Eight riders and other members of the Backcountry Horsemen of B.C.- Alberni Valley chapter put their horses through some unusual paces recently.
The riders joined drill team clinician Jodie Bater of Tiger Lily Farm to learn how to perform a choreographed routine. The clinic took place at West Brook Stables in Port Alberni.
An extreme example of drill team would be the RCMP's Musical Ride, explained Sarah Wolfe, one of the riders who organized the March 22 clinic. Riders who participated were all trail riders, but there was value in learning how to move about in a coordinated fashion, she said.
"The whole point of (drill team) is it teaches horses focus, agility and not to get antsy with other horses. It teaches good work ethics for a horse."
Wolfe learned about drill team at Glenora in Cowichan during a horse camp. "I thought what a great idea. This is great training for trail horses. There's so much they will learn from this...not being spooked by things and to get along with other horses.
"There's so many positives for doing something like this."
The riders gathered in the covered ring at West Brook Stables to listen to Bater's instructions. Bater then stood in the middle of the ring and directed riders and their horses through a series of maneuvres.
Wolfe said prior to the clinic that she hopes the club will be able to do this again someday.
