SUMMER 2010 THE VOICE OF EQUINE ALBERTA MEMBER MAGAZINE Inside this issue G Carriage Driving in Alberta G Million dollar fundraising G Associations: mules and donkeys; warhorses and knights G Help when you’re on the road G Trails galor e–new initiatives, improved trails G AEF Bits … and more! Alberta Equestrian Federation © www.albertaequestrian.com Equine Department 100-1500 Hardy Place, Kelowna, BC V1Y 8H2 Phone (800) 670-1877 Email: [email protected] www.capri.ca Capri Insurance is proud to be the official insurance provider to the Alberta Equestrian Federation and all its members. Inside Summer 2010 ; Volume 2, issue 2 From Alberta to Kentucky 04 Spotlight on Carriage Driving by Anne Jowett Alberta Bits is the Alberta Equestrian Federation’s official member magazine. Our magazine’s mission is to serve the entire equestrian community of horses and riders of all ages, interests and involvement, Bits of News as the Voice of Equine Alberta. 07 Message from President Dixie Crowson. What’s happening at the AEF, reports, awards, updates Alberta Bits magazine is sent four times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter) to all current AEF members and is made available at the office and special events attended by the AEF. ATRA’s Trail Ride Against Cancer: 0 32 years and counting Alberta Bits is a four-colour glossy magazine distributed throughout Alberta with news and events on behalf 8 of recreational, sport, breeds & industry and educational sectors of the Alberta horse industry. Alberta Bits by Vicki Lawrence is distributed to approximately 13,000 members; 9,000 households and businesses; and at approximately 10 events and trade shows annually. The Southern Alberta Trail Riding 0 Association helps revamp trails The Alberta Equestrian Federation has been incorporated since 1978. 9 by Roger Marvin Publications Mail Agreemen t— #40050297 Recreation Corridors Coordinating Committee: Printed in Canad a— ISSN 1918-7114 10 new directions for trail organizations by Norm Spencer AEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Provincial Association feature: President Dixie Crowson 403.654.2883 12 The Alberta Donkey and Mule Club Vice President Paul Landry 403.885.4670 The Society of Tilt and Lance Cavalry Secretary Juliet Franke 403.843.6427 Treasurer Sandy Bell 403.700.7880 Heading down the highway –are you prepared? Chair-Sport Judy Newbert 403.946.5194 13 by Tori White Chair-Recreation Ken Zelt 780.922.3222 Chair-Breeds and Industry Bill desBarres 888.303.1070 Hauling safely Chair-Education Shantel Perreal 780.231.9155 15 Pilot program is first-ever in Canada Chair-Promotion and Publicity Vivian Slugoski 780.922.3875 by Leita Lawrence and Pat McCormack Individual Diane Blakeman 780.719.6948 Individual Cindy Holyoak 403.933.3706 Olds College is 97 years young Individual Kippy Maitland-Smith 403.845.4864 16 by Rick Overwater, Olds College Individual Pat McCormack 780.992.9792 Individual Judy Orr-Bertelsen 403.728.3282 Knowledge is power –HORSEPOWER Individual Rhianne Weghnnar 403.505.1403 18 by Jackie Bellamy, Equine Guelph Provincial Association contact members listed on page 26. Disabilities become abilities with the help of a horse 20 by Shelley Newman STAFF Executive Director Membership Coordinator Competitions Coordinator YOUTH BEAT Sonia Dantu Rita Bernard Allison Blackmore 21 When being a kid isn’t enough [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] by Taryn Karstens-Smith 403.253.4411 ext 4 403.253.4411 ext 6 403.253.4411 ext 2 Love, pain, the whole darn thing Reception/Admin Coaching Administrator Finance by Madison Monkman Wendy Kemble Jessica Paul Pam Hinton [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 403.253.4411 ext 1 403.253.4411 ext 3 403.253.4411 ext 5 Ask the Insurance Guy 22 by Mike King OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, except holidays. Publication Coordinator: Monika Smith Thoughts on safe riding [email protected] 403.242.6162 23 by Pam Asheton Publication Committee: Pam Asheton, Sonia Dantu, Shelley Newman 2010 MAGAZINE DEADLINES: Western Ranch and Cow Horse challenges students Ad Booking Ad files to AEF Mailing Date 24 by Ron Hoffman, Lakeland College Spring: February 1 February 8 March 8 Summer: May 3 May 10 June 10 Business directory and classifieds Fall: August 20 August 27 September 28 Winter: November 3 November 10 December 10 25 All material is copyright 2010. Ideas and opinions expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect the ideas or AEF member groups opinions of the AEF. Alberta Bits reserves the right to accept, and/or edit material submitted for publication. 