Paint horse enthusiasts converged on the Calnash Ag Event Centre over the weekend to show off their equitation skills.
The event was hosted by the Alberta Paint Horse Club and is dubbed the Ponoka Spring Classic, explained show manager Leslie Noble McCleave.
The club’s activities bring enough interest that members come from all over the province spanning from southern to northern Alberta, she added.
“I’m going to say 100 members or more,” said Noble McCleave, adding that this club is an affiliate of the American Paint Horse Association.
The weekend was a showcase of members’ abilities in how they handle and ride horses. Equine enthusiasts of all ages had to show skills in front of judges in areas such as halter classes, showmanship, as well as English and western riding classes and more.
“We run a trail class. We’ll run ranch riding and western riding,” said Noble McCleave. “Just all different types of classes.”
The beautiful horses filled the main arena of the ag event centre, with members working on their skills to be ready for a zone show in August, that features riders from all over North America. The zone show is held at the ag event centre.
“It’s four days and six judges. A big deal,” explained Noble McCleave.
For those unfamiliar with the sport, a paint horse is one with a certain amount of colour on it, however, it has white spots or colourings on it. There are some solid coloured horses registered as paint horses, however, said Noble McLeave, due to their breeding.
The club has members with all levels of horsemanship skills. Noble McCleave suggests those who are interested are welcome to attend the zone show in August.
All the club’s shows at the ag event centre are free to those who want to attend.