A Dream is only an idea until hard work makes it reality.
I came to know about Cowboy Dressage when I found a video of Eitan Beth Halachmy and Santa Fe Renegade. That was in 2013. To me, at that time it was a far off dream of great horsemanship and a different way of interacting with horses. How could I get involved? The movement was in California and frankly was at a level I couldn’t even envision! You can imagine my surprise when I found that an affiliated group was forming in Saskatchewan and that the driving force behind it were the Moats’; a family that I had great respect and admiration for. I contacted Kim and was embraced whole heartedly. 2014 was the year I totally fell in love with Cowboy Dressage. I was able to meet and work with co-founder Lyn Ringrose-Moe, and the man himself, “8”. Saskatchewan Cowboy Dressage under Kim’s leadership flourished! Next step in Cowboy Dressage – fashion a dream to host the very first Canadian National Finals Cowboy Dressage Show & Gathering.
So here we are a year later and the 1st Canadian National Finals Dressage Show & Gathering has come and gone. A huge success. It was easy, right? WRONG!
This last year saw a core group of VOLUNTEERS comprised of Kim Moats, Roberta Robertson, Dave Jones, Marj Currie and Jan Manz work tirelessly to ensure that this event went off like a dream. Unless one has been closely involved and committed as a volunteer in a similar situation there is no way we can even begin to comprehend what these people have gone through and done.
Let’s look at what it takes to put on a National event of this magnitude.
Money! As competitors we innocently believe that our entry fees pay for the show. Innocence is bliss – entry fees are a great contribution, but, really if not for SPONSORSHIP, this and many shows and events would look significantly different. Every thing except the time of the volunteers cost money! Arena fees, judges, clinicians, awards, advertising, office supplies… Getting sponsorship money isn’t easy. Companies are constantly asked for money. They have budgets and have to ensure that they are getting good value for their investment. Have a look at all the sponsors that participated in this event. There was a lot of hard work put into getting these companies on board. We all need to thank our sponsors and support them anytime we can.
Organise. Coordinate. Implement! We show up, we rest; we are ready to ride, let’s have fun. There is a beautiful facility, great ground, large box stalls, wash racks and clean washrooms and a lunch room with fine dining. The courts are all set up, the judges and scribes in place. There is a list of test times and exhibiters posted. There is a program with everything about the show and gathering.
Easy, right? NOT! The volunteers have been busy for the past months putting in hours to make this all happen. From getting judges and clinicians in place, organizing their travel and accommodations to negotiating facility costs and availability; they work to encourage others to be part of the event as invaluable volunteers. The movement grows and volunteers come forward announcers, callers, gate people, runners, you get the idea. During the event one of them was making sure the courts were set up, another getting the judges picked up, another putting out the fires, whether it was 4:00 in the morning or 11:00 at night. All the while trying to ride a test or two and maybe have some fun?
Almost six weeks post event the work continues. Sending thank you letters to sponsors, ensuring all expenses have been paid, applying for event funding, posting results and writing wrap up articles on the event to continue promoting Cowboy Dressage.
A Dream is only an idea until hard work makes it reality.
They dreamt of a Canadian National Finals Cowboy Dressage Show & Gathering and with all their hard work it became a reality.
On behalf of all of us who enjoyed the fruits of your labour,
Thank You for the Dream -Thank You for the Hard Work – Thank You for the reality!
Pauline Long-Wright