By: April Clay

Question:

My trainer says I lack good self-esteem and my riding suffers because of it. I think I like myself okay, but how can I improve on this aspect?

Answer:

Good self-esteem. What does this mean? One definition is, “A grounding in knowing who you are and believing in what you can do.” It also means having a good opinion of yourself and your capabilities.

What it does not mean is that you sit on your tack box before an event and repeat “I think I can, I think I can,” to yourself.

Well, you can if you want, but my experience has been that “belief” is something that needs to be earned. Our minds are like well-educated critics; they will not accept something is true until there is ample evidence to support the belief.
continue reading "Building Rider Self-esteem"

The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site staged its annual polo match on Sunday, July 30, 2006 under sunny skies and before the largest crowd ever to attend polo at the Bar U.

With some 400 spectators looking on, three matches were played, all part of the 102nd anniversary of polo at the Bar U. Cowboy polo and traditional polo were featured, with the winners meeting for the coveted Bar U Cup. The traditional polo team won the final match.

Nestled in Alberta’s foothills in the shadow of the spectacular Rockies, the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site is located 13 km south of Longview and just 90 minutes southwest of Calgary.

by Tammy Meadows

Over 30 members of the Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association competed in the fifth annual Calgary Stampede Cow Horse Classic July 15 and 16, 2006.

This year’s event, held at the Big Top tent, was Open to the World and consisted of three classes: the Open Bridle, the Non-Pro Bridle, and the Open Hackamore.

The Cow Horse Classic is sponsored by Calfrac Well Services and was judged by renowned NRCHA judge Bobby Ingersoll of Reno, Nevada.

This year, the Calgary Stampede (CS) Western Performance Horse Committee stepped it up a notch by having it approved by the National Reined Cow Horse Association. Competitors are now able to claim their points to qualify for the 2007 World Show in Stephensville, Texas.
continue reading "Alberta Reined Cow Horse: The Calgary Stampede Cow Horse Classic"

By: Ron Anderson

Busted! I promised equal time to balance the trainer/customer relationship issue that I had expounded on in my last column, and it’s all too obvious that several issues have been read without my contribution as promised.

This, in itself, caused me serious personal reflection. First thing is, I never realized anyone read this opinionated, stumbling writer. Second thing is, I never admitted (to myself) that this was a continuing column. (Amazing news and now in print for my editor to read for herself.) However, my parents didn’t raise a quitter, so with the above admissions behind us, here we go.
continue reading "Customer Responsibility …and other Oxymorons"

by Janet Barriage

For the first time in Western Canada, Polo Canada put on a Junior Polo Camp at the Calgary Polo grounds from July 24 to 28, 2006. Geared for those aged 12 to 21, Horses All sent out its Junior Reporter Janet Barriage (aged 17) to get the scoop. Here is her story.
continue reading "Junior Polo Camp a First for Alberta"

Canadian eventing riders recently headed across the border, earning great results at two major U.S. events.

Hawley Bennett of Langley, BC, had immense success in the CIC-W*** World Cup Qualifier at Rebecca Farm, held July 21 to 23, 2006 in Kalispell, MT. Bennett claimed third in the CIC-W*** World Cup Qualifier division riding Livingstone, who she co-owns with her mother, Gerry.

The 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, fondly called “Hank,” has been Bennett’s long-time partner from the North American Young Riders’ Championships to Pan American Games, Olympics and most recently, the 2005 World Cup.

“I was so happy with Hank’s performance,” said Bennett. “He was a bit excited during dressage because the novice cross-country was running at the same time, but we had a decent test.
continue reading "Western Canadian Eventers Successful across the Border"

Dutch Olympian Ellen Bontje will bring competitive skills and classical training techniques together for a three-day symposium at Trakehner Glen Stables in Priddis, AB, from November 2 to 4, 2006.

This symposium is open to all interested horse people, including riders, owners, trainers, and coaches.

Bontje, has been riding on the Dutch Dressage Team since 1988 and earned a bronze medal in 1991 and 8 team silver medals. She has made her home in Germany for the past 24 years, where she is a manager and senior trainer for Conrad Schumacher at the Neuhof.
continue reading "Trakehner Glen hosts Dutch Olympian"