As a new form of competition, the meet format is designed to encourage practitioners of all forms of natural horsemanship to showcase their skills in a competitive and supportive environment.  The event was offered, free of charge, to introduce this new format and the AAPH_NE Categories of Progression. After being greeted at check-in, attendees mixed and mingled and had the opportunity to browse through a display that included a glossary, slide show, and printed material. Refreshments (including Girl Scout cookies!) were available for sale as were rope halters brought by Joan Adams. In June 2005, AAPH_NE will sponsor an Open Schooling Horsemanship Meet based on this format.

In the morning, AAPH_NE welcomed several area enthusiasts as demonstrators of the Categories, with the purpose of giving everyone an idea of what each category entailed.  Reva Seybolt and her Belgian cross Boomer were the first participants, demonstrating the Ground Work I Category of Progression.  Reva and Boomer demonstrated a strong match of energy and clear communication.  This class focuses on the first interaction between horse and handler, including the orientation of the horse to the handler, followed by several yields in hand, then finishing with loose work through walk, trot, and canter transitions in a round pen.

The next Category demonstration was Prepare to Ride I, with Jean Morrison and her Andalusian/ASB mare La Bonita.  Like the Ground Work category, Prepare to Ride is broken up into three sections, with some work done in the round pen and some in an open area.  The longest of the four categories, Prepare to Ride involves presenting various articles, such as a flag or a tarp, to both sides of the horse from the ground and then from the “upper plane” (in this case, from the top of the round pen fence).  Additionally, a horse/handler team works through a series of obstacles such as hanging tarps and mud puddles, followed by saddling and loose rating in the round pen.  Although she had never seen tarps hanging before, La Bonita willingly and quietly followed Jean through each obstacle.

Following Prepare to Ride I was the Mounting and Moving I category, demonstrated by Pamela Swanson and Xander, her Oldenburg cross gelding.  During Pamela and Xander’s category demonstration, the evaluators took advantage of the flexible nature of the AAPHNE meet format and asked for certain segments of the category to be shown a second time, allowing them an additional opportunity to evaluate and comment on Pamela and Xanders’ teamwork.  The focal point of the Mounting and Moving category is to illustrate the continuation of the relationship between horse and handler that begins during the preceding categories.  This includes mounting, demonstrating lateral and poll flexion from the saddle, transitions through all gaits in both directions, and other exercises designed to demonstrate clear communication between horse and handler. 

Adri Kerr and her Hanoverian mare Allegra were the morning’s final demonstration team, showing the Riding I category.  This category calls for demonstrating a smooth leave and halt, transition through all the gaits in both directions, yields in reverse both in a straight line and in a serpentine, and other maneuvers.  These exercises work in harmony, building on the previous categories and furthering the horse/handler partnership toward the goal of riding together. Although this category is typically performed in an open area, Adri and Allegra adapted very well to the limited space and demonstrated all movements in the round pen.

Wendy Warner of Seven Springs Farm and Nancy Adams of Tana Farm graciously volunteered to participate as the evaluators for the morning horse/handler team demonstrations using the AAPHNE scoring criteria.  These professional horsewomen brought their diverse expertise and provided valuable feedback in support of this new competitive format.

During lunch break, Karen Noble moderated a short roundtable discussion about the morning session of the Mock Meet, including the evaluation process. In the afternoon, everyone, spectators included, were encouraged to try their hand at evaluating four teams who competed in the Ground Work I category during the afternoon. The horse/handler teams who participated in the Ground Work I category included:  Mystique/Stephanie Glynn, Gryffindor/Kevin Hadfield, Ice Man /Nicole Adams and Yonek/Patricia Carnegie. Their participation was much appreciated, as all four teams substituted for originally scheduled teams who were snowed in and unable to attend.  

The Categories of Progression present a sequence that relies on building a strong foundation in one category before progression to the next. AAPH_NE believes the Categories of Progression put the working relationship between equine and handler into a practical context from ground work through riding as well as provide a framework for assessment of the application of skills and understanding of the natural equine laws.   

Entries open on April 22, 2005 for the June 4 – 5 Meet in Mendon.  All practitioners of natural horsemanship, regardless of training methodology or discipline, are welcome and encouraged to participate.  Spectators are welcome free of charge.  Check the website, for more information, on the upcoming Meet in June, scoring criteria and glossary.