ABbits2024Winter

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WINTER 2024

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WINTER 2024; VOLUME 17, ISSUE 4

Alberta Bits is the Alberta Equestrian Federation’s official member magazine. It serves the equestrian community of horses and riders of all ages, interests, and involvements, as Alberta’s premier resource for education, information, and support.

THE ALBERTA EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION HAS BEEN INCORPORATED SINCE 1978

Alberta Bits magazine is mailed four times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter) to all current AEF members and is made available at the office and special events attended by the AEF. Alberta Bits is distributed throughout Alberta with news and events on behalf of recreational, sport, breeds, and industry, and educational sectors of the Alberta horse industry. Alberta Bits is distributed to approximately 18,000 members: 9,000 households and businesses, an exclusive list of tack and equine establishments, and at events and trade shows annually.

AEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Contact: board@albertaequestrian.com PRESIDENT Jason Edworthy PAST RESIDENT Sandy Bell SECRETARY Jennifer Dimopoulos INDIVIDUAL Patrick Buffalo INDIVIDUAL Louise Caplan INDIVIDUAL Alisa Di Benedetto INDIVIDUAL Brooke Hartwick INDIVIDUAL Edna Kaiser INDIVIDUAL Cailin Kopetski INDIVIDUAL Ally Penic INDIVIDUAL Kate Wood

AEF STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sonia Dantu execdir@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 5

MEMBERSHIP

Jessa Arnold membership@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 6 OFFICE COORDINATOR

Darlene Legge info@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 1

PROJECT AND EVENT COORDINATOR

Gavin Pearson competitions@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 4

SPORT AND RECREATION MANAGER

Karina Fernandes coaching@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 3

COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Kenda Lubeck marketing@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 2 FINANCE

Johanna Nimchuk finance@albertaequestrian.com 403-253-4411 ext 7

OFFICE HOURS: 8:30AM TO 4:30PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, EXCEPT HOLIDAYS

Closed December 23, 2024 to January 3, 2025

ALBERTA BITS IS PUBLISHED BY WESTERN PERFORMANCE PUBLISHING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AEF

FOR EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES CONTACT: ALBERTABITS@ALBERTAEQUESTRIAN.COM MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Webster ART DIRECTOR Kendra Roberts PUBLICATION COMMITTEE

Sonia Dantu • Monique Noble • Kenda Lubeck CONTRIBUTORS

BAR XP Photo, Nikki Knopp, Krystina Lynn Photography Ellen Ortlieb, Tania Millen, Monique Noble Once Upon a Dream Acres Rylee Smolarchuk, Spring Time Farms ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES

Laurie Price • ldprice63@gmail.com • 403-823-0980 ADVERTISING SALES DEADLINES Spring 2025 Edition: January 25, 2025

6 PRESI DENT ’S MESSAGE 6 EX ECUT I VE DI RECTOR’S MESSAGE 8 BI T S & PI ECES Meet the 2024 Live Outside the Box winners!

11 KID’S CORNER 12 BI T S & PI ECES Two riders hit the 2,000-hour milestone with the

AEF Ride and Drive Program this year.

14

BI T S & PI ECES World class clinician and FEI 5* judge, Isobel Wessels conducts a

dressage symposium in Calgary.

16

TRAILS Tania Millen extends 11 ideas to improve your partnership

with your horse this winter.

20

HORSE KEEPING The University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine hosts the

Calgary International Equine Symposium.

22

BREED PROFILE Well suited for farm work and harness use, the Black Forest Horse

is a beautiful, more petite draft equine.

26

THE MAKING OF AN INDUSTRY ICON A question and answer discussion with the producers of the Horse Expo.

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ASK ABOUT INSURANCE Acera Insurance offers AEF members coverage 24 hours a day, seven

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days a week, anywhere in the world.

CLUB & BUSINESS LISTINGS HOLD YOUR HORSES

FOR A MEDIA KIT AND/OR RATE CARD PLEASE CONTACT ALBERTABITS@ALBERTAEQUESTRIAN.COM All material is copyright 2024. Ideas and opinions expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of the AEF. Alberta Bits reserves the right to accept and/or edit material submitted for publication. The AEF makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained therein, but assumes no liability in cases of error or changing conditions. Any business relations or other activities undertaken as a result of the information contained in Alberta Bits, or arising therefrom, is the responsibility of the parties involved and not of the AEF. We welcome signed letters to the editor, but reserve the right to publish, edit for grammar, taste, and length. For reprint information, please contact execdir@albertaequestrian.com.

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WINTER 2024

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Message from President, Jason Edworthy Season’s greetings to you, your family, and your horses! I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season and enjoying all that winter has to offer.

We were fortunate to have a warm and colourful autumn, perfect for riding before the snow arrived, trailhead gates closed, and many of us moved indoors for our riding and events. Of course, plenty of us still ride outside during the winter, and I thought I’d share a few of my favourite cold-weather tips. Every October, I ask my farrier to reset my horse’s shoes with borium crystals welded on and ‘no snow’ pads.

These grippy shoes provide excellent traction in all conditions, and the pads help prevent snowballs from forming.

I’ve also found fleece-lined jeans to be a game changer – warm but less restrictive than long underwear. Winter riding boots with stick-on toe warmers are essential, but my latest favourite purchase is battery-heated gloves (with spare batteries!). Warm hands make all the difference. Wherever you ride this winter, I hope you have a great time!

I know that many of us have felt the effects of inflation over the past five years, on top of challenges from the

Jason Edworthy, President

pandemic and other financial pressures.

Here in Alberta, the Consumer Price Index has risen more than 14 per cent since 2019, and, like you, the AEF has not been immune to these cost increases and associated budget challenges. AEF staff, along with your Board of Directors, have worked diligently to trim budgets wherever possible, prioritize cost efficiency, and seek new funding sources, including grants and donations. We always keep

the value and benefits to our members at the forefront of our budgeting decisions because you are the heart of our organization.

AEF is often asked to provide input and guidance on recreation plans and specific facilities. In the past year, we have been invited to advise on several trailheads, an equestrian campground, and regional plans for the Panther River Valley and the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan 10-Year Review. We are honoured to be recognized by the Government of Alberta as the voice of equestrians in these projects, and we’d love to involve more of you in future consultations. If you are interested in volunteering to represent AEF in these activities, please reach out to the office and let us know!

In October, your Board of Directors gathered to review the budget, assess our Strategic Plan, hear committee reports, and prepare for 2025. These dedicated volunteers help keep AEF on track and responsive to the needs of our members.

Wishing you a wonderful rest of the winter and a spring that arrives wildfire and smoke-free, with just the right amount of rain. AB

Message from Executive Director, Sonia Dantu As we approach year’s end, I’d like to share some key accomplishments from 2024 and the efforts we’ve made to support our members while keeping membership affordable. Throughout the year, our team worked diligently to align our operations with strategic goals, aiming to bring you as much value as possible while staying mindful of costs.

We’re grateful for the government grants that helped sustain our operations, including $81,700 in core funding from the Alberta Government Association Development Program Grant. Securing another $81,000 from our 2024 casino was another big win, all while helping to keep membership fees 6 ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

Sonia Dantu, Executive Director

stable. I’d like to extend a special thanks to all our volunteers who continue to

make this possible.

As we enter 2025, we’re implementing a small change by passing on credit card fees for all transactions to help reduce our overall costs and keep membership fees low.

Expanding member resources remains a core focus. We’ve launched an exciting partnership with Navigate Benefit Solutions, providing customized health, dental, and travel coverage options that members can tailor to their needs. This benefit is available to both individual members and their families, making it easier for members to access affordable, personalized coverage.

There are also group benefit options available for our business and facility

members that will provide customized benefits to your staff. We’ve also teamed up with Momentum IT Group to offer new e-learning tools, providing online courses in areas like Safe Sport, equine health, and more. These resources will be available at reduced costs, or even free for some courses, allowing our members to learn at their own pace and furthering our mission of accessibility of information.

We’ve made strides in connecting with you through various channels, from E-News and social media to this magazine, Alberta Bits. Our communication efforts reached new levels this year, and I’m thrilled to see our community engaging with essential updates and resources, including wildfire preparedness and emergency funding information. Likewise, our social media engagement has grown significantly, helping us stay connected and responsive in real time.

