September - The Rider

Halton Place Inspiring Young Riders Essay Contest
Every year Halton Place runs a
writing contest open to young Canadian
riders. A topic is chosen and essays
from across the country are collected
and judged. The winner of the contest
will receive $2,000 to put towards their
cost of riding. It is called the Inspiring
Young Riders Bursary contest.
Here are the results and essays
from this years’ contest.
First Place:
Alana Nair
Age: 17
When champions are recognized,
they are recognized for the absolute
best they have achieved, and all of the
hard work that they have endured to
get to the point of success. A champion
can be defined as many different
things; the most literal definition as
one who has defeated all opponents in
a competition, or the more in depth
definition; a warrior or a fighter. My
horse highlights and even surpasses the
multiple definitions that can describe a
champion.
My 19-year old horse, Fred, cannot
possibly stand beside an A-circuit,
end of the year champion and compare
to their outstanding abilities. This is
because Fred could not be bothered to
jump courses of over three feet without
turning his head every other canter
stride questioning me as to what he has
done to deserve this. He is not that
kind of champion. Instead, he would
rather be pulled out of his stall,
groomed for an hour (which generally
includes a nap), and then go out to
practice that amazing extended trot he
only ever does to show off to the other
horses in the arena. No one has the
heart to mention to him that he’ll never
be judged on it!
Throughout the many years I
have been riding Fred, everything
about him establishes a stereotype for
him as the “underdog”. He has a very
plain name, he is a very simple looking
horse - a bay, and is just understood to
be a good horse. After getting to know
this very plain horse, it has changed
my whole perception on him because
that stereotype was definitely far from
true. Fred has shown Trillium in his
early years, and now enjoys showing
smaller schooling shows. Fred has no
fancy show name to show him off
either, his show name is the very same
- Fred. Whenever we are called into the
ring, it has become habit for me to see
who will laugh at his so called “show
name” this time. It is no longer something
to make fun of, it is how Fred is
remembered.
Showing your horse is a very
inspirational event because there is
always learning to take place, and the
teamwork lies between you and your
horse. Showing with Fred is never
about just the ribbons, because I do not
need to receive a ribbon to justify his
abilities. Fred enjoys everything about
showing, from the minute I begin
braiding him, I know he is aware of the
exciting day ahead of him. There are so
many different qualities your horse
must have in order to take on a day of
showing with you, and essentially
make the rider proud of all the training
and work they have put forth. Not only
does Fred work hard every time I bring
him out to ride, regardless of his age,
he allows me to feel like a champion at
every show I go to without even
receiving a ribbon. For a horse to be
able to award the rider with that feeling,
is something that cannot even be
described.
Regardless of the status and level
of your horse, a champion should
always possess qualities that reinforce
that title. A partnership and bond is an
integral part of any championship
team. Fred constantly illustrates championship
qualities such as; loyalty, trust
and honesty. Everyday Fred reminds
me that these qualities are found within
him. The smallest things validate his
quiet temperament such as; coming
when his name is called, standing without
crossties, “talking” when he is
asked to, performing tricks such as
bowing, kiss, and smile, to finally
walking beside me without any encouragement.
A champion should always
acknowledge equality within their team
mates, and this is how Fred shows that,
by walking beside me, not in front of
or behind.
Fred constantly wins me over
with everything that he does, not only
can I have fun whenever I go out to
ride him, he also reminds me everyday
that winning is not everything, and the
unnoticed underdog can always step up
and prove everybody wrong. Fred is
Fred, what you see is what you get
with my horse and regardless of how
plain looking and how docile he is, he
constantly challenges himself and
whether he brings home a ribbon to
justify it or not, he is my champion.
Second Place:
Olivia Grace Mortimer
Age: 11
Why My Pony Is A Champion
The dictionary describes a champion
as “a person, animal or thing that
wins first place, or is judged to be the
best in a contest or a sport.” My definition
of champion would be more than a
first place ribbon holder, because I
believe that although there are many
talented ponies who are winners in the
ring, they can not hold a candle to my
pony; a little bay gelding called Tyson.
His spirit, temperament, ability to jump
and his beautiful way of going make
him a wonderful show pony, but what
makes him a true champion is the way
time spent with him makes you feel
inside.
Tyson’s show name is Napoleon
Dynamite, and just like the early 19th
century French general; Napoleon
Bonaparte, Tyson is a little man with
dark hair, dark eyes and a commanding
presence! Whether we are at the barn,
or at a show, this small but mighty
pony, with his charming looks and
sweet disposition draws people to him
with comments such as “How’s the
world’s cutest pony today?”
We all know that good looks
aren’t everything and fortunately
Tyson has been blessed with beauty
and a first place personality. He is gentle
and tolerant, for instance when I
tack him up he will stand patiently
despite the flies best efforts to annoy
him. His natural curiosity makes me
laugh; his top lip has the dexterity of
an anteater’s nose and instead of
searching out insects, he will quietly
search for treats! His ears are always
forward, his eyes are always bright,
and he is loving, and friendly to everyone
he meets.
