From fully feathered Gypsy Vanners to pipsqueak ponies, the Battle of the Breeds horse competition is a spectacle that tests the versatility, bravery and speed of each horse.
The event, now 25 years old, pits 10 breeds against one another in trail riding and barrel racing. The trail course at the Spruce Meadows equestrian complex features a huge inflated ball, ditch jumping, bridge and water crossing, flag bearing, bucket carrying, and even fetching a phone book from a telephone booth.
Pigtails flew in the wind and rain, and feathered fetlocks dashed through the unseasonable snow as horses and riders, donned in their best of tack and outfits, vied for the championship crown. The interbreed battle included mules, quarter-horses, Arabians, Appaloosas, pintos, Shetland ponies, Morgans, Canadians, paints and Gypsy Vanners. Each team consists of three members and riders could compete in either Western or English style.
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Cec Watson, of Duchess, carefully navigates her Morgan horse, JMF Beam Walker, through an element on the trail riding obstacle course.
photo: Wendy Dudley
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Sarah Ingram, of Morinville, holds on tight, as she tries to carry a pail while on board her Arabian horse, Pa Sebastion in the bucket exercise.
photo: Wendy Dudley
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It’s not just the rider who must be focused while navigating the obstacle course. This palomino pinto, named Flying First Class, is eyeing the next obstacle on course.
photo: Wendy Dudley
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Retrieving a phone book from a telephone booth is part of the competition. Mikayla Brabant of Chestermere, successfully completes the exercise on Baby J, her Shetland pony.
photo: Wendy Dudley
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Even the course decorations could stop a horse in its hoofprints. But Tammy Botsford, of Rockyview, doesn’t miss a beat while riding by these totem poles on her paint horse, Dez Ado To The Assets.
photo: Wendy Dudley
