A local reiner has returned home a champion from the recent National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Eastern Canada Regional Affiliate Finals.
Chet Martin, 26, of Mapleton Township, rode six-year-old quarter horse Smart Jailbird to claim the “limited open” and “rookie professional” reining championship at the event, held Sept. 27 to 29 in Waterford.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way our season is ending,” said Martin. “I was pretty nervous going into our final run to break the tie from our previous go in the limited but my horse held it together for another run even though he was tired. I’m really proud of him.”
With the win Martin becomes one of only eight riders in the limited open and rookie pro classes to qualify for the Adequan North American Affiliate Championships in Oklahoma City from Nov. 28 to Dec. 6.
“I am thankful for all the great people who have helped me in the horse community and in the Ontario Reining Horse Association and encourage anyone with an interest in horses to come out and watch an event,” said Martin.
“Ontario has a lot of very successful horse trainers and I only hope to be half the horseman they are some day.”
Eleven-year-old quarter horse Rustic Colorado Skip, owned by Betty Wilke and bred and raised by Joanne Milton of Rustic Meadows near Hillsburgh, also with Martin aboard, was the reserve rookie pro champion at the regionals.
For Martin, who trains horses northeast of Drayton at Martin Ranch, it was his first time competing in the affiliate finals and also his first full year of NRHA reining competition.
“It’s something I’ve always played with, since I was a kid – but I just started competing a couple of years ago,” said Martin.
Reining, a western riding competition in which riders guide horses through a precise pattern of spins, circles and stops, is regarded by many as the fastest growing and most popular western equine sport around the world.
“I just love the control of it,” Martin said, specifically mentioning the precision of stops and spins. “It makes it exciting and fun to do.”
His sights are now set on performing well at the North American championships in Oklahoma City next month.
The Eastern Canada Affiliate Finals are sanctioned by the NRHA. Incorporated in 1966, the association is the governing body for the sport of reining. For more information visit www.nrha.com.
– with files from Amy Martin
