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A Day in the Life
RING MASTERS
For competition stewards,
every day is different — but
their dedication to horse
welfare is a constant
By Brooklyn Hollinger
EVEN BEFORE AN equestrian competition begins,
stewards are hard at work behind the scenes —
and they’re on the job around the clock once the
competition begins.
Stewards juggle a range of responsibilities to ensure
shows run smoothly for the competitors and their
horses — but horse welfare always comes first. Stewards
ensure horses are well-fed, tack is fitted appropriately
and handlers treat them humanely. They also make
sure competitors have the right equipment, direct them
around the grounds and monitor the warm-up rings.
All this is demanding work. Preparations can start
months before, with stewards checking the rules and
safety measures, and familiarizing themselves with the
site. Come competition day, they arrive at the ring early
and leave late.
Lyle Jackson, who has over 30 years of experience
with the American Quarter Horse and National Reining
Horse Associations, has stewarded competitions in
Canada and the United States, and judged competitions
around the world.
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