At the 2010 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in Lexington, Kentucky, last summer, young Canadian reiners showed the world exactly what they could do. Not only did Team Alberta capture the Team gold, the Canadians also swept the individual medals with gold going to Nancy Pratch, 19, of St. Paul, Alberta, on Rooster Kicker; silver to Darcy Wilson, 18, of Port Perry, Ontario; and bronze to Vanessa Strotmann, 19, of Salmon Arm, BC. NAJYRC is the top equestrian competition in North America for riders ages 14 to 21, and reining was added to the schedule in 2008. Gold medalist Nancy Pratch talks to Horsepower about herself, her horse, and the sport of reining.
When did you first start riding, Nancy?
I was horse-crazy from the get-go, even though horses were not initially part of our family farm. My parents were convinced that I would grow out of it and that it was just a stage. At age five I started taking riding lessons from a neighbour, and when I was about eight we brought home the first of many horses. I can certainly say that I didn’t grow out of it! My family has been there every step of the way, helping me achieve my goals.
When did you get interested in reining?
It was through a clinician in my early 4-H years that I first became enthralled with the concept of reining and the level of training it presented.