Sebastien Rubino / [email protected]
Quarry Ridge Farm held its Fall Horse Show at Battle Ground on Saturday, October 1, as local riders of all ages showed off their skills.
Show Manager Julia Cook Richard was thrilled to see the participation in the Quarry Ridge Fall Horse Show.
“It’s a hunter and show jumping horse competition,” said Richard. “We have two arenas running, and it starts with new beginners all the way up to people who are going to get into our micro-awards at one yard, and that’s a class above the fences.”
The show usually attracts around 45 to 50 participants who compete in several classes. The hunter and jumper classes are competitions focused on jumping over fences, she said. The show jumping competition is timed and requires participants to ride a fast and efficient course to get the best time without losing the height of the fence. As for the hunter category, it is based on “subjective judgment”, which focuses on the style of the horse and rider.
“It’s judged on style, mannerisms, form of the horse on the jump,” Richard said.
The show marked the 20th year that Quarry Ridge hosted the horse show. Participation “has always been well supported within the equine community,” Richard said. Runners came from Oregon, northwest Washington, Hood River and other places, she said.
“These shows are technically called ‘school shows’ and they’re not ranked, they’re the big events that offer lots of prize money,” Richard said. “It’s more of an informal but competitive atmosphere. We have runners from all levels of socio-economic classes. … Big shows are much more expensive and that limits the opportunities for a lot of riders, so I would call it a high quality grassroots event that over the years has been well supported within the equine community, or the equestrian community, I should say.”
The event helps prepare participants for bigger competitions down the line.
“It’s a very good training ground. It’s a friendly atmosphere. I mean, we’re competitive, but we’re really supportive, and we just want everyone to learn and have a good time, and come away feeling like they’ve learned something, whether it’s because of a mistake or a nice sleeve that they’ll never forget,” she said.
To make riding more accessible to people of different skill sets, Quarry Ridge decided to host a micro-prize, which “gives riders who jump at lower levels the opportunity to ride in a fun class.”
Many Quarry Ridge students who have participated in the micro-award have gone on to bigger shows, developed careers with professional equestrian services, or attended equestrian-related colleges, Richard said.
“A lot of runners have started here,” she said.
Richard said Quarry Ridge opens its doors to a wide variety of people.
“The show is always special, as we welcome everyone with open arms, regardless of socio-economic status, race, religion. (It’s) not always the case elsewhere,” she said. “We have an atmosphere of inclusion, friendliness and sincere support from all the riders and barns they represent. It promotes the learning of life lessons (and) winning and losing gracefully.
Quarry Ridge Farm is located at 25604 NE Manley Road in Battle Ground.
