“The show went very well for all of my students,” said Coach Jillian Gazdak. “Almost all of the children have never participated in a horse show and took all their challenges with grace.”

The event, which was held at the Boulder Ridge Equestrian Center, followed all COVID-19 protocols.

Ages ranged from just 3 years old to 16. Victoria Smith, a junior at Southwestern High School, in her first-ever competition, took first place in her Walk Trot Canter Equitation class and second in her WTC Pleasure class.

The youngest competitor, Rayne Biekert of Jamestown, in her second competition at age 3, scored third place in both of her Lead Line Equitation and Pleasure classes.

Submitted Photos Rosie andCharlotte Dent of Bemus Point Elementary School show off their ribbons.

Rosie Dent, kindergartener at Bemus Point Elementary, scored first place in both of her classes.

Abby Long, a 10-year-old from Randolph, took first place in Equitation and second place in Pleasure.

Seven-year-old Charlie Griffin of Fredonia took first and third place while 4-year-old Maggie Keefer of West Ellicott and 7-year-old Ava Rough-Pihl of Jamestown both took third place and first place.

Four-year-old Sadie Sturzenbecker of Northern Chautauqua Catholic School in Dunkirk was first and fourth; 7-year-old Charlotte Dent of Bemus Point Elementary and 4-year-old Brielle Dustin of Falconer were second and second; 7-year-old Caroline Hetrick of Mayville and 6-year-old Vivyanne Pattyson of Central Christian Academy in Dunkirk were second and third; and 7-year-old Hadley Olson of Dewittville was second and fourth.

The competitions varied in difficulty, beginning with lead line classes for the youngest competitors to Walk Trot classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced; and also Walk Trot Canter sessions for beginners/intermediates, as well as advanced. Each of the three sessions were divided into Pleasure riding and Equitation classes.

Within the ring, the Pleasure classes were judged for how “pleasurable” the horse was to ride, and the Equitation classes were judged for how well the rider performed and instructed the horse. All riders were also judged on their body position and ability to navigate the riding arena with other competitors.

All the horses in this winter series are supplied by the hosting team and are used in a regular riding lesson program. Riders face a draw-style competition where young equestrians are willing to ride a horse they either don’t usually ride, or may have never even seen before. The horses’ names are literally drawn out of a hat for each rider. This style of competition challenges their horsemanship skills. Gadzak says this can be a bit intimidating, but also boosts riding confidence.

“Riders do not have time to warm up their horse and only see others ride the horse,” Gadzak said. “They could draw a horse with quirks or one that’s particularly lazy. They then would have to use their knowledge from lessons to properly execute what the judge is asking of them. It can get interesting, and it’s always fun.”

The draw-style competition has benefits, too: more riders are able to compete since horse ownership is not required. Dell team members are not required to own a horse to join the team. All team members are, however, enrolled in Dell’s riding lesson program.

Three teams competed Sunday, Jan. 31, and will compete in two more tournaments to complete the series. The next one is set for Champion Hill Stables in Akron on Sunday, Feb. 28, and the final of the series will be held at Whispering Creek, on March 21 in Gerry.

“The kids in the program at Dell stay active riding all year,” Gazdak said. “While it’s a little more enjoyable in the summer, we bundle up in winter so riders can continue their education and both riders and horses stay connected.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, spectators not related to riders are not allowed at these tournament events.

For more information on Dell Performance Horses riding program, or the upcoming tournaments contact Gazdak at 397-2577.