The AEBM is proud to be able to sponsor the 'Best Performed Barefoot Horse' at selected equestrian competitions.
A tally is made of the scores for competitors who nominate to participate in the section, and the highest result is rewarded with a large sash, an AEBM DVD and a year's membership to the AEBM.
If your club is interested in having the AEBM sponsor a barefoot section at an event, please contact us at admin@aebm.org.au
Below are some of the recipients of this prize.
Best Performed Barefoot Horse – Diamond Valley Spring Dressage Series
By Kerry Killeen, St Andrews, Victoria
The Australian Equine Barefoot Movement and Cavallo Horse & Rider Inc sponsored the Best Performed Barefoot Horse or Pony over the Diamond Valley Spring (even though it was Autumn) Dressage Series recently hosted by Kangaroo Ground, Hurstbridge and Eastern Region Adult Riding Clubs.
After a break of almost two years Kangabee and I decided to go out competing again. Hurstbridge Dressage Day was just so close to St Andrews that I thought I really should give it a go. So not saying a word to anyone (in case we bombed out badly) we entered. Lucky we had early times so I figured if we went badly no one would see us.
Both tests went really well – slight hiccup in one of the canters – but was very pleased with his performance. Not having competed for so long I really had nothing to judge his performance by. But he astounded me and WON both of the Level 3 tests and WON the Jackpot and WON the Best Performed Barefoot Horse. I was absolutely thrilled!
Figured we were on a good thing and should compete at the Eastern Region Dressage day in a month’s time. Again he did two very good tests coming 6th in the first test and winning the 2nd test … overall winning the Best Performed Barefoot Horse again AND taking out the Barefoot Series Winner. The prize was a sash, set of Cavallo SIMPLE Hoof Boots, a year’s subscription to ‘The Horse’s Hoof’ magazine, a year’s free AEBM membership, a cap, DVD and bumper sticker. (about time Kangabee started paying for his own hoof boots!).
At Kangaroo Ground & Eastern Region dressage days AEBM had a stall set up in the afternoon to provide information and advice on how to go barefoot. There were also hoof boots provided by Cavallo on display.
There were several barefoot horses besides Kangabee competing throughout the series - Peter Dunlop on Karramar Mystique from Yarra Hills EC - was Best Performed Barefoot Horse at Kangaroo Ground (prize was AEBM membership, sash, cap and DVD) also taking out second place in Level 4. Robyn Sholly, Hurstbridge, won a level 4 test, Kirsty Lynch, St Andrews, won the two level 5 tests and the Jackpot at Eastern Region, and Shan Schnookel, Kangaroo Ground, had two thirds in level 2.
Now Kangabee and I have been upgraded to Level 2 and are on the look out for more competitions – seems like I have the competition bug again.
Kangabee and I have been barefoot for four and a half years now. We wear hoof protection boots when trail riding out on the hard stony roads around St Andrews and you wouldn’t believe the amount of people that stop and ask me what is on his feet!!! The rest of the time he is running natural in the paddock. Never have to worry about losing that shoe again!!!
Awareness about the Barefoot Movement is slowly growing and it was great that the individual clubs for this series offered to host the Barefoot Prize and promote barefoot horses competing in the dressage discipline.
Thanks to the AEBM for sponsoring the series and promoting ‘Barefoot Performance’ and to Cavallo SIMPLE Boots and ‘The Horse’s Hoof Magazine’ for the Series Prize.
Look out for us at more competitions later this year.
Kerry & Kangabee
AEBM Sponsors 'Best Performed Barefoot Horse' at KGARC dressage competition
On 17th February 2008 the AEBM again sponsored the barefoot section at the Kangaroo Ground Dressage Jackpot Competition .
KGARC Dressage Jackpot report - by Peter Dunlop.
Well this came as a bit of a surprise - winning my second 'best-performed barefoot horse' award at the Kangaroo Ground Dressage Jackpot day (Round one of the 2008 Diamond Valley Dressage Series).
I had two horses entered for the day - my normal riding horse Cherie (who won the award last year), and my wife's less experienced horse Myst, who was attempting to come to grips with being at her second ever event.
Cherie was quite tense in the warm-up (due to some other horses carrying on around her) and to her credit did a couple of nice tests, but was not relaxed enough to really give her best.
Myst was a little uptight, but did what was asked of her, and although she was not as relaxed and forward moving as she normally is at home, managed to score a 2nd placing in one of her level 4 dressage tests.
This was the best of the results achieved on the day for the 9 horses entered into the composite 'barefoot' section, and so Myst and I were awarded the win.
Thanks go to the AEBM for sponsoring this section - the idea is to encourage others to get out and compete on barefoot horses. Let's show what can be achieved!
Thanks also to Kangaroo Ground Adult Riding Club for being prepared to run this section again this year.
And a big thank you to Julie Leitl, who is keeping our horses hooves in top condition!
There will also be barefoot section at the other events in the DV series. Hope to see some of you at the Hurstbridge and Eltham rounds.
AEBM Sponsors "Best Performed Barefoot Horse"
Standardbred Pleasure and Performance Horse Assocation of Victoria (SPPHAV) State Championships for led, ridden and harness classes - Sunday 21st January 2007 Mountain District Horse and Pony Club) Eastfield Park, Croydon, Victoria.
