The Canadian Reining Committee of Equestrian Canada formally welcomed Rhea Pole of Preeceville on February 8 as its new Chef D’equipe (manager) for the 2018 World Equestrian Games Canadian Reining Team, stated a news release from the Canadian Reining Committee of Equestrian Canada.
Pole was nominated to the position by the Canadian Reining Committee. Her hard work and dedication to the sport helped her attain the title.
"I was so excited to receive the news and very humbled to be acknowledged," said Pole.
Pole needs little introduction to the reining horse industry. She has been involved in horses her entire life. She has represented Canada as an International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) Young Rider at the World Junior Championships in Europe.
Pole has worked with the elite in the reining horse industry as both a competitor and trainer. She has worked in the US and Canada and has equipped herself with a wealth of knowledge and experience, said the release.
Reining is a judged event designed to showcase the athletic ability of a ranch-type horse within the confines of a show arena. Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs over the hocks, 360 degree spins done in place, and exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse.
“The road to qualifying for the Canadian 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG) Reining Team is a long and expensive one for both the trainer and owners of the horses,” it said.
“Not to mention the cost of the games once they have made the team can be anywhere from $15,000 to $35,000 USD individually, depending on the location.
“The owners of the horses pay their own way. That is why I have been setting up a strong fundraising campaign worldwide that has now raised over $15,000 for the Canada Team,” she said.
“We still have more to raise but we are extremely humbled at the support and response we have received.
“This level of fundraising for our team is unprecedented. Riders are encouraged to try out for the team with the actual team selected in July."
There are 10 to12 individuals who are trying out for the Canadian team with four based out of Canada and the remainder of the participants coming from Canadian trainers currently residing in the USA and Europe, Pole said.
“You must hold a Canadian passport to compete, but you can live anywhere in the world. The riders must compete at specific classes held worldwide to qualify and one of those classes has to be on home turf in Canada. This spring will see many of our best riders from all over the world returning home to Canada to achieve their final qualifying score.”
The sport is a western discipline style of riding, and is currently the only western discipline involved in The World Equestrian Games that are scheduled for Normandy, France in August, she said.
“It is a pattern sport with riders marked on how well each manoeuvre is made within a pattern. Quarter horses are predominantly utilized for the sport as riders use the animals’ agility, speed and ability that is ideal for the ring as well as on the ranch to aid in working cattle.”
The sport has come a long way with potential to have the sport declared an Olympic sport in the future, Pole said.
