ASHA of Canada

** The Summer Sizzler ( London Fair Grounds ) June 2,3 ahaec_sizzler@hotmail.com
** Ottawa Light Horse Show - July 7 (Carp Fairgrounds) Contact- Nancy MacDonald 613-259-3448
** Saddlebred Classic - July 30 Contact- Brenda Mc Kibbin 519-688-0962
* CNE Horse Show - July 30-31 Contact - Marie
* Perth Fair- Saturday Sept. 1
* Spencerville Fair- Sept.8
* Richmond Fair – Sept. 15
* Markham Fair – Sept. 30
* Simcoe Fair- Monday October 8
* Brigden Fall Fair - Oct.6

On Dec 2-4 2011, 17 riders tried out for the 2012 Canadian Saddle Seat team. The trials were held at Cloverleaf Stables in Edmonton Alberta. The judges for the event were David Brent and Terry Johnson.

17 riders were put through 2 mock World Cup experiences. The riders each drew 2 horses, & order of go. The riders were marked on rail and pattern work, with only a short warm up time, on horses they had never ridden before.

We would like to congratulate all the riders that tried out, and felt that the calibre of the riders has increased over the past few years.

The riders that will be going forward to compete for Canada in South Africa are:

Stephanie Brown, Robin Davies, Mikayla Frost, Rashell Johnson, Malika Keglowitsch, Natalie Martens, Rebecca Macleod, Carman McBurney, Brienne Miller, & Breanna Van Rooyen.

I would like to thank Archie and Leslie Hurst for hosting the event, and donating their facility and horses for the competition, and the judges for donating their time.

We are now organising 3 Workshops to be held in 2012, to help the riders train for World Cup. The dates will be announced very soon.

We look forward to working with all the riders over the next year and we would also encourage other riders to prepare for the next World Cup in 2014!

(Thank you to everyone who tried out for the team! Please contact Terry Johnson or Archie Hurst for more information.)

Great new fall tradition starts with inaugural Stonecroft Fall Classic!! New host of the OEF Provincial Saddle Seat Equitation Championships

A beautiful fall day was the perfect backdrop for the 1st A nnual Stonecroft Fall Classic held in Mount Albert on October 22, 2011. Exhibitors and spectators were treated to a fabulous competition, complete with complimentary coffee, BBQ hamburgers, homemade chili and sides provided by the Stonecroft Fall Classic committee. The Hunting Horn was trumpeted as Morgans and Saddlebred s were escorted int o the Ring by Master Cliff Haines , complete with his top hat, red coat, breeches and boots. Judge David Brent from London, Ontario put the exhibitors through their paces ! David and Cliff, along with announcer Paul Hillier , providing the commentary and music, ensured a very smooth flow of classes and presentations. Custom designed signature Stonecroft Trophies and Ribbons, Championship Coolers and many additional prizes were all elegantly organized at centre ring by the lovely Lauren Boultbee, all waiting to be awarded to the winners. Top money win of the day was a $500 jackpot award presented to the ASB park horse Stonecroft Prophecy owned by Nancy Dickerman.

The formal evening performance was reserved for the beautiful style and elegance of the Saddle Seat Equitation Riders, starting off with Walk - Trot Equitation and then onto the OEF Provincial Saddle Seat Equitation Championship Classes. Riders were required to qualify throughout the year in order to compete for the provincial award. A total of 13 riders competed in 3 divisions: An Adult Saddle Seat Equitation and two Junior divisions split for riders 14-18 years and 13 years old and under. Ali Bianchi took home the gold medal championship in the adult division, Ashlyn Moore in the 14 – 18 year division and Ashley Inacio in the 13 and under division. Reserve champions and silver medal winners were Natalie Martens, Lexi Benson and Rachel Breen. Bronze medals were awarded to Emily Rice and Hilary Buller. The winners were showered with an abundance of gifts provided by the many generous sponsors of the Provincial Saddle Seat Championships. All participants received beautiful ribbons and were treated to chocolate coated candied apple s to share ( or not share ) with their mounts. Afterwards exhibitors and spectators were invited to enjoy a hot mug of apple cider/hot chocolate and a wine and cheese social, hosted by the Provincial Saddle Seat Coaching Committee.

Top hats off to the show organizers, volunteers and exhibitors for a job well done!!

Nancy Dickerman Stonecroft Equestrian, Mt Albert ON
AJD Data Services Inc Peter Darbyson Markham ON
Evergreen Lawn Sprinklers Inc. Thornhill ON
North York Farmers, Newmarket ON
Gerry and Susan Hawkshaw,
Nighswander Equestrian Centre,
Kyle Ecclestone and Natalie Martens, Donna Martens,
The Bianchi Family,
Rick and Chris Monteith,
Mary Ruth and Doug Moore,
Cyan Star Morgans – The Kavanagh’s,
Mark and Gloria Moore ,
Rachael Breen,
B.U.T. Boutique,
Willow Springs Winery,
Well Suited Apparel,
Southlake Wealth & Estate Group Inc,
Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies

This year I have enjoyed my American Saddlebred gelding Midnight Derby Supreme (Copper) in many different skills. The year began by taking a Centered riding clinic with Sue Falkner March. Then we began dressage training and competed at Training Level in a dressage schooling show March 27 at Double W Riding Academy. We placed first in the senior category (I was the only one entered in the class).

