Ken McNabb of Wyoming took home the championship trophy at this year’s Trainer’s Challenge finals at Westerner Park in Red Deer.
“The Trainer’s Challenge is such a great opportunity for us to come together and learn from each other,” he said after receiving his trophy from Diane Anderson of Tymarc Art Studio. “It’s not about winning or losing, because when we can learn together we really all become winners.”
McNabb’s positive and encouraging attitude was evident throughout the weekend, and he kept this same mindset in the finals. “We’re on a time clock during the finals, but a horse doesn’t understand what that means,” he said during his ride. “So, you really have to take your time and hurry slowly. I’ve also got to make sure that I’m giving him as much as he’s giving me.”
Hurrying slowly paid off for McNabb and with his horse, Remedy, he completed all of the required elements of the finals in under the allotted time. “This is a really good horse,” he said. “He’s just giving me all the try in the world and in the end that’s all I can ask of him.”
Joining McNabb in the finals were Brent Trout of Alberta and Tom Forehand of Colorado. A strong relationship developed between the three trainers, as they learned from each other and spent time together between their training sessions. “It has been just amazing to work with trainers the calibre of Ken and Tom,” said Trout. “This Trainer’s Challenge has provided an incredible experience for me, and I feel very fortunate and very blessed to be here.”
During the finals, Trout and his horse, Jose, didn’t complete all of the required elements, but Trout remained positive about the gelding. “Jose is a horse with real potential,” he said. “In any situation, even in a competition like this, you have to keep the training about the horse.”
For Trout, the most memorable moment of his work with Jose came during his final round pen session, when he rode the horse for the first time with the Olympic theme song “I Believe” playing over the speakers. “It was really a shared moment between me and Jose and about 1,600 other people,” he said. “People were emotionally connected with what was happening and how big of a moment that was. A lot of people were crying and some came up to me after and said how much that meant to them.”
Tom Forehand also had a positive experience during the Trainer’s Challenge. Riding his three-year-old gelding, Blue, Forehand was encouraged with his performance in the finals. “Blue did pretty good today,” he said after his round. “I knew that I wouldn’t try for the lope, but Blue did a lot of other things really well – he did the serpentine at a trot, he went over the bridge and he took the snaffle bit better than in any other session.”
The Trainer’s Challenge often provides unique connections between horse people, and this year was no different. Forehand’s horse, Blue, has been purchased by new owners, who will be sending the gelding to Trout for further training. “Blue will be going home with Brent, and it’ll be fantastic to see where he takes this gelding,” Forehand said.
At the conclusion of another successful Trainer’s Challenge, the feedback was positive. “The Mane Event is an incredible horse expo that’s filled with so many educated horse folks, it’s amazing,” Forehand said. “The organizers of the event are absolute sweethearts, and the trainers, clinicians and judges have all been just great. I feel very honoured and glad to have been here.”
For more information on The Mane Event, including dates for the 2011 show, visit www.maneeventexpo.com.
Another successful show has just concluded at The Mane Event, and organizers estimate that approximately 45,000 people attended the equine expo.
“We’ve had an amazing time here in Red Deer,” said Gail Barker, president of The Mane Event. “The crowd was made up of knowledgeable and enthused horse people, so it makes for a really exciting event.”
Barker attributes the show’s success to the multi-disciplined nature of the expo, as the public can watch clinics, see demonstrations and purchase products for all aspects of the horse world. “When you go to a regular show, you’re only exposed to one part of the horse industry,” said Barker. “At The Mane Event, you can enjoy learning about any discipline and breed. It’s an exciting opportunity for people, and they often travel for hours to come here.”
Throughout the weekend, the public packed three arenas, a lecture hall and a demonstration area to watch over 100 hours of clinics provided by 14 world-class instructors. Canadian clinician Jonathan Field, who has presented at each Mane Event, was impressed with the Albertan attendance. “I’ve seen this show grow every year, and it’s incredible to have such a large group of horse-loving people together,” he said. “When people come to the clinics, they have their notepads in hand and they’re ready to learn.”
Clinic riders are a key element in The Mane Event and, while learning from top-level clinicians, the participants also benefit from riding in front of an audience. “It’s such a non-competitive and supportive environment,” Field said. “As the riders are working on different tasks, the audience is riding stride for stride with them. It makes for a very powerful learning experience.”
