The American Horsewoman’s Challenge is now encouraging Canadian horsewomen to join the competition that recognizes the top female horse trainers in North America. The Challenge is a six-month contest to train a young horse for a cross-discipline tournament to be held October 2014 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The competition combines the equestrian skills of Dressage, Ranch/Trail Versatility and Liberty. The top ten finishers split a purse worth $28,000.
“We have been getting so many inquiries from our friends in Canada about the Challenge that we have agreed there should be no reason to exclude our fellow North American sisters from the competition.” said Jim “Hutch” Hutchins, event producer. “There are some incredibly talented horsewomen in Canada and we would like to give them the opportunity to share their talents with the whole continent.”
Effective immediately, the competition is open to any horsewoman, based anywhere in the United States or Canada, who believes she has talent and wants to prove her skills on a national stage. The first 500 entrants will be required to submit a 10-minute video showing their skills in Cowboy Dressage TM, Ranch/Trail Versatility and Liberty. The videos will be reviewed and scored by a panel of judges who will choose the top fifty competitors. Those competitors will be invited to select whatever breed of horse they like, train it, and join in the Finals.
The Top 50 will have up to six months to train a “green broke” horse between the age of three and six years-old at the time of the Finals. Each competitor will be asked to demonstrate their and their horse’s skill over three days in three different events. The Challenge Finals will culminate with an exciting Freestyle event demonstrating the horse-human partnership, lightness, music interpretation and creativity. A panel of celebrity judges will critique and score the freestyle performances in front of the live audience.
Fans of each competitor can follow their favorite trainer’s challenges and progress, throughout the training process, on social media and personal blogs. Plans also call for a Webcast of the Finals event for those who cannot get away from family or job obligations.
An Advisory Board of internationally-recognized clinicians has joined the Challenge to help guide its direction. It includes Debbie and Eitan Beth Halachmy of Cowboy Dressage, Grande Liberte performer Sylvia Zerbini and husband/manger Richie Waite, Extreme Cowgirl and Cowboy Dalene and Craig Cameron and Liberty clinician Carolyn Resnick.
Interested competitors and horse enthusiasts can learn more about the American Horsewoman’s Challenge and enter by visiting: http://HorsewomansChallenge.com. Social media fans can also “Like” American Horsewoman’s Challenge on Facebook to receive news and updates.
The Finals event will include an exposition of equestrian products and services by vendors from across the country. Companies interested in participating as a sponsor or vendor can learn more here.
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