We had been playing with trail obstacles at home and thought it would be fun to try out Canadian Cowboy Challenge racing. So we entered a clinic and race May 28-29 at Alix, Alberta. We were in the pro division and got first place (I was the only one entered in that division). It was a great way to see where he was at with strange obstacles and adding the element of speed to it. We look forward to more of these types of events.

My daughter belongs to the local pony club group and one night one of the girl’s horses was lame so Copper got pulled in to become a lunge lesson horse so the girl could still ride in her lesson. He listened well to me and handled the beginner rider very well.

Our family holidays take us out to the mountains with the horses to ride. Copper is my mount of choice. He has gained so much confidence to lead the group if asked or fit in anywhere else in line. He will cross rivers and climb up and down hills. We went to the Ya Ha Tinda and the Hummingbird this summer.

I also entered the Rimbey horse show. We entered a jumping class, somehow placing first in a larger class, Adult Showmanship placing 5th, English Pleasure Equitation placing 6th and Saddle Seat placing 3rd. I haven’t gone to a horse show in many years and it was a lot of fun. I used to ride saddle seat as a teenager but hadn’t ridden it for over 10 years. I thought it would be like riding a bike and I could just transition from my dressage saddle to saddle seat without any trouble the day before the class. Was I in for a surprise! It took me quite a bit of time to adjust. Copper hadn’t worn a double bridle before either. He accepted it with grace and we managed to get the kinks worked out to ride decently in the class the next day. I got to experience the old thrill of riding a Saddle seat horse. There was a Morgan, an Appaloosa and a Saddlebred in the class placing in that order.

We worked hard at our dressage skills all summer to be a member on Team Saddlebred at the Spruce Meadows Battle of the Breeds. We competed in the Compulsory Skills event and helped the team place 5 th. It was a great week of competition and the team placed 3 rd overall. I was a little nervous about how Copper would handle the marching band and all the excitement in the final parade! He walked all the way around at a flat foot walk the way he was supposed to and acted like the marching band wasn’t even there. We came home and I decided to take in the final dressage schooling show of the season held at Double W Riding Academy the next day. It was a spur of the moment decision and with lack of preparation did not place well but it was more show experience for us. For now Copper is enjoying some much deserved time off before resuming fall work. I have plans to train him to drive and continue jumping this winter to work towards being a more valuable team member for the Battle of the breed’s team next year.

Although participating in only three shows this year, Gemini’s Royal Love (ASHAC 5457), a 2001 mare proudly owned by Ellen and John Murray of Summit Saddlebreds (Brandon, MB) has been an awesome ambassador for the breed – and its versatility!

In March, Gem was a demo horse for Rare Breeds Canada and did a short Saddleseat demonstration for the crowd at the 102 nd Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. Attendance during the week of the fair often tops 115,000 people, so there were lots there to see the mare in action. Thanks to Sandra Fenstad Sanche for providing commentary.

In April Gem was a booth horse, Saturday night Gala breed demo horse, and product demonstrator at H3, a terrific event held annually in Brandon showcasing breeds, products, disciplines, and featuring a Trainers Challenge. Many in the crowd had never seen Saddleseat riding before and thought that it looked very elegant. Also, being a demo horse for the Anivac waterless bathing system meant that she needed to stand quietly while being ‘vacuumed’ – not something that all horses would be willing to do!

Over the summer, Gem participated in a driving clinic, went to three horse shows, and was on a trail ride.

At the Manitoba Light Horse Association All Breed and Challenge Show in August, Gem amazed the crowd and participants alike with her versatility. She didn’t excel at all disciplines, but made a fair showing in each. She won the Driving Stake and Saddleseat Stake, and also placed in or won American Saddlebred In Hand, American Saddlebred Western Pleasure, American Saddlebred Hunt Seat, and Open Obstacle Driving, Open Pleasure Driving, and Five Gaited Open. Thanks to Merilee Mollard of Triple M Ranch for riding Gem in the Saddleseat and Five Gaited classes.

People were commenting “That can’t be the same horse in all of those classes!” Her performance was enough to interest attendees in learning how to drive, and learning how to ride Saddleseat.

Three days after the show, she was ‘pushing bush’ getting a trail ride route prepared for the annual MLHA Fall Trail Ride. Ellen was amazed at the terrain Gem handled with grace and sure footedness – some of which was done in the dark on the way back to the trailer. Hills and tree branches were no problem, but the startled deer merited a second and third look.

