The Huron Expositor, 1998-03-18, Page 67Team penning growing
in popularity right here
by Tracey Doerr
Arodeo-style sport
that you don't have
to travel west for, is
growing in popularity,
right here in Ontario.
Cowboys take part in
the equine competition
which is called team pen-
ning.
"It's a fun, family sport
that requires team work
and chasing and moving
cattle using horses," said
George Holm of
Walkerton.
Inside an arena are up to
30 cattle which are num-
bered in three's.
Three riders are
required for the sport. As
the first rider crosses the
boundary line, the
announcer shouts out a
number. The riders are
then responsible for cut-
ting the cattle from the
herd which are marked
with that number.
The cattle must be
moved into the pen, at the
opposite end of the arena,
in under 90 seconds in
order to qualify for prizes.
Disqualification can occur
if riders allow any more
than four cattle across the
boundary at one time.
"It's exciting and chal-
lenging and you meet a lot
of good people," said
Holm.
Holm has been compet-
ing in team pennings for
six years. His first attempt
was in a competition at a
fall fair held in Glenco,
Ontario. Since then, he's
become hooked.
For Marty Cassidy, of
Cargill, success came the
first year. Holm introduced
him to the sport in 1993
and in 1994, Cassidy
claimed the championship
title, but he's the first to
admit the sport has a lot to
do with luck.
However, a well trained
horse is a big asset. Hours
must be spent training the
horse not to be afraid of
cattle, it must be quick and
used to its rider.
Cassidy uses a 14 -year-old
paint horse as well as a
three-year-old quarter
horse for competition,
while Holm uses Grey, a
17 -year-old quarter horse.
Together the men travel
as far as Kingston to par-
ticipate in competitions.
There are categories for
women, youth, profession-
als and one for a profes-
sional/amateur mix.
Participants pay up to
$75 a team for one shot at
the prize money which
varies from $150 to $400
for first place. Forty per
cent of the entry fees go -
toward stock fees.
Competitions begin in
April and continue in are-
nas across south-western
Ontario through until
November. The past two
years, the finals have been
held in Walkerton.
George Holm, of Walkerton, with his quarter
horse Grey in a competition held outside of
Walkerton last year.
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