PINCHER CREEK – It was the first friendly competition of its kind in Southern Alberta and a way for young horse trainers to build their skills working with horses.
Madisen Groves, a 16-year-old animal lover from Diamond City, AB, says after seeing other skills competitions, she knew it was for her.
Rocking Heart Ranch gave 11 Alberta teens one year old horses to take back to their homes for five weeks.
During that time, they were required to train the young horses to go through certain obstacles and perform different skills.
In addition to building their experience working with the animals, Melody Garner from Rocking Horse Ranch said they also want to get the teens back outdoors.
“Get outdoors and enjoy it and get on a horse and ride, and you’ll be amazed at what kind of lifestyle it is and how much you’ll enjoy it.”
The teens were given seven minutes to bring the horses through the set obstacles and any extra time could be used for freestyle skills.
During the freestyle component, competitors preformed stunts that are usually unseen during this level of training – wowing the judges and audience.
Groves got to work with a horse named Blue Hayes, but nicknamed her Sapphire after forming a special bond.
“She did better than I thought she would,” said Groves. “A lot of stuff we were having trouble with, such as the trailer and the blindfold, we’ve only ever done that once before without obstacles. So, that was just kind of a fly by the seat of my pants kind of a thing.”
Five weeks is a short time to get to know anyone, or any horse, but Groves says it was the best five weeks of her life.
“It’s been an adventure every day, you don’t know what it’s going to do, what the day is going to bring,” said Groves. “Everything you taught her the day before, she could be freaking out at that next time.”
“It was just a whole new adventure getting to know a new friend.”
Hometown competitor Kayla Keilke from Pincher Creek, AB won the title, earning herself a new belt buckle and the trophy.
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