THE VOICE OF EQUINE ALBERTA MEMBER MAGAZINEcnw.albertaequestrian.com/Download/Alberta Bits...with the RCMP Musical Ride and, after retiring from the police, to getting back into full-time

Inside this issue:

• New voices for equine Alberta

• More insurance benefits

• On the road: trailering advice

• Equine Science program at Olds College

and more!

AlbertaEquestrianFederation ©

THE VOICE OF EQUINE ALBERTA MEMBER MAGAZINE

www.albertaequestrian.com

SUMMER 2011

Equine Department100-1500 Hardy Place, Kelowna, BC V1Y 8H2

Phone (800) 670-1877 Email: [email protected]

Capri Insurance is proud to be the official insurance provider to the Alberta Equestrian Federation and all its members.

Executive Director: Sonia Dantu, [email protected], 403.253.4411 ext 4

OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, except holidays.

Managing Editor: Monika [email protected] 403.242.6162

Publication Committee: Sonia Dantu, Shelley Newman, Monika Smith

2011 MAGAZINE DEADLINES:

Ad Booking Ad files to AEF Mailing Date

Spring: February 1 February 8 March 8Summer: May 3 May 10 June 10Fall: August 20 August 27 September 28Winter: November 3 November 10 December 10

All material is copyright 2011. Ideas and opinions expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect the ideas oropinions of the AEF. Alberta Bits reserves the right to accept, and/or edit material submitted for publication.The AEF makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained therein, but assumes no liability in cases of error or changing conditions. Any business relations or other activities undertaken as aresult of the information contained in Alberta Bits, or arising there from, is the responsibility of the partiesinvolved and not of the AEF. We welcome signed letters to the editor, but reserve the right to publish, edit forgrammar, taste and length. For reprint information, please contact [email protected].

Magazine design by The Visions West Studio.

04 The voices of equine AlbertaMeet your newest directors

06 Bits of NewsMessage from President Dixie Crowson. 2011 Scholarship AEF partnerships; workshops

07 Ask the Insurance Guyby Mike KingUpcoming AEF workshops

9 English Rider Development ScholarshipJosé Abdala, Calgary

10 Equine studies in high schoolHorses provide meaning one person at a timeby Tori White

12 SaddleUp Safely Compete at university New helmet rules

15 On the roadby Scott Phillips

17 Provincial association feature:Alberta Friesian Horse AssociationEndurance Riders of Alberta

18 Water and food on the trailby Dave Watts


100, 251 Midpark Blvd SECalgary, AB T2X 1S3

Toll Free: 1.877.463.6233Phone: 403.253.4411Fax: 403.252.5260


Marketing & Program Support: Wendy [email protected] ext 5

Membership Coordinator: Rita [email protected] ext 6

Coaching Administrator: Jessica [email protected] ext 3

Competitions Coordinator: Allison [email protected] ext 2

10%

19 Cowboys put skills to testin Working Cowboy Competition

21 Live outside the box

22 Behind the scenes at Cavalia

24 The Equine Science program at Olds Collegeby Dr. Marion Anderson

26 AEF member groups Associate, Affiliate and Business Members, as of May 10, 2011

ON THE COVER Photo by Lynn Glazer. Cavalia! making its first-ever

appearance in Calgary, May 25 -June 19, 2011. See “Behind the scenes at

Cavalia,” page 22.

Inside

Spring 2011; Volume 3, issue 2

Alberta Bits is the Alberta Equestrian Federation’s official member magazine. It serves the entire equestriancommunity of horses and riders of all ages, interests and involvement, as the Voice of Equine Alberta.

Alberta Bits magazine is sent four times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter) to all current AEF membersand is made available at the office and special events attended by the AEF.

Alberta Bits is a four-colour glossy magazine distributed throughout Alberta with news and events on behalf of recreational, sport, breeds & industry and educational sectors of the Alberta horse industry. Alberta Bitsis distributed to approximately 13,000 members; 9,000 households and businesses; and at approximately 10 events and trade shows annually.

The Alberta Equestrian Federation has been incorporated since 1978.

Publications Mail Agreement—#40050297

Printed in Canada—ISSN 1918-7122

AEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Dixie Crowson 403.654.2883Vice President Kippy Maitland-Smith 403.845.4864Secretary Juliet Franke 403.843.6427Treasurer Pat McCormack 780.992.9792Chair-Breeds and Industry Bill desBarres 888.303.1070Chair-Education Leslie Oszli 403.224.3964Chair-Promotion and Publicity Ross MacInnes 403.982.6284Chair-Recreation Brian Irving 403.936.0221Acting Chair-Sport Cindy Holyoak 403.933.3706Individual Sandy Bell 403.700.7880Individual Diane Blakeman-Ans 780.719.6948Individual Lewis Hand 403.722.4680Individual Julie Moorcroft 403.601.2059Individual Robert Stumbur 780.967.2249Individual Rhianne Weghnnar 403.505.1403

Provincial Association contact members listed on page 26.

AEF STAFF

4 AlbertaBits SUMMER 2011 www.albertaequestrian.com

BRIAN IRVING—Chair of Recreation

I am looking to engage horse lovers to have fun with their horses. There’strail riding, cattle penning. gymkhanas and cattle sorting, but I know there aremany more activities that I would love to hear about. Whether it’s the relaxationand peaceful feeling of a quiet trail or the adrenalin rush of penning or barrel rac-ing, we all have different ways to enjoy our horses. We all recognize this partner-ship, which gives us a reason to go out again and again, feeding that horse addic-tion we all share. Come rain or shine or snow, we do this year round.

I have had my partnership for a few years now and enjoy every day that Ispend with my horses. 4-H has been an learning experience for me, as well as formy daughter, with many friendships formed within the horse community. I plan tostart a career in Equine Assisted Learning to realize a dream of mine.

I started by trail riding at 15, but didn’t own horses until four years ago. Welive near Langdon with five horses. Mevin (six-year-old quarter horse) andPopcorn (12-year-old Appaloosa) are geldings; Whiskey (13-year-old quarterhorse), Jewel (12-year-old Arabian), and Syd (one-year-old drum/cross, check outwww.drumhorseassociation.com) are mares. I have been involved in volunteerpositions with Scouts Canada, Girls’ softball, Pony Club, 4-H and the HorseIndustry Association of Alberta.

Brian Irving and Popcorn at the 2010 cattle drive at Lunbreck. Photo credit: Cindy Irving

LEW HAND—Individual Lew Hand says that like the saying “everything I learned about life, I learnedin kindergarten,” he learned everything he didn't want a horse to do from hisShetland pony, Molly, when he was seven years old.

With Hand's background in flight training, he realized that he first had totrain himself, so after trying several clinicians such as Pat Parelli, he settled onChris Irwin, as the one who most closely followed his own philosophy. He is now aDouble Silver Chris Irwin certified trainer and coach, both on the ground and inthe saddle. He offers clinics and private lessons and will occasionally take a horsefrom home for training, but he always insists that the owner/rider must spendsome time training with their horse. Hand knows that even though he can get theexpected results from a horse, the owner or rider must learn to replicate the samephilosophy, commands and attitude in order to get the same results.

Hand has always said that he really enjoys training horses because theysometimes understand faster, are more willing to learn than humans and really aremore open to change. He loves it when they both get it and become a team. Handhas the required patience and dedication to take the time it takes. Above all, thesafety and well being of the horse and rider is of prime importance. In all, Handhas spent the last ten years intensively learning about horses and he always says helearns something new every day from each and every horse and rider.

the voices of equine alberta

Meet yournewest

directors!

Lew Hand and Rowdy. Photo Credit: Brenda Hand

AlbertaBits SUMMER 2011 5www.albertaequestrian.com

ROSS MACINNES—Chair of Publicity and Promotion

I am very pleased to have been elected to the AEF Board of Directors. Havingpreviously served on a number of non-profit Boards, I hope to be able to con-tribute to the further development of AEF and the incredible work done. I havebeen given the opportunity of chairing the Publicity and Promotion Committee.This is a wide-sweeping committee that touches many other areas of AEF, and ourgoal is to provide short, mid and long-range strategic plans that will help givefocus and clarity to expanding the contact and influence of AEF.

My work with horses began over 50 years ago, and my love of the horse hasnot lessened with time. From working heavy teams on the farm, through trainingwith the RCMP Musical Ride and, after retiring from the police, to getting backinto full-time work with horses. A key role I enjoy is the interaction between horseand human and the special bond that develops.

