They're GREAT
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Tony Tait was motivated by the desire to bring kids and horses together.
“I wanted kids to have an opportunity to ride a horse,” said the president of the Goshen Ridge Equine Association of Tillsonburg (G.R.E.A.T.).
When Tait opened the club 2007, he wanted to create an environment that was safe and family-oriented. The club is based around beginner and novice riders.
“This is not for professionals. This should be for entry-level riders and kids. That’s where the emphasis has to be.”
“G.R.E.A.T.’ s level is for beginner riders mostly, but people of all ages and skill level can learn something and have competition,” said 16-year-old Victoria Schurink, who has been riding with the club for five years.
This coming summer will be the club’s seventh season. The majority of the club’s membership is people who have never ridden with G.R.E.A.T. before. The club started out with 60 riders, only 20 of which would come regularly. As of the 2012 season, the club has grown to over 200. The ages of the riders range in age from two to 85.
“I have been showing so long that I just go for fun and meet great new people. I also like to support other exhibitors in what their goals are,” said Autumn Miller, a dedicated G.R.E.A.T. rider.
G.R.E.A.T. offers both English and Western disciplines, opening up more class variety for riders in the area. They also offer classes that are exclusive to the club, such as English Barrel Racing, Western Hack and Scurry Race, each of which are a mix of the two disciplines.
The club strives to ensure that every young competitor is having a good time. Each season, G.R.E.A.T. puts on two costume classes, in which the kids can dress both themselves and their horse or pony up in the costume of their choice. Each child that participates in the event is awarded a prize before continuing on with the show. Although the prizes are small, the grins on the children’s faces are huge.
“We all have time for you to take your time and learn and teach your younger horses the ropes to the show world,” said Kristen Ward, a regular rider at G.R.E.A.T.
“It’s a great place to ride,” said Schurink. “And it’s kinda’ like a family, everyone knows everyone and always welcomes new family members.”
Shows run every second Sunday of the month, from May to September. A special show takes place in July, in celebration of Canada Day, and September, when all funds raised are donated to The Canadian Cancer Society.
For more information about show times, classes and upcoming events, visit www.goshenridge.com.