In May, a long-standing O.A.S. arena record was broken when a 14.97 second run was posted. In June, the unbelievable happened and that record was shattered with a 14.63 second run clocked by Darryl Bruce, Tony Distefano, and Jeff Diegel, in the #10 class! How low can we go?!
continue reading "Chinook Team Penning June 2007"

by Angela Pipe

While at the 2006 National Penning Finals in Calgary, Angela Pipe (a member of the SpokesSisters, an all women’s fundraising motorcycle group) was asked what the group did in the off-season.

“Nothing yet,” she replied. “But we’re looking for an event or two to tie in with.”

The National penning action below continued with the entrance of three local gals. Then the person beside Pipe said, “What might be fun would be for your group to tie in with a ladies team penning? When do those take place?”

There was a long pause as Pipe replied, “I don’t know of one.” That was short lived.
continue reading "All Things PINK: Ladies ‘Pen in the Proceeds’ for Positively Horsepower 2007"

On June 2 at the Okotoks Agricultural Society arena, 75 ladies will be competing against the clock in team penning while raising funds for a surgical recovery room. This room is being created by the Calgary Health Trust for individuals who have undergone surgery for breast cancer.

For the second year in a row, the Spokes Sisters have joined forces with team cattle penning enthusiasts to create an unique fundraiser called Positively Horsepower 2007. This is a not for profit venture with all of the funds raised going to the Calgary Health Trust.
continue reading "Positively Horsepower 2007: Ladies Go Team Penning for a Purpose"

Cam Clark Ford and Trailers held the first two shows of the 2007 Chinook Team Penning Association season at Olds, February 17 and 18: a co-sanctioned show with the Central Alberta Team Penning Association (CATPA).

This was breaking new ground for Alberta penning associations, but thanks to the efforts of Rick Cherrington, Harold Bayes, Carlene Giesler, Lynn Beattie and all the cattle crews and volunteers, all went very smoothly.
continue reading "Chinook Team Penning"

By: Lillian Dalton

Welcome, Chinook Penners, to the 2007 season! As you can see, we have two February shows in Olds this year and two late-August shows making a total of 18 shows!

We have made a change in our #5 class this year. A total of four entries will be allowed, provided one of those entries is a draw team. This, along with the #3 incentive, should make our #5 class bigger and better in 2007.

As well, the Junior Youth time limit has been reduced to 75 seconds, and all Junior Youth competing in numbered classes will be assigned a rating.

We ask that everyone submit their membership prior to the first show, to ease the congestion and confusion and speed up the day.
continue reading "Chinook Team Penning…February"

by Linda Mathiesen

This story may ring true to many of you. And while there are many great stories to be told, I feel I have to share mine in the hopes that others may read it and see that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

My oldest son, Brad, was born with some challenges that will follow him throughout his life. Some may choose the word “handicapped,” but that is really only in the eyes of the beholder.

Brad can’t read or write, he has seizures, he has had to learn to walk three different times in his life, and is technically blind in his left eye. For many, these would be obstacles, but for him, it has meant only opportunity.
continue reading "Chinook Team Penning: A boy, a man, and a horse"

by Audrey Pavia

We’ve all experienced it: a horse that won’t give to the bit, pulls back when you ask for its head, or just completely ignores your rein cues. Horsemen have a term for this syndrome: hard mouth.

The term “hard mouth” conjures up images of horses with concrete jaws and steel gums, bracing themselves against a skinny little bit that has no hope of making an impression.

In reality, the syndrome of a hard mouth is less of a physical issue and more of a psychological one. Horses with hard mouths have simply learned to resist the bit.
continue reading "Softening the Edge: Dealing with the Hard-mouthed Horse"