The Wild Rose Competition Program has continued to thrive, with initiatives like “Win Your Entry” inspiring participation and fostering grassroots development across Alberta. This year, we also introduced the new Wild Rose Provincial Circuit for hunter/ jumpers in partnership with Jump Alberta, advancing provincial-level competition and providing riders with a pathway to develop their skills locally and affordably. To further support fair play and uphold the welfare of equine athletes, AEF has also launched a provincial Equine Medication Control program, underscoring our commitment to safe, transparent, and fair competition standards. Together, these initiatives expand opportunities while enhancing the quality and integrity of the sport across Alberta.

Please remember, each time you encourage someone new to join AEF, you’re strengthening our community.

For each referral, you earn a $5 credit toward your next membership, and together, we’re working to ensure longterm support for AEF’s goal of sharing your passion. Just ensure the new member includes your AEF number at the time of purchase.

In a year of increased economic pressures for everyone, including AEF, our board worked hard to stabilize membership fees for 2025. Despite facing rising costs, we chose to plan strategically around increasing revenue and reducing expenses to keep our fees consistent. Looking ahead, we’ll be launching both a membership drive and a donation campaign, allowing us to raise funds for youth programming, scholarships, equine emergency funding, and trail maintenance, all initiatives that directly benefit our equine community in Alberta.

Donations make a crucial impact on AEF’s work, and we’re thankful for every contribution. Funds support the Equine Emergency Disaster Fund, Scholarships and Bursaries, and Trail Supporter Fund to help develop and maintain Alberta’s equestrian trails. Every donation, no matter the size, plays a role in protecting our community and building a sustainable future. Tax receipts are available for some donations, so please visit our homepage and scroll down to ‘Donate’ for more information and watch for our campaign.

Finally, we thank those who have nominated individuals and organizations that have made remarkable contributions to Alberta’s equestrian community.

From exceptional athletes to dedicated volunteers, these award winners will be honoured at the Stride With Us awards gala and banquet in April, where we will celebrate our members’ passion and dedication that make AEF special.

We hope to see most of our members online in March at our AGM; watch for more details that will come your way.

As we move forward, please know that every decision we make is guided by our commitment to serve you better while managing costs. On behalf of the AEF team, thank you for your continued support. We wish you a joyful, serene holiday season filled with gratitude, health, and time spent with loved ones – both human and equine. AB ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

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BITS & PIECES

GRAND PRIZE WINNERS This past summer our Live Outside the Box (LOTB) participants dusted off their boots, got outside, and had some fun with their horses.

We are excited to announce the combined hours from this fun program. Participants logged a total of 7,050 horse time hours, 8,138 outdoor activity hours, and consumed a whopping 13,033 healthy food servings.

Special congratulations goes out to our monthly draw winners.

Each monthly draw winner received a deluxe halter and lead rope with custom halter charms.

April – Melody B. May – Zoey W.

June – Arya S. July – Abrielle H.

August – Spencer C. September – Mya T.

Special thanks to our official program partner, Acera Insurance for ensuring the AEF continues to provide programs and opportunities like this to our members. All our participants worked very hard this year, and we are extremely proud of them.

The grand prize winners earned exciting prizes for participating in fun activities that promoted their health!

Natasha Dombrosky

RYLA M - SECOND PLACE: HIGHEST HORSE TIME HOURS

KYLIE D - FIRST PLACE: HIGHEST HORSE TIME HOURS

Kylie loves riding her endurance ponies, Scotch and Indi. She earned her 1,000 mile buckle this year! When Kylie is not competing, she conditions her ponies by training in the deeper sand and hills of Blackfoot and Sandhills. At home she loves to ride and drive her little pony, Scotch, through the fields and ditches. When Kylie is not on a horse, she rides her dirt bike with her family on their motocross track. She also likes to run around and pretends to be a horse and run barrels or makes up little endurance courses around the yard. Best of all, Kylie likes to try and beat her sister by spending lots of time with Scotch!

8 ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

Stella is Ryla’s heart horse, and favorite to ride. Ryla has been a Stampede Showrider for two seasons, and is involved in High School Rodeo, with barrel racing being her main event. Over the winter, Ryla will be trying breakaway roping and penning.

Ryla has such a passion working with horses – not just riding but also health, wellness, and ground training. Being a part of different programs has helped to grow her knowledge, horsemanship, and confidence. She is blessed to have the people she has in her corner to help mentor her journey to be better each time she is with her horses. In her spare time, Ryla likes to watch movies, listen to music, colour, weld, and work on vehicles. LOTB has helped Ryla keep in check with healthy eating and on track with her goals. The program also keeps her accountable.

ZOEY B - THIRD PLACE: HIGHEST HORSE TIME HOURS

Zoey’s favorite horse to ride is Princess Fiona. She enjoys show jumping and spending time outdoors with her pony. To round off her riding, Zoey enjoys taking Hapkido (Martial Arts) classes which help with focus, working on her core, and mindfulness. Zoey enjoyed taking part in the LOTB program as it helped her realize how many hours she actually spends at the barn each month and it also puts a big focus on her nutrition.

BITS & PIECES

ZOEY W - FIRST PLACE: HIGHEST OUTDOOR ACTIVITY HOURS Zoey loves riding her black Quarter Horse “Pepper”.

She rides English in pony club and rides western during 4-H, clinics, and trail rides. Pony club and 4-H have been a great way to meet new friends with a common interest in horseback riding. Zoey’s other hobbies include crafts such as drawing, finger knitting, and painting and she was a member of her school’s cross country running club this year. Zoey learned a lot through the LOTB program and really enjoyed tracking healthy servings in her meals, time spent outdoors, and of course, the time spent with her horse.

LINCOLN F - THIRD PLACE: HIGHEST OUTDOOR ACTIVITY HOURS Lincoln’s favorite horse is his palomino Quarter Horse, Jase. He participates in western pleasure riding, gymkhana events, and enjoys trail riding throughout the summer. In addition to riding and spending time with his horse, Lincoln enjoys playing piano, skating, hiking, and pretty much anything that allows him to be outside in the fresh air. He likes participating in Live Outside the Box because it motivates him to choose healthy foods and be active.

SVEA J - SECOND PLACE: HIGHEST NUMBER OF HEALTHY SERVINGS Svea is an avid horse lover. She loves to explore new places on her four-year-old palomino gelding Kyro, whom she has trained herself. She enjoys trail riding bareback, especially in winter, and with her friends.

Some of her hobbies are reading, drawing, crafting, and baking. Svea enjoys participating in LOTB because it encourages her to spend as much time as possible with horses.

ADALYNN M - THIRD PLACE: HIGHEST NUMBER OF HEALTHY SERVINGS Adalynn loves to ride her flashy Welsh B pony, Lizzie on the trail and in the arena. They became a duo just a year ago and have worked hard to build a very strong relationship. Many hours were spent out of the saddle gaining one another’s trust and learning each others’ expectations. The duo competes in hunter classes together throughout the summer and they’ve proven hard work and dedication pay off. Adalynn loves participating in LOTB because she feels like she’s a part of a bigger community of equestrians. It helps her set goals over the summer and motivates her to take care of not only her horse, but herself.

Rylee Smolarchuk

SAYA D - SECOND PLACE: HIGHEST OUTDOOR ACTIVITY HOURS Saya just loves horseback riding! Her favorite horse to ride is named Rose (a school horse), a beautiful pony that’s one of her favorite colors, Appaloosa. She rides both English and western, and also loves to trail ride.

No matter if she is jumping rails or cattle penning, it’s her escape and one of her favorite things to do. Saya also figure skates, rock climbs, skis, swims, and loves all outdoor activities. Saya enjoys participating in LOTB because it encourages her to ride, stay active, and eat healthy foods.

MYA T - FIRST PLACE: HIGHEST NUMBER OF HEALTHY SERVINGS Mya rode her first horse when she was three, began English riding lessons around her sixth birthday, and has been passionately riding ever since! This year she competed in various jumping competitions, including RMSJ, Thunderbird, and Spruce Meadows with her lease horse, Pokerface (Poker). Standing at 17.1 hands, Poker is a Westphalian Warmblood who loves affection and excels in jumping. Mya spends most of her free time at the barn and in the saddle. When she’s not riding, she enjoys being active on her school’s soccer team, participating in track and field, and running. The LOTB program continues to motivate her to stay active, spend time with the horses, and embrace a healthy lifestyle, all while tracking her progress and enjoying new challenges.

ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

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BITS & PIECES

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Participants who have won the grand prize three times are no longer eligible for future grand prizes. However, to honour our dedicated participants who would have otherwise qualified, we proudly acknowledge them with an honourable mention.

Natasha Dombrosky

PAIGE D

Paige has been a LOTB participant since 2021, racking up huge horse time hours. She enjoys spending time with all her horses, whether it is her OTTB JR for jumping and games, her QH for barrels, and trail riding on Orion, an Arabian leased for endurance. Paige trains/competes in endurance from early spring until late September. She also enjoys dressage riding during the winter to help keep the competition horses strong. She likes trail riding in winter with her mom and sister on warmer days – when the sun is shining.

She would love to learn more dressage as it is so beautiful to watch! When Paige is not riding, she loves volleyball, soccer, curling, and dirt biking. LOTB has been beneficial to Paige as it gives her a goal every year to surpass what she accomplished the year before.

JAXON C

Jaxon enjoys participating in LOTB each summer. It gives him something to do and helps keep him healthy. Jaxon’s favorite horse is Cash, whom he has had his whole life. He enjoys helping friends on their cattle drives, riding around town with family, and going to rodeos and participating in events like goat tying. This summer he had many fun experiences at summer camps, 4-H camp, and FACES. Jaxon enjoys travelling with his parents. This summer he went on a motorbike trip with his father to Mount Rushmore and spent time in Costa Rica – swimming in the ocean is awesome. Jaxon enjoys LOTB as it encourages him to enjoy the good outdoors and spending less time with technology.

Live Outside the Box (LOTB) is a fun and FREE program offered to youth members between the ages of seven and 15, and runs between the months of April and September every year. LOTB encourages youth to spend less time in front of electronic devices and more time outside being active and eating healthy. Less screen time and more horse time equals great rewards! Youth simply log their total outdoor activity, horse time hours, and healthy food servings each month for their chance to win great prizes. Sign up for LOTB when purchasing/renewing AEF memberships. AB

Coming REMINDER soon!

TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIPS! 2024 Membership renewal notices go out in November.

Watch your inbox!

10 ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

R E T WIINNTHE BARN

S ’ D I K ER

CORN

This or That

Plan your perfect winter with your horse this season!

Circle your choices and then discuss with friends or parents!! (*TIP - There are no incorrect answers)

Carrots

OR

Apples

OR

No blankets

OR

Hackmore

OR

Horse

OR

Gelding

OR

Apple Cider

OR

Western

Bareback

OR

Saddle

Seabiscuit

OR

Secretariat

Sleigh Ride

OR

Skijor

Reining

OR

Dressage

Spirit: Stallion OR of the Cimarron

The Black Stallion

Candy Canes

Sugar Cubes

Blankets Bit Pony Mare Hot Chocolate English

OR

Make a list of what you think your horse would like to ask Santa for this year!

My Horse’s Wish List

ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

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BITS & PIECES

RIDER UP FOR REWARDS:

THE RIDE AND DRIVE PROGRAM Few experiences are as gratifying and enriching as spending time with a horse.

AEF’s Ride and Drive program adds another enhancement to the experience by rewarding members with prizes for logging hours in the saddle or behind the breeching. Riders and drivers from

all backgrounds and disciplines log their hours, receive rewards, and celebrate the bond they share with their horses.

For Kylie Dombrosky, an avid endurance rider and individual youth AEF member, and Trina Banks, a seasoned rider and AEF member

with over 45 years of experience, this program offers not just a chance to track progress, but also a sense of camaraderie and achievement. Both Kylie and Trina earned the coveted 2,000-hour milestone with Ride and Drive this year.

recognizing the dedication it takes to reach such milestones.

Beginning lessons at just four-yearsold, her journey in the saddle has shaped not only her skills but also her love for horses and riding.

When it comes to riding pastimes, this young equestrian thrives in variety.

Summers are filled with exciting endurance rides, particularly with her horse Indi, as Dombrosky participates in competitive 50-mile events with

One of the standout features of the Ride and Drive program is the ability to look at back at the progress and receive recognition for all the time spent with horses. This system not only motivates young riders, but also instills a sense of responsibility and commitment to their equine partners. “I like to be able to ride my horses and win fun prizes for all my time spent with them,” Dombrosky enthusiastically shares. Keeping track of the time spent with each horse fosters a deeper appreciation for the months of dedication and training required to excel.

For many, the Ride and Drive program is not just about individual achievement; it can also involve a bit of friendly rivalry. “My challenge was to try and get more hours than my older sister,” Dombrosky explains. This sibling competition has inspired them to push their limits, riding whenever possible. However, the winter months present a unique challenge. With shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures, it’s harder to ride as often. “It was a lot of hard work to get 2,000 hours,” she acknowledges, 12 ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

Natasha Dombrosky

KYLIE DOMBROSKY

A LIFELONG PASSION FOR RIDING

For Dombrosky, riding has been a lifelong passion that started at a young age. “I got my first pony, Scotch, when I was three-years-old, and he is still my favorite to play with,” she reminisces.

BITS & PIECES

the Endurance Riders of Alberta. At home, she enjoys a mix of barrel racing, jumping with her horses Vee, JR, or Tracker, and trail rides with Scotch through fields and ditches. “I like to do lots of stuff,” she says, reflecting the different riding disciplines.

Her favorite location for endurance rides is the trails near Watino, up in the Peace River Region of Alberta.

“The trails up there are so much fun,” she exclaims. Closer to home, Rainbow

Equestrian and Blackfoot trails are also top choices, where the beauty of nature enhances the riding experience. Each venture into these scenic landscapes adds to her love for riding.

Memorable Moments in the Saddle

Horseback riding is filled with memorable moments, and Dombrosky has plenty to cherish. Among her favorites is representing Team Canada

Carlie Borris Photography

TRINA BANKS For many riders, including Banks, the realization of how much time they’ve dedicated to their passion can be surprising. “You don’t realize how many hours you actually ride until it’s on paper,” she shares, highlighting the satisfaction that comes from seeing hard work quantified. This tracking system not only motivates riders but also encourages them to set and achieve new goals.

A Lifetime of Experience With a remarkable 45 years of riding under her belt, Banks has a wealth of experience in various disciplines.

Competing in gymkhana, rodeo, roping, and cattle sorting, her passion is evident. She continues to expand her skills by attending clinics in diverse areas, such as colt starting, barrels, breakaway roping, and even medieval riding. Most recently, she registered for a team roping clinic, reflecting her spirit and commitment to lifelong learning.

When asked about her preferred riding pastime, Banks cites barrel racing and breakaway roping as her favorites, with an eagerness to learn the intricacies of team roping – an exciting new venture she is keen to undertake.

Yet, amidst the competitions and clinics, her favorite memories come from leisurely trail rides with her

on the junior team for the Canadian Western Endurance Challenge—an experience crowned by winning Team Gold. “It was fun getting to be part of that team,” she recalled. Equally special is her memory of participating in her first endurance ride on NightWind’s Magic Dancer, who, despite passing recently, will always hold a place in her heart. “She was a fun horse to ride,” she fondly remembers.

daughter, granddaughter, or friends.

“Going for just a ride or trail riding is what I cherish most,” Banks shares, underscoring the importance of shared experiences in the world of riding horses.

A Notable Win Aside from reaching the peak of the Ride and Drive program, this year brought another significant milestone.

After three years of dedicated practice in breakaway roping, Banks earned her first buckle in the 3D category this summer. “This is my horse’s first year competing, and she is still learning; I am so excited to see what the future holds for us,” she beams, embodying the joys and challenges every rider faces as they grow alongside their equine partners. AB ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

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BITS & PIECES

ISOBEL WESSELS HEADLINES WORLD-CLASS DRESSAGE PERFORMANCE SYMPOSIUM Alberta hosts FEI 5* judge and international clinician at Kestrel Ridge Farms, west of Calgary.

