When someone asked: “Where will you be first thing in the morning?” I responded that I would be either at the picnic table on the lawn or hanging a fish at the end of the arena. Those who know me and Trail Horse Trials well would not be fazed about my “hanging a fish”. The trails washing out proved a challenge, but Barb was up to the problem solving. There was lots of laughter, a few frustrations, Mother Nature having PMS, and we had another successful Trail Horse Trials.

Thanks to so many people:

Trail Master: Barb Kelly
Entry Secretary: Tyrone Whiston
Obstacle moving, set-up, take down, etc.: Ryan Cleary
Judges & Whoa Backs:
Obstacle 1: Carry& Bell Ring - Irene Mahy, Adelaide Pearson, Destinee Aldersley
Obstacle 2: Mounting block - Dennis Weber, Joan Doyle
Obstacle 3: Slinky – Turn on fore, turn on hind – Frances Delroy, Victoria Barr
Obstacle 4: Gate – Linda Liddle, Heather Cooke
Obstacle 5: Side pass – Barb Mitchell, Jackie Ferguson
Obstacle 6: Water Carousel – Suzanne MacLean, Alysha Swackhamer
Obstacle 7: Z Back-up – Marg Wilson, Patti Wilson
Obstacle 8: Bear (fish) Cache pull – Todd Smith, Norm Bracken, Jamie Jacobs
Obstacle 9: Maze - Carol McIsaac, Avery Binnendyk
Obstacle 10: Ground Tie – Jeff Thompson, Sweet Grass Teddy
Inputting & Announcing: Shaelyn Dickson, Adelaide Pearson, Destinee Aldersley
Berm Spotters: Simon, Zach and Sam
Food: Lions Club
Ribbon sponsor: Flash Reproductions
Trail marking, clearing and checking: Bri Dales, Rhonda Corkum, Michael Dales
Set-up volunteers: Marg Wilson, Patty Wilson, Annette Copeland, Sue Fish, Frances Delroy, Jackie Ferguson, Bri Dales, Ty Whiston, Ryan Cleary, Barb Kelly

I am sure I have missed someone, but we thank them as well. As you can see, it does take a village.

If you missed the post from Carol McIsaac (judge obstacle 9) on our Facebook page, here it is:

“A big shout out to the organizers of the Trail Horse Trials, another year in the books. For those of you who ride every year you should think about volunteering next year so you get a first-hand look at all the work that goes into doing this event. Obstacle planning, trail planning and marking, recruitment of volunteers for set up day as well.as judges and whoa back people. It takes a village to put this together and not enough appreciation is shown to your volunteers. Today, as a judge, I was disappointed that fewer than 8 people took the time to say thank you. How long does it take to say those 2 words? When I ride, I thank everyone at each obstacle because I know that without the volunteers there wouldn't be a ride. So show you volunteers some love, or better yet be one.”

We did get many thanks from the riders on Facebook, as well as a couple of thank you notes e-mailed and p.m.’d to Tyrone and me.

2024 Trail Horse Trials Results:
1st – Debbie Lee – Bentley (802 points)
2nd - Heather Baulk-Smith – PJ (789 points)
3rd - Bri Dales – Dreamin’ Tonight (785 points)
4th - Mary Duke – Abbie (776 Points)
5th - Annette Lewis-Copeland – Ke Cee Smoker (770 points)
6th - Joanna Tie – Irresistible Beau (765 points)
7th – Dawn Kadish – Trooper (740 points)
8th – Sarah Giles - The Flying Fluff (731 points)
9th – Sue Fish – Stiletto (726 points)
10th – Roy Fish – Take Note (722 points)
11th – Susan Des Cotes – Teisha Poco Pep (717points)

Horsemanship – Annette Lewis- Copeland
Sportsmanship – Bri Dales
Fellowship – Bri Dales