麻豆传媒

The Yorkton area was well represented at the recent 2018 World Clydesdale Show hosted in Madison, WI. in the final week of October, including Yorkton鈥檚 Twylla Newton returning with a number of championships.

鈥淭his was new for me. It was my first trip to the Worlds,鈥� said Newton.

The attraction of the show was obvious, said Newton.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the biggest of the big shows for Clydesdales,鈥� she said, adding it had been an event she had wanted to attend for a few years. 鈥淚 finally just swallowed real hard and took the chance.鈥�

Joining Newton on the adventure were her daughter Tayvia Newton, friend Shelby Johnston and the three Clydesdales that the trio ride.

While Clydesdales might be thought of primarily as draft horses used to pull farm equipment, wagons and carts, the big horses can make good riding horses.

鈥淚t was the first year the show included a variety of riding classes,鈥� offered Newton, adding the disciplines included dressage, English riding, barrel racing, pole bending and hunter jumper classes.

鈥淚t was a showcase for the versatility of Clydesdales.鈥�

The trio of ladies made the best of the trip south entering as many classes as possible.

鈥淲e entered all of the pleasure classes,鈥� she said.

That meant entering the win for 28 different classes, excelling in most.

鈥淲e brought home top-10 in 24 classes,鈥� said Newton, adding the classes all had a minimum of 20 entries, 鈥渁nd some of the classes had over 40.鈥�

In Newton鈥檚 personal case she also took the championship in barrel racing, with reserves in pole bending, hunter jumper and dressage, trail and western riding.

Newton admitted it might seem unusual that a Clydesdale could cut the barrels, but added they do it quite well.

鈥淚t鈥檚 super how they move out. They have a big stride. They can cover some ground,鈥� she said.

As for the lengthy list of reserves in varied classes all with the same 10-year-old horse, Newton said the key was her basic focus on training hardest in dressage.

鈥淚t鈥檚 my main discipline. It鈥檚 where I spend most of my time training,鈥� she said, adding that dressage basically builds the foundation for any other riding. If a horse and rider can excel at dressage 鈥渢hey are able to excel in other disciplines.鈥�

However, if a rider wants to ride in different disciplines, why chose a draft horse?

鈥淚鈥檝e worked with a variety of breeds of horses,鈥� offered Newton, noting that has included quarter horses, Arabian and mixed breeds. 鈥淏ut, I had always wanted a draft horse.鈥�

When Newton came to purchase her first draft horse a Clydesdale was available and that is how she came to the breed.

Since then she has come to love the big horses.

鈥淭hey really do like working for you. They try their hearts out,鈥� she said. 鈥淣o matter what you ask they give you 110 per cent.鈥�

That effort from the big horses certainly showed in Wisconsin, making the entire trip memorable for Newton.

鈥淲e worked really hard in preparing to go, and it ended up being a pretty amazing experience,鈥� she said.

The next World Show will be in three years. It will be hosted in Brandon, MB. in July 2021.