By Dianne Finstad
The versatility of the horse and the talents of the rider are highlighted during the Ponoka Stampede at more than just the rodeo bucking chutes.
For the second straight year, Canada’s Greatest Horseman competition will take place at the nearby Calnash Trucking Ag Event Centre.
Canada’s Greatest Horsewoman will also be determined during the action June 28 to July 1.
The Durrell family of horse trainers and participants teamed up to add $6,000 to Canada’s Greatest Horsewoman, as a sidepot of Canada’s Greatest Horseman.
READ MORE: Exciting events happening at the Calnash Ag Event Centre during Stampede Week
The contests will be hosted by the Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association, in conjunction with the group’s signature Summer Spectacular show. Thanks to generous sponsorship, including from the Ponoka Stampede, there will be three champion saddles by Tomahawk Saddlery provided for the Open, Non Pro and Horsewoman winners, along with Troy Fisher buckles.
“Very seldom in Canada will you ride for that much money in a single older bridle class. This would be the highest paying bridle show competition for cow horse,” says ARCHA president Bart Holowath.
Canada’s Greatest Horseman and Horsewoman features older horses, who have progressed through the stock horse tradition of training from a snaffle bit, to a hackamore, to a two-rein to a bridle.
“These are the horses that are at the epitome of their training and the peak of their performance. These guys have been around. It takes years to get the horse to this level. If you’re going to enter this, you better have a pretty good horse.”
Canada’s Greatest criteria are all about one horse, one bit, and four disciplines.
Holowath explains while the traditional National Reined Cow Horse competition includes a reining pattern, cutting, and fence work, an additional component is added for the Canada’s Greatest title run, which is steer stopping.
“It takes years of training (for horses) to be shown and steered one-handed. They’re all judged events, by two judges. In the roping, that horse is judged from the minute he walks in the pen. He has to stand in the box quietly.”
Holowath adds there’s an electronic barrier, which can’t be broken, and the horses need to be able to run, and rate, then stop and hold their ground after the steer is roped.
When the steer faces the rider, the run is complete.
There’s a two loop and time maximum, but it’s not a timed event, like in rodeo. Finalists have the combined best score on four runs, and then there is one more fence run to determine the champions.
“To get this far in their show career, they have to be great fence horses. The fence run in all cow horse events is the highlight. A good fence horse is the epitome of a good cow horse.”
As the horse and rider show their control over the animal, it’s fast-paced, and can even get a little western.
“The cow is the great equalizer. A good run is very exciting,” adds Holowath.
“That’s always a highlight of the reined cow horse for fans. It’s fun to ride and it’s great to watch.”
The cow horse world attracts contenders ranging from professional horse trainers to accountants, with the Non-Pro category a great opportunity for equine enthusiasts with other careers.
Among this year’s contenders is trainer John Swales, who has actually claimed the World’s Greatest Horseman title two times in his decorated career.
But he’ll have to beat his brother Clint if he wants to get the Canadian title.
The defending champion for Canada, Dale Clearwater, will be back, and Jett Smith is a young gun to keep your eyes on. There are also several riders who’ve come up from Montana, and Mark Parsons, who is a rancher and singer-songwriter, as well as a cow horse competitor.
There are four cowgirls vying for the first Canada’s Greatest Horsewoman title: Randi McCook, Julie Parsonage, Karnell Perry and Erin Durrell.
Canada’s Greatest Horseman and Horsewoman and the Summer Spectacular have become marquee events for both the Ponoka Stampede and the ARCHA.
The competitions are free to attend and provide perfect entertainment for the many Ponoka Stampede fans staying the week.
Canada’s Greatest classes are scheduled each morning at 10 a.m. at the Calnash Centre, followed by a full slate of other Cow Horse classes.
The Pony Express food service at the Centre is another popular draw, as folks can eat and watch great horses at work.
Canada’s Greatest Horseman and Horsewoman finals will be Sunday and the saddles handed out.
Holowath encourages people to come and watch these elite of the elite animals in the western horse world.
“These horses are super well trained. They could go do any job on any ranch at any point in time. They’re not just arena horses.”
Ponoka News is your source for all things Ponoka Stampede leading up to and during Stampede Week June 25 to July 1. Find more Ponoka Stampede stories here and follow us at twitter.com/PonokaNews.