B Y K E N D A LU B E C K • PH OT O S B Y E L L E N ORT L I E B

“Canadian riders need to use their inside leg more.” This was just one of many key observations shared by internationally renowned FEI 5* judge and dressage clinician, Isobel Wessels, during her recent visit to Alberta. From October 4 to 6, dressage enthusiasts had the rare opportunity to learn from Wessels at the Alberta Dressage Performance Symposium, hosted by Alberta Equestrian Federation, and made possible by the Vysniauskas Family Foundation, with Kestrel Ridge Farms, providing the fabulous venue.

Wessels is a British judge and rider and lives in rural Herefordshire, in the part of the UK close to Wales.

Over the first two days, riders received personalized lessons, where Wessels provided tailored feedback to help each rider improve communication with their horse.

“You need to interpret more clearly to your horses, what you want,” Wessels emphasized, urging participants to focus on clarity and subtlety in their aids.

The highlight of the event came on Sunday with a symposium-style test day. Riders performed dressage tests of their choice while Wessels gave real-time feedback, offering valuable insights into scoring and movement execution. Her calm, structured teaching style helped riders deepen their understanding of the dressage training scale, enhancing their ability to refine movements and improve their test scores.

Throughout the weekend, Wessels stressed the importance of softness and repetition over force in horse training.

14 ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

Elexis and her Mustang, Shanghai, learn from international rider Isobel Wessels.

“You’ve got to teach the horse the cues you want to use for it to move its body in a certain way,” she explained.

“You can teach a horse to canter by touching its ear if you repeat it enough times.”

Wessels also provided practical

training tips, including: · Never punish for mistakes the horse makes. The wrong reaction is better than no reaction at all. · To improve the halt, the rider should push their knees down into their toes as they ask for the halt.

BITS & PIECES

· For issues such as tension or suppleness, repeated walk-trot transitions often help. · To improve canter transitions from the trot, riders should think “walk” and ask for canter. · Patience is key – taking time in training saves time in the long run.

Developing muscle in horses requires consistent, long-term effort. · Rising trot helps the horse swing more freely; lateral work in rising trot benefits younger horses. The trot is the easiest pace to develop. · Medium paces and collection re-

volve around mastering expansion and compression. · During shoulder in, make sure you have enough uniform bend and not too much angle. The shoulder in should be more than just a bend at the base of the neck. · Practice travers right to improve engagement of the left hind, and vice-versa. The angle of a travers should be more than a shoulder in. · A proper leg yield involves applying pressure to the horse’s ribcage, keeping the rider’s leg at the girth to avoid signalling a haunches-out

movement. Remember there is no bend in the leg yield, only flexion. · If a movement isn’t working or worsens, switch tactics and try something new. · If the rider becomes too fanatical, the horse becomes sour.

In all, the symposium attracted nine Alberta-based riders and over 40 auditors. Wessels left the audience with a reminder to keep going back to the basics and focus on the small details.

“The main thing throughout your training is rhythm and suppleness,” she stressed. AB ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

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TRAILS

WINTER TRAINING TIPS

Riding in the snow is good practice – and fun!

Winter riding can be as fulfilling as the summer trail riding season, so don’t hang up your boots just because winter has fewer trail riding opportunities. There are many ways to enjoy the season and continue building a partnership with your horse.

Here are 11 ideas to help you find the fun in winter.

B Y TA N IA M I L L E N

1. REFLECT ON 2024 AND PLAN FOR 2025

Winter is the perfect time to reflect on the previous year.

Consider what you achieved, where you fell short, and decide what is important going forward. Next, select areas for improvement and determine next year’s goals. Then create your ideal 2025 riding calendar and plan how to achieve your goals. Display the calendar where you’ll see it every day, to help focus and motivate your horse activities.

16 ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

2. ENJOY SEASONAL RIDING

Many trails are inaccessible in winter, but you can still ride outdoors. And since trail rides and competitions occur regardless of the weather, riding in the rain, wind, and snow is good practice – and fun!

Gravel roads and fields are good choices if they have safe footing. Low-elevation trails may be accessible, too. Just remember to dress for the weather. Layer synthetic and

TRAILS

Winter is a great time to develop a new connection with your horse.

wool long johns, pants, tops, and jackets. Wear a buff (neck warmer) and hood over your helmet. Ski goggles or sunglasses are ideal in the sun and wind. Winter mitts, thick socks, and insulated boots will keep hands and feet warm. For safety, remember to check that your boots can easily slide out of your stirrups when needed. If riding in a western saddle, ensure your jacket won’t get caught on the horn when dismounting.

5. FIX EQUINE ISSUES

3. READY WINTER GEAR

Often horses have the skills to do their job but aren’t strong or fit enough for what riders want them to do.

Fortunately, winter is a perfect time to increase equine fitness. Certified coaches can help tailor equine fitness plans. Equine rehabilitation centres are also available in some areas, and offer individualized fitness plans utilizing multiple therapies.

Decide whether your horse requires winter shoes and pads, or is best barefoot. Then consider your tack. Frozen bits can be unpleasant for horses, so consider riding in a hackamore, bosal, halter, or other bitless head gear where possible. Also, assess saddle fit throughout the winter; horses gain and lose weight and change muscle tone with different workloads. Use a quarter sheet, loin warmer, or entire blanket to keep your horse’s back muscles warm and help prevent injury. Clipping a horse’s winter coat can prevent over-heating, and reduce the risk of chills.

Remember that clipped horses must be blanketed.

4. RIDE INDOORS

If riding outdoors in winter isn’t your thing, find a place to ride indoors. Boarding at a commercial stable with an indoor arena for a few months is one option; hauling to an indoor arena to ride a few days per week is another.

Municipalities or districts may also own or operate a facility available for the paying public.

It’s difficult to address physical and training concerns during the busy summer season. But fewer expectations in winter make this the perfect time to address niggling issues. Consider getting a full veterinary workup by an equine specialist. Body workers, farriers, and rehabilitation experts may be necessary, too.

6. ADD STRENGTH AND FITNESS

7. INVEST IN PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Not every rider has the 10,000 hours required to be a horse trainer; even Olympic-level riders send their horses for training. So don’t think that you have to do all the work.

Professionals train for a living. They can bring your horse along faster, fine-tune cues, and ready your horse for the next level of competition. However, not all trainers are suitable for all horses. So watch the trainer ride, visit their facility, speak with their clients, ask lots of questions, and sign a contract. Your horse trusts you to make good choices about its everyday life and future.

ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

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TRAILS

BAR XP Photo

Consider your tack in the winter. Check for leather tears, replace broken buckles and give it a condition if the weather does not permit for riding.

8. LEARN NEW SKILLS

Winter is a great time to try a new horse sport. It can enhance your existing abilities and help develop new skills. Maybe you want to try mounted shooting, working equitation, roping, drill team, jumping, or dressage? Look for local coaches who can help.

Myriad coaches also offer online training programs to follow at your own pace. Many coaches provide virtual lessons. They either critique a video of your riding or teach from afar via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. So, if there is a faraway coach that you would love to take lessons from, seek them out. You might not have to visit them to get the help you want.

9. MAKE NEW FRIENDS

Connect with regional horse groups to make new riding friends and learn about upcoming events or clinics. Lurk on social media or virtually attend a monthly meeting to find out what the group is like. Most groups are thrilled to have new members. Your provincial equestrian organization is a great resource, too.

10. RIDE LESS OR TAKE A BREAK

Winter can be a great time to take a break from riding

18 ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

and give your horse a rest. But a one-month break can easily morph into a whole winter off. So before taking time off, decide how long your break will be and plan how you’ll both get fit again. Or, ride a few days per week. An intermittent schedule will still help you and your horse retain some fitness, provided you have low expectations and do slow work.

11. LEASE OR LOAN YOUR HORSE

If you don’t want to ride, send your horse for training, or give it time off, maybe there’s another rider at your barn who needs a horse for lessons. Maybe they’ll pay for the privilege of riding your horse, thereby reducing your everyday costs. There are many ways to set up lease or loan agreements, depending on what the owners and lessees want to accomplish. So consider sharing your horse. There can be significant benefits to both parties. Always ensure if someone else is riding your horse that they have their current AEF membership in place.

Overall, winter can be a very productive – and fun – time for riders and their horses. So regardless of the snow piling up or rain pounding down, Canadian riders all across the country are choosing to bundle up and enjoy their fourlegged friends. AB

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19

HORSE KEEPING

GALLOPING TOWARDS INNOVATION The University of Calgary’s groundbreaking equine research.

