REGION 7
By: Pat Melton — Region 7 Director
Channing and Shannon’s Excellent Adventure
What makes someone take a minimal 2000-mile one-way trek with their equine partner for a week of intense riding and competition? That was my first question of fellow Region 7 riders Channing Bump and Shannon Yee a few days ago. Our region’s ‘Thelma and Louise’ hauled to the 2024 Working Equitation Cross-National Camp and Cup in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, held August 26 – September 1. They made a short detour across the US to pick up Shannon’s daughter, Bailey, in Oklahoma before heading north of the border. With Passports and Canadian Health Certificates in hand, this trio was ready and willing to accept the journey ahead.
Our ladies said that the Cross-National Working Equitation Camp and Cup was unlike any equestrian event they’ve attended previously. The event welcomed international participants from all levels of the sport. They said that about 140 teams and twenty presenters attended.
Their first few days were spent participating at ‘Camp’, designed to allow participants to learn more about Working Equitation while developing a partnership with their equine athlete. They took advantage of the many opportunities for learning, riding in small, assigned groups, focusing on sometimes precise movements. Channing came home with a new technique of ‘stirrup steps’, which involves synchronizing your aids to the horse’s hind end and being very aware of their back feet, especially in transitions. Shannon both rode and presented while Bailey was a camp presenter. They explained that the riding was intense, with a common belief that we should all ride using our reins last. In addition to mounted activities, education seminars were presented by corporate partners like Platinum and Zoetis. There was discussion in their groups regarding slight rule differences between countries and varying interpretations of certain dressage movements as they relate to Working Equitation.
Once Camp concluded, there was a Cattle Trial, which allowed the ladies’ horses a well-deserved day of rest. Then there was a three-day competition, the Cross-National WE Cup, with the traditional WE trials—Dressage, EOH, and Speed. Channing and her pony, Two Snip Bandit, competed against 36 teams at Level 2 and brought the Championship ribbon back to SC! Shannon won the fifth-place team ribbon with buddies from Oregon and Montana.
Our friends said that the exchange of horsemanship ideas and friendships made in Canada ensured their adventure was memorable. They feel that this allowed them the opportunity to solidify their relationships with their equine partners. They attest that both ponies traveled brilliantly and gave their all for the whole trip. When I asked if they’d make this a regular trip, they laughed and said they’d very much go again if they could fly. The logistics of getting three humans and two equines safely there and back was quite an adventure. Congratulations, Channing and Shannon, for representing Region 7 so well. I can’t wait to hear more stories at the 2024 Eastern Zone Championship in Tennessee next month.
