In an effort to provide a more consistent approach to offering coverage for the wide variety of sports that are highlighted on SudburySports.com, we've decided to include a new feature. Bi-weekly or monthly sport-specific updates will offer a wide array of statistical tidbits, roster updates, tournament results for participating teams. Equestrian Sports will be featured monthly - next update is August 21st

It was clearly a weekend of mixed emotions for Cathy Inch. While the owner/operator of Foothills Farms in Chelmsford had played host to equestrian jumping events for more than two decades now, this past weekend marked a very special competition.

The Rick Smith Memorial Trillium Hunter/Jumper meet marked the first competition of its kind to be hosted at the popular local stable since the sudden passing of Cathy's husband, Rick Smith, back in January of this year. While the event was organized as much as a celebration of all that Smith did for the development of equestrian sports, it also provided the inevitable constant reminders of every aspect of his contributions.

"This is his farm - his blood, sweat and tears that built and created everything around us" noted Inch, taking a very brief break from the endless pre-occupation that goes hand in hand with putting on a competition of his nature. While the arena portion of the farm dates back to 1976, Trillium jumping events have been held at the facility since 1982, while annual competitions proving extremely beneficial, according to Inch.

"It makes us spruce up the facility a little...take the time to do the things that should be done." On this beautiful mid-July weekend, just under one hundred competitors, about half of which are local, partake in the festivities which appears to incorporate as much activities surrounding the riding lifestyle as the actual competitions themselves.

Riders from North Bay, or more precisely Powassan (home to a large contingent), Sault Ste Marie, New Liskeard, Timmins and a handful from Southern Ontario enjoy the hospitality that Inch and company joyfully share will all guests to their home.

As with almost any sport, enthusiasts of equestrian events develop many personal preferences in equipment and such. In the case of Cathy Inch, a penchant towards horses imported from Germany, Holland and Belgium rank among her clear bias to European breeders.

"The advantage is that the Europeans have generations of breeding horses that jump", says Inch. By contrast, North Americans focus far more on the breeding of horses that can race. "It's a very expensive sport, especially when you're importing the horses from Europe."

Keeping busy as both a competitor and a coach, Inch is prodded into a conversation about some of the riders training regularly at Foothills Farms. "I have a barn full of good riders" she says, clearly not wanting to offend anyone not mentioned.

As for young riders to watch, Inch concedes that while 13 year-old Emma Munro is sort of "between horse right now", the talented teen will attend both provincial and national level shows. "And Anne Fay is one of our most delighful riders. She and her husband are two of the biggest supporters of equestrian sport and were very close to Rick" notes Inch, adding that all six siblings within the Fay clan all rode with Rick.

"Carolynn Michlowski is competing on the national circuit and looking to go to the Royal Fair", says Inch. "And Sarah Russell is a slick little rider...and she's been a great sport." Russell has taken on a variety of horses this summer with her primary ride currently lame.

Discussing the success of local competitors, Inch explains with pride that the riders, coaches and trainers in the area are among the most modern and up-to-date in the sport, in large part to the legacy and work of Rick Smith. "He worked extensively as a course designer, all over Canada and the U.S.", she says.

And on this weekend, even moreso than any other, those involved in the equestrian sports are remembering Rick and all that he did for the sport they so love.

Woodridge Riding Centre Show

Carolynn Michlowski (Skyler/Luccios)
1st - Adult Equitation Flat
1st - Adult Amateur US
1st - Pleasure Hack
1st - Modified Junior/Amateur Hunter O/F
1st - Modified Junior/Amateur Hunter US
2nd - Adult Equitation O/F
2nd - Adult Amateur O/F
2nd - Show Hack

Cathy Inch (Luccios/Laboe)
1st - Low Hunter O/F
1st - Trillium Hunter O/F (class 7)
1st - Trillium Hunter O/F (class 8)
1st - Trillium Hunter US
2nd - Trillium Hunter O/F (class 7)
2nd - Trillium Hunter US
3rd - Trillium Hunter O/F (class 8)

Kari Bradley (Willow B/Regin U)
1st - Adult Amateur O/F
1st - Table A (class 20)
1st - Table A (class 21)
1st - Table A (class 22)
3rd - Adult Amateur U/S
4th - Low Hunter O/F

