HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1973-09-06, Page 45Jn
Burt Bean has had a very successful career thus far In show horses. Here ars just a few 01
the trophies and ribbons which Burt's horses have brought home from various fairs this
year including the Canadian National ExhibltiOn Horse Show. Burt estimates that he has
won well over 200 prize ribbons during the time he has been In the shim horse hobby. (Staff
photo)
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ti F
11.1
rut
SA
't love the sport, I
be in it', stated,
orseman and Well-
rformance trainer
end traing horses is
bobby for Burt„it is
which has slowly
seeped into his blood since he
was sixteen.
It all began as a youngster
when he obtained his first
hobby horse.which he rode in a
local saddle club. At that time
he trained his horse efficiently
but unprofessionally. -
Having achieved much suc-
cess with ,his training and
breeding of show horses over
the years, Burt , decided four
years ago to start training hor-
ses professionally for other
people. Right now he has more
people waiting to bring their
horses to him. than he can ac-
cept. ,
The main ingredient , in
training a horse is "time and
patience" states Burt. When a
new animal arrives, the first
thing to be done is to earn the
horse's confidence and attempt
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•
Polktration go on the line as riders' and horses go
brinstion In front Of the Elmira grandstaiid to be
two girls In the photo are Susan 'Besmonii and
•
Dawneen McKenzie students of Arnold and Ronnie Zon-
neveld of Sunfield Acres:. (Staff photo)
to discover what kind of a
disposition he has. and what
kind of training has been done.
before.
Many times an owner will at-
tempt to train his animal on his
own and finds he is not suc-
ceeding.He then brings the
horse to Burt who must try to
correct the bad training and do
the job properly. '
According to Burt, "there is
very little difference between
training a horse aura' child,"
"Every horse -has a separate
and distinct per&nality. You
can't beat thanimal into
obedience, you have to earn his
respect."
Because of the many dif-
ferent types of horses and
classes, it is too difficult to go
into -all" Of the different ways
a, ..Ltineana of training. „Each
htirse, like a person, may bo
gooct in one or two types of
classes or activities, but may
not perform well in others.
Oncethe horse's capabilities
are discovered, Burt can then
proceed to train that horse for
what best suits it.
One example however could
be the "Open Parade Horse."
In training this graceful, showy
animal you must teach him not
to canter, beak or hop: His
movement ;must be a graceful
animated walk while his
,parade gait should be brisk and
between four to seven miles an
hour. His head must be kept
high while his nose is tucked in
towards his chest.
A good show horse must also
he spirited almost to •the.point
where the rider could lose con-
trol but doesn't.
A successful performance
horse is not ever shown in
breeding classes. If the animal
is shown in such classes, he
becomes used to the surroun-
dings and the crowds and as a
result, he loses some of the
"edge" and excitement of en-,
tering the show ring.
Little does the average spec -
After the showlsov�rlhe tack must be .wlped off -and re -packed for transporting back to
the farm. The riders ponder over the mistakes they may have made during the show and
then strive to .correct them. -.(Staff photo)
tator at horse shows fully
realize the amount of work'that
must be put into even caring for
a horse, much less showing
him.
The time and patience with
training the animal is so
strenuous that a horsermay not
be ready to be shown for a year
or more from the beginning of
its training. On the other hand
a horse may be ready to be
shown as early as four months
after the commencement of
training*
Burt claims that an hour and
one half per day is very often
necessary to spend onworking
with a show horse.
The proper feed and vitamins
in the correct amounts are of
utmost importance to ensure a
healthy animal with the right
sheen on its coat.
Grooming is as important to
horses as it is,,to people.
Brushing, vacuuming and
bathing are regular duties
which must be performed to
maintain a good appearance in
the animal. Owning any horse
'tends to "tie'' one down". Unless
you have a reliable horse -sitter
you can't leave home for
holidays or trips.
Burt is the first to admit that
it is not up to the horse alone to
perform well In the show ring
hut the rider as well. It is the
mutual. admiration and team-
work .between the rider and
horse that makes for a winning
combination.
While Burt Bean is bisv
training the horses. Arnold and,
Ronnie Zonneveld of R.R. 4,
Goderich • are busy training
youngsters as very capable
riders. The spirit of co-
operation between Bean and
Zonneveld is excellent as they
often travel to shows together.
Currently 20-25 students are
taking riding- lessolis , at the
Zonneveld farm, Sunfield Acres
(located on the road linking
Carlow with Benmiller).
Ronnie Zonneveld explain
that she is "mostly concerned
with teaching students to ride;
period. After that, we can
teach them different styles of
riding such as hunter, sad-
dlebred, jumper or western.
"It is most important that
the rider learns the art of
balance and syncronfzation
with the horse, as well as how
to establish contacts and aids."
By teaching English riding
on_ English saddles, the rider
benefits more from the contact
with the horse. "This type of
contact you can't get through a
large western saddle," .Ronnie
stated.
"To- learn the skill of riding
well enough to mount the
American Saddlebred is the
prize all our students aim for,"
claim the Zonnevelds.
Both the Zonnevelds and
Burt Bean are "high" on the
saddlebreil because it is a ver-
satile as well as a very pretty
animal.
The American Saddle Horse
has been hailed as the world's
most 'beautiful horse by a host
of admirers. It is commonly
known as the Kentucky Sad -
.4(41th22. -Cbu*Os of activity as the horses must Parades Proud Penny Wine riding students &
sMars soemond FI re Placed into the trailers for train- and Dawneen McKenzie braid the mane. (Staff photo)
onn.you
1. bug hero washing down
0
Sort Dean ot MM. 5 Goderich has recently constructed an
"arena" which will enable him to efficiently work with his
show horses year round. Here hs Is seen putting pogends
Courageous Golden Frosty through her paces. "Golden
Frosty" was', recently named\eserve Grand Champion
Palornino Mare at the Canadian National Exhibition. (Staff
phOto)