by: Ron Anderson
We made it. We survived the futurity season. The thrills, the great, new young horses, their successes that elated fans, owners, trainers, and lopers and their adolescent mistakes that disappointed that same group.
When I say “we” survived, I mostly mean me. I’m happy ‘cuz I survived an up-close-and-personal, first-hand experience of the futurity season.
My wife had her first three-year-old cutter. I felt every emotion of every owner, rider, and trainer in every discipline. She made sure I was not deprived of any of the emotional roller coaster that cleverly disguises itself as recreation.
Somehow, I always thought recreation was closer to its dictionary definition: “refreshment of strength and spirits after toil.” Well, what the hair-splitter! I guess that’s close to the emotional drain, and mind and body fatigue I experienced.
Mostly, I tried to duck the opportunity to share in her experience, but she knows my ways and she is persistent. Plus, I think sharing this is covered in the fine print of our marital vows … and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Got to move on. Any more on this subject and I risk being accused of whining.
Staying with the futurity season theme (I am a man; linear thinking is good), I had the good fortune to see the best Canada has to offer in all three major Western disciplines. I was not disappointed.
The Canadian breeding and training program is producing world-calibre contenders. For you and I, watching the reining, working cowhorse and cutting three-year-olds has proved that each year the level of competition continues to go up. Horses are better prepared physically and mentally.
That mental part is important. The horse business is populated by two groups: those that are attracted by the untold wealth available in the industry, and those that really like horses.
Judging by my net worth I am in the latter group. That’s why I was so pleased to see equine athletes doing their jobs with healthy attitudes. Trainers and owners are thinking of longevity.
I applaud the attendance to the holistic health of the horse that was evident this fall. Oops … better not get too complimentary … training fees will escalate, egos will expand (do you think that’s possible?) and some of the professional operations will be faced with income tax.
There are a lot of articles in equine publications that talk about “who won what, riding whatever, owned by you-know-them.” So, let’s take a look at some of the great things of this past year that will probably go unheralded.
The organizing committees of a whole hockey sock full of competitions are often overlooked. Lets start in August at the reining in Armstrong, BC.
The organizers do a ton of work to provide a professional atmosphere for reiners at the entry level and up.
One of the best deals is that this is also the biggest camp out of the year … living quarters, campers on trucks, tents, etc. The rumours of “teepee creeping” abound, but the atmosphere is positive fun. The hosts should be real proud of this event’s reputation.
The late summer finds a lot of folks in Cardston, AB, for the acclaimed Slide-In. The marvel here is longevity.
For over two decades this little town has hosted this nationally ranked competition that is a benchmark for futurity horses and reiners in general. And there’s no shortage of effort from the organizers, even though the population is small. Their output seems inversely proportionate to the number of liquor stores. That is just a random thought … draw your own conclusions or not.
Next stop on the calendar is the Canadian Snaffle Bit Futurity. Notice that I am going in chronological order – more linear thinking. This event is the icon of sportsmanship, comraderie and LOUD cheering for the fence works.
One marvel at this event is that everybody cheers for everybody else – a good run is a good run. If you’re in attendance (with a pulse) it’s hard not to enter the spirit of fun. Caution: they party as hard as they ride!
Cruising through September, let’s go to Winnipeg. Going to Winnipeg is a relatively new date on the reining calendar, but the organizers deserve credit for launching a great one. The purse of over $120,000 (no, that’s not a printing error) ranks the Canadian Reining Breeders Classic as the tenth largest reining competition in the world. Wow! This showcases reiners on a level that makes us all proud to be Canadian.
Late September is always the Canadian Supreme. In case you didn’t know, this is one of the most innovative and successful stallion subscription programs in North America. Well organized and offering great retail therapy opportunities, this event is one of a kind … right in Red Deer, Alberta.
Not much rest before the cutters are in Calgary for the Wrangler Futurity. Hosted in the home of the greatest outdoor show on earth (the Calgary Stampede) the purse offered is the richest one for the aged event cutting horse.
The committee offers not only bundles of money, but also signature hospitality. That complimentary coffee every morning just tells you how they value the competitors.
Got to mention Superslide 2005. After a year off, they were back again. There’s reining and cow horse, both with that great West Coast hospitality.
The facility is one of the finest in the Pacific Northwest. Warm-up arena (huge), show pen (very huge), and trade fair and stabling all under one roof. Never have to go outside. Not that it ever rains, snows, or gets inclement in Chilliwack … or does it? Who cares – this is an event that makes it easy to watch or compete.
Don’t let me forget two major cattle penning events. First is The Canadian Nationals hosted in Calgary. Large amounts of money (over a quarter million). Just as important is the cross-Canada nature of the competition. Penners represent themselves and their affiliate associations with pride.
A lot of competition and socializing make this a must attend, and the organizers of this one manage to shoehorn a big event into a meal size deal.
If Calgary can do one what about Edmonton? Try out the Zender Fall Classic (don’t mention the “Ford” word on Northlands Park – sponsor rivalry). Can you believe there’s over $200,000 in prize money? The organizers are just that – organized!
The event is extremely user friendly and everybody wears a smile. As part of Farmfair International, these dates are circled on the penning calendar and well they should be.
Now, November is really gaining momentum. Ground is freezing. Snow is blowing. Horses and people are hairing up. What should we do? Drive across the prairies to Regina, of course.
The Canadian Western Agribition hosts Canada’s Greatest Cow Horse contest. It’s worth the drive or fly (that appeals to me). The organizers here realized the value of honouring Canada’s greatest and, as one of the top three livestock events in North America, they have the expertise to do it right.
No second fiddle to Canada’s Greatest Cow Horse event is the Ranch Horse Contest and Sale. Agribition pioneered the Ranch Horse competition scene in Canada and they continue to be leaders in the area.
Want to question that? How can you explain a full house for the contest and over 3,000 folks attending the subsequent sale? It’s a kick-ass ending to the Canadian season.
Enough! I missed some events. I apologize. Send your complaints to my editor. My only point is that we now spend a winter on the couch dreaming of next year.
There’s a lot to dream about. The Canadian horse industry is blessed to have the dedication of a “gazillion” volunteers.
In fact, volunteers are the driving force that host these competitions. They spend the winter digesting your suggestions (please read “bitching and whining”). And they will be back even better in 2006.
Share some thanks with the organizers of your favourite events by sending a card, making a call, or better yet getting involved. More help is always appreciated.
Horses All columnist Ron Anderson is a popular show and sale announcer, as well as a skilled competitor and trainer. He owns and runs Sylvancrest Stock Farm with his wife Marilyn.
