September - The Rider

28/ SEPTEMBER 2008 THE RIDER
2008 Board of Directors
President: Mark Ford, (613) 335-2529, email: mark_s_ford@hotmail.com
Vice-President: Joe Mezenberg, (519) 787-1412, email: jemezenberg@execulink.com
Secretary: Margaret Murray, (905) 936-3362, email: margaret.n.murray@gmail.com
Membership Secretary: Misha Green, (905) 474-9466,
email: green@rogers.com
Treasurer: Kelly Corbyn, (705) 424-1600, email: kellycorbyn@hotmail.com
Endurance Chair:
Competitive Trail Chair: Lynda Townsend, (450) 764-3589
email: townsend.buggies.sleighs@qc.aibn.com
Ride & Tie Chair: Mike Downing, phone: (705) 428-5622,
email: michael.downing@sympatico.ca
website www.octra.on.ca
ONTARIO RIDERS AT CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ALBERTA
Ruth Sturley and RFB Super Sport galloping to the finish of
Coates Creek 75 mile Endurance.
Courtesy of www.wendywebbphotography.com
Brenda Harrison who was part of the
Ontario can be justifiably proud of their representatives
who drove themselves and their horses to Alberta at the end
of July for the Canadian Championship events in Competitive
Trail, Ride & Tie and Endurance.
The 10 mile Ride & Tie was won by Anne West and
Adrian Mollenhurst in 1 hour 30 minutes 30 seconds. Only 1
minute later in 2nd place was the inspired Alberta team of
Cindy and Brent Rowat racing in against the Ontario junior
team of Cadance McKinnon and Emma Webb. Surprisingly,
Curly (Station Master), being ridden by Emma at the time,
made a surprise slip in the mud as he raced in - falling a few
feet from the finish line. To their credit the Ontario gals
quickly regrouped and finished in 1 hour 33 minutes 33 seconds
for a well earned 3rd place.
The 20 mile Championship Ride & Tie was won by an
awesome Alberta team of Alison Douglas and Heather Price
who powered over the course to the finish in 3 hours 28 minutes
and win Gold. They were closely followed by another
Alberta team of Rae-Anne Wadey and Jenny Mooney in 3
Brenda Harrison and Tristar
hours 35 minutes to win Silver. Finishing after 6 hours 15 minutes was the
intrepid team from Manitoba of Kristine Erb and Prue Critchley (who walked
the entire route) to win Bronze.
The 2 Day – 80 Mile Competitive Trail Team was formed by Elaine
Steele, Laura Rye, joining up with a great gal Anne MacKay from British
Columbia. Thirty horses started the event, and the Ontario team did a very
creditable job even though trail marking problems on the first day gave them
time penalties. On the second day they finished Overall in 12th, 13th and
17th which gave the Ontario Team the Bronze behind the excellent Alberta A
Gold medal team and the Alberta B team winning Silver.
In the 100 mile FEI Endurance ride, Linda Byrne and Brenda Harrison
were part of the 27 horses that started. Unfortunately some bad weather blew
through during the day and the rain and hail turned parts of the trail to treacherously
deep mud. At 50 miles Brenda Harrison wisely chose to retire. Linda
Byrne continued, but as it happened an ATV rally was also using part of the
same 100 mile trail and she and other riders were held up by some 18 ATV’s
that were either stuck or trying to pull each other out. With the delay, Linda’s
horse lost momentum and by 61 miles she also decided to pull. Only 10 horses
finished the event which was won by Gail Jewel in 14.18.54, also winning
the Best Condition Award. Individual Silver was won by Trisha Dowling
DVM, and Bronze by Crystal Fulcher. Team Gold was won by the Alberta
Team of Crystal Fulcher, Jaylene Janzen and Christy Janzen with Team Silver
being won by British Columbia riders Gail Jewel, Tunie Russeau and
Terre O’Brennen. There was no Bronze awarded.
Although the Ontario riders didn’t manage to do as well as they had
hoped, they still had an enormous amount of fun doing it and the camaraderie
and enthusiasm among the entire group was wonderful. Their support team
was awesome - Teresa was always there with good advice or managing to
whip up food for everyone even with the constant strong winds blowing out
the BBQ. Joe and Rick were always smiling and cheerful and as well as
doing a lot of hard work they kept everyone’s spirits up and the beer flowing.
Well done everyone – we’re proud of you!
Coates Creek Endurance Ride
The course for Aug 3rd Coates Creek Endurance Ride once again led
horses and riders up through the beautiful hills of Creemore, before winding
back down to the more flat land near New Lowell. Start and finish of this
event was at the farm of Lesley Danko and Steve Crockett, New Lowell.
Sanctioned by OCTRA, the governing body for Distance Riding in Ontario
and the American Endurance Ride Conference, this event has strict veterinary
controls and mandatory rest periods, but is essentially a race, won by the first
Rick & Joe atop the trailer.
horse across the finish line that is also judged ‘fit to
continue’ by the Veterinarian.
The event drew riders from all over Ontario and
Quebec as well as the USA, many of which were of
national and international caliber. While some riders
simply rode their horses ‘To finish’, others were using
it as preparation for the upcoming World Equestrian
Games in Malaysia later this year. Still other, such as
FEI Young Riders Jessica Hendriks of Midhurst, who
was one of the 50 mile Top Ten finisher, and Amy
Wilson of Stayner, have their eyes on the World
Equestrian Games to be held in Kentucky in 2010.
Some local riders included Charlene Hendriks of
Midhurst, who won the prized HI Vet Score, Christie
McLean of New Lowell who finished in 7th position
in the 50 mile event, and Lesley Danko of New Lowell
who earned 5th place in the 75 mile distance.
Although riders are given 12 hrs to complete the 50
miles and 18 hours to complete the 75 miles, 65 yr old
Earl Baxter of St Clements, who is a seasoned rider,
together with his horse ‘ I Am Amazing ‘ had a winning
ride time for the 50 miles of 6 hrs 12 minutes,
while the 75 mile distance was won in 8 hrs and 23
min by International rider Ruth Sturley riding her
amazing horse RBF Super Sport.
MANY THANKS go to all the local land owners,
without whom events like this simply could not happen,
and to the sponsors - Stayner feeds, and Wendy
McCoubrey and Polar Equine Products for awards, La
Forge Agrapits, Clearview Twp.and to the many many
volunteers from near and far who made everything run
so smoothly.
Awards were presented after a wonderful dinner
for competitors and volunteers prepared by Kathy
Blocksdorf. Many horses and riders chose to rest
overnight and leave for home on Monday morning
after a leisurely breakfast. This was a great event and
definitely worth planning for next year, to attend
either as a competitor or as a volunteer.
The Loss of Mike Cottenden
It was a shock in August for everyone who
learned of the sudden death of the beloved Mike Cottenden.
The Rider has included a separate “memorial”
page in this issue dedicated to this outstanding man.
He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
OCTRA RIDE SCHEDULE 2008
Date Ride Name Location Contact - Ride Manager (R.M.) Event Distance
28-Sep Storemont Storemont (R.M) Sue Wallis (613) 346 2617 Mileage 16 Miles
dessia@xplornet.com Novice 25 Miles
(Secty) Sue Wallis, 15947 Stn. Lane Competitive Trail 38 Miles
Northfield, K0C 1R0
12-Oct Coates Creek New Lowell (R.M.) Rose Danko (705)424 0888 Ride & Tie 6 Miles
lesleydanko@sympatico.ca Ride & Tie 12 Miles
Ride & Tie
18 Miles