Mane event's popular Trainers Challenge Finals ran Sunday afternoon from 2:45 to 5:00 to a "squatting room only" crowd as many spectators, including this writer, were unable to find seats or even a place to stand.
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This photo shows trainer Patrick Hooks from Oklahoma and his red dun colt, Sonny. This horse was reported to have kicked and bit at the trainer several times in his round pen work earlier in the weekend — I was told the horse had kicked six feet high into the air and almost destroyed a set of elevated speakers. The trainer was able to complete the ground elements with this horse. He was also able to mount it — although it pinned its ears and looked aggressive — but he could not ride it through the elements. This photo shows the end of Patrick and Sonny's 30-minute performance. Patrick played the guiter and sang a song about being a cowboy to the appreciative crowd.
Photo: Heather Grovet
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The Trainers Challenge saw three individuals draw for unbroken geldings, and then try to achieve the impossible — end the weekend by riding the horse through a complicated obstacle course.
This year's competitors were clinician Patrick Hooks of Oklahoma; B.C. trainer and three-time Champion of the Mane Event in Chilliwack, Doug Mills; and clinician/bronc rider Mel Hyland of Alberta. On Friday each received a one-hour session to work their horse individually in the round pen. On Saturday each trainer had two, one-hour sessions and on Sunday a final 45-minute stint.
At Sunday's Trainer Challenge Final three judges evaluated the colts' progress. Each horse's groundwork was assessed in leading with respect, tacking up quietly, allowing its feet to be picked and standing to be mounted and dismounted. Next trainers received points for riding at a walk, trot, lope and back-up along the rail.
A set of compulsory elements followed which included jogging a serpentine of pylons, walking over a wooden bridge, crossing ground poles, dragging a pole and swinging a lariat. Lastly each competitor could perform optional elements including loading the horse into a trailer and a free-style exhibition.
The results varied immensely. Patrick Hooks' colt could perform the groundwork and be mounted but not ridden. On the opposite side of the spectrum was Doug Mills who completed all the elements of the challenge and ended by riding his gelding unbridled at a trot and canter.
For full details and final results you can purchase a copy of the "Trainers Challenge" DVD by contacted the Mane Event at its website —
www.maneeventexpo.com