Topline Horse Trials, Spring 2014 By King Campbel. Photos by Naomi McGeachy, Sweet Iron Photography
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n June, Topline Stables and Show Park celebrated in a big way, their 10th anniversary of hosting Horse Trials. King and Sonya Campbell have invested significantly in their facility along with the assistance of Horse Trials BC to improve the quality of the cross-country course and the venue in general. Eighty-three horses and riders competed at the tremendous venue in Salmon Arm, BC. Anthony Lothian continues to deliver exceptional jumping courses using Topline’s very attractive show jumps with excellent fi ll, colour and decorations; providing a very satisfying experience for competitors in the large jumping ring, with great sand footing. Distant travellers looking to get a feel for the facility very much appreciated the one day Combined Test, and the great prizes, prior to the main event. New courses were planned and developed and ten new jumps installed for all levels. The course design was by Olympian Nick Holmes-Smith while Topline implemented the new construction to detailed specifications. All course details met the approval of Heath Purdy the technical delegate for the weekend. The cross-country course offered full-length tracks and maximum efforts for each division. Topline has changed significantly over the years and the addition of more property provides for exciting gallops over pasture, grassland, and forest requiring attention to flat, rolling, and some steep terrain. Nick’s course design offers great questions that appear challenging, but continue to ride very well. With the assistance of many fantastic professional people, Topline offers friendly competitions that run on time and offer exceptional prizes. Smiles and comments from riders indicate Topline has a great opportunity for celebrating Horse Trials for another ten years, with even more competitors from Vancouver Island to Alberta, enjoying the tremendous facility.
TRAINING 1) Sara Sellmer, For Pleasure 2) Sarah Gilmour, Where The Wild Things Are 3) Tosca Holmes-Smith, Grace O’Malley 4) Gillian Dorosh, Mr. Jetson 5) Ashley Cook, Emmarose PRE-TRAINING 1) Glynis Schultz, On Cue 2) Barb Nielsen, Seneschal 3) Olivia Young, Wild Card 4) Rebeka Kennedy, Celtic Diamond 5) Kelly Bose, Oliver Twist ENTRY 1) Katie Leitch, Grade A Prime 2) Cassaundra VanAsperen, Vintage Label 3) Tasia Bronson, Hot Shot 4) Natalie Dickens, My Little Hippo 5) Julie White, Top Secret PRE-ENTRY 1) Shannon Harvey, Nelson 2) Merrilyn Mason, Viking 3) Alyssa Eastman, Knock Your Socks Off 4) Sage Loeppky, Kootenay Special 5) Morgan Beck, Daisy STARTER 1) Austine Adamski, Cous Cous 2) Caroline Van Biert, Lola 3) Betty Catharell, Nymphadora 4) Ashtyn Maki, Fiat 5) Zoe Mills, Elmer’s Red
Glynis Schultz and On Cue
Katie Leitch and Grade A Prime
WINNERS OF THE ONE DAY COMBINED: Preliminary: Tosca Holmes-Smith, Grace O’ Malley Training: Ashley Cook, Emmarose Pre-Training: Glynis Schultz, On Cue Entry: Lindsay Whitehead, Shiraz Pre-Entry: Merrilyn Mason, Viking Starter: Austine Adamski, Cous Cous
Sara Sellmer and For Pleasure
Mountain Trail Clinic in Oyama By Nancy Roman Photos courtesy of Michelle Gauthier
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n July 5th a group of us took part in a Mountain Trail Clinic offered at Hayton Creek Ranch in Oyama BC – home of the Conti Family. Ashlea Conti was our instructor for the day. We had semi-private lessons in the morning going through the obstacles inhand; then when ready, the option to ride through the obstacles. Lunch was provided as well – it was a hot sweltering day, but we all managed to get ourselves and our horses through as much as was mentally (and physically) capable of all. They even set up a ‘water misting system’ underneath the trestle bridge for all to cool off. That was a feat in itself to get your (my) horse through! There were a few to still do the course in the early afternoon; but following that riders were able to wander off and enjoy the surrounding trails on the property. A lot of ‘family’ manual work, sweat, and thought went into this course, now available to the public. Thank you Ashlea (and your family) for this opportunity. What a great day! I know I have said it before but this Mountain Trail is SO MUCH FUN, you have to try it for yourself. You owe it to your horse! You want to ride/think as a partnership don’t you?
HCBC 2010 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
(photos of me and my new Morgan horse “Angie”)
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