This has been my very first year
showing and I would have to say that
Tyson’s ability to learn quickly and to
allow me to learn with him, is amazing.
His quiet confidence, steady pace,
big stride and willingness to jump, help
me to improve, and to have fun along
the way!
There are moments when a special
friend can make a difference that
no-one else can, and Tyson is that
friend to me. We share a very special
bond, and there are many times when I
wish that I could stay the same size and
age, in order to ride him forever. I
know that this is not possible, but when
that time does come, although my body
will have outgrown him, my heart will
remain Tyson sized.
Some champion ponies overcome
great challenges, or win the best ribbons
year after year. I believe that
Tyson has the potential to be great in
the eyes of the show judges, but in my
eyes he is already a champion because
he has opened up the world of equestrian
sports for me. He is the reason that I
love to ride, love to show and that
makes him my champion! Thank-you
Tyson. You’re the best!
Third Place:
Megan Barker
Age: 15
Why My Pony is a Champion?
I have been riding since I could walk,
but I have never had a horse.
Athletic, fast, and powerful; three
words that describe the most talented
partner I believe I will ever have. Gidget
and I were introduced to each other
three years ago when I was showing in
the Large Pony division on the Central
West Trillium Circuit. I was hoping to
finally start competing in the jumper
ring and was looking for a horse that
would help me to make the Young
Riders Team. When I first saw Gidget
she was exactly what I had always
dreamt my jumper to look like. She
had a flea bitten grey coat, big brown
eyes, load of jumping talent, and she
seemed to know exactly what was
going on. Unfortunately for Gidget,
she had one small problem that everyone
other than her, myself included,
was painfully aware of. What Gidget
didn’t realize was that she was only
13.1 _ hand high.
I began riding Gidget, a Welsh
Arab X, in the winter of 2005 and
worked very hard with her throughout
the summer of 2006. Control was our
biggest issue. Gidget was sure she
knew better than me how fast to go, or
how many strides to put in. Exercises
to slow her down annoyed her; waiting
for her chance, she would turn her head
and bite my knee, insisting we jump at
her one and only gear, a flat out gallop.
Finally, a pony elevator bit and custom
made Gidget-sized figure 8 jumper bridle
helped sort out our many rough
spots, and we started to put in smooth,
balanced rounds. In the winter of
2006/2007 we were the champion 3’0”
jumper in the Twinholm Winter
Schooling Series and I decided to try
the Child Adult Jumper Division on the
Trillium Circuit. Shortly after this decision
we had a horrible fall over a jump
and I broke my hand, setting us back
months while we both tried to regain
our confidence. By the middle of the
summer Gidget and I were back in the
show ring and we competed at the last
few Trillium shows. Our greatest
accomplishment of the season though,
was winning both the $1500 Next Generation
Pony Jumper Classic and the
$2500 Central Graphics Pony Jumper
Classic at the Halton Place shows.
This year Gidget and I are successfully
showing Central West
Child/Adult Jumper against much larger
horses. Our goal is to qualify for
Trillium Championships in September.
I know Gidget would love to jump in
the Grand Prix ring at Palgrave, and to
hear her name over the speakers. Gidget
has made many friends and fans
during the time we have been partners
- everyone admires her determination
and fierce competitive spirit. “Go go
Gidget!” they cheer, and Gidget
obliges by taking a victory gallop
around the ring after her course,
despite my best attempts to quell her
enthusiasm. We have had much success
in the jumper ring, but it is not
about the ribbons. Every jump, every
course, Gidget gives it her everything
she has. She throws her heart and soul
over the fences, often jumping her own
height, and constantly teaching me to
be a better rider.
Between shows Gidget and I
enjoy hacking and galloping along the
bridle path that borders our barn’s
property. Gidget is talented at many
things; jumping being only one of
them. She has character and spirit that
is hard to rival and I wouldn’t give her
up for a jumper with longer legs. No
matter how great a horse may be, nothing
could come close to the huge part
of my life she has become. If I was to
receive the money from this bursary
contest I would put it towards purchasing
Gidget at the end of the season.
She is a huge part of my life and losing
her would mean losing something very
close to my heart.
n conclusion; Gidget is a champion
in my eyes because of her strength,
natural ability, intelligence and heart.
No horse or pony could have made me
a better rider than Gidget, and nothing
comes close to what she means to me.
Fourth Place:
Alexandra Henry
Age: 15
What Makes My Horse a Champion?
“And the champion is number
one hundred and seven, Answered
Prayer, owned and ridden by Alexandra
Henry.” Sure, your horse can be
given the title champion for having the
fastest clear round or perfect lead
changes, but is that what really makes
them a champion? No, I believe that
there many different ways that make a
horse, just like mine, a champion. A
champion horse is a horse that puts his
rider first, a horse that can read and
understand his rider’s every thought
and movement perfectly, a horse that is
loyal, brave, and strong, a horse that
stops and looks down at you, puzzled,
when they see you lying in the dirt next
to them, and would never think about
leaving you there without knowing that
you could get back up and ride them
out of the ring.
