Riders aged from six to eighty years ventured out to try the first Ranch Versatility Day on 27 March.
The Beaudesert Cutting & Western Performance Club has recently formed a new sub-committee to enable riders to engage in this emerging equine sport.
Ranch Versatility Sub-Committee Chairman, Colleen Collins said in the past the Club has held both Cutting and Western Performance practice days as well as point scoring days for members, but over the past three years only Cutting days have been held.
“This year myself and a wonderful group of people have formed a sub-committee as part of the BCWP Club and we are starting a new venture, with Ranch Versatility Practice Days and Clinics,” said Colleen.
Practice days are run at a cost of $20 per rider per day for Club Members and Youth Members ride free.
The Club will hold an Annual Ranch Versatility Points Scoring Day for Annual Club Awards.
Versatility Ranch Horse allows Australian Quarter Horses (and other working breeds) to demonstrate their ranching abilities.
Horses are to travel on a loose rein, similar to how they would work on a farm or ranch.
The competition promotes the athletic ability and versatility of the horse, demonstrated in six classes – ranch riding, ranch trail (which includes riding over logs, through water courses and through gates), ranch reining, ranch cow work, ranch cutting and ranch conformation.
“With a lot of other horses classes, the conformation classes are held at the beginning of the day but with Ranch Conformation they are held at the end of the day and judged on how the horse holds up after a day’s work,” said Colleen.
“There’s no bling involved, you actually get penalised for that, and even for blacking your horse’s feet.”
“Ranch Versatility is a fast growing equine sport in Australia and we are looking forward to what the future brings for the sport in the Scenic Rim.”
The next Ranch Versatility practice will be held over the weekend of 30 April and 1 May at the Sue West Memorial Indoor Arena in Josephville.
All horse breeds and rider ages are welcome. For more information contact Colleen Collins on 0477 444 487.