Our family owns Higher Trails Equine–an organization focused on the res-cue, rehabilitation and retraining of horses. Our herd ranges from nimble Arabs,to huge Percherons and Clydesdales–at present we have 28 horses. We provideEquine Assisted Learning programs and teaching, as well as conducting EquineEmergency First Aid workshops. For more details click on www.highertrails.org

LESLIE OSZLI—Chair of Education

Horses have been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember andlike so many horse people, I am happiest when spending time with them. There isso much to learn about our equine friends and I feel that everything we can learnabout them enriches our lives and hopefully our horses’ lives as well.

With this in mind I am very interested in educational opportunities for allAlberta horse enthusiasts and plan to work hard for the AEF membership to makethis happen.

I have been involved with 4-H as a member, parent, leader and most recentlyas a coach and skills assessor and have served on many 4-H committees over theyears in various capacities. In 1994, I became a certified Equine Canada WesternCoach and have been actively coaching since that time. I have served on theWestern Coaching Committee for Alberta. Currently, I am on the executive of theNorthern Trails Riding Club serving on the sponsorship committee. And, I havealso been an active member of my rural community for 30 years.

I would like to say thank-you to the AEF board members who elected me asthe chair of the education committee. I look forward to serving on the AEF boardin this capacity and plan to represent the membership to the best of my ability.

ROBERT STUMBUR—

Robert Stumbur has always hada love and respect for horses, but itwasn’t until he turned 40 that he trulydecided to become active with them.

He started off by taking ridinglessons with Tara Gamble and thenspent the next 13 years learning fromvarious trainers, veterinarians, andother horse professionals to developan eclectic understanding of horses.When Stumbur turned 50, he boughthis first horse, Cody. Since then, hehas purchased three more, Chava,Laya, and Luke, with the intent of personally starting them. He primarilyenjoys western recreational riding, but is interested in sorting, penning,and roping.

Ross McInnes and Tucker. Photo credit: Heather MacInnes-Davis Leslie Oszli and Cricket (MM Let’s Start A Riot). Photo credit: Laura Warne

Stumber has spent the last 12years in the educational field and,combined with his passion for horses,wants to find engaging ways to educatepeople about horses.

He is a strong advocate for theircare and treatment, and believes anoverall understanding of horses canlead to a more satisfying relationshipbetween humans and horses therebymaking the world a better place forour equine friends.

Stumber and his wife live on asmall 30-acre parcel west of StonyPlain where they share their lives withfour horses, two dogs, four cats, andassorted wildlife.

Robert and Laya. Photo credit: Roxanna Stumbur

Individual


Saddle upBits of news from the AEF

It was a long winter–spring left much to be desired–is it really time to be

back in the saddle?

Not only is it the opportunity to finally ride our horses, but the AEF now has

another saddle to step up into–mediation with Equine Canada.

Equine Canada called all ten provinces and the Yukon territory to mediation

this past March in Toronto, and everyone answered the request. From there it was

decided to proceed with the mediation, to be concluded August 1, 2011. We are

all going to give this mediation attempt the very best of our efforts–it would be a

win-win scenario for the Canadian equine community to be operating under one

umbrella. The provinces have a wonderful chance to make meaningful change, to

endeavor to help make our national body all that it should and could be. You can

rest assured that I personally will be there every step of the way for all of you,

working diligently for the future of the AEF.

So go grab your boots–it really is time to be “back in the saddle.” Enjoy

your summer. AB

Back in the saddleby Dixie Crowson, President AEF

Members of the 2011 Board of Directors: (back l-r) Ulrika Wikner (AHTA), Tara Gamble(CHA), Robert Stumbur, Diane Blakeman, Rick Maidman (TRAC), Lewis Hand, RossMacInnes (Chair of Promotions & Publicity), Brian Irving (Chair of Recreation), Bill desBarres (Chair of Breeds & Industry). (Front l-r) Shirley McFall (ATRA), Cindy Holyoak(Acting Chair of Sport), Carina (Kippy) Maitland-Smith (VP), Leslie Oszlie (Chair ofEducation), Sandy Bell, Patricia McCormack (Treasurer), Dixie Crowson (President),Rhianne Weghnnar. Photo credit: Monika Smith

Are you going to spend more time with your horse?

If you’re between 7 and 15,you are eligible to partici-pate in the AEF’s LIVEOUTSIDE THE BOX!

We want you to spend lesstime in front of the TV andcomputer and spend moretime outside being active.Less Screen Time and MoreHorse Time = Great Prizes!It’s that easy. All partici-pants will receive a certifi-cate for their enrollment inLIVE OUTSIDE THE BOX.

So, dust off those boots, get outside andhave some fun with a horse. Leave the TV and computer behind. You don’t even have to own a horse to participate. Not

surprisingly, the AEFreceives a lot of supportfrom parents too!

Keep track of your timefrom April 1st untilSeptember 30th, 2011.

Download the 2011 regis-tration package and guide-lines from the AEF website.

NEW Print off the 2011 calendar tracking pages.

To be eligible for prizes you must keep track of your time for a mini-mum of TWO months.

For more information, contact the AEF office.

www.albertaequestrian.com AlbertaBits SUMMER 2011 7

Mike King is an equine insurance specialist with Capri Insurance Services Ltd. and is

responsible for the insurance programs that benefit the Alberta Equestrian Federation

and its members. Do you have a question on insurance? “Ask the Insurance Guy”…and

we will provide an answer in the next issue [email protected].

The AEF has been working hard with Capri Insurance to make continuedimprovements to the insurance member benefits package. As of January 1, 2011the following innovations took effect:

1. The Included and Automatic $30,000 Accident, Death & Dismemberment(AD&D) policy now provides a fracture injury benefit of up to $750. Theamount paid is determined by:

a. The bone which is fractured.

b. If the member is wearing an equine industry approved helmet at thetime of the injury.

2. Included and Automatic AD&D benefit now provides up to $500 dental bene-fit if the injury occurs as a result of an equine-related accident.

3. The Optional Enhanced AD&D coverage provides an additional $50,000(principal sum) and now includes higher benefits for Fracture (enhanced ifyou are wearing an equine-industry approved helmet–up to $1,500) anddental benefits have been increased to a maximum of $5,000.

The AD&D policy is in force 24 hours a day, seven days a week and coversthe member anywhere in the world. The policy will pay regardless of any otherinsurance policy that may be in place for the member. These types of insurancepolicies (AD&D) “stack” so conceivably the injured person could collect frommore than one insurer if they have more than one insurance policy that covers thesame loss.

INCOME REPLACEMENT—EXCITING NEWS

Capri Insurance has developed another exclusive insurance policy that pro-vides income replacement in the event you are unable to work due to any acci-dent. Coverage is in force 24 hours a day, seven days a week and includes (but isnot limited to) injuries arising from an equine-related incident and is availableonly to members in good standing of the AEF.

The policy will provide up to $500 per week in income replacement if youcannot work due to injury. The benefit will pay up to 26 weeks. (Some restrictionsapply.)

To qualify for this special program and to be eligible for benefits you mustmeet all of the following minimum requirements:

1. Be a member in good standing of the AEF.

2. Be employed Full Time (minimum of 30 hours per week).

3. Must have filed an income tax return to Canadian Revenue Agency in themost recent year.

4. Must complete a simple one-page questionnaire and pay the annual premi-um of only $100.

Note: 1. The maximum benefit paid will be 75 percent of pre-tax income or $500 per

week–whichever is the lesser.

2. The injury does not have to be as a result of an equine related accident.

If you have any questions regarding the AEF insurance benefits, contact CapriInsurance directly at 1-800-870-1877. You can also send e-mail inquiries [email protected]. AB

AdviceAsk the Insurance guyby Mike King

AEF 2011 Scholarship

The AEF has received a record number of applications–19! It’s gratifying tosee so many students enrolling in post-secondary institutions that are equine orequine related. The selection process will be completed by August 1 andannouncements will be made shortly thereafter.

The AEF thanks all those members who purchased AEF pins–the revenuefrom AEF pin sales goes directly toward the AEF scholarship fund. Also, thanks tothose that donated directly to the fund. It is through your purchases and donationsthat we are able to help our fellow Albertans reach their educational goals.

Capri Insurance has again stepped up to provide additional funding supportfor the scholarship, as well as, increasing the amount to $2,000 this year. Thisfunding is criticial to the equine industry in Alberta as it financially assists studentsand encourages people to enroll in equine and equine related studies at the postsecondary level. Help support post-secondary students who wish to have careerswith horses by donating to the AEF’scholarship fund, any time, any amount. AB

Stables and clinicians invited to partner with the AEF in education

The AEF is exploring ways to bring educational clinics to all membersthroughout Alberta. The AEF welcomes the opportunity to partner on an existingclinic or to support a new clinic. The AEF will help with developing ideas, register-ing participants, providing educational handouts, promoting the event and so on.As a business member or stable, your event will be publicized to thousands of AEFmembers.

