Despite winter finally picking up with more snow and colder weather, the Alberta Ranch Horse Versatility clinic still gave participants willing to brave the cold an introduction to the necessary skills.
“It’s a series of show situations that we put the ranch horses in to showcase everyday ranch work,” said clinician Kathy Judson, at the Vic Almond arena on Jan. 19 and 20.
The clinic taught the basic skills involved in ranch trail, ranch riding, ranch cutting and a working ranch horse. Judson also talked about the competition and the ranch horse conformation.
In the ranch trail category, horse and rider are put in everyday ranch situations complete with obstacles such as a log haul, opening and closing a gate or crossing a bridge.
“The ranch riding is judged on the movement of the horse and rider,” said Judson.
The ranch cutting category required the horse and rider to cut cows from the herd, numbered and unnumbered. “We’re required to cut two cows out of the herd, much like cutting, but we’re allowed two hands, we can reign the horse,” said Judson.
“Then we can find out how well broke or versatile your horse is in a ranch situation or ranch setting,” she added.
The ranch competition tests reining patterns and cow work. “We’re required to box the cow at the end of the arena and turn it each way against the long wall,” explained Judson.
Riders are also required to rope and stop a cow.
The ranch conformation is a halter class show; judges will look to see how sound a horse will be after a day’s riding.
Judson says the purpose of the clinic was to teach the basics of these skills. “We’re introducing these people to ranch work versatility.”
“It’s showing the versatile ranch horse with finesse,” she added.
Judson says ranch horse versatility clinics are also good to show the differences between ranch horse versatility and ranch rodeos. “Our horses are judged more on their training and way of going about their skill.”
For participant Heather Dion of Ponoka, the clinic was a pleasure and she enjoyed being able to try something new. “This is our first go at ranch horse. It was very good and informative, Kathy’s very helpful.”
Dion’s favorite part about the clinic and ranch horse is the number of different elements involved, and although she hasn’t been involved long, Dion feels she would like to compete this year.