Red Deer: Mane Event Champion

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PHOTO BY JAN MANSFIELD/MANE EVENT
2013 Trainers Challenge Champion Heath Marshall (center) flanked by fellow competitors Sean Patrick and Wylene Davis.

Congratulations to Heath Marshall of Colorado who was declared the Champion of the 2013 Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge held Apr 26-29 in Red Deer, Alta. Runners-up were Wylene Davis (Wilson) of Arizona and Canadian-born Sean Patrick, who now makes his home in Florida.

The Trainer’s Challenge, sponsored by Canadian Cowboy Country magazine, features three trainers, each working with an unstarted colt (or filly). The judging is based 10 per cent on the horse, 60 per cent on the trainer’s ability to train the horse and 30 per cent on the trainer’s ability to educate the attendees.

The young horses were provided by Ace of Clubs Quarter Horses of Ponoka. The judges were Stan Jacobs, cowboss of Douglas Lake Ranch near Merritt, B.C., Ron Hoffman, program head of Western Ranch & Cow Horse Livestock Production at Lakeland College and Bob Kaufman, leather craftsman. Hugh McLennan of The Spirit of the West radio show (and CCC columnist) was the announcer, providing insightful comments and sometimes, comic relief.

Record crowds attended the 10th annual event, aided by pleasant weather. The Mane Event is Canada’s premiere equine expo, featuring trainers from a wide variety of disciplines, a massive trade show, riding clinics, demonstrations and of course, the flagship Trainers Challenge.

The next Mane Event is held in Chilliwack, B.C., Oct 25-27, 2013. For more on the Mane Event, visit www.maneeventexpo.com.