Event Clinic & COMPETITION
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THREE-DAY Event Clinic & COMPETITIONHosted by Ruth Allum & Mark Nelson AUGUST rd th 23 –26 2018 OAKHURST FARM Ashton, Ontario, Canada Credit: LibertyCredit: Shots Welcome! Oakhurst Farm near Ashton, Ontario, is thrilled to be once again hosting Eastern Canada’s only Three-Day Event Clinic and Competition for Training, Pre-Training and Entry level riders from August 23rd – 26th, 2018. “Changes over the years to event formats mean that many of our riders may never have the chance to compete in a traditional three-day event,” says Ruth Allum, Oakhurst Farm’s coach and the organizer of the event. “Consequently, these riders could lose a very important opportunity to learn about the importance of true horsemanship. At Oakhurst, we are committed to the physical and mental well-being of our riders and their horses, so we are very pleased to provide the opportunity for up to 60 riders who are at the beginning of their Eventing careers to experience a traditional, long format event clinic.” A traditional long format event is different than the popular short format events because it includes a full endurance day. The day begins with roads and tracks, where horse and rider teams ride over distance at a slower measured pace to warm up for the speed portion – steeplechase, where riders ride at a fast gallop and jump obstacles. That is followed by another slower speed, roads and tracks to cool down before presentation to a veterinarian to ensure the horse is fit enough to proceed to the cross-country portion of the endurance day. “The full endurance day will help these riders learn how to condition their horses, to help prevent eliminations and injuries when they ride at higher levels,” says Ruth Allum. “Our event clinic format will ensure that riders receive guidance from top level clinicians at every stage.” Credit: LibertyCredit: Shots 2 Three-Day Event Clinic and Competition – Oakhurst Farm Credit: LibertyCredit: Shots Oakhurst Farm Eastern Ontario’s Premiere Event Facility Located on 250 acres at 8249 Fernbank Road, Oakhurst Farm provides every possible amenity that riders and horses require. • Outdoor three season sand ring • Four season heated indoor arena (156’ X 72’) • Stalls are with automatic water bowls (10’x12’) • Full day turnout, either in groups or individually • Individual tack cupboards • Extra storage space and blanket racks (2nd floor) • Wash stall with rubber mats and hot and cold water Most exciting of all, Oakhurst Farm has cross-country courses at the Pre-Entry, Entry, Pre- Training, Training and Preliminary levels, with a smattering of Intermediate-level jumps as well. In total, there are over a hundred fences, spread across the 250 acres, with plenty of room to gallop: an excellent facility for getting a horse fit, for schooling a wide variety of jumps, or for having a great time. There is also a water complex and several combination jumps. Oakhurst Farm maintains an all-weather galloping track of almost one kilometer in length, and trails provide easy access to the Trans-Canada Trail for extended galloping. Oakhurst Farm will host two recognized Horse Trials in 2018 - one in July and one in September – where well over 100 riders from across Ontario and Quebec compete from Pre-Entry to the Preliminary level. Oakhurst Farm also hosts a series of derby format shows which combine cross-country and show jumping fences. These competitions begin in the outdoor sand ring and extend onto the cross-country course. Three-Day Event Clinic and Competition – Oakhurst Farm 3 Program Overview Please note that the schedule below is subject to change. For the official schedule, please refer to the handout in your rider package or the schedule posted at the Secretary’s hut. Thursday, August 23rd, 2018 • Arrival, check-in • Welcome • First Horse Inspection • Competitor Meeting • Welcome Reception Friday, August 24th, 2018 • Dressage Day • Steeplechase practice sessions • Competitor briefing and cross-country course walks ~ Media tent interviews with Elizabeth Hay – top 3 in each division Saturday, August 25th, 2018 • Endurance Day • Competitor briefing and show jumping course walks • Competitors’ party ~ Riders, their grooms and the ‘All Access Pass’ participants receive one party ticket each. ~ Additional tickets are available for purchase at the secretary’s office Sunday, August 26th, 2018 • Third Horse Inspection • Show Jump Day! • Presentation of awards and prizes Credit: LibertyCredit: Shots 4 Three-Day Event Clinic and Competition – Oakhurst Farm Ruth Allum Ruth is the head coach and trainer at Oakhurst Farm. Ruth is married to Mark Nelson; together they operate Oakhurst Farm, helped by their two children, Eric (2001) and Tatum (2005). As a coach, Ruth’s commitment is to the total physical and mental preparation of both the rider and the horse in the sport of Eventing. She is dedicated to coaching her more than 60 students at Oakhurst Farm. Having competed herself at the Preliminary level, Ruth combines her real-life