Battle of the Breeds 2012

SUBMITTED BY R-BAC PHOTOGRAPHY

The Telus Battle of the Breeds is 10 teams of various horse breeds, competing in 5 different events (Compulsory Skills, Jeopardy Jumping, Precision Driving, Barrel Racing and Trail Riding). All this takes place over 3 days during the Masters Tournament at Spruce Meadows in September. Its been called a “friendly fight for bragging rights”, but the competitors know it’s a lot more than that.

Being a photographer shooting horse shows for years, I\’ve come to know some of the competitors who have been fortunate enough to attend the Battle in the past. The more time I spent with these people, the more I realized I wanted to be a part of the challenge.
Originally, I asked team Appaloosa if I could follow their riders through the summer practice and show season, and on to the Battle itself for 2012. Interest in the project grew and soon I was doing the same for Team Saddlebred and Team Canadian. Along the way, the idea of a blog came up. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a photographer, not a blogger but, I felt that this was a journey worth following so I decided to give it a try.

Over the next few weeks, I hope you’ll follow the blogs as I tag along with these riders through the practices, shows and everyday challenges of being able earn the right to ride at the “Battle”.

Every team needs a coach, but sometimes it can be a little hard hearing what he has to say.

Trail training- in this case, a floating rubber platform in a huge tray of water (Imminent peril and certain death in your horse\’s opinion).

Week One – The Trials and Tribulations of Getting There”

Number 821 on a husband\’s list of duties… Ballast while your wife practices her driving. (they call it being a \”groom\” but really it\’s just ballast that does what it\’s told. I know, I tried it too).

A 4-hour drive to train with the team captain at his place, and it starts to rain as soon as you tack-up.  That coach from 4 pictures ago? He\’s got no sympathy…

Competitor, secretary and Mom-not necessarily in that order …

and often all at once.

Yup, It\’s all 1 tack room in 1 trailer. She rides Western and English, and drives (and about 400 other things when she\’s not busy) Her friend\’s tack is jammed in a second, rear tack room.

Not all the training has to be outside in the rain. And although he’s a “dual citizen” Techy is officially on the Saddlebred team.

The fringe benefits of training in your own backyard.