Cattle and clinics make a western day at the Region One Championship in Langley, British Columbia.

Marty Ross of Abbottsford, British Columbia, cuts a calf on Billies Shorty during the Region One Championship in Langley, British Columbia.

By Randee Fox

I caught a morning ride to the cutting events on a smoky mule (the gas-powered kind) with Haidee Landry, the overall organizer or as some call her,  “Mother Teresa” of the Region One Championship.  The cutting arena and cow pens were set up at the back of the 85-acre property.  As we drove, Haidee told me about the hurdles that needed to be jumped to make the park cow horse-friendly.

“This is an English show park, typically used for cross-country, hunter jumper and dressage events,” Haidee says. “So transforming this park, bringing in cattle panels and changing the footing of the arenas into a suitable place for cutting, reining, and working cow horse took a lot of focused energy, planning and working together for the us and the owners of the park. I’m grateful to the Tidball family who owns the park. They have gone through every step necessary to make the park cattle-friendly.”

As we approached the cutting arena she pointed out to me a unique Canadian way of moving the cows using hockey sticks, not cattle prods.

Cowboys and cowgirls warmed up their muscled horses with sights, sounds and smells that filled every sense: the constant mooing, the distinct smell of cattle, the thunderous clattering of steel as the herds moved from stock trailers to the pens, the clamor of pipe gates closing and the sight of cowboys’ straw hats catching the sunlight as they moved the herds.

There were 16 cutting classes, five AQHA and 11 National Cutting Horse Association classes.

During the championship, 11 AQHA Professional Horsemen donated free demos and clinics for the contestants.

Some quotes from the clinics:

Denise Callahan, Arlington, Washington, on horse show preparation

• Horse show preparation starts well before you come to a show with a proper grooming, clipping and feeding program.

• Stay in the styles. You don’t have to have the most expensive outfit. Make sure it fits well and your hair is tidy.

• I want people to realize that we (trainers) are approachable and not to be intimidated to come into this sport. It is an opinion-based sport when it comes to competition. At the end of the day, it’s the judge’s opinion.

• Two days ago, Madison (Brownlee’s) hat came up during the equitation class. It was pinned on, but the wind caught it. She came in third. I told her that it was not her day. I think that competition teaches us that life isn’t always fair. Things happen, and we have to learn to handle them.

Splendora Papetti Huizenga,  Bellingham, Washington, on horse care

• Be a good leader for your horse, firm and fair. Don’t be intimidating or wimpy, and you will earn your horse’s trust and respect.

• Your vet, your farrier and your horse trainer are your team to care for your horses.

• It’s all about the horse, not us. Care for your horse the way you would want to be treated.

Genny Miller, Ellensburg, Washington, on showmanship

• Body alignment, eyes up, hand position, matching the horse’s stride with rhythm, soft elbows, eyes up, heels leading when jogging off  and eyes up (can’t be stressed enough) are all important factors in showmanship.

• It takes us 4.5 steps to lead a horse in a 90-degree turn on the haunches. A half step then four full steps.

• I grew up doing 4-H and had no one to help me. It’s important for me to give back and be a mentor. I offer 4-H clinics to promote awareness and knowledge and to encourage the love of our horses.

Lynn Palm, Ocala, Florida, on equitation

• Improve your riding to improve your horse.

• Looking down means you are riding behind the horse. Look where you want to go.

• Keep your hands below the crest of the horse’s neck.

• Always maintain light contact with reins and legs. Both legs and both reins have the responsibility to direct your horse.

• Cue first with your seat, then legs, then hands.

• Good equitation is all about the rider’s position and balance. Position=balance. When you are balanced, you can communicate clearly and effectively to your horse. When you are balanced, you can have the subtle and soft invisible aids that we all strive for.

• When you are showing as a competitor, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

• To slow down your heartbeat if you are nervous, breathe in with your nose and exhale from your mouth longer than your inhale.

Idaho Quarter Horse Association was the host for the evening social, serving delicious Idaho baked potatoes, of course, with all the dressings.

To see photos from the Region One Championship, watch the slide show below. Click on the photos to see the captions.

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