John and Ellen have owned Gemini’s Royal Love for about a year and a half. Prior to that, Gem was a broodmare for several years. Her performance in the past year has been outstanding given a long layoff followed by a new owner.

Ellen urges anyone who has not applied for the Versatility Award to do so – the process isn’t hard, and it is a great way to showcase our favorite breed!

There is a new classification of Equine Canada Judge for 2010. If you are a current Equine Canada senior American Saddlebred, Arabian, Hackney, Morgan, Road Horse, Saddle Seat Equitation or Welsh Pony & Cobjudge you may be eligible for the new General Breed Sport Judge accreditation.

The General Breed Sport judge is authorized to officiate at any Equine Canada Bronze sanctioned Breed Sport event, without the requirement of a guest card. Please see following requirements:

(Breed Sport Divisions: American Saddlebred, Arabian, Hackney, Morgan, Road Horse, Saddle Seat Equitation, Welsh Pony & Cob)

General Breed Sport Judge status allows the Judge to officiate at EC sanctioned Breed Sport competitions. This status does not qualify General Breed Sport Judges to officiate in any other divisions unless carded by that breed or discipline.
General Breed Sport Judges may officiate at EC sanctioned Bronze level only competitions.

All applications for General Breed Sport Judge status must be made on the application form available from EC and must be submitted to EC with all required documents by October 1st of the current year for review and consideration by the committee for the coming year.
All complete applications will be reviewed by EC and the Breed Sport Committee before November 30th of each year. The applicant will be advised in writing by EC as to the results.

Hold an EC Gold Sport License and be a member in good standing of EC.
Submit a personal resume detailing the applicant's equine experience as owner, breeder, trainer, competitor, competition manager.
Hold senior judge status in any of the seven breed sport divisions.
Provide the names and addresses of three or more individual references, all of whom must hold an EC Gold Sport License.
Write the EC General Breed Sport Judge Test and obtain the required passing score.

NOTE : Test will be given to the applicant when all other requirements are met.

General Breed Sport Judges must maintain senior judge status in any one of the seven breed sport divisions, and recorded status as a General Breed Sport Judge.
Failure to remain current and/or pay officials ’ fees will result in removal of official status.

For more information please contact Wendy Gayfer , Program Coordinator, Non Olympic FEI Disciplines & Breed Sports, Equine Canada 613-248-3433, ext. 125 or wgayfer@equinecanada.ca

The American Saddlebred Horse Association was pleased to host a booth at the recent Horses 3 event at the Keystone Centre in Brandon Manitoba. This great three day event included speakers, clinics including reining, jumping, and dressage, and an exciting Trainers Challenge.

There were two trade show areas, and each featured a variety of booths including tack and clothing, horse health, jewelry and purses, publications, and several different breeds of horses, and horse equipment from bathing systems to trailers.

There were many visitors to the ASHA of C booth, and everyone was pleased to meet our breed ambassadors, Renaissance Reflection, a 1997 chestnut sport horse mare, and Gemini’s Royal Love, a 2001 bay mare. Both mares are proudly owned by John and Ellen Murray of Summit Saddlebreds in Brandon.

The booth included videos, magazines, stallion guides, brochures, and bumper stickers, as well as coloring activities for kids. Many people took the opportunity to give the horses a pat, and there were countless questions about the breed, the disciplines they are used for, and their history. John and Ellen had a great time talking to people and introducing them to the breed. They were also happy to meet several Saddlebred owners from Manitoba, all of whom are so proud of their horses. Manitoba Saddlebred owners participate in a wide variety of events with their horses, from trail and pleasure riding, showing, and historical reenactments!

Gemini’s Royal Love, known as Gem, had a second job as a product demonstrator. Jean Pasche, local dealer for the Anivac Animal Bathing System was please to have Gem be his ‘demo horse’ as he showed the crowd his virtually waterless bathing system. Gem really was a gem, standing quietly during the demo and while people came up afterwards to pet her and see how dry she was after her ‘bath’.

Saturday night saw a gala event take place in the show ring with demonstrations of many different breeds and riding disciplines. The Summit Saddlebred mares were both ridden in this event. Renaissance Reflection was ridden under hunt seat by Paige Dueck, an accomplished rider both on the flat and over fences. Gemini’s Royal Love was ridden Saddleseat by Ellen Murray. The mares, with the style and flash that we have come to expect from the Saddlebred horse, received much interest and warm applause as their skills were demonstrated to music from the Gypsy Kings. The announcer spoke to the crowd about the history of the breed, famous Saddlebreds and Saddlebred owners, and their versatility.

The event was attended by over 2000 people over the weekend, and was a rousing success. This was a great event and was a great introduction to the folks in Manitoba to the American Saddlebred!