I recently read an article in the June 2003 Pacific Horse Journal by Fionna Christensen in which she talks about the importance of competition. I happen to agree with Fionna and with her permission have reprinted part of her article here:

"As riders and human beings we spend our lives 'getting there'. It is not the final goal that matters so much as the steps along the way. It is the landmarks that make us feel like we are able to fit in, able to be competitive in a group of our peers, and able to continue to dream; they make the journey worthwhile.
The first time the hours of practising the sitting trot finally pays off in a comfortable ride; the first time we venture out of the arena and feel confident that our controls are sufficient to provide for a safe ride; the first and every subsequent time we are recognized with a ribbon or award in an equestrian competition; the day the competition is won against others whom we look up to and admire - we feel like we are getting there. These wonderful stepping-stones are the building blocks for self-confidence and the incentive to continue our journey.
It is true, of course, the competition can also be disappointing and eye opening. As a measure of success, it can be difficult to accept that we don't quite measure up (yet!). But the challenges keep us striving and motivate us to work hard and really utilize our abilities."

I couldn't agree more with what Fionna has expressed so well here! As a competitive person, I have made a lot of those same discoveries along the way. Each time I ride is motivated by the smaller goal - a particular show, or perhaps a clinic that I wish to attend with that horse. Each show is a measuring stick to see how far along we are in the overall progress towards the final goal of having a horse competitive enough to challenge and hopefully beat other riders who have dominated the competitions in the past.

Photo credit: Chris Hassell

I remember the first time I beat a friend of mine and her gelding in a western pleasure class - I was thrilled to pieces as she had always been that one step further ahead of me. To be able to achieve that level meant that the hard work was paying off. The same feeling happened when I ventured away from home and won a class - it meant that I was on even ground with the other players, and accepted by them as an equal.

Perhaps that is why I compete. I don't really know. I love to win, but I also love to have a really good ride. There are times we have won because we were the least bad of the bunch. There were times we didn't win when we had a better ride than ever before - but someone else was better yet, or perhaps the judge saw the one crucial mistake we made, and didn't catch several that another rider made. That's just part of competition - it happens!

If you thrive on competition, then use it to help form your goals, and to help reach your larger goals. Still, you have to remember that each time you enter a class, you are giving the judge a single snapshot of where you and that horse are on that given day. You may have had better rides at home, or in the practice pen, and still have a wreck in the arena. Part of the overall goal is to gain ground each time we show, so that the overall picture the judge sees on that given day is better than a different judge saw a month ago, six months ago, a year ago.

Progress can seem slow, but each time you find you measure up a little further than the last time, it is all worth while!

'Til next week, I hope you are enjoying your horse, whether you compete or not!
~ Kristi :)

Would you like to Share a Trailer Ride? View the rides offered here... or submit your offer for a ride here
Foal Announcements View the latest or...
If you have a Foal Announcement you wish to submit, click here

The Northern Saddle Club is holding a Summer Show on July 26 & 27 (this weekend) at the Smithers Fairgrounds. It is a ticket show, which means that you don't have to pre-enter (except for dressage classes, as they have to plan for the class timing in that discipline). Instead, you just bring your signed entry form to the window, pay your money, and get your tickets - and each ticket is good for entry into the class of your choice.

As with most schooling shows held by the NSC, there are a large variety of classes - there is something for most everyone! Saturday starts out at 8 am with Dressage tests being ridden under the watchful eye of Biz Bastian. The classes offered start at a Walk-trot class for newbies to the dressage ring and range right up to the fourth level including four freestyle tests (the rider makes up her own pattern and rides to music).

In the Main Arena, the western classes start out at 8:30 am under judge Christine Hassell. Halter and Showmanship classes are followed by a full slate of western pleasure and western horsemanship classes including several for first year horses and riders. After the Leadline class (riders under the age of 6), the course will be set for the Trail division. Last, but certainly not least, is the Reining division. Reiners can choose from a full line up of classes, beginning with the Super Green classes (jog, trot) on through the Summer Games Qualifiers (NRHA Patterns for youth riders only), Open Reining and Beginner Freestyle. While often seeing low attendance, the Freestyle class is always a blast to watch as riders have 4 musical minutes to complete a pattern of their choosing (to be honest, many people just wing it at the last minute - it can get pretty crazy!).

As if Saturday wasn't already action packed enough, the drivers hitch up their carts and head into the grassy driving ring at 2 pm to show off their stuff. They start with dressage, and cover turnout, working and reinsmanship. The judge for these classes is Dianne Klick.

After the driving is complete, Dianne moves over to the indoor arena to judge the Liberty classes. Instead of separating the classes by breed (usually Purebred Arabians vs. All Other Breeds), this show has one class for Mares and Geldings and one for Stallions. The reason for this is that many stallions are naturally more hyper and animated than the mares and geldings, and so the show organizers have created a class specially for them.

Sunday is no less busy than Saturday was! Two of the judges are back in the rings, with Dianne judging the english flat from 8:30 am in the Main Arena. Riders put their horses through their paces in English Pleasure (again with a good variety of age and experience groups), followed by Basic Seat Equitation in which the riders are judged. A few Road Hack and Show Hack classes round out the first part of the day with a fun class of Pairs thrown in for some variety.

Chris returns to the arena after the English Flat when she judges first the fun classes for children 10 and under, and then the remainder of the regular gymkhana classes follow. Meanwhile, Dianne moves over to the Hunt Field and judges a full slate of Hunter and Jumper courses.

The atmosphere at these Northern Saddle Club shows are always fun and supportive. There are a lot of great people that attend these shows, as volunteers, spectators, and competitors. For more information on this show, please call Gina at 847-4662.

If you have comments or suggestions along the way, please share with me at kristim@hiway16.com

My sincere apologies to our readers - I really am planning to continue with the Farrier series! I have a ton of notes but it takes time to get the notes and sentence fragments organized into the finished product, and time is something I have been rather short on lately! I’ll try again for next week!

If you have information to share, please email me at kristim@hiway16.com

Northern BC Horse is sponsored by local businesses who support equine sports in our area including:

• Baerental Ranch
• Burns Lake Building Supplies
• Hoskins Ford
• Northern Horse Supply
• Reimer Ranch
• Ridennoure Paint Horses

Do you have a horse or equipment to sell? Want to buy a horse or equipment? Check the Free Classified Ads