B Y N I K K I K N OPP, U N I V E R S I T Y OF C A LG A RY FAC U LT Y OF V ET E R I NA RY M E DI C I N E

The University of Calgary booth at Spruce Meadow.

Photo provided by UCVM.

Hey there, Alberta horse enthusiasts!

Saddle up, because we’re about to take you on a wild ride through the exciting world of equine research happening right here in Alberta at the University of Calgary, AB. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just an admirer of these majestic creatures, great progress is being made to advance equine health and welfare.

An event hosted by the University 20 ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM), the annual research focused Calgary International Equine Symposium, was nothing short of spectacular. With a theme of “Innovation in Equine Health and Welfare,” the event brought together experts from around the globe to share the latest advancements in equine science. From the vibrant streets of Tokyo, to the picturesque landscapes

of Alberta, attendees flocked to this gathering, proving that when it comes to horses, the world is truly our stable.

Dr. Holly Sparks, an assistant professor at UCVM, couldn’t contain her enthusiasm, “This symposium continues to be an exciting platform for equine professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and showcase exciting research advancements in equine

HORSE KEEPING

The University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine recently hosted the annual research focused Calgary International Equine Symposium. Photo provided by UCVM.

health and welfare.”

And boy, did they deliver! From respiratory insights to hoof asymmetry in racing, the presentations covered it all. But what really takes the cake?

The cutting-edge technology being used to assess horses at high risk of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury.

Denise Mc Sweeney, from Washington State University, galloped away with the Best Podium Presentation award, thanks to her groundbreaking work using accelerometer-based sensors to identify these risks.

Not to be outdone, UCVM’s own Shannon Massie snagged the Best Basic Science Poster Presentation award for her research on oxygen consumption during the Paso Fino gait. Who knew that horses could be such scientific superstars?

Dr. Hermann Schaetzl, Associate Dean Research at UCVM, summed it up perfectly, “Their research is not only advancing our understanding, but also paving the way for new clinical applications that can make a real difference.”

As the researchers shared their work at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s Spy Hill campus, UCVM students were across the city, showcasing their passion

for equine health at a booth during the Spruce Meadows Masters event.

UCVM was even fortunate enough to be booth neighbours with our good friends, Alberta Equine Federation.

With high-quality anatomy specimens and interactive learning opportunities, they captivated both equine experts and newcomers. Who knows – maybe some future veterinarians were inspired right there!

The symposium participants closed the event and celebrated their achievements at a VIP gathering at the Masters. With the total purse amounting to over $4 million, making the Masters the richest

show jumping event in the world, it’s no wonder this event is a fan-favourite.

As the Calgary International Equine Symposium continues to grow, it remains a cornerstone event for advancing equine health and welfare, inspiring future research, and strengthening the community of equine professionals.

So, whether you’re a horse lover or an aspiring veterinarian, remember this: at the University of Calgary, there is always something extraordinary starting!

Keep an eye out next summer when details and tickets for the 2025 Calgary International Equine Symposium are released. AB

ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

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BREED PROFILE

Montanara has a calm and willing demeanor and has shown the breed’s versatility for riding, driving and agricultural work. He has been passing on his winning qualities to his progeny. Photo courtesy of Once Upon a Dream Acres, Idaho.

BLACK FOREST HORSES Decadently Diverse B Y MON I QU E N OB L E

The title “Black Forest” is synonymous with richness and decadence. The Black Forest Horse – much like the eponymous cake we all love – does not disappoint.

In fact, Black Forest Horses even look similar to the indulgent treat, with their richly powerful chocolatey bodies and 22 ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

masses of creamy white manes and tails.

The breed’s sweet temperament is the cherry on top.

Originating from Germany, Black Forest Horse bloodlines can be traced back to the 1500s where they are still known locally as Schwarzwälder

Kaltblut. Bred for centuries for light farm, forest, and carriage work by German monasteries, their history is well documented in the Black Forest areas. Bred primarily by the St. Peter and St. Margen monasteries, this sturdy light draft horse was

BREED PROFILE

There was at one point in time a breeding program in Canada, but most of those mares are now at Once Upon a Dream Acres in Idaho, helping to sustain the breed. Photo Courtesy of Spring Time Farms

also known as the St. Mārgener Fuchs until a breeding association outside of the church; Schwarzwälder Pferdezuchtgenossenschaft, was formed in 1896.

Black Forest Horses were successfully bred for various types work until Nazi Germany took control and merged many stud books together. The devastation of the Great War years saw the demise of hundreds of thousands of horses and, sadly, the Black Forest Horse was almost lost. Thankfully some of these horses survived both world wars and in 1947, the stud books were reopened.

Miraculously, by 1947 more than 1,200 Black Forest Horse breeding mares were registered. And while it may not sound like a large statistic, it is frankly amazing this number of Black Forest Horses survived both world wars.

Surviving after the wars, however, came with its own struggles. While Europe was recovering from the scars of armed conflict; the need for horses diminished as agriculture and transport continued to mechanize. The small draft horses from Germany were forgotten, if not discarded. Thirty years after the stud

Ranging from 14.2 to 16 hands in height, the Black Forest Horse is a light draft breed, well suited to farm work and harness use. books reopened, less than 160 mares were registered.

A few dedicated Black Forest Horse lovers re-founded the Schwarzwälder Pferdezuchtgenossenschaft in the 1990s and their concerted effort has since helped sustain this beautiful horse breed. Black Forest Horses were recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as an endangered species in 2007. Careful herd management and conservation has successfully brought the Black Forest Horse back from the brink and in 2017,

over 1,000 mares and 88 stallions were registered once again. These horses came not only from Germany, but also from other parts of the world as horse enthusiasts were introduced to the versatile charms of this stunning breed.

Ranging from 14.2 to 16 hands in height, the Black Forest Horse is a light draft breed, well suited to farm work and harness use. Gorgeously built with dense muscular bodies, Black Forest Horses are powerful but short coupled.

Muscular shoulders and hind ends flow into thick, yet elegantly shaped legs and large, durable hooves. Their lavish glossy coats come in a range of colors, but the most sought after and most common is the rich dark chestnut that is a perfect contrast to their abundant, white flaxen manes and tails. Powerful necks are crowned with beautifully regal heads alive with intelligence. Kindness and curiosity is apparent in their large, bright eyes and alert and perfectly proportioned ears.

As the Black Forest Horse breed continues to recover from decline and refine itself to the needs of the modern world, colours that were once present ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

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BREED PROFILE Montanara was the first Black Forest stallion born on North American soil

Montanara grew into a stellar example of the breed with gorgeous movement, colour and temperament to match.

Once Upon a Dream Acres is currently the only breeding program for Black Forest Horses in North America.

such as sorrels, bays, and grays have become less common, but they are still acceptable colours for the breed. The most favoured chestnut can range from a dark brown to a bright sorrel – with or without dappling. Their rich colouring is almost always accompanied by a light flaxen mane and tail.

The crowning glory of Black Forest Horses is the show-stopping abundance of mane and tail: long, thick, and luxurious, it evokes spirit and vitality.

Black Forest Horses flaunt their looks like they know they are beautiful. White markings such as blazes and socks are also very common. Their feet are large and strong and have very little to no feathers. Extremely hardy Black Forest Horses are easy keepers, easy breeders, 24 ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

The crowning glory of Black Forest Horses is the show-stopping abundance of mane and tail: long, thick, and luxurious, and long-lived. A thickly built horse for their size, many Black Forest Horses range from 1,200 to1,400 lbs. and average close to 15 hands high. This unique size in the draft world has led many people to start seeking them out as riding horses, which has opened a whole new world of opportunity for the historic breed as their other charms are discovered.

Incredibly smart, willing, and curious, Black Forest Horses love human companionship. Quick to learn, they are suited for a variety of sport and pleasures.

Their kind natures and medium size make them suitable for a variety of riders and handlers from children to larger men and women. Their newfound popularity has taken them from the old world to North America, where their showy looks

and versatility is quickly making them a fan favourite.

While still rare in North America, the Black Forest Horse breed was brought to the United States in 2001. Three mares by the names of Ramona, Waleska and Wendy were imported by Black Forest Stables in Washington. Ramona arrived in foal to the stallion Montan, and in 2002 produced a gorgeous colt named Montanara. Montanara was the first Black Forest Horse born in North America, and now has numerous foals in North America and is standing at stud for Once Upon a Dream Acres in Idaho. A stunning representation of the Black Forest Horse, Montanara received the honour of being made into a Breyer Horse in 2022.

