A lifetime with horses helped a Foothills area rider win a pair of championships at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Suzon Schaal, a Foothills-area veterinarian, won the non-pro and the open bridle division of the Calgary Stampede’s Working Cow Horse competitions at the Agrium Western Event Centre.
She won the open bridle on top of her friend of a decade, mare Genuine Brown Gal.
“I’ve had her for about 10 years and she is always incredibly honest and tries very hard for me,” Schaal said of Genna. “She has always done pretty well in the rein work and is pretty good on the cow.”
She’s got some Foothills modesty goin’ — pretty good meant bein no. 1 among some of the best horses in the world.
She won the championship with a 153 in the cow work, after being 146.5 in the reined work.
Working a cow has the horse controlling the cow down a fence, turning in both directions.
“The cow work is what she really enjoys not very many cows can outsmart her,” Schaal said. “We were pretty fortunate to get a good cow. Some of them did not want to participate.”
Genna’s got it when it comes to cow work.
“Some of it is just instinct — she likes to work cows,” Schaal said.
The rein work consisted of a predetermined series of moves that included large circles at fast speed, a small circle at slow speed, spins and sliding stops.
She was tied with Okotoks’ Clay Webster and High River’s Vance Kaglea after the reining competition. Although Schaal posted an impressive 153 in the working-cow, she didn’t take anything for granted with four riders following her.
“I am never confident because of the cow and horsepower that is out there, you can always be beat,” she said. “I was very happy with how she did — everything I asked of her.”
Schaal, who picked up $4,890 for winning the open bridle, had plenty of company from the Foothills. Half of the 14 riders were from the local area — five of them finished in the top 10 and they owned the podium.
Kaglea was second on Reminiscin The Chics while Longview’s Clint Swales riding Smart Like Solanos was third.
It was the second time in three years, Genna and Schaal have won the open bridle. They won in it in 2015 and she was runner-up to Millarville’s John Swales last year.
Schaal’s victory is impressive as she beat plenty of professionals — those who train horses for a living in the pro division.
She proved to be the top amateur by winning the non-pro title on her mare Chics Ruffled Up for the second-consecutive year.
She had a solid showing in the reining portion, but got thrown for a loop initially in working the cow.
The cow was lacking in the work department.
“The first cow I drew, wouldn’t go down the fence — fortunately they gave me another one,” Schaal said. “I was getting a little worried because I tried about three times to get it to do down the fence and it just wouldn’t go.
“I guess I had shown them enough times that I was in the right position, tried to make the cow go and it wouldn’t.
“So that was grounds to give me a new one.”
The mare didn’t get ruffled by having to take on a new cow.
“That one wanted to participate better,” Schaal said. “She (Chics Ruffled Up) was good down the fence, stayed nice and tight to the cow and it turned out okay.”
He was first in the cow work at 150, after posting a more-than-respectable 146 in reining. Schaal picked up $2,490 for winning the non-pro title.
John Swales — who won the World’s Greatest Horseman championship in Fort Worth earlier this year — didn’t come home from the Stampede empty-handed. He won the he Open Hackamore, taking the championship with his 301 ride (148 rein work, 153 cow work) on Cats Picasso, owned by Robbie McKay of Black Diamond.
Swales’ veterinarian is Schaal. As well, he has helped train Schaal’s horses in the past. Swales’ brother, Clint, was second on Lets Go Higher in the open hackamore. John picked up $6,350 while Clint received $3,800.