Answered Prayer, better know as
Limbo, is a 13 year old Holsteiner
gelding, and my best friend. I started
riding Limbo just after he was broke at
the age of 4 and I was only 6. I can
count the number of times he’s ever
done anything stupid on one hand. I
think he laughs to himself when he
sees other horses spooking at things
like chairs and leaves. I have been riding
Limbo for nine years now and he
has taken me through everything, from
short stirrup hunter to metre ten
jumpers. He has always been there for
me, whether he’s just cheering me up
when I’m sad or saving me from eating
sand when we get into a sticky situation.
Limbo is the smartest horse I have
ever met, he’s more like a human stuck
in a horses body and he understands
me like no one else ever could, he has
even saved my life.
When I was twelve I was rushed
to the hospital with a blood sugar level
of 32.5, which is extremely high, about
six times the average or normal level. I
was then diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes.
The first thought I had when
they told me this was not about the diabetes
it was about when I would be
able to go ride Limbo again. The doctors
could not believe how healthy I
was when I came into the hospital.
Normally someone who had diabetes
as long as I had, and not know about it,
with blood sugars as high as mine,
should be extremely sick, unable to
walk, in a serious coma, or dead. They
told me that the reason I was not very
sick or in a coma was because of my
riding. My muscles were so strong and
developed, from my tank of a horse,
that they were able to stop the debilitating
effects of the Diabetes.
So not only is my horse amazingly
talented, super cute, brave and
extremely loyal, he is also my life
saver, my hero, my best friend and a
true champion.
SEPTEMBER 2008 THE RIDER /49
Fifth Place:
Arynne Boyes
Age: 13
My Champion
“Well, that’s it I guess - we will
have to send him back”
I felt my heart sink as my parents
delivered the worst news ever. The
beautiful chestnut that was to be mine
for the year was injured and unridable.
It seemed like it was all a dream. My
coach had found the perfect horse and
when I rode him it was like floating on
air. Something just clicked and it was
truly love at first sight. I was counting
the days until our first show.
But suddenly this dream had
turned into a nightmare. I knew it
wasn’t good. “We don’t live on a
farm” my parents reminded me”What
are we going to do with a horse you
can’t ride?” “Please just give him a
chance” I begged, “I know in my heart
he is going to be okay - I can feel it”
The Veterinarian explained he would
need the summer off at the very least
and preferably the year. Even then it
would be a wait and see situation.
And so the show season was over
before it had even began. I was heartbroken.
Over the next few weeks I
hoped and prayed that something
would change, that he would somehow
get well. No such luck. Then, one day
not long after, my luck changed. Due
to unfortunate circumstances, the
horse’s owner could not take him back
and he now belonged to me. “You
won’t be sorry” I promised my parents,
“I know he is going to get better.”
The long journey began. Just
because I couldn’t ride him didn’t
mean I couldn’t do other things. Every
day I would get off the bus after school
and brush, graze and pamper him.
Sometimes we would just hang out
together. I would whisper words of
encouragement to him and tell him my
hopes and dreams. I knew he would
heal. I never lost faith in him. Days
turned into weeks and weeks turned
into months. Almost fourteen months
had passed and it was time to see if the
injury had healed. I held my breath as
the coach put him through his paces to
see if all was well. My heart soared as
he walked, trotted and cantered! He
was sound! He had healed! Slowly, we
began a fitness program to build back
the muscle and strength he had lost and
every day I could feel him getting
stronger.
Finally we made it! We were at
our first show! I was nervous and shaking
as we went into the warm up ring.
The last time I had been here was on a
pony two years before and now it all
seemed so overwhelming. I couldn’t
believe we were really here! We did
our warm up and then it was off to the
ingate. I gave him a pat, and said to my
guy “Let’s show them what we’ve
got.” He did not disappoint. This horse
that I had put all my faith in floated
over the course flawlessly. I gave him
the biggest hug when we finished and
my smile was as wide as could be. We
had done it - we were a team! I never
gave up on my horse and he never gave
up on me.
My horse is a Champion because
he has taught me that patience, faith
and trust will always see you through
and that good things come to those
who are patient. I never stopped
believing in my horse and he never
stopped believing in me. Sometimes, if
a fellow rider is having a tough day I
have shared my story with them and
encouraged them to never give up
because good things come to those
who persevere.
If you believe - you will achieve.
Sixth Place:
Victoria Daniel
Age: 16
Why is my pony a Champion?
I am lucky enough to have had
chances to win aboard the made
hunter, be constantly successful on
board the youngster that I’ve spent all
winter bringing along, and sadly
enough, losing with the first horse you
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