BREED PROFILE When equine breeds are brought back from the edge of extinction, careful reproduction is necessary to ensure that inbreeding does not occur. To help protect the breed, there are six main breeding lines of Black Forest Horses.

The oldest lines can be traced back to the monasteries of Germany. The new lines were created when the numbers of Black Forest Horses were so low that other breeds had to be brought in for genetic diversity. The “F line” was bolstered with Freiberger blood and the “V line” with Schleswiger blood. The bloodlines themselves vary a little within the breed with V, W, and F lines being a bit larger in stature and having more of a “draft” countenance to them. The M, R, and D lines are smaller and more compact, falling under 15.2 hands and make lovely riding horses. However, no matter what size, all Black Forest Horses have rhythmic gates and exceptional movement.

To ensure only the best qualities are being forwarded to future generations, the Black Forest Horse must undergo a rigorous inspection before being registered. This practice has also been adopted by the registry in North America.

Multiple inspections must be passed to judge three-year-old stallion candidates based on appearance, conformation and movement as well as temperament, willingness to work and ability to pull weight and performance potential.

Once approved, stallions will be observed throughout their career and by the quality of their progeny, all in the hopes of achieving the title of “Elite Stallion,” which is the highest honour a Black Forest stallion can receive. Stallions that do not pass these tests are generally gelded and go on to have excellent futures as riding and driving geldings.

Mares also undergo similar testing, often while in foal or with a foal at side.

Foals are also inspected at this time (at four to six months) and receive gold, silver, or bronze medals depending on their “quality.”

The exacting standards required for a Black Forest Horse to be registered ensure that only the best-of-the-best qualities are passed into posterity. Which is exactly what Once Upon a Dream

Montanara was given the honour of being made into a limitededition Breyer horse in 2022.

Inspired to own and conserve the breed by “Dante” pictured above, Elizabeth Keck started her own breeding program under the mentorship of Ursula Seidel.

Acres is trying to ensure. Elizabeth Keck fell in love with Black Forest Horses the first time she saw them and now her passion is to conserve and promote the breed in North America. Currently the only breeder of Black Forest Horses this side of the pond, Keck is encouraging other breeders and helping to get them established.

Keck has been breeding Black Forest Horses for almost ten years now, producing seven purebred foals and expecting more next year. Many of her mares have been trained in dressage and driving. They have proven themselves as excellent, willing pleasure and performance horses, and are now passing those qualities on to their foals. It is with great hope and dedication that, as more

people discover these sturdy gorgeous horses, demand will increase, making the breed a more common sight at expos and shows throughout North America.

A truly all-around horse, there is very little the Black Forest Horse can’t do.

A gentle disposition and calm nature make them wonderful companions on the trail. Intelligence, athleticism, and grace of movement make them excellent dressage and jumping prospects. Ther strength and sturdiness of the breed allow them a light-looking, yet strong appearance for driving. With so many great characteristics, it is no surprise that these stylish, multi-layered, eyecatching horses are once again poised to become well-known and important to our world. AB ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

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Jill Barron performs a beautiful demonstration at the Horse Expo.

THE MAKING OF AN INDUSTRY ICON

A question and answer session with Horse Expo Executive Directors, Ryan Gordon and Diana Schulz.

B Y J E N N W E B ST E R • PH OT O S B Y K RYST I NA LY N N PH OT O G R A PH Y

The Horse Expo has grown to become Canada’s largest equine expo in just a few years. Recently, Alberta Bits got the opportunity to speak with executive directors, Ryan Gordon and Diana Schulz of Chilliwack, BC, on how they grew the event to be a progressive trade show and industry leader.

AB Bits 2025 marks the fourth year of the Horse Expo, correct?

Diana Yes! We started in 2021 and it took a full year to plan the first one, which took place on Easter weekend of 2022.

AB BITS Can you please tell me how you and your family came to be the ones to put together this large equine trade 26 ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

show? Who are some of the key people in organizing this event?

Diana My mother, Margaret Schulz, attended a horse expo similar to ours in the USA, almost 30 years ago. But then the “Mane Event” came along to Canada, so she realized there wasn’t a need for another similar venue at the time. When the Mane Event didn’t come back, she said “This is my chance!”

AB Bits How would you describe your positions within the Horse Expo?

Ryan I’ve always been on the logistics side of things. My title technically is Executive Director, but really I just do all the things that need to be done. From signing contracts, to coordinating with

Westerner Park, and Tourism Red Deer, I wear many hats.

Diana I just talk when Ryan doesn’t wanna talk (chuckling). The Horse Expo is truly a family-run operation. When we started, my dad and I were going to concentrate on Western Outfitters, our retail store. So Ryan could concentrate on logistics, how things get set up and come together. My mom works on getting the talent, riders for clinicians and that end of it.

We were fortunate to have two handson guys who were friends of my mom’s for a million years, want to help us run the show. Rod Ash is our show manager and Glen Massey is the voice of Horse

Expo. Both had experience in running trade shows like this and both are invaluable, running the day-to-day stuff for us at the expo. Then there’s Ryan’s Dad, Jack Gordon, who came on to help us coordinate the vendors. He works full time on that side of the operation.

AB Bits Why did you want to take on this monumental undertaking?

Ryan We didn’t want the opportunity of a great equine trade show to end for our horse industry in Canada. Especially with all the different disciplines an expo like this offers – all in one place! It’s important for everyone. I think it’s also important that all aspects of the horse industry support each other because when one gets pushed out by activists, they’re just going to come for the next one. We have to support each other to keep the industry going.

I’m literally planning the next expo before the current one happens, usually 14 months out. For example, as soon as I buttoned up the 2024 show, I already needed to have things in place for 2025.

It’s a full time job.

Diana It helps when everyone is kind of family too! You can have freak-outs and no one takes it personally and hopefully, nothing falls through the cracks.

AB Bits Are you a horse person outside of the Horse Expo? If so, can you please tell me about it?

Diana Ryan was a city boy when I met him. We’ve been together for 18 years now. But now we own horses and are on a farm, etc.

Ryan I still feel like an imposter though!!

(More chuckling.)

Diana Mom and I barrel race. My dad used to chuckwagon race and rope. We rodeoed and have always been in the horse industry. We also own an online tack store and manufacturing company.

AB Bits What have been some of your proudest moments about the Horse Expo thus far?

Ryan The fact that the first Horse Expo went off and we didn’t lose our shirts! Our first event was held right after they lifted COVID restrictions. We weren’t sure if we would have to mask or do onsite COVID testing, etc.

And then leading up to it, you just never know… Are people going to show up?

A demo from the Alberta Donkey and Mule Breed Association.

Diana When there were people at the door waiting to get in, it was exciting!

The VIP dinner last year was on point as well. Everyone seemed to enjoy the opportunity to talk to people and hear stories that wouldn’t generally come out.

It was a less formal, hosted dinner. It gave trainers and most of the clinicians an opportunity with VIP guests to chat informally. There was a lot of humorous banter. It was a unique event and became something else! I should mention there will be another VIP dinner this year, on Saturday evening.

The Horseman’s Hot Seat was also something that has turned into something very special – Kylie and Elisha are such great interviewers.

AB Bits What are your future goals for the Horse Expo?

Ryan Keep it going and try and grow some more. One of the things we’re really excited about is the “Young Guns Colt Starting Challenge” for up-and-coming trainers.

Hosted on September 26 to 28, 2025 at Rocking Heart Ranch, we will feature five up-and-comers. The winner of the challenge will be invited to the 2026 Horse Expo Trainer’s Challenge and be able to compete against the big guns!

When we realized we could partner with Rocking Heart Ranch to do this, it made so much sense. It’s hard to have a young guns colt starting going on in the trade show, at the same time as a full-on colt starting. And the amount of horses that it takes at the time…

However, we’re always trying to find more youth activities to help keep the younger people coming up in the horse

industry. Some other thrilling clinicians you can expect in 2025 are: Jason and Bronwyn Irwin. They are very lovely people and always have a different concept to offer. This year will be about trailer loading and Western Riding for the English Rider.

