The Times-Advocate, 2002-11-13, Page 18By Sandra Forster
TIMES-ADVOCATE STAFF
BIDDULPH – Size and
age don’t matter when
one earns the right to
compete at the Royal
Agricultural Winter Fair.
Just ask horse jumping
enthusiast Meghan Devlin,
16, of Biddulph who’s
going to ride ‘Miss
Budweiser’ in the large
pony hunter class Nov. 16.
The Grade 12 student at
Medway High School
started riding English
when she was eight years
old and her small stature
(under 5’) will help her
stay in the pony class until
reaching the age limit of
18.
Large ponies are 13.3 to
14.2 hands.
Love of horses
After Meghan’s first rid-
ing program experience,
she fell in love with hors-
es, bought her first pony,
took riding lessons,
worked with horses at
summer camp then tried
showing.
In her first attempt, she
won on the Ontario
Trillium Level
Competition at the Aylmer
Fair Grounds.
Buoyed by that success,
Meghan competed in the
‘A’ circuit, the highest
level of competition for
horses and ponies. This
summer she was named
Champion of Elmira, New
York ‘A’ show on her
Quarter horse ‘Miss
Budweiser.’
Royal treatment
Meghan describes her
first experience at the
Royal five years ago as
“really nerve-racking but
lots of fun and reward-
ing.”
Two years ago she was
named reserve champion
in the small pony division.
Mom Alexis says, “Just
getting a ribbon at the
Royal is an achievement.”
The Royal jumping ring
is a dirt floor with up to
nine jumps up to 2’9”
high.
The hunter class is not a
timed event but the horse
and rider’s appearance is
judged.
Horses who refuse or
knock down a fence or
add a step before a jump
lose points. Meghan says
the course must be run at
an even pace with even
strides on the 60’ between
each jump.
Meghan is a student of
trainer Shelli Coppin from
Brampton.
This year she’ll be up
against 14 others from
eastern Canada. Her
horse’s warm-up time is
scheduled for 5:15 a.m.
and Meghan braids her
pony’s mane and tail
before competing.
“You don’t get much
sleep in this game,” Alexis
says.
Safety first
Mandatory equipment
includes a fibreglass-lined
riding helmet with neck
support.
Meghan’s luckily never
been seriously injured.
Grass outdoor rings
become slippery for hors-
es running in the rain.
Like soccer games, com-
petitions go ahead even in
rain. Meghan has compet-
ed even when the water
was pouring off the peak
of her helmet. She won’t
have that worry at the
indoor riding arena at the
Royal.
“I’m really looking for-
ward to the Royal,”
Meghan says.
She’ll take some time
away from school and her
co-op job to attend the
Royal. Not all her teach-
ers and classmates con-
sider horse jumping a
sport.
The experience allowed
her to meet horse enthusi-
asts from all over, includ-
ing Olympic equestrian
Ian Miller.
“It’s cool to meet people
with the same interests,”
Meghan says.
Although her coach has
plans for her to compete
in ‘Rising Star’, forerun-
ner to the Olympic team,
Meghan says her educa-
tion comes first.
Her future career is
unclear, but “I’m sure I’ll
have horses in my life
always,” she says.
Wednesday, November 13, 2002 13Exeter Times–Advocate
FOR SALE
-14 Unit Townhouse Complex, Exeter
NOI: Approx. $49,280
- 10 Unit Apartment, Dashwood
NOI: Approx. $25,411
- Retail/Office Building, Forest
Total: 6,000 SF, Across from Tim Horton’s
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- Development Site, Grand Bend, 3.86 Acres
Approved for 35 Townhouses
Asking $399,900
For more information, please contact:
Tyler Desjardine
Sales Representative
(519) 438-5588
Daimler Chrysler
Correction Notice
The Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge retailer special insertion which
appears in this newspaper contains a Buy 3 Tires get the
4th Tire Free offer. The disclaimer reads “Must be dealer
installed and excludes tire sizes over 18 inches”. This dis-
claimer should read “Must be dealer installed and excludes
tire sizes 18 inches and over”.
We apologize for any misunderstanding this may have caused.
Call one of our
friendly professionals for a free,
confidential consultation
235-3328 or 235-DEBT
Convenient, flexible
appointments to fit your schedule
OFFICES IN EXETER & LONDON
TRUSTEES IN BANKRUPTCY
EXETER BUSINESS CENTRE
1-888-995-9909
476 Main St. S. (at Huron) 2nd Floor
Financial Problems?
Worried?
Embarrassed?
We Understand.
NEW TO
THIS
AREA
Darlene O’Rourke,owner of Hecho A Mano in Dashwood,was one of 80 ven-
dors at the Lucan Christmas Craft Show at the Lucan Community Memorial
Centre on the weekend.In business for four years in Dashwood so far,this was
O’Rourke’s third time at the Lucan craft show.O’Rourke makes most of the folk
art items she sells.(photo/Scott Nixon)
Christmas season startsRider competes at Royal Fair
Meghan Devlin,16,and her Quarter horse ‘Miss
Budweiser’ clear a jump on the way to winning a
New York State championship this summer.
(photo/submitted)
Three break-ins
EXETER – Three busi-
nesses in one building
reported a break-in
overnight Nov. 6- 7.
Huron OPP report a
window was force open
on Main St. S., Exeter and
$1,000 worth of cash and
product were stolen from
the stores.
Items stolen from
Dinney Furniture,
Innovative Flooring and
Rumors Hair Design
include a hair razor with
attachments, two pillows,
two wooden candles, two
queen-size mattress pads
and a queen size com-
forter.
Anyone who can help
OPP solve this case is
asked to call the Exeter
OPP office or Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-
8477(TIPS).