More than 50 riders and horses competed over the weekend in the 39th Annual Horse Show hosted by the Yukon Horse and Rider Association.

The three days kicked off Friday with the lighter but challenging side of riding, involving games like the barrel racing, stake race and pole bending.

It was down to more serious business Saturday and Sunday with equitation – the art of horsemanship that evaluates the rider’s skills and abilities.

Show secretary Val Holmes explained many of the riders train all winter at the Northern Tempo Equestrian Centre’s indoor riding rink off of Burns Road on the North Klondike Highway.

The riders and their horses were tested for how well they walk, trot, canter and jump together.

The competed in both Western Equitation and English Hunt Equitation.

“Equitation is really where they ride and do different things and they get judged on how well they do things,” said Holmes.

She said the different heights in fence jumping may not seem too signficant, but they are.

“To go from two feet, six inches to three feet, is probablty a three year progression,” Holmes explained. “It’s not something you do overnight.”

In all, there were riding champions named in 10 events, and winning or top horses named in nine events. There was also the Cathy and Allan Stannard Sportsman Trophy awarded to Whitehorse Grade 11 student Claire Campbell.

“It’s just an overall sportsmanship award for the weekend,” she said. “She is a good rider, she is always positive and always encouraging. That is why she got the award this year.”

Holmes said thanks have to be extended to Ron and Inge Sumanik for making available the riding centre and the equipment needed to hold the championships.

Inge, a local riding coach, is off to Anchorage this weekend with 15 or so riders and horses to compete in a couple of shows, she noted.

Horses, Holmes insisted, are incredible animals.

“The things they do with those kids, they are just amazing.”

Equitation champions for 2018 are as follows:

(Junior – age 13 and under, Youth – age 14-17, Open – age 18+)

Western Equitation Champion Riders

Junior Yukon Champion: TIE
Alix Walchuk, with horse Taffy Kinley Battersby, with Doc Junior Yukon Reserve Champion: TIE Dannika Mikkelsen, with Cinder Sidney Stahl, with Patches Youth Yukon Champion: Erin McBryan, with Star of Wonder Adult Yukon Champion: Jauna Doland, with Dun Made Money Adult Yukon Reserve Champion: Malorie Hanson, with Yukon Zena Warrior

English Hunt Seat Equitation Champion Riders

Junior Yukon Champion:
Laina Prentice, with Highlands McDuff Junior Yukon Reserve Champion: Marina Boulerice, with Zeus Youth Yukon Champion: Claire Campbell, with River Adult Yukon Champion: Brooke Nielsen, with Lola Adult Yukon Reserve Champion: Laura Holmes, with Jay

Champion Show Horses

Hunter 2’6” Champion Redline, ridden by Katherine Morrison Hunter 2’6” Reserve Champion Jay, ridden by Laura Holmes Hunter 2’9” Champion Highlands McDuff, ridden by Laina Prentice Hunter 2’9” Reserve Champion Lola, ridden by Brooke Nielsen Hunter 3’0” Champion Lola, ridden by Brooke Nielsen Hunter 3’0” Reserve Champion Highlands McDuff, ridden by Laina Prentice Yukon Halter Champion
Baileys ‘n Cinnamon, owned and shown by Heidi Miller Yukon Bred Halter Champion Medallion, owned by Inge Sumanik and shown by Maya Heebink Yukon Bred Overall Champion Yukon Zena Warrior, owned and shown by Malorie Hanson