Appaloosa Horse Association of Alberta

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

 One never stops learning when it comes to horses, so the AHAA is constantly striving to provide worthwhile educational opportunites.

The director responsible for this committee is:  Sherry Gresko

REPORTS ON 2001 CLINICS

Introduction to Reining  and Basic Reining clinics with Bill Cookshaw "We had an Introduction to Reining clinic with Bill Cookshaw, February 10 at Thunderstruck Ranch, Delburne, Alberta. Six enthusiastic riders and their not so enthused fat, furry mounts took part: Judy Ullmann, Olds; Ken Best & Luc Lizee, Red Deer; Tami Foster & Chris Ullmann, Rimbey; and Bev Thompson, Sundre, Alberta. Kathleen Charlton was the lone and tenacious spectator on the very cool day. She was adamant that her thermos held only coffee .  Bill did a second Basic Reining clinic, March 3 at Thunderstruck Ranch. Sherry Gresko, Leduc, and Myles Judson, Eckville, AB joined Judy, Tami, Ken and Luc for the second clinic. The day was warm enough to use the outside arena.  At each clinic, Bill explained the basic reining manoeuvres and started the participants doing them correctly. Those ready for more advanced work went on with Bill's guidance. Bill's patience and through explanations were much appreciated by the riders as he corrected and demonstrated how it is to be done. The riders broke occasionally to warm up on coffee and pastries and watch reining videos on Jim Dobler's big screen TV. Thanks to Heather McLevin and Jim for their great hospitality, Tim Holder cooked up lunch burgers and especially to Bill Cookshaw for providing excellent and informative clinics for AHAA members.
Sharpening Your Show Skills clinic with Cyril Desjarlais Eight AHAA members attended a Sharpening Your Show Skills clinic with Cyril Desjarlais on April 1 at Shady Acres Appaloosas, Leduc; AB. Verla Dortch, Drayton Valley; Sherry Gresko and Krystal Felske, Leduc; Karen Jollineau, Sherwood Park; Roxanne Dewes, Chipman; Judy Hughes, Ardrossan; Ellen Thompson, Stony Plain; and Donna Wick, Tofield, Alberta honed their showmanship, western pleasure and western equitation skills for the upcoming show season. Thanks to Sherry Gresko and Peter Jeffrey for their hospitality at Shady Acres and Cyril for putting on an excellent clinic.
Barrel Racing - Starting Out Right with Maxine McKenna Bruisedhead  and Learning How to Throw a Rope with Winston Bruisedhead A Barrel Racing - Starting Out Right clinic with Maxine McKenna Bruisedhead was held April 22. While the barrel racers were learning the proper basics, the wannabe ropers were Learning How to Throw a Rope with Winston Bruisedhead, Glenwood, AB. Originally planned to be outside at Dreamcatcher Ranch, Dalemead, AB the temperamental spring day forced the barrel racers and ropers down the road to Caithness Farms' indoor arena for the morning. By lunch, it was nice enough to return to the better footing of Dreamcatcher's large outdoor pen for some go-fast work.  Maxine covered proper patterns and techniques, equipment adjustments, various bits and their use, warm up etiquette, proper horsemanship and conditioning as well as solving some problems areas for the barrel racers. The final runs of the day were video taped and everyone convened to the house where Maxine and the group went over each run thoroughly to analyse the good and bad points.  Barrel participants were Brooke Patton, Calgary; Grace-Ann Webb, High River; Jocelyn Potter, Carseland; Shirley Boucher, Strathmore; Justin Bruisedhead, Glenwood; Bev Graham, Black Diamond; Robbin Jacobson, Longview; Tammy Botsford, Keoma; Randi McCook, Winfield; and Cheryl Beyer, Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Ropers were Morgan & Joan Patton, Calgary; Peter Van Immerzeel, Wetaskiwin; Tim Holder, Calgary; and Ron Thompson, Strathmore, Alberta. Thanks to Deb and Wayne Jack, Caithness Farms for lending us their arena; Darilyn McKenna and Tim Holder, Dreamcatcher Ranch for the hospitality; Maxine and Winston for doing two excellent clinics and Jocelyn Potter for sharing her horse Wrangler's birthday cake with all of us.	Barrel Racers at clinic     Some of the Ropers
Learning to Pack a Packhorse with Robin Arthurs We had a Learning to Pack a Packhorse workshop on the Saturday morning of the Little Elbow trail ride on June 2. Robin Arthurs, Priddis, with the expert assistance of Bruce Higdon, Calgary, Alberta, dazzled us with yards of rope and a plethora of knots. They demonstrated a number of packing methods and problem avoidance and told a lot of packing tales.  The following had a great time: Sandy Kleemann, Cheryl Higdon, Fran Quick, Tim Holder and  Darilyn McKenna, Calgary; Hans and Judy Ullmann, Olds; Cheryl Arthurs and Bruce Hildesheim, Priddis; Carol Lee Renaut, Brooks, Alberta; and Cheryl Johnson, Cranbrook, BC. (Note: Tim is now in Remedial Knot Tying).