26 Associate, Affiliate and Business Members, as of May 3, 2010 The AEF makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained therein, but assumes no liability in cases of error or changing conditions. Any business relations or other activities undertaken as a result of the information contained in Alberta Bits , or arising there from, is the responsibility of the parties involved and not of the AEF. We welcome signed letters to the editor, but reserve the right to publish, edit for grammar, taste and length. For reprint information, please contact [email protected]. ON THE COVER This photo taken by Mary Jane Brown Magazine design by The Visions West Studio. shows her husband, Garth Brown and his 13-year-old grey thoroughbred, I Salute, and taken along Graminia Road, west of highway 60, near Devon, Alberta. 10% 100, 251 Midpark Blvd SE Garth and I Salute have been a team since June 2007, after I Salute retired Calgary, AB T2X 1S3 from a competitive show jumping career. Now, Garth and I Salute compete at Toll Free: 1.877.463.6233 Phone: 403.253.4411 the low jumper amateur level, partake in the odd cross-country outing and Fax: 403.252.5260 trail ride in their spare time. www.albertaequestrian.com www.albertaequestrian.com from Alberta to Kentucky September 25 - October 10 The FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games (WEG) will debut in North America in 2010. Representing the largest equine sporting event in the USA, the WEG are comprised of world championships in eight equestrian sports. Held every four years, they are governed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Albertans are preparing to meet the highest competitive challenges offered at the Games. For more information about the eight disciplines, and to find out what is happening in Kentucky and preparations for the Games, check out: www.alltechfeigames.com Spotlight on Carriage Driving by Anne Jowett Welcome to the sport of carriage driving. Carriage driving is one of the fastest growing equine sports in the world; it combines the skills of the driver and horse in a unique way. Horses have been driven for around 4,000 years, first with chariots, and progressing to much more mundane activities such as plough - ing fields, hauling goods and trade vehicles, taxis and people; early trains were horse drawn. Since the demise of the horse as a means of transport, it has become an animal of leisure and recreation. However, the sport of driving was only brought to the equine community in 1968, when the FEI, under its President, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, drafted the rules for Carriage Driving based on the sport of Three Day Eventing or Jumping Trials. In North America this event is known as a Combined Driving Event and is comprised of Dressage, Marathon and Cones. Dressage competitions demand a high degree of training, suppleness and Deb Laderoute at High Country Pleasure Show Case 2002. Photo credit: Neil Jowett obedience. In all paces and movements, the horse must be on the bit and correct - ly positioned. Cadence and impulsion must be maintained throughout the test. When horses are shown as a Pair or Four in Hand, they must form a picture of harmony and should match in conformation and action. At the FEI level (WEG), each horse must be on its best behaviour. One mistake by one horse can increase the final penalty points. The Marathon is a test of fitness and stamina of the horse(s) and judgment of pace and horsemanship of the driver. The Marathon is divided into three sec - tions at the World Class competitions, Section A –trot, Section D– walk and the last but not least, Section E that contains the obstacles. There are veterinary checks after Section D, this is to ensure the horses are fit enough to continu e–this is a tough and exacting sport. At the end of E, it’s essential to ensure that the horse is 2009, Deb Laderoute competing at Lexington, Kentucky. Photo credit: Lorraine Hill sound and has not suffered any injuries. Each of the sections, A and E, has a mini - mum and maximum time, if you complete the section within the time window you varies on the level of competition) and these must be driven in the A to F are time penalty free, outside of the time, slow or fast you get penalty points. The sequence. If not driven in sequence, the driver is eliminated, but if you correct walk sections only have a maximum time, but breaks of pace longer than five sec - your course, you just get penalty points. Additional penalty points may be given for onds are penalized. other errors, such as, groom down, driver down, refusals (such as water), not For Section E, not only are you timed for the whole section, but you are also leaving through the exit gate. The total time spent in the hazard is then converted timed for each obstacle. The obstacles may be natural or man-made, contain into penalty points and added to the total score. This section is a test of the agility, water, bridges, rails, hay bales, and have added ‘scary things’ such as banners and strength, courage and obedience of the horse, as well as the skill and judgment of flags.