Dakota's First Day Out - by owner Cheryl Claney
The morning for the Standardbred Pleasure & Performance horse Association of Victoria Inc State Championships arrived. Dakota is a Standardbred Arab cross yearling colt and I was nervous because the previous week I wanted to take Dakota to a show but he refused to load. As a result, I spent a long week taking him on and off the float. Well, after not even 5 minutes he was on the float and we were on our way. It took me longer to get the car ready because the back of the station wagon wouldn’t close and, in the end, I tied it down with hay twine (what a Godsend that is).
For Dakota’s first real float trip he handled it pretty well and we arrived at the show where I got him ready with the help of Rebecca Lund who would also be handling Dakota in the ring for me. This was my first time showing and I sent Rebecca to the wrong ring so we pretty much missed Dakota's first class – live and learn! I had it worked out for his next class and Dakota was ready, where he should be. I was rapt with how well he has behaving for his first time out and in the Led Partbred Standardbred 3 years and under class, we got second. I was so happy! His next class was the Led Partbred Male 3 years and under which we got first and from this we got Reserve State Champion Led Partbred Male. I was so proud of him. Because Dakota is a yearling and it had been a busy morning, I decided to leave the show after my classes. I was so surprised when I received a phone call to say I had been awarded the Australian Equine Barefoot Movement Inc Best Performed Horse or Pony.
There were 6 horses entered in the competition so I am very proud of this young fellow. What a day! Now I can start preparing for the next show.
AEBM Sponsors 'Best Performed Barefoot Horse' at dressage competition
On 29th October 2006 the AEBM sponsored the Kangaroo Ground Dressage Competition barefoot section. Kangaroo Ground's Dressage Jackpot this year included a section for the best performed barefoot horse on the day.
KGARC Dressage Jackpot report - by owner Peter Dunlop
There were 9 barefoot horses entered into this section out of a field of nearly 50 competitors. The warm-up areas and main arenas were a mix of coarse sand and small pebbles, but I did not see any sign of hardship from the horses that were competing barefoot.
My young mare Cherie got to experience an array of new sights and sounds (it is only her 4th competition) and was quite uptight initially, but (mostly) settled down to give me some lovely tests. We managed to score a 2nd and a 3rd in the two tests, placing second overall in the jackpot for level 4.
The percentage marks in the barefoot section were quite close, so we were lucky to sneak in ahead by 1 point and take out 1st place. The AEBM sponsored ribbon did put the other ones to shame - it is huge!
A big thanks goes to Kangaroo Ground Adult Riding Club and to the AEBM for promoting this type of competition. It was certainly very obvious in the competition program and on the score boards that the barefoot section was considered a big part of the event, and not just 'tacked on'.
I must also say thanks to Julie Leitl who has been trimming our horses for a number of years now - Cherie had been trimmed the day before the competition, so her hooves were looking great.
AEBM Sponsors 'Best Performed Barefoot Horse' at S.A. Inaugural Clare Inter-High School Gymkhana
On 15th September, the AEBM sponsored one of the fifty-four programmed events at this inaugural gymkhana.
The Best Barefoot Horse and Rider event had 10 entries and was won by Sheree Hobart riding Keeshan. There were over 100 entries in total and all contestants received a package which included a full page explanation of what a barefoot horse is, which was a simple but adequate explanation for people quite unfamiliar with the barefoot concept.
Karen Sobey from Kadina, an active barefoot trimmer and Bowen Therapist judged the event.
Each rider was asked to circle at the trot to identify the free movers from any with lameness. Then with the horses lined up and standing quietly, she asked each rider to dismount as she came to them and pick up each foot and show the underside of the hoof. Karen explained what she was looking for and gave each rider an informative explanation.
Riders were all given AEBM contact cards and thanked for their participation.
The publicity and interest generated by this Barefoot event has led to an invitation to Karen Sobey and Shan Daw to attend a whole day at the Clare Pony Club on November 5th to talk about “hoofs and lifestyle” and to demonstrate the natural trim.
Some background on the winning horse. Keeshan is a delightful 15.2hh 22 years old bush gentleman. He was rescued 4 years ago from a starvation paddock and rough treatment. His ribs were sticking out and he could barely walk. His mane and tail were chewed and matted, and his eyes very dull. During his road to recovery, still too weak to be ridden, he was introduced to Sheree and they both fell in love with each other. Sheree would groom him and walk him around every day.
Then one day a miracle happened, Sheree wanted up on his back, up to this point Sheree had ridden a small pony and only on the lead. They spent 2 solid years together and have recently been reunited and share a special friendship.
Photo courtesy of Shan Daw
AEBM Sponsors 'Best Performed Barefoot Horse' at dressage competition
On 30th April 2006, the AEBM sponsored a special section for barefoot horses at Wandin Park Riding Club for Adults annual dressage jackpot day.
Any horse not wearing shoes was eligible for the prize on the day. This worked out to be just over 10% of the horses competing on the day.
It was judged using each competitors percentages achieved across the two tests ridden. Congratulations to Kerry Killeen riding Kangabee (pictured) for not only winning this year's barefoot award, but also for taking out the overall Level 3 Jackpot prize.
"Kangabee suffered pedal osteitis and had shocking shocking feet when I first went to him and it has been a challenging case but Kerry has hung in there with me and she has turned into a wonderful advocate for barefoot horses." Julie Leitl, Hoofcare Professional
Top 3 placings were:
- 1st - Kerry Killeen on Kangabee (154.5)
- 2nd - Ruth Manning on Max (149.6)
- 3rd - Peter Dunlop on Jobina Ringer (145.3)
Photo courtesy of Morrie Mathews www.morriemathews.com