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The Kelowna Riding Club
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Welcoming Back the “Interior Desert Circuit”
By Ashton Wikland
to show at different venues.
O ver 20 years ago, a grassroots hunter/jumper circuit called the Interior Desert Circuit ran shows throughout the season. The circuit fostered the development of many young and green riders who were entering the competition ring for the first time. Most riders were mounted on trusty Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds that carried them around the courses and into the ribbons.
This was the era of thick polyester show coats and vet helmet covers. You needed boot pulls to put your tall boots on, and a willing family member to pull those boots off when a boot jack wasn’t handy. There was nothing like riding in a long sleeve short shirt underneath a show coat on a hot summer day!
This show circuit was coordinated by Leigh Payne, who operated out of O’Hara Stables that neighboured the KRC. Leigh worked tirelessly for the equestrian community, running regular lessons, summer camps, and hosting clinics. Leigh collaborated with other trainers, including Kit Bell at Sunridge Equestrian Centre, providing riders the opportunity
This season, the KRC is proud to be hosting a new circuit of hunter/ jumper shows, fondly renamed the Interior Desert Circuit after Leigh’s legacy. True to the IDC’s roots, the KRC will be partnering with the Vernon and District Riding Club to host the series. A Memorial Hunter Class will take place each show with prize money generously donated by Leigh’s daughter, Bailey, and Hunter Hill Farm.
Like the circuit before it, the new IDC series aims to provide riders with a grassroots venue to gain experience in the ring and develop other horsemanship skills while prepping for competition.
If you have any questions, or would like to get involved to support this series in its inaugural year, please contact the show managers, Kate Paynton or Megan Dalton at kelowna.riding.club.contact@gmail.com or info@cornercreekfarms.ca.
We look forward to seeing you this year (in far more breathable and cool show attire!).
