News
Silver Buckle Series 2011
Perth Regional Appaloosa Club would like to thank all the
people who attended the clinics and the final show, it was
great to see some familiar faces and to also meet some
new people along the way!
The first clinic of the series was in May, held at the club grounds in Whiteman Park, covering Halter and Showmanship and was a huge success with 45 people attending. The next clinic was in June covering Hunter under Saddle and Hunt Seat Equitation and again drew great numbers. Unfortunately the third clinic was scheduled on a weekend that saw impossible weather and had to be postponed. The fourth clinic in August was changed to provide a Western Pleasure and Horsemanship clinic in the morning and a Trail clinic in the afternoon. Again numbers were extremely encouraging and ensure the club is on the right path for providing clinics of western discipline to beginner or Novice riders and green horses.
This year a show was held at Brookleigh Equestrian Estate to highlight the final for the Silver Buckle Series entrants but also programmed Walk /Jog, Novice, Youth, Junior & Senior Horse events. With our friendly AQHA judge Janeen McRobert, ring steward Carly Ganzer, Gate Marshall Elise Young and marshalling area coaches Karen Nicoletto and Vanessa Hancox; the participants of the show were in for a friendly and informative day. Our aim was to ensure that each rider and horse had an encouraging day with happy memories instead of a stressed day full of regrets or unhappy faces. The club was blown away by the interest generated and will endeavor to provide this series for many years to come.
Our most improved rider award was presented to Stephanie Longwood. Stephanie has been attending the clinics for two years and has improved immensely. With great direction from our silver buckle series coaches, her riding and training has developed and by rewarding her efforts and dedication it will hopefully continue her enthusiasm for learning. Stephanie won a silver belt buckle donated by Karen Nicoletto Show Horses, a gift voucher from Saddleworld Maddington and a bag of goodies as well. Thank you very much to Karen for her donation, we truly appreciate it!
Second place went to Kristy Reynolds. Kristy has a very young / green horse and has shown huge commitment to progressing with her mare. We wish Kristy all the best for the rest of the show year and sincerely hope that she will return next year showing us vast improvements again!
Third place went to Julia Humphries. Julia has ridden a lot of English style riding and she is very motivated in learning more about the western horse, good luck Julia and keep up the good work.
Fourth place went to Lynn-Anne Bentink. Lynn-Anne came to the clinics with very little knowledge of western and showed great interest and positive implementation of our coaches' exercises and advice. Although the path seems very foggy at times, a little bit of positive goes along way!
Isabelle Hamilton was in fifth place. Thankfully Izzy was not seriously injured in a car accident the week of the final and still attended the show as planned. Izzy has been attending the silver buckle series for a number of years but has a new horse that will assist in her endeavors to show successfully. Good luck Izzy and Mickey!
In sixth place was Giarne Fredericks. Giarne is also new to
taking the reins of a western horse and has grown
immensely over the series. Riding more in English and
being on the sideline with photographer family at many
western shows, it was nice to see her be able to shine on
the day of the final.
Each place getter also received vouchers to Saddleworld Maddington, our generous sponsor for many years, thank you to Saddleworld Maddington for their sponsorship once again.
Thank you also to Vanessa Hancox who provided some lovely prizes in the gift bags given to each place getter.
Encouragement awards donated on the day by Rebecca from Pimp My Pony were given to Tracey Anne Hamilton, Nereda Stothard and Belinda Attwood. Congratulations to these three riders who rode very well at the final show and were commended for their efforts by Judge Janeen McRobert. Thank you Rebecca for your donation to the club, every bit of sponsorship is greatly appreciated by the club and our participants.
Thank you very much must go to all the helpers at the show and thank you also to the students from Bindoon Agricultural College for their assistance on the day, it made the day a little easier for show officials.
The canteen was also a huge success raising funds for our selected youth to participate at the 2012 Appaloosa Nationals. Thank you to Julie Brandham for all her support and dedication to the fundraising and Georgia Brandham, Shellina Walther, Sally and Kaila Rainoldi for their assistance.
We hope to provide an even better series next year so please watch our newsletter or website www.appaloosawa.com.au for more details.
MARK SHAFFER - MECHANICS IN MOTION 2011
Our fourth Mechanics in Motion clinic held in Perth at Brookleigh Equestrian Centre is over and there were certainly some very weary horses and riders. PRAC has made a commitment to assist WA horses and riders to enhance their quality in movement whether it is for the western performance, dressage, show horse or any other discipline. With more than 100 World Champion titles under his belt, you can be assured that this horseman will give you that winning ride.
Mark's clinic outlines the importance of power and balance within all three gaits, but ultimately aims to enhance the lope. As the lope/canter proves to be the most difficult gait to get correct, the clinic covers a failsafe step by step program of exercises to be followed over 12 months. All the exercises begin at a basic level for the green horse, increasing in difficulty for the more seasoned horse as its level of education develops, and finishes with maintenance exercises to keep your senior horse performing to its best. The program has an easy approach in breaking down each exercise to ensure the maneuvers are done correctly. The objective of the program is for your horse to have the correct foundations in its education, faultless position to perform outstanding transitions and is balanced and centered for movement with correct frame and motion.
Some of the attendees of previous clinics returned this year; Gary Marshall and myself returning for
clinic number 4, clinic number 3 for Karen Nicoletto and Sharon Currie and clinic number two for Nick
Balchin. Fence sitters from last year decided that this was way too good to miss also and returned with
their horses eagerly this year. Everyone finished with new found determination to achieve and a very
long list of homework.
We had a range of horses at this year's clinic, most of whom were young with basic education. Bell (or 'Precious' as she was named over the weekend) was a very green and very large dressage horse who displayed powerful moves and a greater understating of her future by day three of the clinic. Nicole bought along her future 'Newcomer' entrant who successfully improved over the weekend and four of WA's lucky youth were educated and entertained along the way.
With quite a few green horses this year, the drive lines made their appearance more than once each day. These demonstrations outlined why drivelines are beneficial in staring a horse. The benefits include safety for handler, simulating riding and preparing the horse extensively before jumping in the saddle. Mark demonstrated how to achieve forward, release, suppleness, and centering/ straightening of the horse from the ground, even displaying pivots and side pass using drive lines.
With good interest this year, PRAC have invited Mark to return in 2012. To ensure that you don't miss out, go to www.appaloosawa.com.au for a booking form and return it to Lana Denteith with your deposit. Positions are already being filled now.
Article By: Elise Young
Photos: Michelle Cornick
High Point Award Winners 2011
DATES TO REMEMBER FOR 2012
