flooding from the beautiful Arm River, it made for some special challenges this year that were met with exuberance from all. Saturday started us off with a wonderful morning trail ride through the beautiful historic hills of the Arm

Photos Courtesy of Kerri-Anne Boxall

Above: Meghan Schmidt showing One Hot Italian

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River Valley that was enjoyed by all. The afternoon consisted of the Youth Division competing on the trail challenge course, and was fol-lowed up with the special Battle for the Saddle class where competition was fierce, and a visiting alligator made his appearance in the water. Saturday night was spent enjoying a fabulous steak supper with all the fixings, thanks to Lyle and Christine Benz and their ranch hands of Trail’s End Guest Ranch. With full tummy’s, it was time to retire to the campfire to enjoy a great evening of visiting. Sunday was spent enjoying a full day of competition in the Rookie, APHA Jr. Horse, APHA Sr. Horse, and the Open Ladies and Mens Divisions.

We would like to Congratulate all our Division Winners!!Youth Division 1st, 2nd & 3rd placings went to Audra Copper who competed on all 3 of her horses.Battle for the Saddle Division 1st place and a beautiful saddle went to Stephanie McMillan, 2nd to Ronni Nordal and 3rd to Brent Byers.Rookie Division winner was Gary Charnock, 2nd Rhonda Lang and 3rd to Rose JohnsonAPHA Jr. Horse winner was Stephanie McMillanAPHA Sr. Horse winner was Lynn Hoosier, 2nd Brent Byers and 3rd Ronni NordalLadies Open winner was Lynn Hoosier, 2nd Ronni Nordal and 3rd Lorilei CornellMens Open winner was Robert Barbour, 2nd Brent Byers and 3rd Rick BathgateMany thanks go out to our amazing sponsors of this event including Paradise Hill Farm Supply, Syngenta, DuPont, Dow Agroscience, Monsanto, BASF, Bayer, Lynn Hoosier, Jaw’s Mobile Hot Wash, Battleford’s Animal Hospital, All Tacked Up, West Central Pelleting and The Twisted Sisters (Tammy Francis and Candy Schick).It was a great weekend enjoyed by all and everyone is looking forward to next years event and new challenges. Till we meet again…….Happy Trails!!

The SPHC’s year hasn’t ended yet – the final show of the year will be the Harvest of Colours Show – August 30 & 31, 2014 at Prairieland Park, Saskatoon. This is a 2 judge APHA show combined with a single judge AQHA All Novice show and open show. All of these plus 8 jack-pots each with $250.00 added money. Add to the mix a whole lot of fun, exhibitor draws and prizes and it will be a great time.

Above: SPHC 3rd Annual Trail Ride and Trail Challenge at Trail’s End Guest Ranch, Aylesbury, SK

Above: Gary Charnock at the Trail Challenge

Above: Brent Buyers at the Trail Challenge

Above: Christine Benz at the Trail Challenge

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Mailing Address

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