Clinics usher in beginning of horse show season

The 2007 show season is almost here! The Tottenham Equestrians organize and run horse shows for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders who wish to compete in English hunter and jumper classes and western performance and games classes.

They are getting ready for the second year at the new show grounds located on the 4th Line of Adjala just north of Highway 9 at Ballycroy Trail Equestrian Centre. The new grounds has enabled the club to expand and allow more classes to run and more riders to join. Competitors have the use of three sand show rings and two grass warm up areas, and there is much more spectator and horse trailer parking.

Membership is not mandatory to show but members have reduced class fees and are eligible for plaques and trophies awarded at the year-end banquet in October. Last Year there were more than 100 members!

Show dates for 2007 are May 27, June 24, July 29, August 26 and September 30. The year-end awards banquet will be held October 27 at the Tottenham Community Centre. The Tottenham Equestrians would like to extend thanks to all of their sponsors with special thanks to their show day sponsors: Tottenham Home Hardware, Tottenham Feed Service, Canter By Tack & Gift, Caledon Equestrian School, Nobleton Feed Mill Ltd., Davis Feeds, Hepburn Trailer Sales, Dancor Construction, De Luca-Ford chartered accountant, Tottenham Price Chopper, TSC Stores Alliston and ReMax Select Realty, Elias Lafazanos.

This year, the Tottenham Equestrians is starting the year by offering a series of clinics. The clinics held in April include Equine Therapy with Lorna Bell and saddle fitting with Larry Stricter on April 22 and western games with Bonnie Longfield April 29.

Lorna Bell is a highly experienced equine therapist who has been practicing for 15 years. She uses massage, chiropractic manipulation, acupuncture knowledge and red light therapy to diagnose and treat pain and lameness. This clinic will cover basic chiropractics, basic acupuncture and massage. It is a hands-on event where participants will learn how to make a horse feel better and perform better by finding and treating pain that you may not even know is there! For participants, Lorna will be available for half-hour treatment sessions for your horse at a special rate later that day. For more information or to register, call Sarah 705-434-9872 or e m a i l sarahparkin@hotmail.com.

Larry Stricter has been fitting saddles for more than 10 years. He is one of the few saddle fitters who works with both western and English saddles. This clinic will cover how to fit a saddle to your horse; when you can make a saddle fit and when you cannot. This is a very visual clinic and participants are welcome to bring their own saddles if they have any questions they would like answered about them or if they would like to compare them to the demonstrations. For more information or to register, call Sarah 705-434-9872 or e - m a i l sarahparkin@hotmail.com.

Bonnie Longfield has been competing for more than 40 years and has been doing clinics for more than 15 years. She travels all over Ontario competing, coaching and training winning horses and riders. This clinic will cover each of the western speed events as time permits - barrel racing, pole bending, stake race, flag race and dash for cash. For more information or to register call Mary at 519-927-5970 or e-mail marysduke@hotmail.com.

The Tottenham Equestrians is a not-forprofit organization run by volunteers. Those looking for high school community hours or anyone willing to volunteer, grab a paint brush and join them for their annual jump paint day Sunday, May 6 at Ballycroy Trail Equestrian Centre. If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring, please contact Alison 519- 942-1748.

For class lists, membership forms, up coming clinics, show information or any other general information, visit their Web site at www.tottenhamequestrians.c a or call Andrea at 905-951- 1742.