Fewer riders for Quarterhorse show

Soaring fuel prices are to blame for the dwindling number of riders on hand for the annual Borderland Quarterhorse show in Emo last weekend.
“This year our numbers were down a bit but it was still an excellent show, and we are hoping to bring them back up for next year,” noted Angela Halvorsen, who was one of the organizers.
Numbers are down at horse shows across the country and U.S. clubs have been complaining, Halvorsen explained.
“Our judges come from all over the U.S. and they’ve said everyone is complaining about the bad season, especially at horse shows,” she noted.
Riders are being choosy when picking the shows they’re attending because fewer will fit their budgets now.
“Our show is smaller than many in the U.S. so I think a lot of people are choosing to just attend the bigger shows right now,” Halvorsen explained.
To try and tackle the problem, Halvorsen said the local club has been discussing different options.
“We’re thinking about adding a Jackpot category so people can actually win cash instead of just points,” she noted.
Another option being considered is moving the date of the competition to July to make it more attractive to American horse club members trying to qualify for the worlds.
“As it stands right now, the cut-off for the worlds is in July so our competition doesn’t have a lot to offer them,” Halvorsen conceded.
“If we move it up, then more Minnesotans may come up.”
This year’s show in Emo attracted 30 riders from Minnesota, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario.
High-point winners were as follows:
•Mares—“Cash in the Kid,” owned by Gerald and Colleen Wieringa, shown by Kali Wieringa of Emo;
•Geldings—“Cool Way to Play,” owned by Marilyn Behrsin from Kenora, shown by Dennis Witherspoon of Kenora;
•Junior Horse—“Star of Impulsion,” owned and shown by Kathy Johnston of Murillo; and
•Senior Horse—“Never Been Blue,” owned and shown by Kim Wright of Dryden
Other winners included:
•Novice Amateur—Kim Wright of Dryden showing “Never Been Blue”;
•Amateur—Kaija LeCocq of Murillo showing “Sonnys Jagged Moon”;
•Select Amateur—Karen Obie of Wabigoon showing “Zippos Hot Fashion”;
•Novice Youth—Kali Wieringa of Emo showing “Hip Hop Anonymous”; and
•Youth 14-18—Kali Wieringa of Emo showing “Hip Hop Anonymous”