Cow Horse on the Prairies

STORY BY DARLENE TINGTVED

PHOTOS BY KIMBERLY DILLISTONE

The Saskatchewan Reined Cow Horse Association has had a few challenges this year, as have most associations requiring cattle for their events. We cannot thank Clint and Krista Kowalski enough for hosting the SRCHA Show at the OK Corral in Martensville, SK. Special thanks go out to JAG – Brennin Jack for supplying the cattle. This show was held May 23-24, thanks to the efforts of Clint and his crew, and a great time was had by all. Clint, with the help of his wonderful wife Krista, was chute boss, barn boss and all-round boss of the show. In light of all the challenges they faced organizing this event, I\’m sure his exceptional sense of humour that we all appreciate came in handy. It keeps us smiling and, most of the time, all-out laughing.

This event was judged by the capable Rod Thiessen, manager and trainer at Frehlick Quarter Horses of Estevan, SK. Rod is a highly successful competitor in a number of disciplines, including cutting, reined cow horse and reining. Thanks to him and his capable scribe, the show moved along smoothly.

We would also like to thank Ray Kneeland, owner of the OK Corral. He has been a great supporter of the SRCHA  in his willingness to provide his facility for these events. The OK Corral is looking to host a Reined Cow Horse Saddle series in 2016, and we look forward to learning more about this exciting new adventure in the coming months.

Ron Farrow is our SRCHA president and a tough competitor. Ron, Clint and our board of directors are  the driving force behind our organization. Ron has competed on a number of talented horses, one of which is Smokin Frizz. She has won the Horse of the Year award, and loves to show as much as Ron loves to compete.

Donna Reid is also on our board of directors, and when she hits the show pen she is always well mounted on one of her great mares. Donna’s hackamore horse for this event was A Sparkling Chaching. She also breeds of quality cow horses, so be sure to check out her offerings if you’re looking for a prospect.

Sandi and Blair Marchant have competed on the SRCHA circuit for a number of years. Blair has another great horse coming up, and Sandi has taken the reins on a horse that Blair showed for a number of years, BH Continental. From what we saw at the Martensville show, it looks like they’ve got it going on.

Willie Thompson has competed in SRCHA events since the start of the organization. When you compete against Willie, you\’d better have your hat pulled down tight and be ready to ride. He is a gritty competitor; whether he is riding Duchas Perfect Image, pictured here, or his new horse, he will blow you out of the pen if you’re not riding tough.

We\’d like to thank the sponsors of this SRCHA show, SCM Ranch (Neil, Connor, Mark and Susan Wonko) and BNJ Ventures (Ben and Jacquie Fehr). The Wonko Family and Ben Fehr are also competitors in our association. Our thanks also go out to PCS Patience Lake.

These awesome shots from the show have been provided by Kimberly Dillistone. Kimberly is a good hand with horses and a talented photographer, and we are more than happy to have her show off both her talents at our shows. Kimberly now has a website where you can view and order your photos.

The Beaver Creek Ranch SRCHA Show on May 9-10, had just wrapped up when we last wrote, so here is a small recap. The judge for this event was Larry Clifford of Brandon, MB. We would like to thank him for providing his expertise. The high scores for the weekend in each division are as follows:

High Point in cutting: Jaret Farrow, Mandi Quam, Deb Flegel, Bobby Ann Loewen, Evan Pierlot, Taylor Farrow, Darlene Tingtved, Sandi Marchant, Meghan Brill, Barry Clemens

High fence score winners: Jaret Farrow, Rayel Kaczmar, Taylor Douglas, Barry Clemens, Sandi Marchant, Meghan Brill, Deb Flegel. Evan Pierlot, Dayle Leoppky, Deb Flegel (won in both her divisions).

Thank you to the sponsors of this event: Beaver Creek Ranch, Barry and Brenda Clemens, Sherwood Animal Clinic, Edwards Ranching Ltd, Cowtown/Masterfeed, Horse and Rider, Chatterson Janitorial Supply and Gerd Martin Farrier.

A number of our trainers have been doing their part to further the sport by hosting Youth Reined Cow Horse clinics over the summer. This is a great way to introduce our youth to the sport, and an opportunity for them to see if they would like to come out and compete. If you know someone who might be interested in these youth clinics, keep checking out our SRCHA Facebook page. Details are being posted as each clinic is organized, so check often to ensure you claim a spot.

Our next SRCHA Show will be hosted by Deb Flegel at Hidden Meadows Ranch, July 25-26, 2015. There will be a free youth clinic with Rod Thiessen on Friday evening prior to the show. This is for any youth who will be competing in this show. Also on the agenda are the Friday night social and a Saturday steak supper. We’re all getting excited about another round of competition and fellowship, with a bit of tomfoolery thrown in. We’re always up for a laugh at our own or someone else’s expense! We hope everyone has their entries in for this event.

We wind up our 2015 show series at the SRCHA Tim Hortons Classic Futurity and Derby, held at Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK on Aug. 28-30. The entry form for this show is on the SRCHA website, which is to be printed out and mailed in. Entries for the futurity and derby are due Aug. 10.

That’s it for now; I hope you’re all having a great summer that includes a lot of riding.