REGION 7
By: Pat Melton — Region 7 Director
Working Equitation is exploding in Region 7 and I’m so excited for all of the opportunities available to our members this summer. On Saturday, June 22, USAWE “S” judge Polly Limond presided over 16 competing teams at the Shining Hope Farms Benefit Schooling Show, in Conover, NC, following a full clinic the previous day. Shining Hope Farms is a nonprofit enabling children and adults with disabilities to achieve functional goals using equine-assisted activities and hippotherapy. This fundraiser proved to be very successful for SHF, and I’m thrilled to share that plans are already in the works for another show this fall. The Level 1/Introductory Champions were Cindy Kaufman/Misty Mayhem and the Level 2/Novice A Champions were Megan Malan/Lancelot.
The following weekend, Wild at Heart Ranch in Canton, GA, hosted a very well-attended clinic and schooling show with “L” judge Heather Walters. Nineteen teams competed, representing Level 1 through Level 5. The WHR team used this event as their dress rehearsal for their August licensed shows. Congratulations are extended to the Champions in each division:
L1-Introductory, Amateur: Carol Osbaldeston/Always the Optimist
L1-Introductory, Youth: Annabelle Gibbons/Splash
L2-Novice A, Amateur: Julia Whitehead/Holly
L2-Novice A, Youth: Riley Conley/Legend
L3-Novice B, Amateur: Andri Bekker/Box Out
L5-Intermediate B, Open: Betsy Fajen/Bravado
The weekend of July 20-21, South Eastern Working Equitation (SEWE) is hosting a clinic on Saturday and a schooling show on Sunday, featuring Rebecca Algar as the clinician/judge, all happening at Dreamcatcher Farm in Aiken, SC. Entries for the clinic and show are closed; spectators are welcome to join the fun.
As mentioned, the inaugural Wild at Heart Ranch Working Equitation Shows #1 and #2, are scheduled for the weekend of August 24-25, at the Chicopee Agricultural Center in Gainesville, GA, Rebecca Algar will serve as the judge. The shows are full, with waitlists. How exciting that this will be the third and fourth licensed shows of the year in our region! Mark your calendar to come watch and cheer on your favorite teams while making new friends.
Lastly, I don’t want to take anything away from the report of USAWE’s exposure in this year’s BreyerFest at the Kentucky Horse Park, BUT I’m at a loss to explain just how honored I was to be a part of this highly successful event. USAWE’s presence at BreyerFest, which is attended by tens of thousands from all over the country/world, was the brainchild of Youth Development Chair, Kasey Riddle (NC), and Marketing Committee member, Morgan Osbaldeston (GA). Their attention to every detail was evident. The BreyerFest crowds were mesmerized each morning by the breathtaking demo presentation ridden by Jane Renner (TN), Jody Fontanetta (TN), Laurie Wilson (GA), Landyn Riddle (NC), and Stephanie Jennings (VA). I got chill bumps while watching this amazing group introduce the masses to the sport we all love so dearly. This amazing team of ladies was brilliantly supported by their spouses, children/grandchildren, and fellow riders, Joann McBride and Duffy Yarbrough. My fellow Region 7 members, Betty Tedder (NC), Karen Heist (NC), Toni Corn (TN), and I had the great pleasure of meeting and speaking with hundreds of families at our USAWE networking booth.
All events, from clinics to licensed shows to very special events like BreyerFest, are dependent upon participants and volunteers. Consider offering your time and expertise in a volunteer capacity. I’m certain the organizer will be very happy to hear from you. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to email me at R7Director@usawe.org.
Megan Malan and Sandra Law comparing strategies at the Shining Hope Farms Benefit Schooling Show