Please contact Wendy Kemble in the AEF Office if you are interested in amutually beneficial partnership in support of education. Help the AEF enhance thewell-being of Alberta equines and their riders and drivers!

UPCOMING AEF WORKSHOPS

June 25 PhotogrAPhy WorkShoP WIth LIndA FInStAd at Reverence Stables,Priddis – find out how you can spend a day with Linda at a competition.

June 25 horSEMAnShIP CLInIC WIth LIndA FItzPAtrICk at Reverence Stables,Priddis.

These clinics are also fundraisers to support current AEF programs and helpdevelop new ones. These programs are listed on the AEF Events Calendar. To reg-ister, contact [email protected]. AB

Get your FREE copy of Danger Detectivefrom the AEF. Call the office for details.

ENGLISH RIDER DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP: José Abdala (Seearticle on page 9.)

WESTERN CHARLENE BAKER SCHOLARSHIP: Ashlea Bohn

AlbertaBits SPRING 2009 8www.albertaequestrian.com


English rider development Scholarship—JoSé ABdALA, Calgary

This $500 annual award presented by the AEF is granted to theEnglish rider who has achieved the highest average score of thelevel 8 test in the English Rider Development Program. They areeligible for this award in the year they complete their test.

Abdala enrolled in the English Rider Development Program because heaims to become a national coach and to succeed as a show jumper. Abdalafound that the English Rider Development Program was beneficial, bothas a refresher and as a teaching tool.

Originally from Argentina, Abdala moved to Canada in 2006 after leavingthe Argentina Air Force where he served as an officer. He started riding ata young age with four days of flatwork/basic dressage and two days ofjumping each week. He states, “First you learned how to ride and then tojump.”

His goal is to be a top competitive rider. “Horses are my true passion andjumping is almost an obsession! My ultimate dream and focus are on theInternational ring at Spruce and the Olympics.”

Currently he is teaching and training, and adds, “ I have successfullytrained horses in Calgary and just started teaching lessons at TackaberryFarms. I don’t own a horse (which makes things very difficult) and I amlooking for a horse to ride/train/jump.”

Abdala thanks his parents, Pablo and Julio Sagasta (both trainers/breed-ers from Argentina) and Joe and Jim Ifko for their support, time and help.

He may be reached at 403-542-6543. To see a video of his riding, watchwww.youtube.com/user/JEquestrian

The ALBERTA RIDE AND DRIVE PROGRAM rewards AEF members for logging the hours spent riding or driving!

It is open to all disciplines andany activity, from competition tobackcountry riding to renting a horse for a trail ride. There is no agerestriction … it’s for the young andthe young-at-heart!

So start counting the hours of funand relaxation riding/driving. The

hours accumulate. You won’t ever lose your hours. Simply register annually with your AEF membershipand keep collecting.

Many AEF members have reachedthe 1,000 hours target and are listedon the AEF website.

New Ride and Drive membersreceive a recording kit, which includesa pen and logbook to record hours andtear-out slips to send in for rewards.Check out the online brochure formilestone hours and awards.

To join our Ride and DriveProgram, contact the AEF office, or goonline to download a registrationform.

Log your hours and get rewarded

AALLBBEERRTTAA

RRIIDDEE AANNDD DDRRIIVV

EE

Jose Abdala and ’Long Island,’ Tackaberry Farms. Photo credit: Kimberly Tackaberry

We have heard the stories about the bond between a person and their horse.How after a bad day, going to the barn and spending time with their horse seemsto set things right, erasing concerns and improving a person’s outlook on life.Those lucky enough to have horses in their lives can experience this feeling asoften as their schedules allow; but what about others who could also benefit fromexperiencing this bond?

Holly Tibble, a chartered psychologist and counsellor at École SecondairePaul Kane High School in St. Albert knew what horses had to offer: they are natu-ral healers. She also knew she needed to find a way to integrate horses into highschools. “A horse,” she says “offers the most honest reflection of a person–whatyou give, you get back.” She knew that by including horses in a high-school set-ting, she could do more than just teach equine skills and husbandry: she couldhelp her students to help themselves. From her passion and desire grew theEquine Studies program offered today at Paul Kane High School.

Setting up an Equine Studies elective as an optional credit was not done without challenges. It took over three years of commitment and effort to have theprogram approved by the school district and the Ministry of Education. The schoolboard had to approve all the safety measures put in place and place restrictionson any activities not authorized as part of the program. Alberta Education wasresponsible for approving the five-credit value that students would receive as partof their high-school program (Agriculture CTS). Although it took over three yearsto get the program up and running, it has been well worth the effort as the pro-gram has had a profound impact on students. Equine Studies is offered in bothsemesters and as a scheduled course in class and at the nearby equine facilityHorse Sense Training and Petting Zoo. Developing relationships, horsemanshipand understanding the history, safety and care involved with horses are all included in the curriculum. There is a $500 fee.

Stories shared by students demonstrate that the benefits of the programexceed far beyond the credits they receive. Maxime Auger and AshleighKwiatkowski can certainly attest to this. Neither girl had much experience withhorses prior to enrolling, just riding at a family member’s home or going on a trailride. Auger had a fear of horses that made her a seemingly unlikely candidate forthis program but facing that fear is one of the reasons the program is so success-ful. Both Auger and Kwiatkowski highlight that the one thing that initially drewthem to the program was the opportunity to get away from the city and enjoy the calm and tranquility of the country. It also provided them the opportunity toconnect with other students who share similar interests and passions. For both,the program went beyond just learning to ride and handle horses.

Both girls faced challenges in their lives: a lack of self confidence, fears andeven substance abuse. Kwiatkowski shares how the program helped her “learn topersevere and not to be so submissive in situations.” It allowed her to take chargeof her life and build her self-confidence. She was surprised at how much the pro-gram affected her personally, turning her away from her previous lifestyle of alco-hol and drug addiction. She expands by saying how the program showed her

“there is more to life than high school, school drama and house parties.” Theprogram gave her the opportunity to turn her life around, improving her schoolattendance and teaching her lessons in responsibility, perseverance, self-disciplineand confidence. Auger echoed a similar experience stating the program gave herthe confidence to take charge in her life. The program has turned her life aroundcompletely, allowing her to understand who she is and who she wants to become.She states, “I have overcome my fears and built confidence. The program hasmade me a better person, more motivated and responsible.” Both students wouldrecommend the course to other students and speak genuinely of how it hasimpacted them far beyond the skills the program is designed around.

The personal impact of programs like this one has been researched anddocumented in psychiatric journals. Edward J. Cumella Ph.D. and Sharon Simpsonspecifically looked at horses and the therapeutic value of human-to-animal com-panion interaction. Through their work and research, they showed how horsescan help people build confidence, replacing feelings of helplessness and unwill-ingness to face challenges with an “I can” attitude. In addition, increased aware-ness of non-verbal communication helps people connect with their emotions,allowing them to build trust, self-acceptance and decrease isolation. Horses seethe people handling them as members of their herd; this type of human-to-animalinteraction requires students to be assertive and set boundaries, skills that arevaluable in their lives outside of the program.

The Equine Studies program is not just all fun and games. Students mustcomplete study modules and participation hours as well as demonstrate skillsincluding riding, catching, grooming and tacking the horses. The programrequires students to travel as a group to a local equine facility to participate in the practical, hands-on approach of the program. Success requires commitment both in and out of school.

For Holly Tibble, success is measured not only by increased enrolment in theprogram and students choosing Paul Kane as their high school as a result of theEquine Studies program but more importantly how the program has personallyimpacted the lives of those involved. Tibble knows first hand that the course haschanged students’ lives. She states, “students report that they have stayed in schoolbecause of this program. They have overcome challenges, fears and report theyfeel more confident.” This program has become a model for other high schoolswith two schools in the province currently investigating the program and lookingat the possibility of offering something similar within their district.

For many of us, our horse is our friend, confidant and supporter. For students at Paul Kane High School in St. Albert, horses have become a lifeline,providing an opportunity to face fears, build confidence and look to a future withoptimism. Holly Tibble and her Equine Studies program is providing students withan opportunity to not only learn practical skills related to horses but also to learnmore about themselves and their value as people. For more information on thisprogram, go to www.pkhs.spschools.org/equine/?id=782. AB

Equine studies in high school:Horses provide meaning, one person at a time

by Tori White

Photo credit: Hayley White


Equine Studies class returning from a trail ride. Photo credit: Sonya Steiner

Tori White came into the horse world late, after only dreaming of such adventures as a girl.

She rides and competes in both english and western disciplines and is a firm believer in life

long learning. In addition, Tori owns At The Barn Door, a company that specializes in fun,

comfortable garments for the equine lover. www.atthebarndoor.com.

