By Joel van der Veen
MOOSE JAW — Tylar Oliver has some more hardware to add to the collection after competing in provincial riding club finals last month.
Oliver, a Grade 10 student in Davidson, won the high-point Gymkhana buckle in the junior B girls division at the Saskatchewan Riding Clubs Association (SRCA) provincial finals in Moose Jaw.
She and her horse Josey, a chestnut mare, competed in three events — barrel racing, pole bending and the quadrangle race.
Oliver said she’s been riding as long as she can remember, adding, “My dad started me when we moved here, when I was 2.”
She has been riding Josey for the last three years.
Though the mare was new to some competitive events like barrel racing, Oliver said, “She already had that speed mindset in her.”
This was Oliver’s second gymkhana buckle. In 2014, she was the high-point champion in the junior C girls division. She was also voted the SRCA’s provincial queen that year, taking home a trophy saddle.
Nine riders and horses from the Davidson Riding Club competed in this year’s SRCA provincial finals, held Sept. 22 to 24 in Moose Jaw.
Besides Tylar, two other club members picked up high-point buckles over the weekend.
Valerie Brown, riding Penny, received the high-point buckle for her results in the Pioneer Western Performance events.
Meanwhile, Brenda Clarke and Drifter earned the high-point buckle in the senior ladies Gymkhana division, after placing first in three separate events.
Organizer Gloria Kadlec said the finals made for a full weekend, giving the riders an opportunity to build great friendships while participating in a sport they all love.
She spoke of “experiencing the thrill of competing well, and the joy of a job well done, and learning the challenges of knowing you can do better.”
Kadlec also expressed her appreciation for “a club full of good sportsmen, people helping pitch in and the value of great friends and memories made.”
During the weekend, Kadlec was honoured by the SRCA as the 2017 Ride to Fame inductee, recognizing her dedication to the association over the last 20-plus years. She was presented with a trophy plaque.
Following are the results from the Davidson club members:
Western Performance
Junior C: Samuel LeFreniere (Abby) placed third in Western Pleasure.
Pioneer: Valerie Brown (Penny) placed first in Western Pleasure, second in Pioneer Horsemanship and first in Pioneer Reining. She also received the high-point buckle for the Pioneer Western Performance events.
Gymkhana
Wee Pee Girls: Ryan Oliver (Pork Chop) placed fourth in pole bending.
Junior C Girls: Camryn Oliver (Penny) placed second in pole bending.
Junior C Boys: Samuel LaFreniere (Abby) placed first in pole bending and fourth in barrel racing.
Aidan Haraldson (Ivy) placed second in pole bending and fourth in the quadrangle race.
Junior B Girls: Sara LaFreniere (Star) placed second in pole bending.
Tylar Oliver (Josey) placed first in pole bending, second in barrel racing, and third in the quadrangle race. Tylar also received the high-point gymkhana buckle.
Senior Ladies: Brenda Clarke (Drifter) placed first in the barrel race, first in pole bending and first in the quadrangle race. Brenda also received the high-point gymkhana buckle.
Tabitha Caudle (Rebel) placed fourth in the barrel race, fourth in pole bending and fourth in the quadrangle race.
Pioneer Ladies: Valerie Brown (Penny) placed second in the barrel race, second in pole bending and second in the quadrangle race.
(With files from Gloria Kadlec)