My Road to Reining
By Carol Kneale
Who would believe a 16.1 hh oversize palomino could slide and
spin. Well, I don't know if Lynda actually believed it could happen, but through
her encouragement and commitment to me, we somehow managed to do it. We first
met in Kamloops when I sent Jordan for training. Lynda was working as an apprentice
trainer, and I am sure she was immediately given the task of working with
this far too tall, spooky, gangly 4 year old. Our meeting was brief, and Jordan
's time there was not long enough to accomplish all the things on my wish
list. When Lynda moved to the Lower Mainland we spent many hours riding at
Twin Creeks Ranch in Aldergrove and then at Cheshire Park Stables and then
at Old Homestead Ranch working out Jordan's issues, first the head set, then
the lead changes, then the spins, then the slides, all the while working on
the boogey men that seemed to live in his mind. Lynda's patient teaching style
and calm demeanor helped me to overcome the many obstacles we encountered.
Our hard work was rewarded with the 2002 WCRA Novice Horse Open Champion (with
Lynda aboard) and Limited Non Pro Reserve Champion titles.
My decision to sell Jordan was made after many long hours of
soul searching and it was one of the toughest I have ever made. But he has
gone on to live with a dressage/hunter rider that loves him. He loves to jump
and is happy in that world of tall horses where he doesn't tower over everybody
else. (yes, this picture is Jordan, and no, its not me on him)
I think the only thing more difficult than selling a horse is buying a horse.
My new companion is Smart Ana Lil Lucky (Ana). She is bred to rein, and is certainly built more like a reining horse than Jordan. I think she is quite short, although I guess in the reining world 15.1 hh is big. When I saw her picture on the internet in March 2003 I was sure she was the horse I wanted, but when I contacted the owner in Montana by e-mail she told me that Ana was no longer available as a serious purchaser was already traveling from BC to buy her. I was crushed. But two weeks later I received an e-mail saying the deal had not gone through, and she was again available. Before I could collect my thoughts and make the travel arrangements someone else had put a deposit on her. Crushed again. Two more weeks passed and another e-mail arrived saying the purchaser was unable to complete the financing, and Ana was available again. We packed up the truck and trailer, and off we went. . .
Well she's mine now, and this summer we showed on the WCRA show
circuit and traveled all over the province. At the Rockslide show on the island
Ana won the Beginner Horse Open class (with Lynda aboard), and then Ana and
I won the Beginner NRHA class. We had to run off for first place. The pressure
was on, and I didn't crack - very proud moment.
I count on Lynda to continue repeating the same things over and over to me because
apparently my memory is not great (I will learn to keep my hand down). I look forward
to sharing my time reining with Ana who has shown me what quick really means, and
Lynda who has shown me the support and friendship that make it possible to attempt
a sport that is so demanding and nerve wracking (oh yes, and fun).