Christine (Chris) Collins
EC Sr. Basic Dressage Judge, EC Level III 3-Day Eventing Official, EC Jumper Judge.
"My riding 'career' began at about age 7 or 8 when my well-meaning but definitely 'non-horsey' father innocently asked me if I wanted to go and ride a real, live horse. Well, surprise, surprise, surprise, we appeared at a rent-a-horse-by-the-hour stable where I soon fell in love with (to my eyes!)the MOST wonderful pony. In reality, he was a VERY single-minded beast that numerous knowledgeable horse people very STRONGLY advised my father NOT to buy the horse that could possibly cause my demise. However, precious daughter tears won out and I became the proud owner of my first horse. This horse gallantly taught me how to STAY ON an equine as he tore through closely-grown trees, under poorly-placed rails, bolted, bucked, etc. Luckily for me, a wonderful horsewoman, Mrs. Murray, came to the stable and started teaching me how to RIDE, not just cling to the horse. We then made the move to the original Donsdale Stables where I met Delores and Ray Bassett - again, wonderful horse people. English riding became my passion.Then, Dr. Otto Bode came to Donsdale and took on some students - Bonny Bonnello, Mona Bonnello, a couple other riders, and myself. Now classical dressage entered my life - WOW !!! I was hooked! With good fortune still being in my back pocket, I was able to become partnered with my future National Dressage Champion. Not only did he take me to the winner's circle in dressage ( he even received 10's for his circles from judge Col. Gutowski ! ) but also a national medal for Basic Seat Equitation as well as numerous Show Hack and English Pleasure championships. Thus, eligible for the Royal Winter fair in all these classes, I was 'riding high'. However, my feet were very soon plonked back on the ground and reality reared it's ugly head --- "You are too young to go to Toronto on your own" and neither parent was able to accompany me - MAJOR POUT ! But, life goes on! More than dwelling on what I did and could possibly have accomplished, I would much rather focus on what my students have achieved.
Over the past 35 years or so of coaching and instructing Pony Club, 4-H, therapeutic riding, para-dressage, dressage enthusiasts, 3-day eventers, jumpers, reiners, endurance riders, trail riders, recreational riders, Arab competitors, Morgan competitors, Tennessee Walker competitors, I can proudly comment that a number of my riders have ventured off to Provincial, National AND International competitions and returned home clutching championship "hardware" and great big grins!
This to me speaks louder than what I have done.
And I congratulate all my riders on their accomplishments.
As to the judging aspect of my world :- this grew out of the contact with all the groups and riders I was involved with. Encouragement and support came from a variety of areas, steering me towards applying for a number of judges' cards.(If you have a few minutes, take a look at the EC Rule Books and read about the qualifications required for the position of Judge and/or Official in the various disciplines. Support is required !
During the past 20 - 25 years, I have held EC cards in dressage, eventing ( including technical delegate ) as well as combined driving .I currently have my senior Basic Dressage, Level III 3-day Eventing Official Judge and eventing Jumper Judge cards. This past summer I received Eventing Canada recommendation to apply for FEI Eventing Official status -won't that be FUN !!! Judging and being a clinician has taken me to a variety of locales --- throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, BC, Yukon as well as to New York to be a member of the judges panel for theUniversity and College Students Games - what an experience that was !!!
Photo: Chris Collins, an acredited judge from Edmonton, Alberta, shown wearing her Freedman's CET belt at the Equine Canada booth in the Trade Show of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Photo credit Kalina Rutledge, submitted by Equine Canada.
"My riding 'career' began at about age 7 or 8 when my well-meaning but definitely 'non-horsey' father innocently asked me if I wanted to go and ride a real, live horse. Well, surprise, surprise, surprise, we appeared at a rent-a-horse-by-the-hour stable where I soon fell in love with (to my eyes!)the MOST wonderful pony. In reality, he was a VERY single-minded beast that numerous knowledgeable horse people very STRONGLY advised my father NOT to buy the horse that could possibly cause my demise. However, precious daughter tears won out and I became the proud owner of my first horse. This horse gallantly taught me how to STAY ON an equine as he tore through closely-grown trees, under poorly-placed rails, bolted, bucked, etc. Luckily for me, a wonderful horsewoman, Mrs. Murray, came to the stable and started teaching me how to RIDE, not just cling to the horse. We then made the move to the original Donsdale Stables where I met Delores and Ray Bassett - again, wonderful horse people. English riding became my passion.Then, Dr. Otto Bode came to Donsdale and took on some students - Bonny Bonnello, Mona Bonnello, a couple other riders, and myself. Now classical dressage entered my life - WOW !!! I was hooked! With good fortune still being in my back pocket, I was able to become partnered with my future National Dressage Champion. Not only did he take me to the winner's circle in dressage ( he even received 10's for his circles from judge Col. Gutowski ! ) but also a national medal for Basic Seat Equitation as well as numerous Show Hack and English Pleasure championships. Thus, eligible for the Royal Winter fair in all these classes, I was 'riding high'. However, my feet were very soon plonked back on the ground and reality reared it's ugly head --- "You are too young to go to Toronto on your own" and neither parent was able to accompany me - MAJOR POUT ! But, life goes on! More than dwelling on what I did and could possibly have accomplished, I would much rather focus on what my students have achieved.
Over the past 35 years or so of coaching and instructing Pony Club, 4-H, therapeutic riding, para-dressage, dressage enthusiasts, 3-day eventers, jumpers, reiners, endurance riders, trail riders, recreational riders, Arab competitors, Morgan competitors, Tennessee Walker competitors, I can proudly comment that a number of my riders have ventured off to Provincial, National AND International competitions and returned home clutching championship "hardware" and great big grins!
This to me speaks louder than what I have done.
And I congratulate all my riders on their accomplishments.
As to the judging aspect of my world :- this grew out of the contact with all the groups and riders I was involved with. Encouragement and support came from a variety of areas, steering me towards applying for a number of judges' cards.(If you have a few minutes, take a look at the EC Rule Books and read about the qualifications required for the position of Judge and/or Official in the various disciplines. Support is required !
During the past 20 - 25 years, I have held EC cards in dressage, eventing ( including technical delegate ) as well as combined driving .I currently have my senior Basic Dressage, Level III 3-day Eventing Official Judge and eventing Jumper Judge cards. This past summer I received Eventing Canada recommendation to apply for FEI Eventing Official status -won't that be FUN !!! Judging and being a clinician has taken me to a variety of locales --- throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, BC, Yukon as well as to New York to be a member of the judges panel for theUniversity and College Students Games - what an experience that was !!!
Photo: Chris Collins, an acredited judge from Edmonton, Alberta, shown wearing her Freedman's CET belt at the Equine Canada booth in the Trade Show of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Photo credit Kalina Rutledge, submitted by Equine Canada.