Donald Teuma-Castelletti
CLARENDON Oct. 13, 2018
Nearly 15 riders took part in a reopened stable’s first competition on Oct. 13, as participants thundered about the ring racing for the best time in a number of feats.
GELAM Riding Stable held their first competition at their new location, while also marking another notable change, by allowing participants from outside the school’s programming to take part.
Across two age divisions, riders raced, jumped, and maneuvered various western challenges for cash prizes, all the while cheering each other on.
“What I liked most about the show is how everyone cheers for everybody,” said stable owner and event organizer Ginger Finan.
Despite there being a number of new riders from outside the stable’s group joining them, Finan was proud to see her students cheering everyone on, all day long.
“It’s great when you win, but the cheering, that’s what makes me the most happy,” she continued.
Finan said she had some students compete for the first time that Saturday, looking simply to give it their all. She said the experience was valuable to the young riders, as they could learn from others who’d seen many competition rings.
As well, Finan had one student that proved her standout success for the rate at which she progressed.
“This one lady showed up right before the Shawville Fair and asked if I could coach her because she was really nervous about going to the fair with her own horse,” said Finan.
Julie Monette had started with GELAM in the last week of August, hesitant to even get on her horse. Over the course of a month and a half, she progressed to the point of racing not one, but two horses on Oct. 13.
Monette would go on to place first in the walk/trot class, and third in the barrels class.
“Today, she brought two horses and actually raced her horses, so I would say, out of everybody, she’s the one who’s had the most notable [growth],” continued Finan.
For her students, Finan said many were surprised and excited to see their teacher competing alongside them.
“I don’t ride with them, I’m usually on the ground coaching,” she said. “My students really like when they get to ride with me and they actually see that I can do what I coach.”
As the event was open to other riders, the horses were also amped up by the excitement of the day. Finan said that allowing other riders to bring their own horses set off a competitive spirit in the stable’s own, that also gave her own students some extra challenges.
“Horses know when they’re competing, so they end up being a little bit harder to handle,” she explained.
What this means for her own students is they must be prepared for their companion to act bolder, testing their own skills and quick-thinking on the challenges.
“The horse wants to win, so I can’t match up a rider with a horse that’s going to be too much for them,” Finan continued.
But it also works twofold for the younger riders – as they see competitors a few years older than the regular group join them, they have more people to look up to. Especially as the visiting riders placed well throughout the day.
As the fun wrapped up, Finan said the event was the perfect end to her best year of business, something she credits greatly to the business’ new location.
“It was a fantastic way to end the best year I’ve ever had,” she concluded.
