VERSATILITY & SPORT Horse
Versatility=TWHBEA, WHOA, NWHA, FOSH
Sport=SSHBEA
Two different names for the same skills and talents required of you and your horse. I can say I only planned to Trail Ride when I first bought Angel. I purchased Angel in July 1993 at the Indiana Celebration and had absolutely no interest in watching the Show. That winter I needed something to do with Angel when it was too cold to ride the trails. I contacted TWHBEA to find out more about Versatility. I broke down and went to the IWHA Fall Show to watch and learn. I even bought a ticket for Little Bit of Rock, (the raffle horse that went to Gil & Yvonne Monier and TWHBEA Supreme Championship). It looked so easy. The Trail Obstacle class, that would terrify us today, seemed like cake. Poles & Barrels looked like fun. How pride goes before a fall, or falls. Back at the barn and on the trails we practiced. Pole Bending around Pine Trees, don't try it at home, trees don't move, knees do. Challenging each other to do the most outrageous things on horseback. What were leg cues? Who cares. Sidepass, no clue.
So off Angel & I went to our first show in 1994. I had to go to work at 3:30PM we would be done in time, right? The arena was inside but that was it and the stalls were at the bottom of the hill. I signed up, but I was told I couldn't do model. I only brought Western gear, (was there anything else to wear). Now I read the rule books inside and out. I signed up for Country Pleasure, Trail Obstacle, SSH 2gt, Pole Bending, Barrel Racing and some crazy class--Water Glass. Then it started to rain. Not an easy rain, it poured. Everyone else had rain gear, Angel and I looked like drowned rats. Country pleasure, do 2 gaits, easy enough. I placed 6nth out of 8 and was over the moon. The rest of the day was a blur, we won our first Blue in Pole Bending and I got Adjusted in my Trail Obstacle Abilities. I have video if you need a laugh.
But I caught the show fever. I was told I shouldn't go to TN, Illinois horses couldn't place there. Angel wasn't show quality, Angel was just a Trail horse and I a Backyard owner, the list of can't reasons continued. Thank the Good Lord, I was stubborn and never believe that things are impossible if you are willing to work for it.
Today Angel is a Multiple World Champion and has earned Championships in TWHBEA, SSHBEA, WHOA, NWHA, and Fosh. For both her Trail Riding, Versatility, and Breeding.
We have had over 10 horses earn National honors. They have differences in Bloodlines, but the consistent traits are a proud & patient horse, a rider who dares to dream, and both are willing to work hard. Versatility isn't easy, but it is oh so rewarding. I don't mean the money or the trophies, I mean being able to KNOW your horse and you are a team. If you ask, they know what you want and will do their best to give it to you.
In Versatility, you learn to really communicate with your horse. With your voice, feel, hands, seat, legs, and heart. I might be called a Horse Whisperer or kindly a animal nut, but truly believe through Versatility you can learn a new language. Not human or horse, but a lot of both. A horse can teach us non verbal communication and we teach them a version of horseman English. I love seeing a horse who has given up trying to communicate with their rider, suddenly realize the human is listening. The smile that a rider, young or young at heart, gets when it finally hits them that they are in a conversation with their mount is priceless. The horse is not a mindless robot or a savage beast ready to hurt you if you are not paying attention. They are a living being with their own ideas who, if we can be open to the communication lines, are willing to bend to our will and wishes. Like us they get tired, bored, frustrated, happy, content, excited, loving, and like humans they can and do say no once in a while. Most often it is confusion, lack of understanding what the rider needs. I have never been afraid to try a different way to clarify what I want. What makes me great with the horses, can Be a challenge with the human population. My directness can be seen as pushy and hardheaded. I tend to fall into the Trainer mentality, to get my point across, especially if it is important to me. I can and do understand that, as humans, we can agree to disagree. But sometimes I have to check up on my reins. Those who know me will laugh knowingly at this. I have loyal students and clients, I believe this is because they know I have their and their horses best interest at heart. I won't show an injured or scared horse. The blue is never worth pain to you or your horse. After working for a Equine Vet and with an outstanding farrier, I will not put shoes on your horse that could have longterm negative effects. I am listening to Jimmy Buffet while writing this and fondly remembering Key West, my first duty station in the US Coast Guard. "There's Still so much to be done." It rings true to Versatilty teams, after mastering one event you have 19 others to try. Come join us for the adventure. DD
I didn't write this to brag, but to let you know if you have a DREAM. Believe and be ready to Work for it.
