By Sonia Meyer

Calgary Regional Trail Riders Donate to Trail Supporter Program

The Alberta Equestrian Federation would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Calgary Regional Trail Riders for their donation on September 25 of $10,685 to the Trail Supporter Program.

Calgary and horses go hand in hand, and the Calgary Regional Trail Riders follow that tradition. They are a diversified and dedicated group of horse riders involved in recreational trail riding. Emphasis is on trail riding techniques, good horsemanship, and the proper care and training of horses.
continue reading "Alberta Equestrian Federation November 2007"

Luciano Pavarotti, the Italian singer whose pristine sound set a standard for operatic tenors of the postwar era, passed away on September 6 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Opera and football were two of the maestro’s passions, but lesser known to the world was his love of horse sport, which began in 1960 when he was 25. That year, the Olympic Games had taken place in Rome and the D’Inzeo brothers had won the gold in jumping.

“My general love of the horse became a particular one: jumpers,” Pavarotti said. He bought his first horse in Ireland, started riding himself – “Donkeys, cats and dogs are small, but horses are big, even bigger than me. “Horses are a challenge,” – and enrolled his three daughters and other household members in the renowned Irish Kellet Riding School. His love of the animal and sport grew.
continue reading "Pavarotti’s love of horses saluted"

Participation in equine activities is increasing along with Alberta’s population. With so many new, urban participants, a need has been identified for a seminar to assist interested parties in getting involved with horses and getting started in the right direction.

The Horse Industry Association of Alberta is hosting six “Getting Started with Horses” educational events in six Alberta locations. These evening seminars will cover the topics: Myths, Mysteries, and Miseries; Choosing Your Path; What a Horse Needs; What a Rider Needs; Stable Selection/Keeping Horses at Home; and Professional Guidance/ Support.
continue reading "Getting started with horses? Horse Industry Association hosts educational seminars"

by Lorraine Taylor

During the First World War the Canadian Corps used an average of 23,500 horses and mules. When demand dictated, the number rose to 50,000 per week with the addition of imperial divisions and artillery brigades.

Horses were purchased by the Canadian government from ranchers, farmers and at public auctions. They were transported by trains to Halifax, Montreal and trailed from Val Cartier to Levis, Quebec, where they were loaded onto ships. In October 1914, the first contingent of horses and men sailed for the United Kingdom.
continue reading "Horses in The Great War - The ultimate equine sacrifice"

Descendants of the mighty mustangs that helped break in the American wilderness are back on the US government’s payroll, helping patrol the Canadian border.

The animals are being used as part of Operation Noble Mustang, pressing a handful of the thousands of wild horses under the care of the United States Bureau of Land Management into work along the border.

They are ridden by US border patrol agents, who check for signs of illegal crossings, such as broken wires, footprints, and disturbed vegetation. Large tracts of the US northern border covers remote country, and horseback is the perfect way to patrol it.
continue reading "Mustangs put to work on Canada/ US border"

By: Lyle Jackson

While comparing notes with my friend and fellow trainer, Jimmy Anderson, we agreed that we have a mutual pet peeve within the reining industry. A common thorn in our side is the reluctance of our non-pro riders to ride one handed.

Whenever the situation gets tough, they always revert back to two hands. The problem is that they then plow-rein the horse left, right, here and there, and in doing so totally mess up the horse’s frame.
continue reading "A One-Handed Job: By Lyle Jackson"

The Calgary Stampede has begun a comprehensive chuckwagon safety review in response to an incident at the GMC Rangeland Derby on July 14 that resulted in the death of three horses and the injury of driver Tyler Helmig.

The Stampede has struck an internal review committee that will fully analyze the incident to understand all of the contributing factors with the goal of finding new ways to strengthen safety at the annual GMC Rangeland Derby chuckwagon championship.
continue reading "Stampede Begins Chuckwagon Safety Review"