Page 27 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 4

sportsenergynews.com 27

Barrel Racers Wrap Up Another Successful Season

By Jentry van Baal their impressive season by winning
the Ontario Futurity Championship
When it comes to equestrian in early October.
sports, no one discipline is the
Karen also recognized 15 year old
same. Whether it is the precision
Danika Menard of Clarence Creek
and detail of dressage, of the agility
as one of her standout riders this
and speed of showjumping, each
year. Menard hopes to qualify for
requires endless hours of practice.
NBHA Youth Worlds next season,
The riders at Rose Quarter Horses having moved up multiple divisions
in Summerstown however, are used in a short amount of time. Not to
to combining everything into one, be forgotten is Karen herself, who
in the sport known as barrel racing. competes throughout the season on
top of coaching, having qualified
Using speed, agility and precision,
two horses, including her main
horse and rider teams are required
horse CB Remember Me, for the
to navigate around three barrels set
open world finals.
up in a seemingly simple cloverleaf
pattern, as fast as possible while This October, the Aitken family
leaving the barrels standing. Simple, will be travelling to Columbus,
however, would be the last thing Ohio where Tyler and Katie will
used to explain the sport. be competing in the three-week
long All American Quarter Horse
Karen Aitken, owner and
Congress, next to riders from 48
instructor at Rose Quarter Horses
states and all Canadian provinces.
(RQH), has been teaching for 26
12 year old Katie Aitken aboard Another Cool Move will be heading “(Congress) has more than 19,000
years, dedicating her life to turning
to Ohio to wrap up a successful season along with brother, Tyler. entries. It’s the largest (single
out the best athletes, on four and two
Supplied photo breed) horse show in the world,”
legs, respectively. Regardless of the
explained Karen. “It’s our first time
activity, Aitken passes down her Katie Aitken, Jillian Tarbell, Alex too, having qualified for Worlds
going, we’re very excited to say the
knowledge to students of all ages, MacDougall and Aaron DeBoer. multiple years in the past, including
least. They have almost every event
and in a fun, positive atmosphere at when the competition was held
Ingleside’s Alex MacDougall, you can think of.” Congress covers
that. in Jackson, Mississippi prior to
18, has been riding at RQH since a wide variety of disciplines fit for
Georgia.
Among the large group of the age of eight, and spoke highly every horse and rider team, ranging
students are Karen’s two children, of her experience in Georgia. “I Standing out this year, Katie from English pleasure classes, to
Tyler, 17, and Katie, 12.Both have learned so much, it’s such a great qualified on her mount Another Cool Western Games. “You have to
been in the saddle ever since they experience,” she explained, having Move, placing 4th in her division, own your own horse for Congress,”
were old enough. Starting out with qualified for Youth Worlds two already qualifying in both youth and Karen added. “So it’s tough to take
the local fun fairs in the area, all the years in a row. “How many kids the open division for NBHA Worlds students.” Both Tyler and Katie will
way to traveling across the province can say they’ve competed in World next year. also be competing as part of the
and states for competitions, RQH Championships?” Eastern Ontario Youth Team, during
Meanwhile, Tyler won top honours
riders have cover many miles each one of the days dedicated solely to
In order to qualify, riders in this district for both open and
season. youth competition.
accumulate points throughout the youth divisions, and has qualified
In June, five RQH riders qualified season by competing in particular for NBHA Youth Worlds and NBHA No matter what the results are at
for the NBHA (National Barrel NBHA classes, with the first five World Finals with both his horses, Congress, after a successful season
Horse Association) Youth World riders from each division with the including his five year old, Caliente for all riders at Rose Quarter Horses,
Finals, held in Perry, Georgia. highest point total moving on. RQH Darlin, who is only in her first year the sky is the limit for next year’s
Among the riders were Tyler and riders have been frequent attendees of barrel racing. The duo added to season.

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