HMR Sport Horse Club hosted a dressage clinic at Hidden Meadows Ranch near North Battleford Aug 3 and 4
D.J. Cairns from Grayson was the instructor. Cairns is an accomplished dressage rider who regularly competes on her purebred Arabian gelding, Vimy Ridge+/ in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and on a national stage at the Canadian Arabian National Horse Show. Vimy Ridge competes in dressage on the weekend, but he works cattle during the week at home on the ranch, demonstrating that dressage training transcends all equestrian disciplines.
Dressage is an equestrian sport that tests the precision and harmony between horse and rider. The goal in dressage is to progressively train a horse so communication between the horse and rider become virtually invisible, creating the illusion the horse and rider move as one. It has been described as "horse ballet" by some.
In competition, a horse and rider combination must perform a series of predetermined movements and they receive a numerical score from the judge. Dressage is gaining in popularity in Saskatchewan and, for the local riders who participated, the clinic was an excellent introduction to the sport.
Following the clinic, the HMR Sport Horse Club hosted a dressage competition Aug. 5. The competition gave those who had participated in the clinic a chance to test their skills and gave others a chance to compete, as well. The judge for the dressage show was Pat Michael from Regina. Riders who participated in the weekend came from Lloydminster, Chitek Lake, Spiritwood, Big River, Meadow Lake, Biggar, Ruddell and North Battleford. Spectators at the show were delighted to see some highly skilled riders compete in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
The winner of the Austin's Saddlery High Point Dressage Senior Rider cooler was Lindsey Butler-Rutz of Meadow Lake on her horse, Creed. Lainne Zaparaniuk of Chitek Lake and her horse, The Act of Cooper Lou, won the Austin's Saddlery High Point Dressage Junior Rider cooler.
The HMR Sport Horse Club appreciates the support sponsors and the spectators who came out to watch the show. The club hopes to see you again next year.
