Games Report!

The 2007 Games were held on the 9^th through 12^th of August at Millarville Racetrack for the second time due to the unavailability of the Camrose Agricultural facility. The Games were dogged by bad luck with the change of venue, lack of entries in several disciplines, which caused those disciplines to cancel completely, and rain, rain, and yet more rain!

Like the Canadian Army’s Dieppe raid in the Second World War which was not a success but which provided so much information which enabled the following D Day Landings to achieve their objective, these Games have given us much to think about for the future and have suggested other ways to offer competitive experiences to our recreational riders, especially to our youth.

The disciplines of Dressage, Saddleseat, Driving and Horse Trials were unable to attract sufficient entries and canceled. No one from Jumping felt that they had the time to organize a competition.

However the disciplines, which did attend, said that they had an excellent time. Because of the rain, the entries in both Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding were down from the expected numbers and the trail had to be modified slightly. The organizers, Joan Striker and Natasha French both did a wonderful job of keeping their events going despite the bad weather. Vaulting decided to remove their competition to another facility because of the water-logged footing at Millarville. Pony Club’s Linda MacDonald and her helpers did an amazing job to get their events going despite having only the shortest warning beforehand. 4-H, led by Beth MacGougan, was the backbone of the Games, providing competition on the first 3 days with Western classes and Jeopardy Trail which is a fun event in which Pony Club joined. 4-H then joined in Pony Club’s jumping and Prince Phillip Games and both groups were thrilled to learn Polo Cross organized by Kayla & Allen Hicks.

The two Co-Chairmen, Paul Landry and Lorne Andersen did a grand job at keeping everything going on track while Mark Landry had one of the hardest jobs looking after the facilities for all the disciplines. Sue MacIntosh as Show Secretary had the stabling, entries and insurance waivers totally organized with the help of Pam Hinton who was also Volunteer Co-ordinator. Sonia Meyer, our new E.D. looked after the Trade Fair, which suffered a bit from being on the wrong side of the track with ankle deep mud. Dixie Crowson and Pam French both pitched in wherever help was needed, and Dixie had done the impossible by finding a really good caterer who not only provided a concession during the days but also brought out a really delicious banquet for 220 people. Steve Dalgliesh not only provided us with his usual informed and funny announcing but also took over the publicity job when Steve Marks had to bow out due to pressure or work. Rita Bernard, Membership Coordinator, and Jessica Paul, Coaching Administrator helped out in many areas and their assistance did not go unnoticed. The Committee and staff at Millarville worked with us to try to provide as good a competition as possible, given the weather.

As always, a huge acknowledgment goes to our Sponsors without whom we truly could not have produced the Games, and our hard-working volunteers for all the different disciplines. Everyone has my sincerest thanks!

Kippy Maitland-Smith
Chairperson

GAMES ARE READY TO GO!

Equestrian athletes from all over the Province will be coming together to compete in both team and individual competition.  This is an extraordinary opportunity for Alberta’s amateur and junior equine enthusiasts to showcase their beloved animal, the Horse.

This event will bring over 400 athletes to the Millarville race track Aug 9 - 12.  Disciplines will come and go throughout the four days of competition allowing room for all to compete at various times.  See the Schedule for more details.

This is a very exciting competition which is sure to be enjoyed as much by spectators as by the competitors themselves.  Come and join us!

NEW LOCATION AND DATE

Due to delays in site construction and labour shortages at Camrose the grounds will not be ready to host the Games by August of 2007.  The Games committee has decided to move the event back to Millarville for 2007 and will run from August 9 to 12.

September 27, 2005

2005 Alberta Equestrian Games

Let the Games begin! And so they did – with Kippy Maitland-Smith, Chair of the Alberta Equestrian Games Committee, declaring the Games officially open. Dressage started the 4 days of competition with tests running in two rings and the Hunters competing in the outdoor sand ring. Eager and enthusiastic volunteers arrived bright and early Thursday morning to receive their assignments for the day. Sam Steele’s Scouts mounted up and began to parole the grounds that were now alive with all kinds of equine activities. In the Hunter ring, Rob Charette and Shay-boy, his 7 year old Anglo Arab, completed his course with grace and poise. Rob’s friend and supporter, Tom McCaffery said, “Rob purchased Shay-boy as a 2 year old and has done all of his training. He goes English and Western and is awesome on the trail.” Katie Macoun rode her mount, 10 year old Conemerra gelding from Canterbury Farms, Kilkenny, to the Championship in the 2’6” Division. Katie’s younger sister, Jenna was also competing at the Games – in Equestrian Vaulting.

