Appaloosa show more than just a competition
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/07/2010 (5620 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
It’s her first national horse show — and only her third horse show ever — but nine-year-old Allison Jelinski of Moose Jaw Sask., says she isn’t nervous.
Her mom, on the other hand, was keeping a watchful eye on her as she warmed up in the practice arena.
"It was weird to see her up there for awhile. Her horse is pretty big, and she’s pretty tiny. And now that she’s starting to go faster, I’m a little more nervous," Lee-Anne Jelinski said.
Brandon is hosting the 53rd Canadian National Appaloosa Show this week at the Westoba Agricultural Centre of Excellence. Classes started Tuesday and continue through Saturday.
This year’s competition features breeders and riders from across Canada and from 15 states. More than 120 horses are competing in 182 classes over five days.
Winnipeg’s Don McClure has been the chairman of the show for the past three years. He says the show, which Brandon has hosted for three years, will remain in Brandon for at least another three years.
"We really like having it here because of the excellent quality of the facility and the people that work here. Everyone’s been great," McClure said.
Classes start at 8 a.m. every morning and run into the evenings. The event is open to the public and there are no admission fees.
The Appaloosa Color Extravaganza takes place this evening with the halter champion of champions class, the native dress classes, and the rope race, a competition similar to musical chairs where the rider who can’t find a rope to grab after a race across the arena is eliminated.
Friday evening features the reining classes, while the cutting and working cow horse classes take place Saturday afternoon.
While the competition is the main focus of the week, McClure says organizers also try to make the show a social event for those with a common affinity for Appaloosas.
"The people that show great Appaloosas are into the history of the horse, their various colour patterns and their temperament — Appaloosas have a willingness to please their riders that people think is unique … The people here have a lot in common and they have fun together," he said.
Nicole Cugnet of Dauphin says it’s the social experience that brings her back to the national competition every year.
"I see friends from Alberta and the U.S. that I never see any other time. There’s this one lady that I’ve seen every year for over 25 years, and every year I see her, she gives this big wave and yells ‘Hey lady!’. She never remembers my name, but we’re all friendly with one another," Cugnet said.