Photo credit: Equine Affaire
My novel Spurred to Justice has presented me with many new opportunities. This past November, I was privileged to attend Equine Affaire in Massachusetts after Jean McWilliams, the owner of Taborton Books, invited me to a book signing. I was elated because the Affaire ranks as one of North America’s top equine events, with education, entertainment, and some of the best shopping the horse world has to offer. If anyone addicted to horses needed a fix, the Affaire was the place to be.
Equestrians and visitors could hone skills at the endless training clinics, savor seminars, or ogle demos presented by leading competitors, trainers, and industry experts on almost any discipline from around the world.
In the midst of all the commotion, the most exciting and intriguing event was the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition. This took place on Friday in the Coliseum, featuring 25 horse-and-rider teams who vied for the top prize of $2,500 and the respect of being named the 2019 Versatile Horse and Rider Champion. The competition featured a tricky course designed to test the level of teamwork between horse and rider. Riders asked their horses to scale jumps (including one surrounded by balloons), carry a keg-sized barrel from one end of the arena to another, fly a parachute as they raced around to beat the clock, side pass across a wooden beam with front legs balanced atop, and perform a 360-degree turn while mounted on a small square platform, as well as many other challenging maneuvers.
I instantly recognized one of the competitors as Jason Charles from Dillsburg, PA. Jason is a professional horse trainer who currently competes in AQHA and NRHA and has won several VHRC championships at Equine Affaires in both Massachusetts and Ohio. Jason started his mount, Ms. Whiz It, as a 2-year-old. A AQHA buckskin mare, Ms. Whiz It is now ten and has earned her Register of Merit in AQHA open and amateur, has won multiple champion and reserve placings in trail events, and is an NRHA money earner. Jason is one of the top competitors in versatility and trail challenge disciplines and I was curious to see his ride.
I had a chance to talk to Jason before the event. He admitted his favorite discipline is reining but discovered Ms. Whiz It had other talents too. Jason says, “The title ‘versatile horse’ is fitting. The obstacles include walking on loose rein to speed, trail obstacles, lead changes, and leg yields. It is judged on being correct, pretty, and smooth. Good horsemanship will get high scores.” He relayed that the Equine Affaire is one of the more expensive to enter but pays $2500 for first place.
Jason became involved in the Trail Challenge in 2013 at Horse World Expo in Timonium, MD, and Harrisburg, PA. There, people encouraged him to enter the Equine Affaire challenge in Columbus, OH, and he took first place. He was noticed by trainer Dan James who was the commentator for the event. So impressed with Jason was Dan that he sent him a mustang he had been training for the Mustang Million. Jason followed with a Craig Johnson’s clinic and ended up showing two mustangs in the Million event. After that year of notoriety he competed in all the Equine Affaire events at other venues.
Six Minutes, 45 Seconds
At Equine Affaire, a rider must complete the course in six minutes and each obstacle in 45 seconds in order to be scored. The event is judged on horsemanship as well as speed. The competition is so intense that the crowd can’t help but cheer riders through the daunting course.
Jason said, “I enjoy a horse that can do a lot of things. A good working ranch horse will do well at most trail challenges.” Competition is tough and any slip can shake the order. This year was proof. Although Jason did not win the Versatility this year, he placed a not too shabby third. Reserve Champion went to Melissa Ellis and Steep Way Cosmo Girl, and the 2019 MA Versatile Horse & Rider Competition Champion was Danelle Osinchuk riding Slip Me A Dual Pep! Even the most expert rider can falter, as Jason remarked he had three mistakes including dropping a barrel, stepping off the bridge, and trouble with the V back through.
Danelle Osinchuk of Springfield, VT, and her horse, a 19-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding, earned a score of 58 points with a time of 5 minutes and 9 seconds. She has owned the gelding for ten years, but this was her first win in the discipline. Danelle says even though she has three children ages 6, 10 and 12, she rides every day. “He was first a reining and cow horse.” She encourages anyone to try the discipline. “Anyone can work to the top, but it takes year-round practice and a lot of trust.” Danelle stated, when she rides she always has the event in mind; like opening gates, never assume the horse will perform the maneuver.
Versatility Competitions and Trail Challenges are like Western Trail or Ranch Riding on steroids. The edgy competition is a true test of trust and a race against time—not to mention bravery for both horse and rider. Do not fret if you missed this Affaire, because you will have a chance to feel that same energy at Horse World Expo’s Trail Challenge, a very similar event.
From February 28 to March 1, Horse World Expo will again bring the nation’s leading equestrian clinicians and entertainers to Harrisburg, PA for four days of education, entertainment, and shopping. There will be hundreds of vendors, multi-breed and multi-discipline demonstrations and competitions, Parade of Breeds, and non-stop seminars, shopping, and entertainment… all indoors, heated at the Farm Show complex and stuffed full of family entertainment.
Best news of all, according to coordinator and President of Equestrian Promotions, Inc., Denise Parsons, Jason Charles has been selected to build the course, emcee and run the event onsite. “We will be hiring judges,” Denise said. “His job will be to make sure things go smoothly.”
So, if you need a late winter horse fix, check out Horse World Expo and especially the Trail Challenge, with a course built by Jason Charles! Should be exciting!