Seventy Riders Gallop Into Finals

Over 70 riders from across the province went through the motions in several different disciplines as the Saskatchewan Horse Federation (SHF) held their finals September 18 - September 20 at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds.

According to Linda Tiefenbach executive director of the SHF the event was well attended. Competitors ranged in age from elementary school children to over 65 years of age.

The event had western and English riding, senior people and junior people Tiefenbach said.

“It was really enjoyable.”

“It’s good,” she said about the 70 plus participants adding the SHF is always looking to make changes to increase numbers.

“We’re always trying to get it better for the future.”

The gasoline prices didn’t have a major impact on the Finals turnout but the higher prices have hit at other events.

“It certainly does have an impact. You have to travel with your horses and those vehicles do utilize a lot of gas,” Tiefenbach said.

“People have to make choices. We want them to make bigger choices and go to bigger shows.”

“Most of the people we are seeing this weekend we’ve seen before and we’re glad they came again,” she said.

Tiefenbach described the weekend’s competition as “top notch” with the heritage grouping which is grass roots that can go from seniors down to juniors as a standout.

The Prairie Cup series - a higher ranked series where competitors can go out of province - was also well represented.

“That’s what you want to do is build from the grass roots all the way through. So they make the sport all the way throughout their life,” Tiefenbach said.