AlbertaBits SPRING 2009 11www.albertaequestrian.com

SaddleUp Safely

www.albertaequestrian.com12 AlbertaBits SUMMER 2011

Saddle Up SAFELY is a non profit coalition of 40 plus medical, public health,educational, retail, and horse organizations from the United States and Canada, ledby University of Kentucky’s UK HealthCare and UK College of Agriculture EquineInitiative. Launched in 2009, it is mainly funded by UK HealthCare and receives in-kind support and donations, and is staffed by volunteers.

Saddle Up SAFELY goals are to:

1) raise awareness and understanding of rider/handler safety;

2) reduce the number and severity of horse-related injuries; and,

3) encourage injured riders to return to the sport safely.

In the U.S., the sport or recreational activity that generates the greatest likeli-hood of an admission to a hospital from an emergency visit is horse riding, withone out of seven injured riders being admitted.

A number of studies have shown 50 -70 percent of injured horse riders indi-cate that they felt their injury was preventable. And a study of 500 horse riders inthe United States, conducted in 2010 by Saddle Up SAFELY, showed that 60 percentof the respondents said they had little or no safety training.

That’s where Saddle Up SAFELY is trying to make a difference.Saddle Up SAFELY offers a number of brochures on its website. Currently,

there are three brochures: Horseback Riding Safety, Horse Transmitted Diseasesand Horse-Related Injury. In addition, there are expert columns, a Facebookpage and a safety blog by Dr. Fernanda Camargo. Perhaps the most valuableresource is the 300-plus tips offered by website visitors.

One of Saddle Up SAFELY’s newest features is a horse riding and handling

safety quiz at saddleupsafely.org. Take the quiz to get a quick sense of your level of

knowledge. The quiz contains simple, intermediate and advanced questions.

If you have been injured riding or handling a horse, Saddle UP SAFELY would

love to hear your story as to how it happened and what advice you can offer others

to prevent the injury or reduce the severity of the injury.

Visit saddleupsafely.org or call 1-800-333-8874.The brochures are available on the AEF website. Contact the AEF if you have

safety issues and concerns. AB

Alberta TrailRiding Association

ATRA is a vibrant club forrecreational riders and drivers of

all ages and horse breeds.

For more information visit our website at www.atra.ca

U.S. Emergency Room Visits and Admissions to Hospital by ActivityRanked by Percent Admitted

SEEN IN ADMITTED TO PERCENTEMERGENCY ROOM HOSPITAL ADMITTED

Horseback Riding 78,527 10,174 13ATVs/Mopeds/Minibikes 278,671 32,532 11Bicycling 515,871 29,143 6Swimming 155,322 6,094 .4Baseball/Softball 277,702 4,413 .2Football 455,193 8,061 .2Source: National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, 2007 estimates

In Eventing, all competitors require protective headgear while warming upfor all tests. All competitors in the Preliminary division and below must wear pro-tective headgear complying with Equine Canada Rules for Eventing Art D114.1.1while performing the dressage test. Intermediate and Advanced level competitorshave the option of wearing protective headgear while performing the dressage test.

Dressage Canada has put in place new safety rules regarding headgear.Riders at Fourth Level and below are required to wear ASTM/SEI or BSI approvedheadgear at all times when mounted on the showgrounds. The Board and theRules Committee are aware that the rule will be well accepted by many, but to oth-ers it may feel an unwelcome imposition. Most of the feedback received in the lastyear was in favour of requiring approved helmets. Given that the rule relates toathlete safety, the Board created this rule. See: E4.0 Safety Headgear. AB

When you’re at a post-secondaryinstitution, and still want to ride andcompete, the Canadian UniversitiesRiding Clubs Association (CURCA)maybe your way to do so. If you orsomeone you know is a full-time stu-dent at a post-secondary institution(such as university, college, technicalschool), join CURCA. You will meetother riders your age and as you con-tinue your dressage and jumpingtraining, you could be part of theCanadian Team in competitionsbeyond Canada. The cost is minimal.You don’t take your own horse withyou; horses are supplied by the host-ing nation.

Several Edmonton Area AlbertaDressage Association (EAADA) mem-bers have done this; they have com-peted in Luxembourg, Ireland,Holland and report that the competi-tions and socializing are great fun.More good news: the national contactperson lives in Calgary. Local judge,Chris Collins, has not only trained rid-ers for the competition but has alsobeen a judge at the event in the U.S.

CURCA is a member ofAssociation Internationale desEtudients Cavaliers (AIEC), which gov-erns international student riding com-petitions. In order to attend an inter-nationally sanctioned Student RidingNations Cup, you must be an activemember of CURCA. To compete forthe Canadian Universities’ EquestrianTeam (CUET), the following qualifica-tions must be met:

� must be at least 18 years old;

� full-time student at a post-sec-ondary institution;

� be an active member of CURCA;

� be in a full-time riding programat least four months prior tocompetition; and

� be comfortable jumping 3'9" - 4'and able to execute the move-ments in the third round dres-sage tests on a variety of differ-ent horses.

To become a member of CURCA,please contact the associaiton formore information and fill out theCURCA application.

The CURCA website is: www.canadianstudentriders.com/. AB

Compete at university! new helmet rules

your pad going to stand up? Saddles and pads that are fine for the occasional arenaride may sore you and your horse when the miles add up. Do some research onthe gear used by experienced trail riders or outfitters.

WHAT TO TAKE?

What items you bring on your trip will depend on where you are going, thelength of the ride, whether you require your own camping gear and the local climate. Your ride organization will likely provide a packing list.

If you are camping in a different spot each night, pack light. Your rideorganizers will be hauling your gear, possibly using packhorses. Bring good sad-dlebags, keeping in mind the total weight you’ll be putting on your horse. A jacket,sunscreen and water bottle are three things you must have. Everything else you cando without if you have to. Most organized rides provide a trail lunch or a mealstop. Your guide will likely have a first aid kit, but bring any special medicationsthat you might require.

HEAD ON DOWN THE HIGHWAY

For the drive itself there are some essential items you’ll want to have onboard:� Feed and first aid kit for your horse and for you

� 20 litre water jugs, full of water, and a pail

� Spare tire, air compressor, tire iron, and a jack for both truck and trailer.

� Extra oil, washer fluid, and antifreeze. Check levels before you leave

� Safety kit (roadside essentials such as reflective pylons, jumper cables andflashlight)

� Shovel and window scraper if you’ll be travelling during the winter

� Bedroll or sleeping bag

� Insurance company contact numbers (for medical, horse and vehicle insur-ance). Include your AEF number. Check if you require any extra coverage fortravel outside of Alberta

My planned driving time from Calgary to Thermopolis, Wyoming was 14hours. Although spread over two days, that is still a long time to sit. Frequent stopsto take a break and stretch keep you awake and alert.

Your horse will be constantly shifting and balancing with the movement ofyour rig. That gets tiring. Stop every 3 - 4 hours and give your horse a chance towalk around, stretch, eat and drink. On our major North American highways there

Those are words that any trailrider can appreciate. On horsebackwe can cover more ground than onfoot, yet do it at a pace which allowsus to be part of the surroundingnature. We see details, hear soundsand through our horse feel the land-scape beneath us.

In Alberta, we are fortunate tohave exceptionally beautiful areas inwhich to ride. Sprawling ranch-lands,dense forests and a mountain rangecomprise our backyard. But if youdesire a break from your local ridingarea and enjoy travelling, then hitchup your trailer and load up yourhorse –North America is waiting!

Several years ago I took to theroad with my mare and drove toThermopolis, Wyoming. I participatedin the annual Outlaw Trail Ride, whichretraces the steps, hideouts, and histo-ry of Butch Cassidy and the Hole inthe Wall Gang. The ride was eight dayslong, and I added a few days on eitherend for travelling. Here are some tips,suggestions and considerations forembarking on a similar trip. In addi-tion to making friends from all overNorth America, our ride sported localhistorians and artisans, gear brandingand even a dance with a live band.

PRE-DEPARTURECONSIDERATIONS

Most organized rides are ratedin levels of skill or endurance. Chooseone accordingly. If planned well inadvance, you will have time to getyour horse and yourself in shape.Remember, the goal of your trip is toenjoy the riding and scenery.

Plan to have your horse trimmedand shod close to your departuredate.

Set up and inspect your tent,sleeping bag and bedroll. Do adetailed check of your tack. Replacethat worn out latigo. Fifty miles awayfrom the nearest tack shop is not theplace to have a tack emergency.

