October 11, 2012 Vol. 12, No. 40
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Mountain Grove trail rider wins US championship “I
t definitely took a while to sink in,” said Elaine Steele of Mountain Grove, who took first place in the 70-mile National Championship Competitive Trail Ride that took place in Ashville, North Carolina on September 23 and 24 at the Biltmore Estate. Steele was the sole Canadian competitor. She beat out 20 other riders from the US in the two-day ride and was one of just 12 who completed the 70-mile course. Steele, who has been around horses since she was a youngster and has been trail riding competitively for 17 years, said the win took her by surprise for a number of reasons. “Not only was I the sole Canadian competitor but I rode a horse that I thought was not my ‘good’ horse,” Elaine said. Elaine rode Zena, The Warrior Princess, whom she describes as a laid back, adaptable horse that aims to please. Elaine and her husband Rick bred and raised the 14year-old half pinto/half Arabian themselves and she proved her worth at the competition. Zena competed in the event after Elaine’s preferred horse, Chanticleer Shadow, came up lame in an accident a week before the competition. Zena was thought to be the underdog in the competition. “Zena hasn’t done a lot of rides, a few here and there and I’ve only competed on her a couple of times before this,” Elaine said. “She was the only pinto down there, and was smaller than all of the other horses. I suppose that for those reasons everyone just kind of dismissed her. They called her “my little pony”. The little pony not only shocked her competitors but her owner as well. “I really didn’t think she could do it and I definitely did not expect it
from her. But she is a little horse that has surprised me many times before.” In trail riding, speed, though important, is not the ultimate goal. Riders need to complete the 70 km ride in a prescribed time and they face elimination if they run either over or under that set time. The judges look for fit horses that have been properly trained and guided by the rider on the trail. The horses are examined by veterinarians every 8-10 miles. The judges assess the horse’s gait, pulse rate, eating habits, attitude, and overall health, and points are deducted from riders whose horses are not up to the 70-mile challenge. Elaine, who is still amazed at her win, said that she did not have any expectations going into the ride. “My goal in going down there was just to complete the event so that I could get my belt buckle - but that was all I was hoping for.” She said that at the awards ceremony she was certain that the judges had made a mistake. “It took a while even after the announcement for it to sink in that I won.“ What does it take to be a good trail rider? “You really have to know your horse, and know what speed you are traveling at.” Elaine mentioned that many of the riders use GPS devices and other specialty gadgets to measure their speed but she uses a wrist watch to keep track of how she is doing. “If you depend on fancy gadgets, which can sometimes not function properly on the trail, you can find yourself in a bit of trouble. Personally I like to rely on my own judgment. That’s what works best for me.” With over 5500 kilometers under her belt, Elaine is well known in the area as a trail rid-
er, and she and her husband Rick organize the Seoul’s Corners Competitive Trail and Endurance Ride every year. What’s next for Elaine and Zena? “I’m not sure at this point what I will do for next season. Chanticleer has done a lot of hard miles and competitions. And I think that my kids will likely ride Zena more than I will. I have another horse that I am excited about, a horse I named
by Julie Druker
t their emeting on Tuesday (October 9) Central Frontenac Council heard from Sue Leslie and Bob Teal, a delegation from a group called the Central Recreation Center Committee about plans for the soon to be vacated Hinchinbrooke Public School The committee made two requests of council: the first to have a member of council sit on their committee and the second to support the purchasing of Hinchinbrooke Public School should a feasibility study find that the transformation of the school into a recreation centre would be beneficial and affordable to township residents. Back in July, council supported the creation of the committee to look into the feasibility of purchasing either Hinchibrooke or Sharbot Lake public schools. A proposal was submitted to the Frontenac CFDC (Community Futures Development Corporation) for funding to conduct a feasibility study and funds to assist with plans to renovate the school. The proposal was turned down by the FCFDC, which cited two reasons - the proposal failed to identify economic benefits for the area and the proposal was looking at both the schools instead of just one. The FCFDC were impressed, however, with the level of support for the project from various community groups. They suggested that the committee return to council. The committee is hoping that with coun-
cil’s support they can resubmit the proposal to the FCFDC for the Hinchinbrooke school only before the November 1 deadline, as the Sharbot Lake Public School has numerous redevelopment issues – including some asbestos that needs to be removed. In a report to Council, Chief Administrative Officer Shawn Trépanier pegged the cost of the school at $150,000, but Sue Leslie said might it might realistically end up being only $125,000. Councilors Heather Fox and Bill Snyder agreed to be appointed to the committee. Trépanier said that at this point Council has committed $5,000 towards the project, money that is to be levied from the 2013 budget. “Council has made no further financial commitment to the project,” he said. Councilors discussed the wording of a resolution of support for the project. The resolution initially stated that council “would support” the purchasing of the school should the study prove feasible. Councilor Guntensperger was the first to say that he felt uncomfortable with that strong a commitment. “That means that even if we disagree with what the study puts forth, we are still committed to supporting the project.” After additional discussion it was decided to amend the resolution to say that council “would consider” supporting the purchase of
by Julie Druker
2012 US National Champion Elaine Steele of Mountain Grove and her winning horse Zena The Warrior Princess
Council commits to consider the purchase of Hinchinbrooke PS, maybe A
4317 Colebrooke Rd Harrowsmith 613-372-2662
the school should a study prove it feasible. The motion was carried unanimously.
More from Central Frontenac Council Construction slow in 2012, save for new school: The total value of construction permits in September in Central Frontenac exceeded $15 million, which is more than the combined values of 2010 and 2011 combined. That figure is somewhat misleading, however, because it is dominated by a single project, the new K-12 school in Sharbot Lake, a project that approaches $15 million on its own. Putting the school aside, the building numbers for 2012 are slow. The number of permits sold (105) is lower than the first nine months of 2011 (140) and 2010 (149). The number of new residences (15) is higher than last year at this time (13) but lower than 2010 (18) Chief Building Official Jeremy Neven did not know what to attribute the low levels of activity to, except to say that the building industry tends to be cyclical. New truck for building department CAO Trépanier presented a report to Council in which he recommends purchasing a vehicle for the use of the building
Marlborough Man, a six-year-old mustang that I just started training this year and I am looking forward to seeing how he will do on the trail.” Elaine’s next competitive ride will be in April. As for her most recent success, her husband Rick said it best. “Elaine not only has the ability to talk to her horses, but they seem to understand her.”
Conditional building permit issued for new Sharbot Lake school by Jeff Green C
entral Frontenac Chief Building Official Jeremy Neven confirmed last week that the township has issued a building permit for the new school at the Sharbot Lake High School site. The township has not received a septic permit for the project from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, (MoE) however, and Neven said that while the permit will allow construction to proceed on the project, no occupancy permit will be issued until the MoE issues a septic permit. Although the permit was issued before Neven returned to his position with the township, he said that in looking at the file he noted there are requirements that test wells be drilled, and that the MoE may be requiring that a tertiary system be installed as well. “The school board is now working with the MoE to make sure the system complies with their requirements.” The News made an inquiry to the MoE about the process being applied in this case, but we have not received a response as yet.
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