BURBANK, CA - With $5,000 in college scholarships on the line, 32 junior members competed in the Los Angeles Horse Shows Association $5,000 Horsemastership Scholarship Competition. This three phase competition requires competitors to take a written test, a hands-on stable skills test, and a riding test. To allow many different levels of junior riders to participate, the riding test will be judged from videos or DVDs that the riders submit of themselves in competition during 2006. “We wanted to include as many riders of different abilities as possible,” explained LAHSA Horsemastership Coordinator Katie Gardner.
On Saturday (Oct. 21) the riders participated in the Hands-on test during the Gold Coast 7 Horse Show at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. “We were happy to be a part of this activity,” said Langer Equestrian Group President Larry Langer. “It is nice to see riders who know more about their horse and equipment, than just how to get a leg up from their groom.” In the evening, after the show concluded, the riders gathered to take the written test.
Carol Dean Porter, Susan Krieg and Charlotte Skinner judged the Hands-on Test and were impressed at the knowledge and skills of the majority of the competitors. “This is such a great program,” said Dean Porter, who donated her time to judge. “I really believe in this sort of thing and this is a great turn out.” Skinner added, “Some of the kids were nervous at first, but once they relaxed I was very impressed by what they knew.”
The kids themselves had a great time and really enjoyed the tests. “It was really fun,” said Ali Ohringer. “I didn’t think it would be fun, but I had a good time. There were some really hard questions on the written test! I am glad I did this and it is way more fun to study about horses than for school!” Katherine Novak has only been riding for a short time and doesn’t even have her own horse. She takes lessons with Philip Klipa and volunteers to help in the barn whenever she can get there. “I thought this would be good to do to help me learn the basics. I should know how to take care of a horse. All of this was a little bit challenging, but it will give me more knowledge.” Novak admitted that she enjoyed getting to meet some of the other kids.
Michelle Restivo is very active in the Santa Rosa Valley Pony Club, so preparation for the LAHSA Horsemastership Competition fit right in to her studies for her U.S. Pony Club B & HA exams. “I am going to Pearce College right now and I really want to transfer to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Any scholarship money will really help. I was really nervous at first, but there was a good variety in the Hands-on and the Written and they weren’t as hard as I expected them to be.” Restivo rides with Rusty and Candy Stewart.
Danica Reslock also has her college aspirations set on Cal Poly San Luis Obsipo. As a working student for Jane Shaw, she thought the LAHSA Horsemastership Competition sounded like fun. “I don’t get to show much, but we’ve gone to a few shows so I can try to get a good video. I had never read any of the Pony Club manuals, but I read all three to prepare myself.”
Winners will be announced at the LAHSA Awards Banquet, December 10 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. The competitor with the highest overall score from all three phases will be named the champion and will receive a $2,500 scholarship. Second will receive $1,500 and third will receive a $1,000 college scholarship. In addition, perpetual trophies will be awarded to High Score Written, High Score Hands-on, High Score Riding, and High Score 11 & Under. All competitors will receive a ribbon and a $25 gift certificate from Dominion Saddlery.
The Los Angeles Horse Shows Association was founded in 1960 and now has over 800 members and almost 50 hunter/jumper shows. LAHSA provides year end awards for hunter, jumper and equitation riders. LAHSA also has five different medal classes and their finals. For more information on LAHSA, its programs, and especially the LAHSA $5,000 Horsemastership Scholarship Competition, visit their website at: www.lahsa.com.
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