American trainer Al Dunning will be conducting some clinics for us next year.

Dunning is an EquiStat Elite Million Dollar Winner and a National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Million Dollar Rider.

Connie Combs will be hosting barrel racing clinics. Among other things, Combs is a Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Champion and has over 40 years of experience teaching and training champions.

We also have Jim Masterson of the Masterson Method attending. With his world renowned bodywork techniques, Masterson is helping to improve horses in movement and performance and helping riders develop deeper levels of connection with both dogs and horses.

And – keep your eyes peeled for other special guests! AB The 2025 Horse Expo will be hosted once again at Westerner Park in Red Deer, AB, on April 25 to 27. In their first year of production, the Horse Expo saw a little more than 160 vendors. More than 250 attended in 2024, and the Gordons expect even more than that in 2025. They have the use of over 200,000 square feet of space, and last year witnessed five horse clubs come to do their annual general meetings in a free space offered throughout the weekend.

In 2024, almost 20,000 attendees came through their doors and the anticipation is high for an even greater number of guests next year.

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ASK ABOUT INSURANCE

THE STRENGTH OF COMMUNITY

One of the guiding principles at Acera Insurance Services is to always “do the right thing” in service to our clients.

We are grateful and privileged to work with all provincial/ territorial equine associations in Canada (except Quebec) and their thousands of members who count horses as part of their daily life.

Each year, our organization undertakes a detailed review of key relationships with our insurance company suppliers and compares the coverage available to our clients’ needs so that we can continue to innovate, respond to an everchanging landscape, and find ways to continually improve in service.

In our most recent review, various elements of the equine association insurance program were scrutinized.

We wanted to know specifically if the coverages provided

by Acera continue to make sense and provide the value expected by everyone involved. After all, it has been many years since these programs were first introduced to the Canadian equine community and we have learned a lot from our experience.

In the end, our research concluded that the current program continues to do a comprehensive job of protecting the interests of the members – including the two key products automatically included in your AEF membership: $5,000,000 personal liability insurance and $40,000 AD&D coverage. There is no doubt that these elements are more important today than ever before.

In addition to the “automatically included in membership” products, we have worked to design bespoke optional insurance offerings over the years that are only available to members.

1) Enhanced accident insurance for you, the member.

2) Increased coverage for your tack and equipment.

3) Members Named Perils and Emergency Life Saving Surgery for your horse – these are excellent products, and very affordable!

4) Weekly Accident Indemnity.

The horse community in Alberta is changing.

Demographics of an aging population and economic realities mean that some members are not competing in their discipline of choice as often as they once were, or even spending time in the saddle as often as in the past.

Regardless of those changes, the realities of risk don’t go away. A horse at home or at the boarding place, on the trail, or just hanging out in the field is still a horse that can do damage to property and cause injury when things don’t 28 ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

Whether you choose to compete or ride at home, the risks of owning horses don’t go away.

go as they should. The insurance program designed by Acera Insurance Services Ltd., hits way above its weight – everyday – to cover YOU, the MEMBER, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the world.

Horses will always be a part of life in Alberta, and that means there will always be a reason to be a part of the AEF community.

As our company continues to evolve (no more name changes – we promise!), our equine service group continues to grow to be there when you need us most.

In closing, thank you for supporting AEF and Acera Insurance today and in the future. If you have any questions at all about insurance associated with your life as a horse enthusiast, our team is here to help. Reach out anytime – agri@acera.ca or 1-800-670-1877.

“Insurance for horses and their people – it’s what we do!”

Michael (Mike) A. King, Partner National Practice Leader – Equine

MEMBER ORGANIZ ATIONS AS OF NOV 1, 2024 T O F I N D O U T M O R E A B O U T O N E O F T H E S E C L U B S , O R T O J O I N O N E , P L E A S E C O N TA C T T H E M D I R E C T LY Alberta Back Country Horsemen................ facebook.com/groups/albertabackcountryhorsemen Alberta Carriage Driving Assocation.......................................................... albertadriving-acda.ca Alberta Donkey and Mule Club............................................................albertadonkeyandmule.ca Alberta Dressage Association..................................................................... albertadressage.com Alberta Equestrian Vaulting Association.............................................................. vaultcanada.org Alberta Friesian Horse Association (AFHA)....................................................................... afha.ca Alberta Gypsy Vanner Horse Club............................................................char@albertaflares.com Alberta Horse Trials Association......................................................albertahorsetrials@gmail.com Alberta Outfitters Association.......................................................................albertaoutfitters.com Alberta South Region Pony Club......................................... canadianponyclub.org/AlbertaSouth Alberta Trail Riding Association......................................................................................... atra.ca Alberta Walking Horse Association............................................................................awha.ca/dir American Saddlebred Horse Association of Alberta............................ saddlebredsofalberta.com Aurora Arabian Horse Association..................................................................auroraarabian.com Banff Light Horse Association.................................................................secretary@banfflha.com Bear Valley Rescue Society.......................................................................bearvalleyab.org/index Beaverlodge & District Agricultural Society.........................................beaverlodgeag@gmail.com Beaverlodge Pony Club...................................................................................canadianponyclub Black Diamond Polo Club..............................................................polo@blackdiamondland.com Blackfoot Warrior Party Horsemanship/Film Society....................................... lavinacg@yahoo.ca Bow Valley Riding Association..............................................................sites.google.com/bvra.ca Bragg Creek Trails Association..................................................................... braggcreektrails.org Calgary and Area Alberta Dressage Association........................................................ ca-ada.com Calgary Arabian Horse Association..................................... facebook.com/groups/4553545529/ Calgary Hunt Club..........................................................................................calgaryhuntclub.ca Calgary Regional Appaloosa Club (1997)......................................................... pl1umb@telus.net Calgary Regional Trail Riders Association........................................calgaryregionaltrailriders.com Canadian Bridlehorse Association.........................................................canadianbridlehorse.com Canadian Eventing Development Foundation........................... canadianeventingfoundation.com Canadian Horse Association Rocky Mountain District (CHARMD)............................... charmd.ca Canadian Registry of the Tennessee Walking Horse....................................................... crtwh.ca Canadian Sport Horse Association - Alberta Chapter................................................ c-s-h-a.org Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association - Alberta........................................................ ..............................................................................canadianwarmbloods.com/alberta-chapter-2 Central Alberta Adult Riding Club..............................facebook.com/centralalbertaadultridingclub Central Century Team Ropers Association....................................centralcenturyteamroping.com Chinook Country Dressage Association.........................................albertadressage.com/chinook Cleardale Riders Club........................................................................ sandyrich2323@gmail.com Clearwater Horse Club....................................................................cwhctreasurer@outlook.com Cochrane Horse Trials...........................................................................cochranehorsetrials.com Cochrane Roping Club......................................................................... cochraneropingclub.com Cooking Lake Saddle Club...............................................................cookinglakesaddleclub.com Cottonwood Corral Association................................... cottonwoodcorralassociation@gmail.com Coulee Winds Saddle Club........................................................................ kheapy@outlook.com Davisburg Pony Club............................................... facebook.com/groups/1112757248823019 DeWinton Pony Club...............................................................facebook.com/dewintonponyclub Diamond Willow Vaulting Club.......................................................... diamondwillowvaulting.com Dunmore Equestrian Society.................................................................dunmoreequestrian.com East/West Chapter of the Alberta Carriage Driving Association.................................................... ................................................................... albertadriving-acda.ca/chapters/chapter_east_west Eastgate Saddle Club...............................................................................eastgatesaddleclub.ca Endurance Riders of Alberta......................................................... enduranceridersofalberta.com Extreme Cowboy Alberta......................................................................extremecowboyracing.ca Foothills Therapeutic Riding Association.................................. foothillstherapeuticriding.com Fort Calgary Wheel and Runner Association Outriders..........fortcalgaryoutriders@gmail.com Friends of the Eastern Slopes....................................................................................... foesa.org Fun Country Riders of Strathmore..............................................................funcountryriders.com Garden Valley Pony Club...................................................................gardenvalleypc@gmail.com Grande Prairie Gymkhana Club............................................................gpgymkhana@gmail.com Great Divide Trail Association.........................................................................greatdividetrail.com Greater Edmonton Polocrosse Club........................................ greateredmontonpolocrosse.com Happy Valley Ag and Recreation Club.........................................happyvalleyagrec@outlook.com Hastings Lake Pleasure Horse Association................. hastingslakepleasurehorseassociation.org Hay Lakes Riders Club......................................................................haylakesriders@yahoo.com High Country Carriage Driving Club.............................................................................. hccdc.ca High Country Pony Club..................................................... facebook.com/Highcountryponyclub Irricana AG Society.................................................................................... irricanaagsociety.com Journeys Therapeutic Riding Society................................................................................. jtrs.ca Jump Alberta Society........................................................................................jumpalberta.com Kakwa Sherman Trail Society Group.......................... facebook.com/groups/945578150503938 Kansas Ridge Riders.....................................................................kansasridgeriders@gmail.com Lakeland Team Cattle Penning Association............................................ lakelandteampenning.ca Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Association ...................................................................littlebits.ca Meadow Creek Vaulting Club..........................................................................................mcvc.ca Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society............................................ mras.equine@gmail.com Millarville Musical Ride......................................................... facebook.com/MillarvilleMusicalRide Mount View Special Riding Association......................................................mountviewriding.com Northern Trails Riding Club...............................................................northerntrailsridingclub.com Okotoks Polocrosse Club..............facebook.com/groups/389241199900459/?mibextid=c7yyfP Opening Gaits – Therapeutic Riding Society....................................................... openinggaits.ca Over The Hills Trail Riders............................................. facebook.com.Over-the-Hills-Trail-Riders Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society................................................................... pards.ca Peace Draft Horse Club.................................................................. thepeacedrafthorseclub.com Peace Region Alberta Dressage Association............................................... albertadressage.com Performance Standardbreds........................................................................p-standardbreds.org Polocrosse Calgary .....................................................................polocrossecalgary.weebly.com

