Horsin’ around earns Cape Bretoners top awards
TRURO, N.S. — Seven Cape Bretoners are riding high in the saddle after recently picking up major awards from the Nova Scotia Equestrian Federation.
Jenna Spencer of Port Morien won overall junior provincial allaround champion, overall driving division champion and overall champion of the equitation/showmanship division, along with 11 provincial class awards.
The 15-year-old rode two horses this year, her American quarterhorse Life of Riley, and her miniature horse, My Little Buddy.
“I only competed for three years and I didn’t really expect it,” said Spencer. “We just wanted to have fun, but I didn’t really notice how much fun we were having.”
Spencer, who has been riding for about six years, was practising every day for the annual show season. Having trained her miniature horse Buddy herself, Spencer said she was quite surprised by her recent accolades.
The NSEF handed out its annual provincial class and overall provincial division awards during a ceremony in Truro on Nov.18.
Heather MacEachern of Port Hastings was named the western division reserve champion, champion of equitation/showmanship and senior provincial all-around champion.
Jill Burke of Balls Creek walked away as western performance division champion and reserve senior all-around champion.
Other Cape Bretoners picking up major awards were Emma Simpson of North Sydney who was the reserve champion for the western speed division; Taylor Sampson of Louisdale, who was named overall champion in the hunter division; Rebecca ButtonSibley of Port Morien who tied for reserve champion in driving; and Adrienne Smith of West Bay who was named champion in the provincial select division.
Rebecca MacKeigan of Albert Bridge also won the NSEF’s youth sportsmanship award. The award is presented to a young rider who has participated in this year’s Scotia Series competitions. Sportsmanship involves the exemplary conduct of a young rider competing in the show ring and interacting with other competitors and officials, working in the stabling areas and associating with the general public at a competition.