Lindsay Rovinelli (Grand Saluut/Laboe)
1st - B Equitation O/F
1st - Show Hack
1st - Children's Hunter O/F
1st - Children's Hunter U/S
3rd - Low Hunter O/F
3rd - Road Hack
5th - Pleasure Hack
5th - B Equitation Flat

Emma Munro (April Showers/Hey There Delilah)
1st - Pony Pleasure Hack
1st - Pony Hunter O/F
1st - Pony Hunter U/S
2nd - B Equitation OF
2nd - Pony Hunter O/F
5th - Pony Hunter U/S

Kelly Scott (Shall We Dance)
2nd - Training Hunter O/F (class 1)
3rd - Modified Child/Adult O/F
3rd - Modified Child/Adult Medal
4th - Adult Equitation Flat
5th - Modified Child/Adult U/S
6th - Training Hunter O/F (class 2)
6th - Training Hunter U/S
6th - Modified Child/Adult OF 1

Paige Leclerc (Que Sera/Laboe/Clooney)
1st - Modified Child/Adult U/S
2nd - Modified Child/Adult Medal
2nd - Pleasure Hack
2nd - Modified Child/Adult O/F
3rd - Training Hunter O/F
3rd - Show Hack
5th - Adult Equitation Flat
7th - Training Hunter U/S

Morgan Methe (Finnivaire)
1st - Hunter Medal
2nd - Low Hunter O/F
2nd - Children's Hunter O/F
2nd - Children's Hunter U/S
2nd - A Equitation Flat
5th - A Equitation O/F
5th - Low Hunter O/F

Ariel Bertin (Rio's Sterling)
1st - A Equitation O/F
2nd - Hunter Medal
2nd - Modified Junior/Amateur Hunter O/F
3rd - Modified Junior/Amateur Hunter Flat
5th - Road Hack
6th - Pleasure Hack

Stephany Blais (Show Girl)
3rd - A Equitation O/F
4th - Hunter Medal
4th - Children's Hunter O/F
4th - Children's Hunter U/S
7th - Low Hunter O/F

Becky Burgess (Tyger Lily)
1st - Children's Hunter O/F
4th - A Equitation O/F
5th - A Equitation Flat
5th - Low Hunter O/F
5th - Low Hunter US
6th - Hunter Medal
6th - Children's Hunter US

Laurel Scott (Shall We Dance)
2nd - Beginner Equitation O/F
3rd - Modified Child/Adult Medal

Sarah Russell (Dun Right)
1st - B Equitation Flat
2nd - Modified Child/Adult U/S
4th - Modified Child/Adult Medal
6th - Modified Child/Adult O/F

Riley Klupel (Finnley's Sequel)
3rd - Modified Child/Adult O/F
4th - Modified Child/Adult U/S
4th - B Equitation Flat
5th - Training Hunter U/S
5th - Modified Child/Adult Medal

Kassia Bouffard (Aulamie)
5th - Training Hunter O/F (class 2)
5th - Modified Child/Adult O/F
6th - Modified Child/Adult Medal
6th - Training Hunter O/F (class 1)

Alyssa Cheff (Diablo)
2nd - Trillium Hunter O/F
3rd - Trillium Hunter US
4th - B Equitation OF
5th - Children's Hunter O/F
5th - Children's Hunter US

Heather Condon (Shall We Dance)
2nd - A Equitation O/F
3rd - A Equitation Flat

Kelly Sloan (Tyger Lily/Lindro's Ruby)
1st - Novice Child/Adult Equitation O/F
1st - Novice Child/Adult Hunter U/S
1st - Novice Child/Adult Equitation Flat
2nd - B Equitation Flat
2nd - Novice Child/Adult Hunter O/F
3rd - Pony Pleasure Hack

Kelsey Joliat (Javier)
6th - A Equitation O/F
6th - A Equitation Flat
6th - Low Hunter O/F

Lauren Cooper (Flicka Forever)
1st - Low Hunter O/F (class 5)
2nd - Low Hunter O/F (class 4)
3rd - Training Hunter O/F
3rd - Children's Hunter O/F
3rd - Children's Hunter U/S
4th - A Equitation Flat
4th - Low Hunter U/S

Crystal Guillet (Clooney)
4th - Beginner Hunter O/F