It’s been a long road full of spins, turns, slides and stops for Elisabeth Meinert, but she’s arrived at the “big one.”
Meinert, 25, of Lac la Hache, qualified for the National Reining Horse Association Adequan North American Affiliate Championships in Oklahoma City, which take place Nov. 28-Dec. 7.
“I’m really excited I accomplished it,” says Meinert, who recently qualified at an event in Brandon, Man.
“It’s been a long road, but it’s a huge accomplishment for myself.”
Meinert rides at the Easygo Ranch in Lac la Hache. She’s been showing reining horses for close to six years and has been working with her horse, Chic Dreamin Darling, for two-and-a-half of them.
The idea behind reining, which is judged based on patterns the rider and horse perform, is making something hard look easy, Meinert explains.
“Everything is falling into place and clicking really well with [Chic Dreamin Darling]…. It takes a lot of work to get your horse trained and ready and to keep them maintained.”
The championships in Oklahoma City will see more than 500 reiners from across North America competing. Looking ahead to November, Meinert says she’ll be keeping her horse in shape and “getting her ready for the big one.”
“My expectations are to give it the best I got and try my hardest. Whatever happens, it’s a learning experience and a life experience.”
