REGION 4
By: Kiki Pantaze — Region 4 Director
Hi All –
The Zia Working Equitation Club in South Eastern New Mexico, hosted a successful Clinic and Play Day at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque. They were able to introduce WE to a bunch of new people! They hope to have two shows in Albuquerque next year. It is on I40 and an easy drive from many locations around the country.
The Fall show season in Texas will start up on November 16-17, at Highlander Ranch outside of Waco. During this show, we will hold a Region 4 meeting, where I encourage members to ask questions and get involved. The Texas Hot Shot series will wrap up in December at Willow Draw in Weatherford. A party and award ceremony is being held during the weekend.
We also have clinics happening monthly around the state.
Oct 4-6 Dressage and WE lessons with Pati Pierucci, La Vernia TX. Private dressage and WE, small group WE. Contact Terrie Hargrove 210-421-6572 or tlh1661@gmail.com. Flyer is in the comments.
Nov 2nd: Cattle Clinic with Glenn Cochran at Twin Creeks Ranch in Caldwell, TX . Message or email Kate Murray-del Aguila to register. EquusPS@outlook.com.
Nov 16: Pre-show clinic at Highlander Ranch. L1 with the judge, L2 & above with Doreen Atkinson. 221 Cobbs Lane, Waco, TX 76708-7085 Waco, Texas. Contact Aimee Edwards, aedwards@mclennan.edu for info and to reserve a spot.
Region 4 Member spotlight
A Long Time Commitment to Riding and Horsemanship
Doreen Atkinson
By Terrie Hargrove
Doreen Atkinson was instrumental in my journey into working equitation. Several years ago she came to La Vernia, TX for a clinic. I was a participant and have been hooked ever since. I’ve been lucky enough to ride with her several times since that first clinic. She is a wonderful, uplifting, encouraging instructor who is always happy and willing to share her wealth of knowledge.
I recently had the opportunity to spend some time getting to know our current president. She graciously took the time to answer my questions and I thought everyone might interested in her life history and her impressions of our sport and where she believes we are going as an organization.
Tell me a little about yourself:
I was born in Clarksville, Arkansas but grew up in Waco, Texas. After high school I went to Texas A&M and received my degree in biomedical science. My late husband was a veterinarian and we had a practice for 22 years before he passed.
When did you become interested in equestrian sports?
I started riding when I was in high school, not competitively, but for fun and riding trails. I eventually discovered dressage and began training to make myself a better rider. I achieved my bronze and silver medals in USDF as well as national regional champion and national champion competitive trail horse on the same horse. After my kids grew up and my husband passed away, I discovered working equitation around 2010 and started competing because it is a working sport which includes working with cattle.
What do you love most about working equitation?
I love how it encompasses many disciplines in one sport. It is very good for the overall training of the horse and builds a better horse/rider partnership as well as trust and confidence in and between both. Overall, it is fun! The people in working equitation are some of the best people I’ve met in my life and some have become my lifelong best friends. I never would have been able to travel and meet the people that I have up to now if it wasn’t for working equitation.
I understand that you are a judge for working equitation; can you talk a bit about that?
I am a senior judge for working equitation as well as a candidate to become an international WAWE judge. Soon I will be traveling to the Czech Republic to further my training. I will have the opportunity to watch and evaluate some of the best European master level riders!
What has been your proudest moment in your equestrian pursuits?
One of the proudest moments in my riding career other than the championships I’ve won was having an international judge tell me that my horse (Obadiah) was a true masters horse, virtually putting me in the same league with the best in the world.
Where would you like to see working equitation going in the future?
I hope to see working education grow the membership as well as increase the number of shows. Additionally, I would love to see more riders achieve the masters level and help one another grow this sport. I would also love for us to be competitive on the international stage and show the world that USA has some of the best teams in the world.
How can the general membership help to grow the sport?
The members can continue to spread the word and reach out to other disciplines to join us. Additionally, continue to volunteer at USAWE events when they can as well as participate in our shows.
If you have any questions, concerns or would just love to chat about WE, please reach out.
Kiki Pantaze
Region 4 Director
512-924-7566