The Boissevain rider finished third in the Canadian Pony Club National Dressage Championship, held August 12-15 at Ancaster Fairgrounds in Hamilton, Ontario. This was not only an impressive finish in itself, but also because it was her first ride with a new partner.
“I feel like I did pretty well for riding a new horse (pony) that I haven’t ridden before and was a very different ride from what I’m used to,” Halloran stated. “I finished third in the competition with very good percentages and progression throughout the competition.”
She said she had three dressage (training) tests to do while at Nationals – two on the first day and one on the second. Halloran’s best percentage was 68%, which she said is considered a strong score.
“The competition and tests weren’t very hard themselves but on a new horse they were a little challenging. They are way easier on my own horse.”
Her competition partner was Jiminey Kricket, a 24-year-old 13.2 hand gray pony gelding. Although they had not worked together before, as competitors are not allowed to use their own rides for the Nationals, Halloran said he had the “sweetest heart out of any of the horses there.”
Halloran has been riding her entire life. Her mother, grandparents and uncle had a Thoroughbred racing and breeding farm, so she said it was likely she would love horses. She was introduced to the jumping world and became interested in competition from there. He mother took her to local English/Western dressage shows and fairs where her knowledge and interest grew. One of the big attractions is the connection between rider and horse.
“Seeing how horses and riders learn together and grow together (is an appeal),” Halloran explained. “Or a young horse showing their potential. Winning the class is very rewarding, but only when you’re up against real competition. One thing more rewarding than winning at a competition is winning against yourself and giving a young horse a wonderful happy experience in the ring and making them be happy when their doing their job.”
Halloran has already competed in many different shows over the years. One of the biggest is the Royal Winter Fair in Brandon. Over the years, she has had many good finishes there.
“My most recent would be Reserve Champion 4-Year-Old, Champion Thoroughbred Award, Champion .85m jumper, Highpoint Canadian Sport Horse for the past two years, Champion and Reserve Road Hack, Hi Point Ravine Ranch Sport Horse, Hunter Equitation Medal, and other championships in the higher hunters.”
Over the last four years, she has also competed at the Rocky Mountain Show Jumping outside of Calgary. She has won in Grand Prix jumpers, championships in some hunters and medal classes. One of her biggest accomplishments was being awarded a $2,500 Truman Wealth and Management Scholarship to any school of her choice due to being the overall best junior competitor.
She has no more competitions until the next Royal Winter Fair so for now it is just training and having fun. Halloran plans to continue competing in the future to help green horses in the ring both learn and have fun.
“I also love winning but that’s not the only reason why. A goal that I may try to achieve next year, we haven’t decided yet, would be for me to qualify in the CET Medal Finals and compete at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. That may have to wait another year or so though.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff