The Royal Winter Fair-est Of Them All

(Page 4)

By Todd Curran
A 13 year-old Okotoks local will be heading to Toronto next month to represent Alberta at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and she's bringing her horse with her.
Perhaps the youngest person to win the Rocky Mountain Show Jumping Regionals, Claire Doty beat out competitors up to 21 years old with her final scores of 90, 89 and 85. “It's basically a three phase test,” says Claire's mom, Carol. “There's a flat riding phase, a gymnastics phase of technical horsemanship and a third phase of jumping equitation.”
The riders accumulate points which are added together, entering the top six girls into a Ride Off. “They ride three different horses according to a random draw,” Carol says. “Everyone enters with a clean slate of points and they're given two minutes to successfully complete the course.” Judged on poise, time and effectiveness in completing the tasks, Claire finished early in all of her runs and still placed first.
The top four contenders advance to the finals at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. “Alberta hasn't won in years,” Carol says. “Lately it's been dominated by the B.C. girls, so we're really hoping that this is our year.”
Since its commencement in 1922, the Fair has become the world's largest indoor agricultural and international equestrian competition. Claire will be performing for quite the audience, as the event draws more than 340,000 visitors to Toronto annually.
Happy trails Claire, we wish you all the best!

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