Your saddle and pad is the keyto keeping you and your mount pain-free. Can you spend an entire day inyour saddle without getting sore? Is


on the road

Photo credit all images: Scott Phillips

You can see what man

made from the seat of an

automobile, but the best

way to see what God made

is from the back of a horse.

Charles M. Russell

by Scott Phillips

are plenty of road-side turnouts where you can pull over; you might not want totake your horses out of the trailer at a busy truck-stop. When walking your horse,be cautious of hazardous items, such as rusty metal and broken glass. Onemotorist even warned me about rattlesnakes in the ditch!

YOUR RIG

Your owner’s manual will state a towing weight limit for your truck. This is amaximum weight under ideal conditions, not continuous driving up steep gradeson a hot day. It is better to be overpowered than underpowered. Your vehicle willbe working harder than normal when traversing an area of steep hills or crossinga mountain range.

Most vehicles built for towing will have a transmission temperature gauge inaddition to the coolant temperature gauge. Watch both. Know the range of normaloperating temperatures if the readout is digital. Take care of your truck too! Anout of country maintenance call on a remote stretch of highway might fetch a heftybill in addition to delaying your vacation.

CELL PHONES

New vehicles may have a voice-activated phone, or Bluetooth to link to yourcell phone. If you do not have either then it is best to leave your phone turned off.Check messages and return calls when parked. Never send or check text messageswhile driving. Alberta has pending legislation on distracted driving. Otherprovinces and states have, or will, adopt similar laws.

Check with your provider regarding out-of-country costs for voice calls, texting and data. It’s not fun to arrive home to a horrendous phone bill after a fantastic vacation.

ROUTE PLANNING AND NAVIGATION

Research the road conditions and potential construction areas. Some statewebsites and trip planning software will list current construction zones. If you areunsure, call the local state authorities. I managed to get stuck in a constructionzone on a long stretch of highway in Montana. Although only delayed an hour, itwas hot and slow-going.

GPS (Global Position System) is a great tool if used correctly. Plan your tripand program your GPS before you leave, then use it to help navigate once you’vedeparted. Mount hand-held units so that you don’t have to glance away from the

AlbertaBits SUMMER 2011 15

windshield to see them. Make sure your database is current and know the limita-tions of your model. Some do not differentiate between road surfaces, and Ilearned this the hard way. I had pre-planned my route, but during the drive theGPS offered a shortcut. I deviated from my plan to find out my new route includeda long stretch of gravel.

PAPERWORK AND MORE PAPERWORK

To transport your horse across the Alberta border, you will need a LivestockPermit, an Annual Horse Permit, or a Lifetime Horse Permit. Details of those canbe found on the AEF or LIS websites.

To import your horse into the United States you will need:

1. HA1964 (CFIA 1485) “Veterinary Health Certificate – Export of Horses to theUnited States”. Your vet completes this form to certify that your horse has notbeen exposed to communicable diseases within the previous 60 days preced-ing exportation. If you need to mail the form, plan on time for that. To avoidthe wait, drive to a local office of the Canada Food Inspection Agency.

2. CFIA/ACIA 3937 “Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Serum Test Report andCertificate”. This form must be certified with the preceding 180 days prior toexportation and certifies that your horse does not have EIA. This form will becompleted by the lab that performs the test on your horse’s blood sample.How long that takes depends on how busy the lab is. My mare’s sample wassent to the lab in Lethbridge, and was completed within six days.

The state you are travelling to may have import requirements that are morestringent than the federal authority. At the time our Canadian paperwork met theWyoming standard. A vet check, however, was mandatory for most out-of-state riders prior to commencement of the ride.

THE DREADED BORDER CROSSING

Crossing the border with your horse is easy if you are prepared. I had a fold-er with all my documents and several copies of each completed form. The stafftook their copies and I was on my way. Your personal organization will be appre-ciated and it certainly speeds up the process.

Factor in the border crossing wait time. The Canada Border Services Agencywebsite lists the border wait times for each border crossing. You can also receiveupdates via Twitter on your handheld device. The typical wait time is 10 minutesMondays to Thursdays and 20 minutes Fridays through Sundays. You may berequired to park and go into the office.

YOU MADE IT!

You arrive at your desti-nation after an uneventfuldrive and hassle-free bordercrossing. Your planning haspaid off, and you and yourhorse are ready to hit thetrail for some spectacu-lar and memorable rid-ing. Follow the direc-tions given to meetyour ride organizers,get settled in, relaxand enjoy!

Travel safe, ride safe and don’t forget your passport. AB


Scott Phillips has a passion for horses, which is evident in his weekly blogs on

Northernhorse.com and where he also works as a web programmer. He spends his summers

on horseback in the mountains as a wrangler and guide. Scott is the proud owner of five

horses that he rides and trains daily. You can contact Scott at [email protected].

featuring…Endurance riding fulfills the need

of people who like nothing better thanflying down the trail on a sound, happyhorse –ears up and still champing atthe bit after 50 to 100 miles.

While horse owners have beenchallenged for centuries to producemounts that could travel long dis-tances at good speed, the modernsport of endurance riding kicked intogear in the mid-1950s, whenCalifornia rider Wendell Robie dareda few friends to tackle the hot andrugged, 100-mile mountain trail fromTahoe City to Auburn to see who could actually make it and who could finish first.

What has evolved since the first edition of the Western States Trail Ride–bet-ter known as the Tevis Cup–is an extreme sport in which every person who cross-es the finish line on time and with a sound horse is considered a winner.

Top competitors are rewarded in two ways: First across the line wins therace while an equally coveted price, the Best Condition award, weighs speed asjust one factor in determining which rider actually brought home the fittest horse.

The sport in Alberta has developed over the past 40 - 45 years under theguidance of a few souls who espoused Robie’s principles and sought to producean environment in which the level of competition could be improved while placingthe health and safety of the horse as the primary concern.

Using the American Endurance Ride Conference rule book as a startingpoint, the Endurance Riders of Alberta,(ERA) official sanctioning body for Alberta,has written and continually upgrades its rules to ensure fair competition in whichthe safety of the horse is paramount.

Steroids, painkillers and other drug therapies are forbidden–endurance hors-es run on their own steam. Veterinary judges, who monitor the horses from thenight before the ride until one hour after its completion, are required to disqualifyany horse that shows signs of lameness or metabolic distress.

Preparing a horse for endurance completion involves plenty of wet saddleblankets while the most successful endurance riders have become keen students ofequine physiology, nutrition and athletic performance.

Endurance riding attracts individuals and families who enjoy spending aweekend on horseback with the possibility that their efforts will be rewarded withprizes and with points toward annual awards.

Endurance riders can choose their rate of travel. Mom, dad and the kids cantake their time, providing they move fast enough to finish inside the maximumtime allowed of 12 hours (with holds or rest breaks) for 50 miles, or 24 for 100.

Some riders move at a faster rate, averaging 10 miles per hour or more overthe course of their ride. These speeds are international competition level.

One caution, however: endurance riding can be addictive. In the words ofAmerican rider Angie McGhee, author of The Lighter Side of Endurance: “Thosewho have houses that are in great shape, have horses that aren’t.”

Readers can visit www.enduranceridersofalberta.com, www.endurance.netand www.aerc.org to learn more. AB

From the humblecountry of the Netherlandscomes one of the proudestlooking equine breeds ofthem all. The Friesian, withits elegant stature and itsgracefully long mane, tailand wispy feathers, is asstrong and hardy in appear-ance as it is in performance.

In fact, it was theFriesian’s grace and strength

that earned their place at the pinnacle of desire for knights in armour during themiddle Ages, thus making them one of the oldest domesticated breeds in Europe.The Friesian, (named due to its origins in the province of Friesland, theNetherlands) has had no infusion of other breeds since the 16th century influenceof the Andalusian, when the numbers of Friesian stallions had dwindled to onlythree. By confirmation, they have some similar attributes to a light draft horse, butwith their smaller size (from 14.3 HH up to 16.3 HH) they have earned their repu-tation for being nimble and graceful, powerful and energetic. All registeredFriesians are solid black with nothing more than a spot of white, no larger than aquarter, allowed on the forehead for listing in the studbook. Their dark colouringand powerful neck and forequarters combine to make for a remarkable stature.

It is the Friesians constant calm, enthusiastic willingness and complete trust-worthiness that are earning the attention of horse enthusiasts around the world.Friesians are becoming very popular as a family and pleasure horse, as a sporthorse for dressage and driving. Sport type Friesians can now be seen at all levelsof dressage and take part in international competitions. Friesians also make finecarriage horses, and are often seen in combined driving competitions.

About 14 years ago, four families founded the Alberta Friesian HorseAssociation (AFHA). The association now has 32 members, and continues to grow.

