Home
About OCTRA
Articles & How-to
Awards
Bulletin Board
Classified Ads
Events
Executive Directory
Forms
Join OCTRA
Links
Mileage Database
Photo Album
Ride Results
Search the Site
Site Info
Volunteer
What's New?
Email
Subscribe to the OCTRA updates list
Rider Profiles
by D. Regendanz
Carol SteinerCarol Steiner, a housewife and mother of two, has been competing in competitive long distance riding since 1982 when she first got hooked. But it wasn't until 1988 that she became a serious competitor having spent the years between to become a mother. Since then Carol has ridden 4,000 competitive miles in both competitive trail and endurance although she has competed in ride 'n' tie races "just for fun". At least 1500 of these miles were ridden in the U.S. as well as out of Province rides in Alberta and Quebec. Having been on the Canadian Endurance Team for the World Championship Ride in Arizona Carol was again selected for the 1996 Team in Kansas. This was a very grueling ride which she completed but, unfortunately, her horse did not vet. out sound enough for completion. This is a very devastating thing to happen to a rider having ridden (and walked) for 100 miles and most people do not accept the decision well. However, Carol earned everyone's utmost respect with her stoic and unemotional response to the veterinarians' decisions. Although working part-time, chauffeuring her son and daughter around and teaching riding Carol looks after the family's four horses and conditions the two that she competes which means many hours in the saddle before one even gets to the competitions. Petite and energetic Carol certainly epitomizes a true athlete as well as a good sports person. Defeats don't bother her and she keeps going back for more. |
Jim Rawski
| As a Competitive long distance rider since 1980 Jimmy started off with Competitive Trail Rides. However, his real love is Endurance and Ride 'n' Tie races. In ride 'n' tie there have been many wins for Jimmy and his various partners as well as several Year End High Point Awards. As an Endurance rider Jim has competed in 50 and 100 mile Endurance races here and in the U.S.. He has consistently been in OCTRA's Year End "Top Ten" which means either winning or placing within the top ten of every ride he enters. Winning a race for Jimmy is not the be all and end all - his theory is to finish well with a sound, healthy horse. Endurance riders are allowed to get off and run with their horses in order to bring the horse into vet. checks and at the finish in the best possible condition. Jimmy can be seen more often running with his horse than on him! In 1987 he was a member of the Canadian Team that brought home the Bronze Medal from the Virginia World Championship Ride and, again, winning a Team Silver Medal at the American Championship Ride in Flesherton in 1989. In 1996 he was a member of the Canadian Team at the World Equestrian Games 100 Mile Endurance Ride in Kansas coming in a very credible 19th over a very difficult course that took it's toll of quite a lot of horses. Quiet and well spoken Jimmy is an excellent representative of our sport in the U.S.. An electrician by trade, Jimmy and his wife (who also competes) have 25 horses at home - some of them boarders, He coaches hockey in winter and soccer in summer as well as conditioning and competing with his horses. His two young sons also ride and compete and this year will probably see the youngest out on the trails. |
Diane Lindblad
| Diane (Di.) Lindblad was a founding member in 1967 of the Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association at which time she served as Treasurer for several years. Later, she served as Secretary and was then President. She held this position for two years and since then served as a Director until 1994. Diane has competed in both competitive trail and endurance rides extensively here in Ontario, Alberta Quebec and the U.S. She has clocked up 3,467 competitive miles with five different horses and includes 50, 100 and one 150 mile endurance ride. In addition to conditioning and competing over the past 30 years, Di has almost single-handedly organized and run twenty-four competitive and endurance rides in the Rockwood and Penetang areas where she now lives. She also organizes clinics and rides for beginners to the sport which have contributed to the growth of the membership and the organization. As Chef D'Equipe for our National and International Teams for six years Diane has carried out this difficult job with humour and fair-mindedness. In her travels with the Teams in the U.S. she has been an ambassador of good-will and is much admired and respected. Apart from her involvement with the horse world, Diane is an enthusiastic gardener and is involved in the Penetang Horticultural Society and a member of the "beautify Penetang Committee. A "Senior Citizen", Diane is energetic and enthusiastic in all her projects and is planning to compete again in 1997. |
