The 2020 6th Annual Functional Horsemanship Arena Challenge is in the books. 27 entries across four competitive divisions stirred up the dust in the arena of the Red Bird Ranch on Saturday 3 October 2020 and when it was all said and done we saw some excellent riding by skilled riders on really good horses.
This Challenge is unique in the sense that it is not under any national association or rules, but the 10 to 14 requirements in each competitive division were all horsemanship tasks tied to working on horseback, showing the handiness of the horse, perform some elements of dressage and just general things you would want out of a good trail horse.
After the riding was done, the rider's sided up to the lunch line and awaited the scores. When the results were announced the riders were presented their awards and enjoyed a nice prize table thanks to our supporters in the industry - Cashel Company, Animal Health International, Eclectic Horseman magazine, Starr Western Wear, Tractor Supply Company, Hoof Wraps, CamelBak, and Diamond Bar V Horseshoeing. Cashel's very nice bridles, split reins and braided rope halters were the most prized items taken.
Leonard Benally (photo above) won the Stockhorse and Open Divisions, with Erin Weich winning Intermediate and Gena Blakenship winning Novice. Travis Reed, riding his awesome young mare, won the Horsemanship Award. I am posting the full results at the bottom of this article.
In the Stockhorse Division, the rider's had to throw a rope over a bow gate and pull a bag up like you might with a food bag to keep the bears from getting into it; trot a circle then show lateral movement and ride a switchback around closely placed upright poles; open and close a gate; work a Pro Cutter Flag showing stopping, doubling and cutting. The rope tasks were throwing the traditional head and heel shots, then we made it difficult by requiring the riders to throw a head loop while up against the arena fence and throw an off side head loop and move your horse in a turn on the hocks under your rope so you are facing up. The last requirements of stockhorse division was to rope a barrel and trot around it feeding out your rope like you were trailing a calf, and finishing by dragging a heavy log at a trot, like you are dragging a calf to a branding fire - that's Debby Hale dragging a log in the photo above.
Open Division was tougher than last year requiring among other things: backing in a serpentine then a circle; canter departures with a simple lead change; perform a shoulders in; then left and right leg yields. These riders also had to secure a garoucha pole, joust a rope ring then place the ring on the ground with the end of the garoucha pole inside the ring and trot a circle. A couple riders did this exceptional well - Leonard Benally and Linda Seeds come to mind. Photo above is Linda Seeds beginning to perform the garoucha pole trot. Proud to call both of them my friends.
Intermediate Division was won by Erin Weich who came out of no where (first year competing in this event) to beat Marianne Bailey just by 5 points. Marianne has ridden in all 6 challenges and is the President of the Perfect Harmony Horse Rescue & Sanctuary whom is supported by charitable donations through this event.
Novice Division was won by Gena Blakenship (photo at very top), riding a painted mare in a soft rope hackamore, with Travis Reed (photo above) riding a young mare in second place, and a young lady, Abigail Wendte coming in third. Competition was tight as 6 points separated these three riders. Travis Reed, who makes Sasquatch look small, impressed the judges and riders with his young mare who may have had 20 rides on her. He won the Horsemanship Award which was a statute and a Starr Western Wear gift card.
This event concluded with the awarding of checks from Starr Western Wear and the proceeds of the raffle to Perfect Harmony Horse Rescue & Sanctuary. We generally have a couple special awards as well. The judges handed out custom hooks picks from Vince Vesely and Diamond Bar V Horseshoeing to Imara Jackson and Don Carpenter. Dan Bailey, who was beat out last year by a lady from Texarkana for second best mustache, came this year with a COVID beard. Alas, he did not have better luck, only placing second for best COVID beard. I won it. I was the judge.
One last comment on competitions....they can be used to observe what is possible, see where your holes are, and be exposed to tasks you may never consider working on - in short be inspired and motivated. So at best competitions can breed competence. At worst, people can focus on winning at all costs and that often results in unhappy riders, bewildered spectators and especially horses who can suffer. In short horsemanship is at risk. However, with the quality of people that have attended this event for the past six years, all one could see was great sportsmanship, good manners and people helping others. I thank the riders for that, as it makes it all worthwhile.
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