Club members are active in showing their Friesians at dressage shows andcombined driving competitions, the Mane Event, the Calgary Stampede and otherparades, along with operating booths. In addition, group trail rides are beingorganized throughout the province. Having fun is guaranteed at the “fun days”held once a year.

Clinics in different disciplines are on the program for this season and/oryears to come. A driving clinic by Gerard Paagman, well known competitive driverand member of AFHA, is scheduled for July 2011.

The judging/keuring is a fun way to learn more about the breed. The annualjudging in western Canada for the registry with the Royal Dutch Friesian HorseAssociation (KFPS) takes place at the end of September in Olds, and in spite ofincredibly rigorous judging standards, the breed numbers have grown from only500 in the 1960s to over 40,000 in the Netherlands alone today. Some 15,000more are found in countries all over the world.

For more information check the association website: www.afha.ca. AB

Endurance riders of Alberta

A wedding in Ponoka. Horses are owned and driv-en by Wim and Nita Floryn. Photo credit: Annie Muilwijk

Linda Riley and Sir Century are all smilesafter winning Best Condition overall forthe 3-day Kilpoola Kaper in Osoyoos, B.C.Photo credit: Brenda Kossowan (c)2011

Ridecamp. Photo credit: Brenda Kossowan (c)2011


AlbertaFriesian horseAssociation

Friesians and friends enjoying Gull Lake at a Club Fun day, September 2010. Photo credit:Suzette Krug

WYou can lead a horse to water, but can you make its rider drink?

Just the thought of heat and warm sun brings thoughts of long days in thesaddle. Friends are called and routes are planned. Weather reports are taken intoaccount and soon the day has arrived with a customary early start and the obliga-tory stop for coffee and a donut. You have lavished attention on your trusty steedsand they are ready for the trail. Horse food grows along the trail and water is inabundant supply.

Just as your horse needs fuel and water for a successful day, so do you. Iwonder what you plan to pack for a satisfying trail day?

Human trail snacks tend to be light, dried and salty. Think about some ofyour favourites. Beef jerky, dried fruit, nuts, energy bars and maybe some saltedpretzels. They certainly are tasty and contain enough calories, but they are saltyand they lack water. As the digestive system attempts to process these foodstuffs,they must add water to rehydrate the dried foods and dilute the salt to acceptablelimits. Just as trail food tends to be light and compact, water is heavy and some-what bulky. How do you carry enough to last through the day?

The answer, of course, is to collect and clean water along the trail. But, howmuch do you need to last on a long, hot day’?

Cleaning water is important to avoid coming down with giardia, or beaverfever to you and me. This insidious little bug is found in streams and rivers thatflow through grazing land, since the main culprits for spreading this intestinal par-asite are the cattle that roam on the range.

There are three main ways of making water drinkable for humans: additionof chemicals, boiling or filtering. Each method has its pros and cons, its advocatesand its decriers. But, they are equally effective when a few basic facts are knownand applications followed.

Chemicals should be chlorine based. There are several different deliverymethods from tablets, to solutions, to ingenious portable chlorine makers.Instructions should be read and followed as to the quantities and “standing” time.Generally in this part of the world, with our cold mountain streams, a minimum of20 - 30 minutes is required, longer if the water appears to be polluted. Rememberthat the chemicals will kill viruses, bacterium and cysts but do not remove the“bits.” Filter first, your bandana can do the job.

Boiling is very effective and the cleaning process is complete when the watercomes to a “rolling boil.” The down side is that you need a pot; a stove (or fire)and you end up with hot water that may still be full of bits.

Filters are excellent choices if you can afford a little space and are not travel-ling in areas with heavily silted water courses. They give you clean, clear and coldwater ready to drink immediately, with no chemical aftertaste. Make sure whenpurchasing a filter that you consult with the store staff as to make and model andthe bells and whistles useful to you.

How often should you be drinking and when do you know when your systemis topped up? We are all different in our required daily water intake, as it dependson individual metabolisms and diet. For example, a diet high in fruit and vegeta-bles will need less supplemental water than one high in meat and potatoes. Whilemost of us don’t monitor urine colour or even volume, it provides a guide tounderstanding our state of hydration. The key is to be voiding pale champagne-coloured urine about four to five times a day. Do remember that juices, tea andcoffee all count toward balancing the body’s fluid balance, however as my Dadalways used to say, “You don’t buy beer, you just rent it!”

We are 70 – 80 percent water and that percentage needs to be maintained toensure continued physiological and cognitive function. Researchers have shown


that as little as a two per cent deficiency can be detected, manifesting as decreasesin both physical ability and critical thinking.

Enjoy the trails; enjoy the hotter weather, should it arrive! Think water andhow much you need for an enjoyable day! AB

ater and foodon the trail

by Dave Watt

Filtering water for drinking from a clear stream using a pump style filtration system forback country campers/hikers/riders.

WAtCh oUt For: gIArdIA (BEAvEr FEvEr)

Giardia is a microscopic parasite that lives in the intestine of infected mammals. Allmammals including humans are capable of carrying these cysts. They are spreadthrough contact with the feces of infected animals or by drinking the water that thesefeces have come in contact with. These cysts can live for several months in cold water.After exposure to the cyst the symptoms appear in 7 – 14 days and the “episode” canlast for the same amount of time.

Symptoms include.

Diarrhoea; gas (smelling strongly of sulphur); greasy stools that tend to float; abdominal cramps; nausea/vomiting; dehydration.

Diagnosis is by a series of stool samples and treatment is by antibiotics.

Treat all drinking water that you scoop from streams. Boiling and filtering are moreeffective in ridding your water of these pesky bugs than chemicals. Chlorine will killthe bugs but requires a reasonably high dosage and a long “standing” time. If usingchlorine it is important to read and follow the instructions as directed.

Always contact your doctor or health care professional for evaluation of a medical issue and treatment.

With extensive outdoor experience gained in Scotland and as a paramedic in Alberta, Dave

formed Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine, providing quality training that reflect the lat-

est developments in medical and rescue training for the remote environment. RMAM is an

internationally recognised source of professionally run courses.

Alberta Trail Riding Association

Upcoming Events in the Edmonton area:June 25 - July 3, Hummingbird, Alenby Adopt-a-Trailclean up; call Candace: 780-990-4076.

July 22 - 24, Donalda; call Shirley: 780-662-4747.

August 1 - 7, Ya Ha Tinda, Eagle Creek Campsite. Call Lisa: 780-237-7587.

August 21 - 28, Kananaskis Country, call Lisa: 780-237-7587.

September 2 - 5, Black Cat Ranch, Hinton; call Anita: 780-475-3858.

ATRA and AEF membership are required for mountain ridesWatch for details of upcoming mountain rides and weekend events.

For more information visit our website at www.atra.ca

Cowboys put skills to test in Working Cowboy Competition

Cowboys from throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan battled for bragging

rights during Lakeland College’s Working Cowboy Competition April 15.

After ranch roping, stock dog, ranch doctoring, ranch horse and bronc rid-

ing events were done, Clayton Millar of Cadillac, SK, was crowned the Greatest

Working Cowboy.

“This award was created to recognize the cowboy with the greatest range of

skills in a working environment,” says Ron Hoffman, instructor of Lakeland’s

Western Ranch and Cow Horse program. Contestants entered in at least three dif-

ferent classes were eligible to compete for the title.

Millar, an alumnus of Lakeland College, received a custom buckle and

$1,000 for his efforts. Pat Roach of Musidora, AB, was second and Steve Millar of

Foam Lake, SK, finished in third place.

The following day during the Working Cowboy Horse Sale there were 39

horses sold for an average price of $3,753, up from last year’s average of $3,112.

The top selling horse was consigned by Tom and Cole Brain and sold for $7,800

to Rod Ferguson of Maidstone, SK. This is the second consecutive year Ferguson

has purchased the high seller at Lakeland’s Working Cowboy Horse Sale. The aver-

age price on the top five horses was $6,390 and the average on the top 10 was

$5,565. Once again, both of these totals were higher than the previous year’s sale.

The Western Ranch and Cow Horse program is a one year certificate pro-gram offered at the Vermilion campus. For details, visit www.lakelandcollege.ca.Established in 1913, Lakeland College has campuses in Vermilion andLloydminster and serves more than 7,000 students each year. AB

Pat Roach competing in Ranch Doctoring. Photo credit: courtesy Lakeland College



HIGHEST HORSE TIME Nicola Paulovich and Coulee Bend Kode of Honour (Kody). Photo credit: Katrina Favell Photography

MOST CONSECUTIVE SCREEN-FREE DAYS Sarah Jackson and Tux (The Husker's Tux),Jackson’s 4-H project horse. Photo credit: Tamara Jackson .

