QMS Riders Continue Hot Streak
The summer heat wave isn’t slowing down members of the Queen Margaret’s School Equestrian Team from continuing their string of strong performances at BC events. Most recently, their hard work at Arbutus Meadows and Thunderbird earned a rainbow of coloured ribbons.
QMS Head Coach, Cheryl Keith, continually encourages the growth of her riders through participation in several shows throughout the summer months. “These events are important for rider development,” explains Keith. “Shows like Arbutus and Thunderbird assist our girls to improve their showmanship, develop their equitation skills, and learn to cope with the stresses of competition in a sportsmanlike manner. I am always proud of how our students are positive ambassadors for the program at QMS and the sport as a whole.”
Senior riders took to the course at Arbutus Meadows for the Arbutus Derby June 22-23 and kicked off the summer on a high note with the following results:
*Christine Coels – Grade 10 on Clockwork 2’3” Junior Amateur Hunter Derby 1st Place, 2’3” Low Hunter 3rd Place
*Alice Young – Grade 12 on Piccadilly 1.1m Schooling Jumper & 3’3” Low Hunter 1st Place
*Danielle Holmes –QMS Alumna & School Vet on Go Shorty (owned by Catherine Rankin) 2’9” Low Hunter, 2’9” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby & 3’ Foxstone Hunter Derby 1st Place
Cheryl Keith and her team then journeyed across the water to Thunderbird Show Park in Langley to participate in the West Coast Classic Show and the Western Family Show, June 26 – July 7. “I think non-riders have this misconception that the QMS stables are a quiet place during the summer,” laughs Keith. “It’s quite the opposite. Our coaching staff, horses and students are deep in a marathon of competitions. This sport demands a lot from us.” The hard work is clearly paying off:
*Christine Coels – Grade 10 on Clockwork Short Stirrup Equitation Champion (Week 1), Short Stirrup Hunter Champion (Week 1), Short Stirrup Hunter Reserve Champion (Week 2), Award: Leading Junior Lady Hunter Rider (Week 2)
*Cheryl Keith – QMS Coach on Go Shorty (owned by Catherine Rankin) Second Year Pregreen Champion (Week 1)
*Emily Cake – Grade 8 on Debonaire Pre Child Equitation Reserve Champion (Week 2), Pre Child Hunter Reserve Champion (Week 2)
*Kassidy Keith – Grade 10 on Piccadilly (owned by Alice Young) Award: Washington Good Hands and Seat (Week 2), Canadian Equestrian Team Medal (CET) 8th Place (Week 2)
*Luci Sliwowska – Grade 11 on Mr. Playboy .75m Jumpers 2nd Place
The busy team then travelled back to the Island for the Arbutus Meadows Island Classic 2013 July 11-14 with equally impressive results at the show:
*Emily Cake – Grade 8 on Debonaire Pre Adult Hunter 2’6” & 2’6” Jumper Champion, Welcome Jumper .75m 1st Place, Pre Child Equitation 2’6” 1st Place
*Kassidy Keith – Grade 10 on Crackerjack (owned by Maplebrook Farm) 1.25m Jumper Classic 2nd Place
*Kassidy Keith – Grade 10 on Loustik de breuil Low Hunter 3’6” 2nd Place
*Christine Coels – Grade 10 on Arius 2’3” Welcome Hunter Reserve Champion, Short & Long Stirrup Equitation 1st Place
*Luci Sliwowska – Grade 11 on Mr. Playboy .75m Jumpers 2nd Place
*Lauren Bailey – Grade 12 on Loustik de breuil Children’s Hunter 3’ 1st & 2nd Place
*Danielle Holmes (nee Fritz) – QMS Alumna & School Vet on Go Shorty (owned by Catherine Rankin) Adult Hunter Champion
3’ Low Hunter & Victoria Saddlery Combined Medal – Gymnastics Phase 1st Place
Grade 12 student Alexandra Millar from Ontario has also been earning great results. “Allie qualified for the Eastern Canadian Equestrian Team Medal (CET) Regional finals in Ontario,” shares Cheryl Keith. “If she places in the top four aboard her horse Mistral, she will compete in the National Championships at The Royal Winter Fair in November. We are very excited for her!”
The team is currently preparing for three straight weeks of competition in August at the Benefit Horse Show in Saanich, Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, and the Evergreen Classic Benefit Horse Show (Evergreen, WA, USA).