Mane Event Red Deer 2013 Wraps Up By Jan Mansfield
2 gals on left from Ace of Clubs Quarter Horses; Trainers Heath Marshall, Sean Patrick, and Wylene Davis; narrator Hugh McLennan; judges Stan Jacobs, Bob Kauffman, and Ron Hoffman.
T
he Mane Event ended its 7th successful year at Westerner Park on April 26-28 with attendance exceeding previous years once again. “Red Deer was a great start to the Mane Event’s 10th Year Anniversary celebrations,” said Mane Event spokesperson Gail Barker. “Just when we think we can’t possibly get bigger and better, we seem to outdo ourselves! Our attendees really seemed to enjoy the clinicians we brought to Red Deer this year, and the aisles were full of shoppers visiting the trade fair. Of course, we are always looking to continually raise the bar for horse expos, so we are certainly not resting on our laurels. Our October Event in Chilliwack is going to be really special.” An emotional Heath Marshall accepted the championship trophy for the Trainers Challenge, crediting his family and community for their support. In the finale he demonstrated his total control over the
26 • Saddle Up • June 2013
young horse he had been working with and completed all the required elements plus optional exercises well before his allotted 30 minutes had expired. The larger arena and capacity crowds did not seem to distract either Marshall or the youngster, both experiencing a Trainers Challenge for their first time. “From the get go I knew I had a good horse. I learned so much while I was here about how I could handle the stress... I’ve never had to talk to so many people at once. I had a very good horse right from the beginning. She did everything I asked when I asked.” Douglas Lake Ranch cow boss Stan Jacobs, one of the Challenge judges, said, “The finals were the deciding factor. Heath really stepped it up and pulled ahead in the finals and is well deserving.” “The outcome was in the preparation right from the start,” said fellow judge Bob Kauffman. “I think the preparation he made in all four sessions paid off here in the finals.” The stands were full during the three days of the Event as attendees took the opportunity to watch and learn from clinicians such as show jumping icon George Morris. During a media scrum Morris talked about his unwavering training philosophy. “I’m a great stickler of horses with discipline. There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors and over-petting of horses and sugar. That’s not how to work a horse. The horse is happiest when he’s fairly treated and fairly trained and fairly handled,”
he said. “I’m teaching pupils of pupils of pupils of pupils, two or three or four generations of pupils,” said Morris, further testament to his legendary status. Canadian Olympian Tom Dvorak said he enjoyed watching other presentations in between the dressage clinics he presented to capacity crowds. “I certainly have learned while I am here from other disciplines and other trainers. In the end we are all trying to do the same thing which is educate the horse and educate the rider in the best way possible,” he said. The Mane Event’s anniversary celebrations continue in Chilliwack this fall where it all began ten years ago. The lineup of clinicians includes esteemed dressage coach Anne Gribbons who will work with riders during the event which runs October 25-27. Check maneeventexpo.com for the latest news. View videos from Red Deer on the ManeEventExpo YouTube channel.
HCBC 2010 Business of the Year