When not attending clinics or the Trainer’s Challenge, the public filled the Trade Show area, where over 240 exhibitors had booths featuring everything from horse trailers to clothing. Jim Townshend, a regular trade show exhibitor, feels The Mane Event organizers have developed an excellent show. “Red Deer is a great location for this event, because it has a small town feeling but you’re getting a big town product,” he said. “People come to enjoy themselves and learn and have fun – that’s really reflected in the positive and neighbourly feel throughout the weekend.”
The Trade Show offered the public a chance to see and purchase products, and it was also an important event for the exhibitors, who rely on sales to support their businesses. “We were very pleased because we substantially exceeded our goals for this show,” said Townshend. “Overall, this is the best run show that I’ve ever been to, period. The organizers, the Westerner staff and the public were all great to work with. That tells me that they’re really onto something special here.”
The Mane Event organizers are looking to their next show, which will be held from October 22 to 24, 2010, in Chilliwack, BC. In 2011, the expo will be returning to celebrate its 5th anniversary in Red Deer. The Red Deer show will run from April 29 to May 1, 2011.
For more information on The Mane Event, visit www.maneeventexpo.com.
Annual cleanup day postponed to May 8 in central, southern Alberta Motorists are advised to be cautious when travelling through areas where the annual highway cleanup is taking place. For most areas north of Ponoka, the cleanup will take place on May 1 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. During those hours, young Albertans will be removing garbage and debris from highway rights-of-way. They are distinguishable by their bright orange safety vests. Signs will also be posted advising motorists that they are entering a cleanup area. For most areas south of Ponoka, the cleanup has been postponed to May 8 due to this week’s rain and snow storms. Cleanup hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit http://alberta.ca/acn/201004/28197274149B2-9249-9010-29EC26E55B4DC40B.html to access the information bulletin regarding this year’s cleanup campaign. Visit www.transportation.alberta.ca/605.htm for more information on highway cleanup programs in Alberta.
Young Albertans will give the province’s highways a spring cleaning and earn some money for their clubs and community groups at the same time.
The 34th annual Highway Cleanup Day takes place Saturday, May 1, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the province. In case of inclement weather, the cleanup will take place the following Saturday, May 8. Last year, approximately 6,000 young people from 505 clubs and non-profit organizations collected more than 47,000 bags of garbage from 7,100 km of highway rights-of-way. If placed in single file, the bags would stretch the length of 230 football fields.
Participants must be at least nine years old, attend a safety training program before participating, and are under adult supervision. Participants are distinguishable by their bright orange safety vests. Motorists are urged to slow down, obey signs, and be on the lookout when passing the workers in the ditches.
The highway cleanup is held annually on the first or second Saturday in May, as weather permits. Established as a fundraiser for non-profit and community groups, the program also helps keep Alberta’s highways clean and safe by removing garbage from rights-of-way. Participants may earn up to $100 per km of right-of-way for their club or non-profit community group. Last year, volunteers earned $596,000 for their groups and clubs.
Visit www.transportation.alberta.ca/605.htm for more details on highway cleanup programs in Alberta.
The Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society Presents: The 5th Annual Saddle Strings & Heart Strings Charity Trail Ride
The Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society is a nonprofit agency located in High River, Alberta which provides support to communities, families and individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder throughout Southern Alberta. The Society assists communities with the development and implementation of prevention and awareness campaigns, facilitates workshops for professionals, and supports families who are living with someone with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society is hosting their 5th Annual Saddle Strings and Heartstrings Charity Trail Ride on September 4, 2010. Located at the base of Mount Armstrong on the Nelson Ranch, the ride offers participants “a little piece of heaven”. The day includes breakfast, lunch and a full day ride followed by a banquet, auction and dance. We welcome the opportunity to have you as a sponsor for this event by either providing a cash donation, a gift for each rider or an item for the Silent Auction. Your sponsorship will be recognized at the Saddle Strings and Heart Strings Trail Ride as well as in media coverage of the event. If requested, sponsorship will include a tax receipt. Thank you for considering being part of this exciting event! We look forward to hearing from you. Any questions can be answered by Danna at 403-652-4776/403-312-8140. Danna Ormstrup Director Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society
