34/ SEPTEMBER 2008 THE RIDER How To Be A Cowboy/girl For A Day (Team Penning for Beginners) By Kelly Bowers Info. available on many websites including www.eotpa.org & www.ovtpa.ca Team penning is a western equestrian sport that evolved from the common ranch work of cowboys who were responsible for separating cattle into pens for practical reasons such as branding, vet care or transport. Today it is a fast-paced and exciting event that allows participants to compete as cowboys and cowgirls in an area about the size of a hockey arena. Penning is often described as offering as much fun for the spectator as for the competitor. Like any sport, being successful at team penning has requirements. First, you need to have solid riding skills. Also necessary are a well trained horse, good cow sense, and of course a lot of good luck. <strong>The</strong> sport features 30 head of yearling cattle with numbers on their backs, three of each number 1 through 10. Each team of three riders on horseback are given from 60 to 90 seconds (depending on the class of the event) to separate their three same-numbered cattle from the herd, and put them through a gate opening (8-12 ft) into a 16 ft. pen, at the opposite end of the arena. As the lead rider crosses the foul line, the line judge has drops his flag and the announcer gives out a randomly drawn number, such as “Your number is 7.” <strong>The</strong> run begins. <strong>The</strong> team of 3 riders head toward the cattle to cut out the three wearing number “7”, herd them to the opposite end of the arena and direct them into the pen. Teamwork is the key with all three riders working in harmony to drive their cattle into the pen while keeping the wrong numbered cattle back. Time is called when a penner’s horse is in the pen behind the cows and his hand is raised above his shoulder. <strong>The</strong> team with the quickest time wins but a team can be disqualified if too many “dirty” (wrong) cows cross the foul line, a wrong numbered cow enters the pen, or a rider “ruffs” a cow. Each association has it’s own specific rules which are used consistently by that group. <strong>The</strong> history of the sport is thought to date back to 1942 when brothers Ray and Joe Yanez, along with Canadian cowboy Bill Schwindt were sorting steers from a herd of cattle on a Ventura County, California ranch. During a lunch break the trio reportedly came upon the idea of turning what were routine cowboy chores into a competitive sport, one in which cowboys could showcase their abilities. <strong>The</strong> first organized competition is said to have taken place at the Ventura County Fair in 1949. Today, the sport is often promoted as the fastest homegrown western horse sport in North America with an estimated 93,000 active HOLIDAY WITH YOUR HORSE team penners in Canada and the USA. Experience the beauty of the Oak Ridges Moraine from the comfort of our 1870's farmhouse at Kendal Hills. Enjoy a leisurely country breakfast on the veranda. <strong>The</strong>n ride or drive your horses directly into the Ganaraska Forest. Spacious box stalls and turnout for your horse. Good home cooking and country hospitality for you. Explore nearby towns: theatre, antiques, fine dining, and the most beautiful scenery in southern Ontario, all within an hour of Toronto. Stay for the night or the week, rural comfort awaits. Frances & Tim Tufts • (905) 983-5465 • www.kendalhills.ca What Makes Team Penning Such A Great Horse Sport? • It is a fun and exciting weekend activity for families to do with their HORSES! • It’s an affordable western sport which does not require special equipment. • You meet great people who are supportive of newcomers and beginners. • You can participate at your own level and compete against similarly experienced riders. • Competition is available at local, regional, and national level. • You do not need an expensive specialty horse to start out. • <strong>The</strong>re is most likely team penning close to you or within a short drive. • <strong>The</strong> physical activity, socializing, fresh air and horse time helps to keep you active and healthy. <strong>The</strong> Many Services of McGrimmon Stables Ottawa Valley area Team Penners, Sorters, Cutters and Ropers may be interested to hear about what is happening in Perth. McGrimmon Stables, partner ranch to <strong>The</strong> Pitzer Ranch in Nebraska, is located on Christie Lake Road, about 45 minutes from Kanata. Owners, Todd and Kim McGrimmon are involved in all the fore mentioned sports and the news is that McGrimmon Stables is expanding, big time. This means that another top notch facility will be available for cowboys and cowgirls to learn, practice and compete at. Although Todd McGrimmon has a day job, his passion is obviously McGrimmon Stables - well, the stables plus his family of course. <strong>The</strong> home of Todd, Kim and children, Emily (15), Peter (9), and 2 yr. old Paige, is also home to Todd’s other pride and joy, his QH stallion, Two Eyed Biggun Jack, a 2002 buckskin QH stallion with Jack bloodlines. Biggun is an extremely muscular and athletic animal. Even though he is average height, Biggun is an impressive and intimidating sight, weighing in at a hefty 1300 lbs. <strong>The</strong> speedy expansion of McGrimmon Stables which has occurred throughout the summer is credited to builders, HFH Inc. and is progressing beyond expectations, says Todd. HFH has planned and is building the five projects on site as well as installing new fencing. All is going very well so far. <strong>The</strong> two newly built arenas are where the real horse action will take place once construction is completed. Space will include a new 140 x 200 outdoor arena and the 90 x 180 ft. indoor arena which is attached to the current tack store and boasts a 75 person viewing room. <strong>The</strong> arenas will be used for training, lessons, penning, clinics and by boarders as well as for the cutting and roping school - not to mention the 4 season Team Penning league. <strong>The</strong> idea is to start early in 2009 using the new indoor arena, move it outside for the good weather and back indoors for the off season. Year round team penning - Now that’s something to get excited about! <strong>The</strong> newly constructed Horse Barn is 36x80 ft which provides 20 new stalls to add to the 11 they have currently. That will give them more room for a private executive boarding service. One aspect that makes this building unique is McGrimmon’s intention to have a professionally staffed hospital wing attached to the barn. <strong>The</strong> complete care facility will provide long and short term care, even Photos by James Bell Photography, www.jamesbellphotography.com Photo by James Bell Photography providing space for surgeries and 24 hr post operative care. Dr. Kim McGrimmon will staff the hospital with vet students and in partnership with the Perth Veterinarian Clinic, working with Dr. Steve Scott. Plans are to have the wing in full operation this winter. A separate 40x40 ft. Stud Barn will hold offices, a lounge. It will also provide space and amenities for a top notch AI facility with mare care. Services will be available for both McGrimmon owned and outside stallions. <strong>The</strong> McGrimmon’s will have over $40,000 worth of high tech equipment to freeze semen, permitting them to perform this AI service for outside breeders. <strong>The</strong> facility is being built to US and European standards and McGrimmon has the paperwork, certification, and experience which should allow him to serve international clientele. He also has his own stallions and 15 others in Nebraska available to be utilized by the clients of his breeding services. What will the new McGrimmon Stables look like? <strong>The</strong> buildings will all be clad in chocolate brown metal with white trim, surrounded by an astounding 4000 feet of new black stained board fencing. I have a feeling that when it is completed, some time in October or November of this year, you won’t be able to miss it. Check out www.mcgrimmonstables.ca to keep tabs on their progress as their dream becomes a reality.
Continued from Page 33 5/ Run Donnie Run, Phillips / Tavares, Owner: Tavares, Christine 6/ Reckless Bug, DeSouza / Laszlo, Owner: Paquin, Guylaine 7/ Magic Off <strong>The</strong> Chart, Walton / Baker, Owner: Campitelli, Lena 8/ Toot for the Patriot, Bell / Tavares, Owner: Tavares, Christine Race #10 - 3 Yr Old & Older. SI
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