The Covid crisis was far in the future when Christine Reupke came up with the idea for the Horsemanship Society International website in 2018. The concept of combining virtual showing with a lesson was designed for people who do not have access to regular riding instruction. That could be because they live in an area far from a professional trainer or because they can’t afford it.
But even without the help of a crystal ball, Christine’s program arrived at the right time this summer.
“It was serendipitous with the timing,” acknowledged Christine, director of breed and equestrian sport at Toronto’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair horse show.
Christine Reupke leads a sponsor group on a course walk at the Royal Winter Fair. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
She started building the site, https://horsemanshipsociety.org, through 2019, without an inkling that a virtual approach to so many aspects of the horse world would take off just a few months later.
The site, which debuted last month, is geared toward show jumping, hunters, young horses and equitation. Dressage and western may be added down the road.
The inspiration came from Christine’s childhood,,as she explained. “I never had access to good training when I was a kid.” Money was tight in her family; she was one of three children raised by a single mother. Christine worked on a horse farm and was “kind of self-taught for a long time,” lacking the advantage of working with a top trainer.
She is aware those circumstances apply to many other people, in addition to some younger coaches, “who maybe don’t fully understand why someone scores the way they do, but nobody wants to ask for fear of looking like they don’t know.
“I feel so strongly about giving everybody some sort of equal opportunity regardless of how much money you have or regardless of where you live, if you live in Alaska or the Yukon.”
Each class lists parameters for the fence heights and distances on the course that competitors should set at their own farm, along with rules on what kind of tack to use (for instance, in a recent pony class, exhibitors were advised no gag bridles or draw reins.) There is also a list of requirements for dress, which allows on the informal end a collared shirt tucked into breeches. Braiding is optional.
The program, which has attracted entries from Britain and Germany in addition to the U.S. and Canada, also offers an opportunity for riders to be critiqued for their horsemanship as well as their style in the saddle. Although the winners of each class get a ribbon mailed to them, the prize isn’t the point.
The ribbons are pretty, but they aren’t the point. In case you’re wondering, a red ribbon is first place in Canada and England; blue is first place in the U.S.
“I’m trying to take the focus off the ribbon and onto learning what you did in the ring…and why you scored what you did and what you could do to be better,” Christine explained.
Licensed by Equestrian Canada as a hunter, jumper and equitation judge (the equivalent of a U.S. Equestrian Federation R judge), she is working with Jon Garner, former sport director for Equestrian Canada.
He has experience as an international show jumper for the Spruce Meadows venue in Calgary, where he went on to serve as competition manager for all of that facility’s tournaments. Jon specializes in jumper equitation and evaluating the young horses on the site, with marks for scope, rideability and temperament.
Jon Garner. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
As the site ramps up, they are the only two handling judging duties, but Christine said McLain Ward has agreed to do a young horse class, and she has plans to ask some other big names for their viewpoint. The site also will have an educational component that includes video interviews with veterinarians and other experts on topics such as pre-purchase exams, lameness and how to get a horse ready to be shipped for a long trip.
“I want to prepare kids, who are going to be our next generation, to get a little bit of an education,” said Christine.
“We don’t really have mentorship anymore. There are kids that hand the horses off and don’t do their own work. For a lot of these kids, it’s just another sport, like soccer or hockey. You look at someone like McLain and his horsemanship oozes from every pore on every horse he rides in the ring.
“Very few people are going to end up being like McLain, but it’s something we should all kind of strive for. I think being a better horseman makes people better riders.”
There is a free membership, with which the fee per class is $40 (Canadian), or a premium membership for $59.95 (Canadian), offering classes at $25 (Canadian) and access to educational videos once that content is created.
As Covid winds down and more shows are back “live,” Christine doesn’t believe it will really affect her site.
“I think with the group that horse shows heavily at AA shows in the U.S., probably it will fade a little bit. But I suspect with the ones that don’t have that access, they’ll stay on it.” At the same time, she added, “I think we’ll still retain a customer base on the people who show at the better shows. It’s a social thing, you download the course requirements, go to the barn on Saturday and maybe it’s something fun everybody does every few months.”
As she pointed out, pre-Covid, “the season never ends, we all show so much and practice very little.” The silver lining of the “break” is giving riders who otherwise would be completely immersed in showing a chance to improve their skills outside of the pressure from competition that too often involves short cuts
Here is an example of a critique HSI did for a rider. Identifying characteristics have been removed .Note that criticism and encouragement are effectively combined.
Class #21 – JR/AM Jumper Equitation .90m
Final Score –
Final Placing –
Turnout: As a pair, you were very neat and tidy, and the dark coloured breeches are suitable for schooling/training. The saddle pad is very clean, and the horse’s boots appear to fit well.
About the Round: You look like a very strong, capable rider and my first impression is that you are comfortable in the ring and you know what you are doing. Your pace was lightly forward and positive without being too quick or hurried.
The first jump on course was excellent, with good use of your eyes. There was a hard rub at jump 2. It appeared that you were still trying to turn with the reins and it caused your horse to lose it’s balance when leaving the ground.
Jumps 3 and 4 were well-ridden; however, the course specifications called for a 4 or 5 stride line and unfortunately you put in 6 strides between fences 3 and 4. This would be considered an ‘add’ in the line which, at a competition, would reduce your overall score. However, as a single line, it was well-ridden!
The rest of the course was excellent and very well-ridden. Your pace was even and you finished with the same canter that you started on, resulting in a very consistent-looking round. You position stayed consistent and your soft hand was apparent and appreciated by your horse.
You received the highest score I would give a rider who added in a line.
Tips: When turning on the left lead, instead of using such a large opening left rein, try to use more right leg to push your horse through the turn, rather than pull him/her through. This will help your straightness and balance of the horse as well as help to maintain your line and pace on the way to the jump. This will result in a better distance and smoother, more polished ride.
Score without adding in the line – 76
Score without adding in the line and a better distance to jump #2 – 78
