The 2007 Manitoba Horse Expo’s Youth Extravaganza drew a large and enthusiastic crowd to the event co-hosted by the Manitoba 4-H Program and the North American Equine Ranching Information Council (NAERIC).
The Youth Extravaganza was held October 26 during the Wheat City Stampede – a weekend of equine activities and attractions, at the Agricultural Centre of Excellence Arena at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba.
Youth and youth group leaders in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, North Western Ontario and North Dakota were extended an invitation to attend this complimentary horsemanship skills clinic. Approximately 400 youth and group leaders eagerly accepted and pre-registered for free.
The clinic was free to all youth and group leaders because NAERIC generously covered all associated clinic expenses. In addition, over 45 interested adults paid a nominal admission fee at the gate to view this demonstration. Gate proceeds of $225 were generated and will be donated to Manitoba Riding for the Disabled.
The horsemanship clinician was Buster McLaury of Paducah, Texas, who cowboyed on the famous Four Sixes and Triangle ranches of Texas. He was provided with a three-year-old, registered American Quarter Horse gelding, Sonitas Zan Par, enrolled in the AQHA Incentive Fund and the NAERIC Advantage®.
This green-broke horse had just 30 days of riding on him. McLaury capably demonstrated his techniques for taking the young horse through the next level of his training – helping the horse to learn to trust the rider and to understand his responsibility in becoming more responsive to the rider’s cues.
Dr. Michael Johnson of Idabel, Oklahoma, was the guest motivational speaker for the clinic. Dr. Johnson is the “2005 Oklahoma Author of the Year” and the 2007 winner of the prestigious Western Writers of America Spur award.
Dr. Johnson entertained and educated the audience with anecdotes and insights about his own upbringing and he offered a number of practical suggestions on the vital importance of thinking positively to improve ability and personal effectiveness for “The Mental Side of Rodeo.”
This clinic could not have taken place without the assistance of the following principal event co-ordinators: Leanne Goetz of Brandon, Manitoba who represented Manitoba 4-H; Lori Vowels, Louisville, Kentucky, and Marnie Somers, Carberry, Manitoba both of whom represented NAERIC; Larry Clifford, Cameron Haggerty and MQHA youth member Tamara Orr, all of Shilo, Manitoba, who represented the Manitoba Quarter Horse Association and were our arena volunteers; and equine ranchers Kevin and Julie Bridgeman of Binscarth, Manitoba, who supplied the demonstration horse.
About NAERIC
The North American Equine Ranching Information Council (NAERIC) is a non-profit association of equine ranchers that serves its members, the horse industry and public as an agribusiness resource by providing the latest information and research on all aspects of the equine ranching industry, including ranch management, horse care, breeding practices and innovative marketing programs.
For complete information, visit www.naeric.org.
