Anita Wilson, Team Appaloosa member from Wolf Creek, Montana, negotiates the water hazard (as if the whole course wasn’t wet enough) during the Precision Driving class in the Battle of the Breeds at Spruce Meadows. She managed to gather some serious points for the team despite a few understandable brushes with cones and a spooky ghost that must have been hiding under the bridge.
In case you needed a weather report, this Precision Driving entry should say it all. If it hadn’t been so chilly and wet I’d say “hats off” to the Battle of the Breeds competitors for their fortitude and dedication. Despite the conditions, spectators were treated to some outstanding displays of horsemanship and equine disposition. This event is fun to watch and includes plenty of drama and suspense. Skill has a lot to do with whether a horse and cart are able to maneuver the course fault-free and under the time limit. The challenge should probably come with some free advice: Yes, do try this at home first.
Jessie Halabura, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Lynn Johnson strut their stuff in the award winners’ parade following the “Jeopardy” Jumping part of the Battle of the Breeds at Spruce Meadows. Team Appaloosa is currently in second place! Friday is driving and barrels. The competition concludes on Saturday with a trail class.
In case you’re wondering (as I was) about Jeopardy Jumping, it’s a course setup with different point values assigned to various jumps. Competitors can choose their own route and can earn 400 points if they make it cleanly over all the jumps. Then, riders have the option of attempting the Jeopardy Jump worth another 100 points. The bad news is that if missed or refused, the competitor takes a 100 point deduction. For some reason, most riders seemed aggressive and greedy this year and went for the additional points. Only one or two didn’t make it. Team Appaloosa did very well over the jumps and did a great job showing off our breed for the crowd.
Day One of the Battle of the Breeds included compulsory skills and “Jeopardy” jumping. This photo is Lynn Johnson of Rimby, Alberta, driving her 17-year-old gelding Dandy’s TQ Bobby in the compulsories. They scored very well, as did Sherry Gresko, another Team Appaloosa member. Sherry and her stallion Shady Drifter performed English-style and helped put the team in contention.
Today was a get-acquainted-with-the-showgrounds day at the fabulous Spruce Meadows facility in Calgary, Alberta. It’s the second day of five for what is called the “flagship” of the Spruce Meadows FEI International Tournaments. The competition is exciting and the exhibits are fun, but we’re also here to promote the Appaloosa breed and cheer on “Team Appaloosa” in the Battle of the Breeds.
First stop though is the Appaloosa Horse Association of Alberta booth in the Riding Hall. Judy Ullmann and husband Hans were in charge of promotional material and greeting visitors. They also went the extra bit to provide their 4-year-old gelding A Rockin Zippo for the live part of the exhibit.
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