Western Drill Team
BIRCH BAY RANCH WESTERN DRILL TEAM 2022/23
Birch Bay Ranch is excited to offer the opportunity for experienced riders to participate and learn skills as part of a Western Drill Team. Western Drill teams practice the precise art of choreographing horses through patterns to music. Riders develop strong horsemanship by challenging the skills that they already have and incorporating them into a pattern with other riders and other horses. Our Drill Team will be coached by Jenn Burgoyne, retired RCMP Musical Ride member.
Watch the BBR Drill Team at their first performance
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ages 16+ (Age 14+ with coaching recommendation)
- Must be confident to tack horse without assistance
- Must be able to start, stop and guide horse with control at a walk
- Must be able to do a controlled jog for 15 minutes straight
- Should be confident at a lope
- The nature of this sport requires a solid commitment from October to April
COMMITMENT:
First class is October 2, 2022. This is an unmounted class – meet the team, get the rundown, jacket fittings, etc. You do not need to haul your horse to this class.
First mounted class is October 16, 2022. After that, practices are every Sunday until March 26 from 6:30-9:00pm. Please ensure that you come in time to catch/tack/prepare/warm up your horse and be ready to begin riding at 6:30pm. Leave time at the end of the class to cool down/turn your horse out.
Four shows throughout the year – see details and costs under “Shows”.
A waiver will need to be filled out for each individual rider; an additional waiver will be required if you are hauling in your own horse.
COST:
Cost is $360 + GST for the season. This can be paid in full or in two installments with a credit card number on file. There are additional costs for show participation (see “Shows”) and to lease a BBR horse (see “Lease”). Some shows will require an AEF membership (which is also insurance). This can be applied for online. Paper applications will be available at first meeting.
Each rider is responsible for all costs involved in hauling in your own horse or in leasing a Birch Bay Ranch horse. For details on leasing from BBR see section on “Lease”.
There is a one-time uniform fee of $110 to pay for a jacket. If you already have a jacket from a previous year, this fee is waived.
UNIFORM:
Uniform is a black button-up shirt, belt, helmet (black preferred), pull on cowboy boots and jeans in good repair.
Uniform for drill includes a team jacket.
Polo wraps, saddle pad cover and wild rags will be provided by Birch Bay Ranch.
SHOWS:
The BBR Western Drill Team is planning to ride in four (4) shows during the year.
Tofield Parade of Lights – December – this is tentative - details to come
Lloydminster Everything Equine on the Border – April 14-16
Birch Bay Ranch Horse Show – April 23 – Early morning
Red Deer Alberta Horse Expo – April 28-30 – this is tentative
Cost to participate in each show:
- Must have team jacket
- Hauling fees (In 2022 for leased horses hauling was approx $100 per event)
- Accommodations – personal unit, hotel in area, etc.
- Food (Personal)
- Feed (Horse)
- Stabling (Horse)
LEASE:
There are limited leasing opportunities available for Birch Bay Ranch horses. The cost to lease a Birch Bay Ranch horse is in addition to the drill fees.
- $180 + GST for the season ($30/month)
Everyone leasing a BBR horse will be required to take lessons. If you are already enrolled in lessons at BBR there will be no additional charge. If you are not enrolled in lessons, there is an additional cost of
- $45/month + GST for one mandatory private lesson per month. Time of the lesson will be determined with the coaches.
The lease includes using BBR grooming equipment and tack. When these leave property, they become the responsibility of the lessor to pack and unpack, clean and put away correctly.
Riders leasing BBR horses will be required to complete an assessment ride prior to being granted the lease.
A separate lease agreement will be given.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
October 2, 2022 – Unmounted lesson
October 16, 23, 30
November 6,13,20,27
December 4,11
December 18 – Christmas party
December TBD – SHOW - Tofield Parade of Lights
January 8,15,22,29
February 5,12,19,26
March 5,12,19,26
April 2 – open arena night, no set lesson
April 13 – THIS IS A THURSDAY! Dress Rehearsal
April 14-16 – SHOW - Lloydminster Everything Equine on the Boarder
April 23 – SHOW – Birch Bay Ranch Horse Show
April 27 – THIS IS A THURSDAY! Dress Rehearsal
April 28-30 – SHOW - Red Deer Alberta Horse Expo
May 7 – Wind up party and Trailride!!!