Feature
WAQHA Western Pleasure Clinic with Pam Neal
Written by Carly Ganzer
Recently two of the West Australian Quarter Horse Association’s youth members Carly Ganzer and Kelsie Lee Harrington spent some time with Western Pleasure trainer, Pam Neal. Both of the girls thoroughly enjoyed their time with Pam and thought it would be a great idea to bring Pam over to Western Australia to conduct a 2 day Western Pleasure clinic.
Angela Wright and Anella Classic Breeze who was the youngest horse there (2yr)
Cee A Liberty bells and Kelsie Lee Harrington
After the approval from the WAQHA, the organising got under way. Pam arrived on the 29th of May all the way from Snake Valley, located south of Melbourne. The weather forecast for the weekend was in the mid 20’s, with sunshine throughout most of the weekend. Dinner was organised for the Friday night in Northbridge and from there Pam was taken to Kings Park to see the very pretty view of the lights that lit up Perth. They don’t call Perth the City of Lights for no reason.
Carly Ganzer & Dakota Zulu Kissah, Elise Young and Jett Lee and Kelsie Harrington and Cee A Liberty Bells
Elise Young
Kelsie Harrington and Cee A Liberty Bells and Janine Forkin and Dakota Zulu Bem
The clinic was held at Foxwood Farm Equestrian Centre in Wattle Grove on the long weekend, 31st May & 1st June 2009. The clinic had a great response with positions for the event being taken very quickly. Sunday saw 11 riders for the day; Lesley Elder, Carly Ganzer, Kelsie Harrington, Gary Marshall, Elise Young, Sarah Hutchins, Louise Yozzi, Angela Wright, Michelle Brown, Rita Driscroll and Janine Forkin. On the Monday there were 2 extra riders; Sharon Currie and Sarah Stuart. Over both of the days we saw a few spectators who wanted to come down and learn Pam’s techniques.
Gary Marshall
Elise Young and Janine Forkin and Kelsie Harrington
Kelsie Harrington and Lousie Yozzi
Pam started off the Sunday morning with some basic Western Pleasure techniques which would help out all horses from the walk to the lope. Some horses (and riders) found it hard to do the basics, but Pam was right at their feet helping them all the way thru. After a quick morning tea break, we covered over the basic skills again and then moved onto the jog. Monday started of with the same, just re-covering on the exercises we did on the Sunday. At the end of the day we finished of with some loping exercises. You could sure see some people with sore bums and legs and tired horses, but they all were looking forward to going home and doing there homework Pam had set for them.
Carly Ganzer and Dakota Zulu Kissah
Elise Young and Jett Lee
Lesley Elder and Just Doin It
Pam Neal and Janine Forkin on Dakota Zulu Bem
Sarah Hutchins with her Winderadeen Cee a Boom
On behalf of the WAQHA committee I would like to thank Pam Neal very much for coming over and helping us. Everyone enjoyed your time and clinic and I know one thing for sure, we are all looking forward to you coming back.
I would also like to thank Barbara Wheatcroft for picking Pam up from the airport and driving her around, Lesley Elder for being a very good hostess and driving a few of us around on the Friday night. Karen Nicoletto, David Jinks, Luke Dawes and the DiCandilo Family for letting Pam stay at Sunninghill Equestrian Centre and Tania Harrington for escorting Pam back and to the clinic. Thanks to Sue Ganzer for once again giving up her time to do the canteen and making sure there was enough food and drinks for both days, Sharon Currie, Elise Young and Mary Treloar for assisting me to get the clinic underway.
Group Photo of Mondays Riders
Pam would also like to thank everyone for coming to the clinic and also to the people mentioned above for helping out.
Pam Neal riding Dakota Zulu Kissah
Rita Driscroll and Rocs Cover Girl
Look out for the WAQHA Winter ‘B’ shows, the first one is scheduled to start in July, check out the WAQHA site for more information at www.waqha.com.au
Pam Neal talking to Michelle Brown who is riding her lovely gelding Jokers Total Eclipse
Gary Marshall
Sarah Hutchins and Winderadeen Cee a Boom
Sunday's Riders watching Pam
The Only two youth members who rode at the clinic- Kelsie Harrington aboard her 'Cee A Liberty Bells' and Carly Ganzer on Dakota Zulu Kissah