experiences as an Eventer with formal training as an Equestrian Canada certified High Performance Coach; Level 1-10 EC Rider Level Evaluator; Coach Mentor and Coach Developer/Evaluator for new coaches. LibertyCredit: Shots Nationally, Ruth is proud to have been elected as Chair of the Canadian Eventing Committee and named to the Equestrian Canada National Coaching Technical Committee representing Certified Equestrian Eventing Coaches at the national level. Ruth also continues to actively promote the sport of Eventing in Eastern Ontario by serving on the National Capital Horse Trials Association board. During her more than 20 years as a coach, Ruth has coached horse and rider teams to the Provincial Championships, the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships, the Canadian Eventing National Talent Squad as well as to a place on the Canadian Eventing Team Long List. Whether her students are competing at the Pre-Entry or Advanced level, they still receive the benefit of Ruth’s careful attention to detail in riding, conditioning, and building a strong horse and rider team. In 2011, Ruth was honoured to receive an award from Equestrian Canada as the High- Performance Coach Candidate of Credit: LibertyCredit: Shots the Year. Three-Day Event Clinic and Competition – Oakhurst Farm 5 Mark Nelson Mark has a well-rounded sense of the horse and rider partnership required to excel at every level of equine sport. With a varied equestrian background (Pony Club, 4H member, Arabian circuit, show jumping and finally Three-Day Eventing for the past 20 years), Mark has been involved in many different scenes within the equine world and has a very developed and balanced view of the equine community. Aside from his competitive career as an international Eventer, Mark has earned many qualifications over his years in the equine world. Along with being a certified farrier, Mark is an Equestrian Canada Level 2 Technical Delegate and a Recognized Cross Country Course Designer. Working on the Ontario Horse Trials Association Board as a Director for several years, Mark was deeply involved in the North American Junior/ Young Rider program. From helping provide education and competition opportunities to young Ontario riders to organizing and preparing a team for the annual trip to the Championships, Mark remains an active supporter of the program and continues to advise the current organizers. In 2015, Mark acted as Chef d’Equipe for Team Ontario (Show Jump, Reining and Dressage) at the Canadian Inter-Provincial Equestrian Championships (CIEC) at Wesley Clover Parks. At the competition, Team Ontario won many awards and experienced their most successful competition to date. Mark actively promotes Eventing in Canada and is the President and Competitions Chair for the Ontario Equestrian Board of Directors. As second term Ontario Equestrian President, Mark is working to create a more cohesive and inclusive atmosphere, representative of the needs of the provincial membership. By promoting coaching, long term athlete development and growing the grassroots of Canadian Equestrian sport, Mark is focused on growing our sport and helping more Canadians recognize their love for all things equine than ever before. For the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, Mark was honoured to be chosen as Supervisor of Eventing. Working with the Pan American Games Committee, Mark organized and ran all 3 phases of the first Pan Am Games Eventing competition in Toronto held July 16-19, 2015. Hailed as one of the most successful Games in Pan Am history, Mark worked to ensure that the experience for the international athletes, coaches, officials and spectators was world-class. Mark experienced his first taste of international success riding the ex-racehorse, Power of 2 (Dino). The pair enjoyed a 4th place finish at the Advanced Horse Trials at Morven Park, and were Long Listed with the Canadian Eventing Team in 2006. Mark operates Oakhurst Farm with his wife, Ruth Allum, who is also his coach. Together they have two children, Eric (2001) and Tatum (2005). 6 Three-Day Event Clinic and Competition – Oakhurst Farm Joan Allum Joan and her late husband, Bob Allum, opened their beautiful equestrian home to the public in 1994 and as part of the family owned business created Eastern Ontario’s premiere Eventing facility. Oakhurst Farm’s annual Horse Trials are held up amongst the most well-organized events in Ontario. The credit for that goes to Joan. She serves as secretary for the Oakhurst Horse Trials, derby shows and dressage shows and is the secretary for this Three-Day Event Clinic and Competition. Joan rode and was an active Ottawa Valley Hunt member with her equine partner “Marty” (Debonair) who was also the family’s first horse. Joan enjoyed driving Phil the mini for many years. Judges, Clinicians and Officials What makes this event unique is the team of high level clinicians who are joining Ruth Allum and Mark Nelson in the instruction of riders throughout the course of the Oakhurst Three-Day Event clinic and competition.