LOWEST SCREEN TIME Mirte Hazenbergand Nala (Nala Sue San). Photo credit: ConnyHazenberg

Liveoutside the BoxEach year, the AEF promotes its LiveOutside the Box program to rewardyoungsters who spend time with theirhorse, rather than in front of a TV or a computer. In 2010, the followingyouth were the top three in each category.

CATEGORY AGE

HIGHEST HORSE TIME

1. Nicola Paulovich 12 2. Deshann Valentine 10 3. Reagan Niemeyer 13

LOWEST SCREEN TIME

1. Mirthe Hazenberg 142. Kailey Beckie 83. Amanda Kemble 11

MOST CONSECUTIVE SCREEN FREE DAYS

1. Sarah Jackson 112. Christa-Lee Ferguson 133. Talia Beckie 10


Without a doubt, Cavalia, the show that celebrates the relationship betweenhumans and horses, offers a delightful entertainment experience for all to enjoy.What horse person isn’t enthralled with gorgeous horses prancing and runningfree onstage? And what horse person wouldn’t want to know more about howthese spectacular creatures came to be the stars that they are?

Backstage and behind the scenes, Cavalia operates to ensure that its horsesare in peak condition: healthy, happy and willing to work. With a schedule that hasthe horses travelling across the continent to an average of six cities per year, log-ging some 30,000 km in the process, careful thought and planning is required tomake travel as stress-free as possible for these four-legged stars.

Ten breeds are in the 49-horse troop, including: Arabians, Comtois, Criollos,Lusitanos, Mustangs, Paint Horses, Percherons, Quarter Horses, SpanishPurebreds, and Warmbloods. There are 20 stallions and 29 geldings. Their agesrange from nine months to 19 years. The stallions are not used for breeding;rather, they are prized because they bring their unique energy and strong person-ality to the performance.

According to Grégory Molina, Equestrian Director on tour, in addition to the20 grooms that work in the stables, each performer is responsible for his/her ownhorse; they spend time with them during the day, warm them up, and prepare

them for the show. Molina says, “Wepay as much importance and attentionto their mental well-being as we do totheir physical well-being. In a nut-shell, we pay attention to what the horses tell us. Even their neighbours in the sta-bles are selected with care and we base those selections on the horses’ affinities.”

On the road, keeping the horses fit and happy is a welcome challenge forCavalia’s entire equestrian team. Benjamin Aillaud, Equestrian Director of Cavalia,pampers his horses with large rigs that allow the horses spaces large enough to liedown in. Stops occur every two and half hours to check the horses and providewater and feed.

Each horse is treated as an individual, and as a performing athlete; the hors-es are fed at least four times a day, with up to two additional small grain meals,according to their specific requirements. Hay is of the highest nutritional qualityand as free from dust and dirt as possible, and is weighed to meet each horse’sprecise nutrition requirements. Hay is the fuel that these horses operate on, andAillaud has it analyzed and consults with an equine nutritionist when required. Hebelieves in creating a balance for the horses with good feed, good care, good chal-lenges and good work, to develop a well-balanced, friendly and confident athlete.

In addition, Cavalia has two assistant veterinary technicians. MariaMarcopoulos explains her role: “In every city that we visit, we establish a rapportwith a local veterinary hospital. The veterinarians visit the horses on a case-by-case basis if need be, for vaccines for example. We prefer to be in a preventativeposition, so we’ve chosen, early on in the tour, to have a farrier and veterinarytechnicians on staff.”

Keeping greys white is a job that a few equestrians have had to deal with. As Cavalia must present its horses sparkling clean, Mane’N Tail™ is used for

washing, and for performances, Show Sheen™ is used on the coat and sweetalmond oil is applied on the mane and tail. Most importantly, cleaning the stallsfive times a day, and bathing the horses weekly ensures a gleaming presentation.

With 20 people working in the stables, plus two assistant veterinary techni-cians, a farrier, a stable manager, and the human performers looking after thewellbeing of its horses, it’s no wonder that Cavalia shows the world what wonder-ful entertainers horses can be when they are treated with kindness andrespect–they are true stars without diva attitude, but who sparkle in the showevery night with flare, style and an obvious enjoyment of performing freely in frontof a delighted audience. AB


Behind the scenes at CavaliaSylvia Zerbini and the horses before aperformance. Photo credit: Lynne Glazer

The arrival. Photo credit: courtesy of Cavalia

Artist Sylvia Zerbini leads her horse to his stall after a workout.Photo credit: courtesy of Cavalia


Springtime is traditionally a busy, exciting time and certainly that is true forthe students in the Equine Science diploma program at Olds College. In addition to preparing for final exams, and finishing up final projects, the students in eachof the five majors have been part of some very fun and informative initiatives thisspring.

The second year Production and Breeding students are currently involved inthe day-to-day operation of the Olds College breeding and foaling program. Theywill be at the college until the end of June, foaling mares and breeding mares byartificial insemination using fresh semen from stallions on site and cooled semenshipped in from various locations across North America. By the end of the season,they will have foaled out 13 mares and bred between 60 and 70 mares.

The English and WesternHorsemanship students were treatedto clinics by some prominent clini-cians this spring. Sandy Alexanderfrom Langley, B.C. presented a three-day hunter clinic in late February, andGary Yadghjian from Claremount, ONpresented a clinic on judging reiningevents in late March. The studentmembers of the Horseman’s Club alsoorganized a small schooling show inearly March at the college whichincluded both English and Westernevents.

In mid-March, a National English Competition Coaching Evaluator trainingday was held at the college. Equestrian Coaching students prepared and deliveredlessons in front of the evaluators and received feedback from them. Later on in the day, students from all majors attended a seminar on teaching riders, analyzingrider performance and providing appropriate corrections to riders. At the end ofApril, students from the Equestrian Coaching major were tested for Instructor ofBeginners (IOB) certification and all were successful; four received their EnglishIOB, two received their Western IOB and two of the students attempted andachieved their Western Basic Training.

As part of their curriculum, second-year Business and Event Managementstudents are required to produce an equine-related event on the campus. Thisyear, the students chose a ‘Client Appreciation Day’ to recognize the many clientswho provide the various types of horses that are used in the program. The day washeld at the end of March and included riding demos, tours, lunch, a presentationabout the Equine Science Program, and appreciation certificates for all owners.This was a wonderful day and a great learning experience for the students.

The Equine Science Program teaching staff focuses mainly on teaching thestudents in the program, but is also involved in other aspects of equine educationas well. Many are the primary instructors in the various continuing educationcourses that are offered each year at the college. In early March, high school stu-dents enrolled in the Green Certificate Equine Management program and theirfamilies were at the college for a clinic in basic equine reproduction and ademonstration in teasing, stallion semen collection and artificial insemination of amare. Also in early March during the reading week at Olds College, the third-yearveterinary students from the University of Calgary were at the college for two daystaking labs in equine reproduction. These labs included semen collection andevaluation, evaluating mares for reproductive soundness and artificial insemina-tion. Later in the month, a group of second-year veterinary students from theUniversity of Calgary spent two days at Olds College learning about differentaspects of the horse including normal movement during English and Westernevents, lameness, lunging techniques, the fitting of tack and equipment, artificialinsemination, hoof trimming and therapeutic shoeing.

For the Equine Science Program, springtime also means preparing for theupcoming school year.

Selection of first-year students for the fall term takes place in early April andinvolves testing at the college which includes both a practical and a riding compo-nent. Approximately eighty-five students from all across Canada came to the col-lege to test for the 50 available seats. Fifty excellent students were selected to startin September with another 30 on the waitlist. It truly looks like another great yearahead for the Equine Science Program at Olds College. AB

the Equine Science Program at olds Collegeby Dr. Marion Anderson

Dr. Marion Anderson, DVM, MS is the Coordinator of the Equine Science Program at Olds

College and the lead instructor of the Production and Breeding Major, teaching these and

other courses. She is also responsible for the breeding and foaling program. In her spare

time, Dr. Anderson is a recreational rider who enjoys trail riding anywhere, anytime..

