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The Little Horse That Could - and Did (Part 3)
In 2001, we finally set out to do what I had planned for
a long time - to prove we could be competitive in BC and Alberta.
We hit the Western Canadian Reining Association circuit in
May, with a show in Quesnel. After winning one class and taking
second in another, we were well on our way to a respected
position in the WCRA group.
This was really neat for me as I had always doubted my ability
to show on that level. Instead of being embarrassed or humiliated,
instead I kept hearing such positive comments that I really
felt like we belonged. I even had one friend tell me that
she decided to use me as a model for how she wanted to show
her reining horse - wow!
We made a lot of friends that year as we gained more and more
show pen experience. With wins in Prince George, Quesnel and
Kamloops, it was time to go to the big time. I decided to
include a trip to the Canadian Supreme in with my lesson time
at J.P. Forget’s in Sundre, Alberta.
Red Deer
The Canadian Supreme. Even the name sounds like something
mystical and magical, something beyond all reality. To be
there was incredible, a culmination of years of hard work
for the people involved. The breeders, the trainers, the owners
and riders, all contributed countless hours to making it to
The Supreme.
For me, attending my first Canadian Supreme was like having
the Northern Horse Review magazine come to life. NHR is a
Calgary based magazine that chronicles the monthly exploits
of the western equestrian’s world.
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Photo credit: Chris
Hassell
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Cutting, team penning, roping, barrel racing, working cow
horse, and reining. Appaloosa, Quarter Horse and Paint. All
these western icons have their place in the NHR.
Reading an article in the NHR is literally a copy of the “who’s
who” of the Pacific Northwest’s western equestrian
industry. The breeders are featured here, the trainers, and
the horses, those greats who make the industry what it is
today.
As I said earlier, coming to the Supreme was like having the
magazine come to life - people I have read about, seen pictures
of, dreamed of one day meeting in person were there. Some
are trainers, some breeders, some were competing, some coaching,
some acting in all capacities, wearing many hats as we say.
To actually be a part of that, to have my name in the record
books for all to see, truly was the thrill of a lifetime!
We placed 5th out of 33 entries, good enough to be in the
money in the Rookie class, and no matter what happens, I can
say that we went to the Supreme, and we showed well.
When I sat down and read the program at the Supreme was when
it really hit me. Not only was Raime the only 15 year old
horse there, but he was also the only one whose pedigree didn’t
read like the who’s who of reining horses. He was just
a little old grade horse, doing a job well that he had never
been intended to do at all. He truly was the Little Horse
That Could - And Did.
More photos
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December
3, 2002 
Foal
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