As the afternoon rolled in, the fancy carriages and horses started to arrive. Their events would start on Friday morning. Patterned after Three Day Eventing, the carriage drivers would compete in Dressage (40 x 80 grass ring), Marathon and Precision Cones (in place of stadium jumping) over the next three days. Lorne Andersen came all the way from Lloydminster with a pair of beautiful, black 7 year old Percheron-Hackney mares. Margot McMaster was competing with her 20 year old Belgium/Quarter horse, Lefty (nicknamed the Millarville Warmblood!) Margot says Lefty is an all around athlete who, not only pulls a carriage, but also jumps, goes cattle penning, packs/hunts in the mountains, and is a patient teacher of youth drivers. 

In spite of cool temperatures and wind on Friday, competitors bundled up in winter jackets and gloves and carried on with the day’s events. Pony Club was well represented by almost 60 members who thrilled the crowds with their exciting Stadium Jumping competition. 

Competitive Trail riders from all over Alberta were busy having their horses checked over by Veterinarians. Before a horse can compete in the ride a Vet must give the horse a thorough physical check up. If he passes the Vet check he is given the green light to compete the following day. Warmed by the morning sun on Saturday, the novice riders, equipped with small, lightweight packs and water bottles, were sent out on a staggered start to begin their 25 mile ride through the hills and valleys typical of the Millarville area. Following the Intermediates were the Open riders – they would ride, what proved to be a very difficult 50 miles before they could call it a day. Two of those Open riders were faced with a tough decision when their horses were showing signs of fatigue at the last vet check. Lawrence Alpin – who had just finished a 50 mile ride three weeks earlier on the same horse, and Cindy Rowat were honoured at the awards ceremony for putting their horse’s health first and pulling them from the competition. Through tear filled eyes Cindy told the crowd she wanted this to be her 20 year old gelding’s final ride and would retire him after the Games. While this wasn’t quite the ending she had imagined, she would never want to jeopardize his health. 

Equestrian Vaulting took centre stage and captured the attention of a huge curious crowd as vaulters performed gymnastics on the back of a moving horse. Vaulting is a relatively new sport to Alberta and our athletes are already doing very well at the international level. Rocky Mountain House’s Hannah Marland has qualified for the World Equestrian Games in Germany. Three teams from Alberta competed in individual, pair and team competition. The grace, beauty, strength and skill required for the sport makes it truly a sight to behold. 

Alberta 4-H was well represented by some of their best riders from all over Alberta. Five riders from each of the seven regions competed as a team demonstrating just how versatile their horses are as they competed in Western pleasure, equitation, trail, barrel racing, pole bending and an exciting jeopardy trail class. The Calgary Region won the Provincial Championship and the members received Gold medals and silver buckles from one of our major sponsors, Mark Kocher, President of Millenium Geomatics. 

In addition to the competitions there were also demonstrations for the crowds to enjoy. The Millarville Musical Ride presented a spectacular performance. Their timing and precision was impeccable as they performed drills to music inspired by Alberta’s Centennial. 

To the hundreds of volunteers, competitors and sponsors, the Alberta Equestrian Federation sincerely thanks you for making the 2005 Alberta Equestrian Games a great success! 

Photo's in images area

August 27, 2005

Results for the vaulting portion of the games are now available, click below.

AEG VAULTING Results.pdf

Hannah Marland the new Alberta Vaulting Champion, together with the FEI Judge, Ulrike Rieder, from Germany who is judging at the Worlds.

Some young winners of the vaulting portion

August 16, 2005

Results for the dressage portion of the games are now available, click below.

AEG Results Dressage.pdf

August 9, 2005

The ride times for Dressage are now available.

Class Schedule

Rider Times

December 31, 2004

The Alberta Equestrian Games will be held at the Millarville racetrack August 11-14, 2005. The new committee is committed to providing an enjoyable and safe competition for all the sports involved.