Photo credit all images: Lauren Basford


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PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATIONS CONTACT PHONE

Alberta 4-H Provincial Equine Advisory Committee . . . . . . . . . . Yvonne Yaremcio 403-742-8353Alberta Carriage Driving Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barb Richard 780-266-4036Alberta Donkey & Mule Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alice Todd 780-696-3892Alberta Dressage Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Suzanne Hanley-Hawkins 403-843-4093Alberta Equestrian Awareness Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda Klause 780-656-5774Alberta Equestrian Vaulting Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marijke van der Sluijs 403-556-6266Alberta Friesian Horse Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Annie Muilwijk 403-885-0345Alberta Horse Trials Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ulrika Wikner 403-340-0270Alberta Hunter Horse Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trish Mrakawa 403-938-6398Alberta Miniature Chuckwagon Racing Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Will Bier 403-308-6007Alberta Morgan Horse Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delrose Burns 403-885-4992Alberta Pony Clubs (North, Central & South Regions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandy Wallin 780-940-7837Alberta Trail Riding Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley McFall 780-662-4747Alberta Veterinary Medical Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Darrell Dalton 780-489-5007Alberta Walking Horse Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley Wesslen 403-885-5290American Saddlebred Horse Association of of Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lynne Redmond-Dorcas 403-807-7742

Aurora Horse Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jesse Reid 867-445-8519Canada Mounted Games Association-Alberta Region . . . . . . . . . . . Jane Goodliffe 780-349-6193Canadian Horse Breeders Association Rocky Mountain District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Rioux 780-967-1030

Canadian Registry of the Tennessee Walking Horse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dianne Little 403-271-7391Certified Horsemanship Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christy Landwehr 720-857-9550Endurance Riders of Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brenda Henrikson 780-325-2348Equine Foundation of Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eldon Bienert 780-986-6652Horse Industry Association of Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Mitchell-Matheson 403-420-5949Horse Racing Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley McClellan 780-415-5475Trail Riding Alberta Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marlene Vanderwekken 403-782-7363Welsh Pony & Cob Society of Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pat Clay 403-934-3666

AFFILIATE ORGANIZATION

Banff Light Horse Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ruth Quinn 403-762-2682Blackfoot Trail Riders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Vongrad 780-449-5600Bow Valley 4-H Horse Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maggie Smart Miller 403-936-5572Bow Valley Riding Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucille Doucette 403-678-9856Calgary Arabian Horse Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diane Walker 403-938-7196Calgary Regional Appaloosa Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monique Plumb 403-536-9234Calgary Regional Trail Riders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tricia Sterner 403-547-0569Central Alberta Adult Riding Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debi Jensen 403-885-5222Central Alberta Special Equestrians Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John McClelland 403-352-6135Central Peace Horse Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caroline Sekulic 780-765-2119Chinook Carriage Driving Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patty Carley 403-346-2146Cochrane Horse Trials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Craig 403-836-5867Cooking Lake Saddle Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Georgina Riddell 780-922-5460Cottonwood Corrals Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Patry 780-852-3121Didsbury Light Horse Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Denise Thompson 403-335-3462Easy Rider Division of Alberta Walking Horse Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dianne Little 403-271-7391

Foothills Therapeutic Riding Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dianne King 403-652-7419Fort Calgary Wheel & Runner Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jo-Ann Wilson 403-936-5985 Fun Country Riding Club of Strathmore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Angela Atkinson 403-533-2338Garden Valley Pony Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Catherine David 780-963-4116Giddy Up Go…Little Hooves…Big Hearts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dawn-Marie Tannas 780-636-2131Hastings Lake Pleasure Horse Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anita van Dorp 780-662-3665High Country Carriage Driving Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gaye McLennan 403-938-5069

Hot Spots Regional Appaloosa Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brenda Allen 780-723-4329Journeys Therapeutic Riding Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Timmi Shorr 403-601-2805Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Olena Dudych 780-476-1233Meadow Creek Vaulting Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marijke van der Sluijs 403-556-6266Millarville Therapeutic Riding Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica van der Hoek 403-616-4731Miniatures In Motion Horse Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elsie Overgaard 403-845-6650Northern Trails Riding Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jamea Minue 403-860-8144Opening Gaits Therapeutic Riding Society of Calgary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yvonne Anderson 403-254-4184

Over the Hill Trail Riders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Becky Ann Clement 403-883-2436Parkland Harness Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Donna Hemeyer 403-782-2647Peace Draft Horse & Pulling Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Finch 780-532-6118Performance Standardbreds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathy Sunberg 403-242-8666Prairie Dusters Drill Team Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crystal Young 780-766-2278Rainbow Equitation Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roxanne Proudfoot 780-975-7116Rockyford Horse Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dixie O’Keefe 403-533-2151Rundle Riders Therapeutic Riding Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan Clark 403-678-2740Shortgrass Riding Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stacie Smith 403-378-3677Society of Tilt & Lance Cavalry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Radar Goddard 403-660-0826South Peace Horse Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara Figel 780-532-2846Southern Alberta Trail Riders Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judy Peterson 403-381-3261Springbank Equestrian Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norma Ansloos 403-258-3691Springbank Pony Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lois Booy 403-289-9066Spruce View Gymkhana Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dawn Edmondson 403-728-3074Steele’s Scouts Commemorative Troop Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Clarke 403-933-7782Stone Bridge Carriage Driving Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Holyoak 403-933-3706Strathcona All-Breed Horse Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil Coatta 780-922-5207Tennessee Walking Horse Association of Western Canada . . . . . . Ethel Mankow 780-542-6804The Calgary Hunt Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Palmer 403-931-2444The Welsh Show Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian McClelland 403-784-3367Traildusters Horse Club of Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lily Wasieczko 780-829-3628Triple R Riding Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lori Hutchison 780-478-0773Uplift Therapeutic Riding Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brenda Orlita 403-362-5570Western Canadian Wagon Train Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Sissons 780-675-2572Wildrose Mounted Shooting Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Cook 403-748-3928

AEF BUSINESSES AND MEMBERS PRIORITY PROGRAM

A & K Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780-648-3734A Sharper Image - Equine Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780-468-9270Alborak Stable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-932-4819BMO - Bank of Montreal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416-927-4317Calgary Stampede . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-261-0114Call Away Stables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780-847-2858Canadian Natural Horsemanship Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780-354-3401Creekside Equestrian Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-556-6266Digger’s Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780-656-0406East Acres Equestrian Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-990-9916Equanimity Edge Equine Massage Therapy Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-378-4632Equine In Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-969-5319Equiviva Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-460-3033E-Sport Physiotherapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-652-6341Foothills Horse Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-938-4525Healing Soles Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-597-6268Higher Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-510-8051Hoof & Nail Farrier Supplies Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-252-1661Hoof And Paw Body Workers Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-556-0716Horse -Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-505-7428Horse Creek Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780-584-2535Horse Sport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-505-7428Horse Trekking Adventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780-835-4629Horsemanship By Tim Johnston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-506-4805Inner Equine Journeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-934-2706J. W. (Jim) Lawton, CMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-933-3348Justa Lil Ranch Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780-568-3414Kubota Canada Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 905-294-7477 2217Marsh Haven Farm - The Innovative Horsekeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-264-8221Martin Deerline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780-452-2790Moose Hill Ranch Equestrian Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-242-9209Outpost At Warden Rock Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-762-2767Prairie Coast Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780-532-8402Reverence Stables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-807-6126Rocking M Stable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780-209-0112Shaw Insurance Agencies Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-980-9803Sparks Innovations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-227-2241Spiritual Equine Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-519-6765Syner G Apparel & Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-978-2589The Visions West Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-242-6162Torn Habit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-935-2384Whole Harmonized Healing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780-987-3395Willowdale Equestrian Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-358-7811


AEF member organizations (as of May 10, 2011)

AEF Trail Supporter ProgramDo you want to improve trails in your area? The AEF TrailSupporter program is a funding initiative used for traildevelopment to provide facilities such as high lines, toilets, fire rings, signage, wells for stock watering,

trail bridges, etc. Become a Trail Supporterand help improve your favourite trail andAlberta’s great backcountry.


ALBERT

AEQUESTRIAN FE

D

ERATION

TRA

ILSUPPO

R

TER

Are yoU covered?

AEF members automatically receive $5,000,000 excess personal liability and $30,000 Accident, death and

dismemberment insurance that covers yoU 24/7, worldwide.

“ “

Our fundraiser trail ride wrapped up

with a barbeque and a number of families

showed up to enjoy dinner with us.

As I was leading my horse to my trailer

to get him settled before dinner, the unex-

pected happened. Several children had left

the barbeque area and began playing

around the parked trucks and trailers. A ball

bounced off of a truck and hit my horse

spooking him. He spun around and kicked

out striking a nearby horse trailer and

damaging it. The owner, who is a riding

buddy, wasn’t happy.

Fortunately, my riding arena had recom-

mended that I join the AEF–my membership

includes automatic personal liability insur-

ance. Accidents can happen, and I’m thank-

ful to know that the AEF has me covered.

Call the AEF for your membership today, at an annual fee of $40 (individual) and $85 (family), can you afford NOT to be covered?

Alberta Equestrian FederationPhone: 403-253-4411 Toll Free: 1-877-463-6233www.albertaequestrian.com

Capri Insurance is the official insurance provider for the AEF

AlbertaEquestrianFederation ©

THE VOICE OF EQUINE ALBERTA MEMBER MAGAZINEcnw.albertaequestrian.com/Download/Alberta Bits...with the RCMP Musical Ride and, after retiring from the police, to getting back into full-time

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