Ranahan Polocrosse Club................................................................... ranahanpolocrosse.ca Ridgeview Riding Club........................................................... ridgeviewridingclub@gmail.com Rimbey Sleigh Wagon and Saddle Club................................facebook.com/RimbeySWSClub Rundle Riders Therapeutic Riding Association..............................................rundleriders.com Saddle Seat Canada...........................................................................saddleseatcanada.com Shortgrass Riding Club.........................................................................lwaynemu@eidnet.org Skills of the Outfits - East of the Rockies..........................................canadianbridlehorse.com Society of Tilt and Lance Cavalry................................................................................joust.ca South Country Team Penning Association (SCTPA)..........................sctpa.entries@gmail.com South Peace Horse Club..................................................................southpeacehorseclub.ca Southern Alberta Trail Riders Association................................................................... satra.ca Spring Fling Society Inc............................................................................. springflingshow.ca Springbank Pony Club..................canadianponyclub.org/AlbertaSouth/branches/springbank St. Paul Agricultural Society.................................................................... stpaulagsociety.com Standard Rodeo Society - Gymkhana Club................................. standardrodeosociety.com Stone Bridge Carriage Driving Club.................facebook.com/stonebridgecarriagedrivingclub Strathcona All-Breed Horse Association.......................................................sahaalberta.com Trail Riding Alberta Conference ........................................................................... trailriding.ca Traildusters Horse Club of Smith.................................................. traildustersclub@gmail.com Uplift Therapeutic Riding Association............................. facebook.com/uplifttherapeuticriding Valley Riders Saddle Club.............................................................sandyrich2323@gmail.com Valleyview & Districts Agricultural Society............................................. valleyviewagsociety.ca Vermillion Agricultural Society ......................................................................... vermilionag.ca WEALTA - Working Equitation Canada Alberta Region.......................................workingeq.ca Western Canadian Wagon Train.......................................................... gsissons@hotmail.com Whitecourt Horse Club........................................................ whitecourthorseclub@gmail.com Wildrose Mounted Shooting Society............................................... farmgirl317@hotmail.com Wildrose Ranch Roping Association.....................................wildroseranchroping@gmail.com Xtreme Wild Rose Club......................................... sites.google.com/view/xtremewildroseclub Youth Development - Alberta Dressage Association............................... albertadressage.com

BUSINESS MEMBERS AB Steel Buildings Ltd......................................................................... absteelbuildings.com Acera Insurance Services Ltd...............................................................agri@capricmw.ca Athabasca Ranch Ltd..................................................................................... 780-865-2454 Clipped N’ Ready Equine Services............................................................clippednready.com Copper Pony Poles + Equestrian Sporting Equipment....................................copperpony.ca Coulee Equine..............................................................................................couleeequine.ca Creekside Equestrian Centre Ltd............................... creeksideequestriancentre@gmail.com Dee Jay Performance Horses (DJPH)................. facebook.com/DeeJayPerformanceHorses Digger’s Place........................................................................................ digbits@msn.com Duplo Composite Horseshoes Canada.....................................................duplo-canada.com Dusty Boots.................................................................... facebook.com/Dustybootswildrags Eastwind Horse Transport................................................... eastwindhorsetransport.com Eckwood Rider Biomechanics Coaching............................................eckwoodequine.ca Equine Connection - The Academy of Equine Assisted Learning.equineconnection.ca Eric’s Homes Inc.....................................................................................www.ericshomes.ca FarmAndTractor.ca................................................................................ farmandtractor.ca Full Stride Equine Performance............................facebook.com/fullstrideequineperformance GPC Smart (Syneroid Technologies)..........................................................gpcsmart.com Grassroots Equine Essentials................................................................................................. ..................................... facebook.com/p/Grassroots-Equine-Essentials-100078958620061 Hi-Hog Farm & Ranch Equipment........................................................................ hi-hog.com Horse Expo Canada..................................................................................... horseexpo.ca Keys to Hope Counselling Services.................................................... healinggrounds.ca Lasso Lady.................................................................................. lassolady22@gmail.com Lawton & Co, LLP.............................................................................................. lawtonco.ca Little Creek Equine...........................................................facebook.com/LittleCreekEquine22 Miles Maldaner Photography.............................................................................. milesfoto.ca Moose Hill Ranch Equestrian..................................................................moosehillranch.com Mountain Equine Therapeutics.................................................................... cj1neilson@gmail.com No Scope No Hope Equiscope Inc................................................................................................. ................................................facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552543385783&mibextid=uzlsIk Paddock Groomer...............................................................paddockgroomer.ca@gmail.com Paramount Equestrian Centre Ltd....................................... paramountequestriancentre.com Regency Equine Equestrian Center..........................................................regencyequine.com Reverence Horsemanship Centre........................................................ reverencestables.com Rewind Equine..........................................................................................rewindequine.com Robinson Outreach at RiverCross Ranch................................................................. roarr.org Rocking Heart Ranch.................................................................... rockingheartranchltd.com Shadowlands Ranch........................................................................... shadowlandsranch.ca Simply Straw Farming Solutions Inc............................................................. simplystraw.com Six Love Sport Horse Limited............................................................. sixlovesporthorse.com STAND Collegiate.......................................................................................... standschool.ca Summer Sonnet Stables..............................................................marionjankunis@gmail.com Synergy Solutions Inc. ....................................................................... synergyapparel.ca The School of Equine Massage and Rehabilitation Therapies......................... equinerehab.ca The Tack Collector.................................................................................... thetackcollector.ca The Xibition Inc...................................................................................................xibition.ca Total Recharge Pulse Therapy...................................................................... totalrecharge.ca Wildhorse Ranch....................................................................................wildhorsecamp.com Woywitka Farms........................................................................... erniewoywitka@gmail.com YKnott North...................................................................................................yknottnorth.ca

ALBERTA BITS ON I WINTER 2024/25 BE SURE TO SUPPORT OUR BUSINESS MEMBERS! THOSE LISTED IN BLUE PROVIDE DISCOUNTS TO AEF MEMBERS. VISIT OUR LIST OF EQUINE FACILITIES OUR WEBSITE!

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FINDING YOUR BEST FRIENDS

It’s a good idea to pamper your farrier. If you think he was hard to find, he’s harder to keep.

Go to extremes.

B Y B ON N I E T I M MON S

HOLD YOUR HORSES available on Amazon

amazon.ca/Hold-Your-Horses-Nuggets-People/dp/0761115366

good tidings we bring to you and your kin

!)

rse u o c f o , s e (and hors

ALBERTA BITS I WINTER 2024/25

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