After a mostly rainy spring the Reigning Riders Light Horse 4-H club were considering changing their names to the "Raining Riders."
It was tough. Clinics were cancelled due to rain, the acheivement day lasted a whole half an hour before a storm hit and some club members decided not to take the risk of attending the regional show, due to the outbreak of the equine rhino virus.
But, if a person believes that out of every rain cloud there comes a silver lining, it happened for the club this July. The members decided it would be fun to have a three-day equestrian camp. It was held July 17 to 20 at Rafter Y Ranch, near Hafford.
In the spirit of the 4-H motto, "learn to do by doing," the seven members attending were responsible for the care of their own horse, as well as breakfast, lunch and supper clean-up duties. The camp consisted of: hours of trail riding, a different craft every day, many trips in the hot afternoons to go swimming at Redberry Lake, playing Mantracker, visiting the famous crooked bush at dusk (won't do that again!). Barrel racing, pole bending, keyhole, potato race and quadrangle race instruction followed by a gymkana added a little friendly competition on the last day.
During one of the craft sessions members came up with an appropriate name for the camp, "Camp ACE" - A for aquatics, C for crafts, and E for equestrian.
When the parents arrived on the last day to pick up members and their horses, they enjoyed supper with the kids and a small awards presentation.
Awards were earned by: Rayna Yasieniuk for junior barrels and keyhole; Danika Diceman for quadrangle race and most improved barrels; Baylie Yasieniuk for pole bending and all around barrels; J.C. Blais for potato race and members placed her first for one of the crafts; Riley Yasieniukwasvoted most improved diver; the only person not to be found during Mantracker, Keltye Blais, was awarded the best diver and the best 4-H spirit; Codie Yasieniukwas voted best craft by members and all around pole bending.
Finally, after a heart breaking spring for the members, the sun came out and the Reigning Riders enjoyed every minute of it!
