The Grand Champion Frequent Rider – in the Casual Rider division - was Gayleen Erwin who rode over 500 miles this past year with her tried and true Curly horse, Contessa. Contessa won Grand Champion Frequent Rider - in the Casual Horse Division. The Frequent Rider Program – Casual Division – grants the rider and the horse points for all forward movement in the saddle excluding parades, demos and shows.

Lily Williams, a 7th grader from Oregon, won the Grand Champion National Youth Award with her Curly horse, Arwen Evenstar, nicknamed “Winnie”. Winnie also received the Reserve Grand Champion Performance Horse Award. Together, they make an unstoppable team competing in the 4-H circuit and often bring home Grand and Reserve Champion ribbons. Lily credits her horse with teaching her how to become a better rider. Lily rides Winnie both Western and English, but loves to ride bareback the best.

DCC Traveler, Elisabeth Mattke’s Curly stallion, was awarded the Grand Champion National Performance Horse, Grand Champion Versatility Horse and Grand Champion Frequent Rider – in the Competitive Horse Division. Traveler competes in USEA Recognized 3-Day Eventing and qualified for the Area 7 Open Championships in the Novice Division. In addition, to jumping and dressage, Traveler participates in endurance races, clinics and demos. His natural athleticism and calm & gentle personality make him the perfect Curly ambassador in the open horse show world.

To be eligible for the Versatility Program, the horse must participate in at least 4 different events throughout the year including shows, roping, demos, clinics, organized trail rides, etc. This is a great way to demonstrate the versatile nature of the Curly horse. In addition to the awards listed above, ABCR members can also sign up and participate in Gymkhana and In-Hand award programs.

The final award presented at the ABCR conference in Reno, NV was to Caren Schumann from Germany. Caren won the ABCR Breed Promotion award which is presented to people who undertake exceptional efforts to promote the Curly Breed. Caren has provided the registry with endless time, energy and assistance with studbooks, rule books and creating & maintaining the registry website. Caren discovered the Curly horse while researching allergy medicine for her husband and now has a total of 9 Curly horses living in harmony in Cologne, Germany.

The registry would like to thank the members who participated in the 2011 Awards Program and encourage all members to sign up for the Awards Program. More information can be found on the American Bashkir Curly Registry’s website under Forms.