Riders strut their stuff at Longhorn Arena

ST. IGNATIUS — Nerves were on edge as horse showers of all ages competed in the Longhorn Arena for points and ribbons in the Western Montana Open Horse Show Series last Saturday

The event had a number of various competitions, each judged on how well owners and their horses executed each performance. Judges Carol and Ray Belmore came from Arizona to judge the show.

Ray said he looks for conformation of the horses, what the rider knows, and how well the horse is controlled.

"The real horseman is my wife Carol," said Ray. "She has been involved with horses since she was a kid."

Carol Belmore said, "When I'm judging I am looking for an animal that is alert and can display the correct gait in a free and natural movement, rather than animated. There's a lot of controversy surrounding the Quarter Horse."

The Quarter Horse has been changed because of the way people are training them for shows, she said. They have been turned into "peanut-rolls" with short gaits and noses to the ground, she said.

"I want to see the horse in a more natural form. I am also looking for a well-cleaned, well-groomed, and well-mannered animal when I judge," Carol said.

Mary Baughn found a new hobby as a horsewoman. Baughn says life's not over after 40.

"I'm 65. I leased two horses so I could learn to ride. That way I'm not out any money if my health goes. " she said.

As she put a halter on her paint horse, she explained the basics of the competition.

"The judge has you set your horse up and you follow directions based on the judge's body language. You get judged on what you do according to the category you enter. You have to start trotting at the cone, not before; you have to follow the pattern the judge gives you," Baughn said.

The youngest contestant, Halli Tyler, was small in comparison to the horse she rode, Pontiac. Tyler was judged on leg placement and sitting position, while her mom led her horse through the arena. The judge asked Tyler what her horse's name was, if this was her first horse, and what color of ribbon she wanted. She chose blue.

health goes. " she said.

As she put a halter on her paint horse, she explained the basics of the competition.

"The judge has you set your horse up and you follow directions based on the judge's body language. You get judged on what you do according to the category you enter. You have to start trotting at the cone, not before; you have to follow the pattern the judge gives you," Baughn said.

The youngest contestant, Halli Tyler, was small in comparison to the horse she rode, Pontiac. Tyler was judged on leg placement and sitting position, while her mom led her horse through the arena. The judge asked Tyler what her horse's name was, if this was her first horse, and what color of ribbon she wanted. She chose blue.