Happy competitors at 2014 SASG Equestrian events

Janet Watmough (upper left) ready to give out medals after judging in
Open Rider: Walk Trot Canter  Senior
T. Lucas photos except*

Toni Lucas - Equestrian events at the 2014 Southern Alberta Summer Games (SASG) were divided into two major categories, English and Western, and were held at the Pincher Creek Agricultural Grounds on Friday and Saturday July 4-5. Equestrian is unique in the games as it is the only sport that judges contestants on their  ability to work with an animal. Equestrian hones leadership skills because the rider has to have a good working relationship with a horse that has their own personality, and the rider must retain control, and give good instructions to their mount. When everything is right, it is an event that is poetry in motion. The competitors ranged from 5 years old to seniors.

Ava on Yankee Doodle with Bob Westrop

"I used to live here," said 17 year old Carly Gilmore who competed in Western Equestrian representing Warner. Gilmore was riding Red, who is 20 years old. "We got second in Showmanship, and we have Equitation coming up next. It's been pretty good, pretty laid back, easy going and fun. Hopefully, the rest of the day will go just as good."

Carly Gilmore with Red

"Yesterday I was in English Equitation, English Pleasure, and Command" said local Megan McGlynn. "Today so far I have done Showmanship, and will be in Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, and Trail." McGlynn had already won English Equitation Silver, English Command Bronze, and Western Showmanship Bronze with the help of her 6 year old horse Breezy that she trained from green broke to show. "I put a lot of hours in, working with her." McGlynn was pleased about the attitude that was prevalent at the event. "It seems low key, relaxed. I go to a lot of shows, and everybody is here to have fun, and that's nice," she said. "I am definitely going to go to more summer games."

Megan McGlynn with Breezy 

Shenoa Jessen is 10 years old and was enjoying working with her horse Skipper, in the Peewee age category representing Pincher Creek. Halfway through the day the two had already won 2 Gold medals, one in Western Equitation, and one in Horsemanship - Pleasure. She said that the judges had given her some helpful criticism to make sure the horse's head is looking nice.

Shenoa Jessen on Skipper

For competitors to have positive experience like that a lot of preparation work has to happen. SASG Equitation Chair Janet Watmough has had her hands on the reins of this event for months. "The athletes that come, they make the show," said Watmough. She said that she could not have done it without a lot of good, quality help from volunteers. There were over 70 class entries in the two categories and she had help from approximately 30 volunteers to make it all happen. "If you don't have the whole (group of volunteers) take direction, then you don't have a show," she explained. Looking at all the activities happening at the event, that was visible. "I had some awesome volunteers that were here to do whatever was needed."

Annah Westrop opens the gate in trail riding

Lunch break: Shenoa Jessen, Mia Westrop, and Annah Westrop tend to their horses

Shenoa and Ava Jessen
Megan Rainford photo

~

Equestrian medals: 64 Gold, 59 Silver, 53 Bronze

(click to view enlarged)

data source: southernalbertasummergames.com