A total of 118 4-H participants from around the province descended on the MegaDome August 9 through Thursday for the second annual provincial 4-H Horse Show.
Participants ranged in age from 12 to 20 and displayed their skills in both English and western disciplines.
The English portion of the event included rail categories and jumping, dressage and handy-horse, a trail course for English horses. The English portion of the event also included showmanship where participants present their horse to a judge.
The second day was the western day. Activities included showmanship and rail categories, reining and trail categories.
Linda Gooch, a club leader from the Arrowwood River Wranglers, southeast of Calgary, and a member of the equine advisory committee that organizes the provincial event, explained the difference between the two disciplines – apart from attire – lies mainly in the way the horses move.
“The horses … perform differently because (western riding is) a slower gait. On English day (horses are) trotting and cantering. They're moving out … faster. Western day they do jogging and roping, which is slower,” she said.
Gooch said the event was an excellent way for 4-H participants to show off their horses that they have been working with all year long and demonstrate their skills.
“This is a good showcase to show what they've done with their training and riding skills. And it's also an opportunity for them to get together and show against people they normally don't get to see,” she said, noting that all of the riders would practise at least once a week and some might even ride every day.
Gooch explained that each region holds its own shows throughout the year and then once a year everyone from around the province comes together for a large provincial show. Olds was chosen for the provincial show because of its central location and excellent facilities.
