CEDAR RIDGE RANCH RIDERS
DRILL TEAM

History
The Cedar Ridge Ranch Riders Drill Team was formed in the fall of 2003 to give boarders and other riders an exciting wintertime activity that would hone their riding skills by practicing intricate maneuvers at high speed. Over the winter the team met weekly in the Cedar Ridge indoor arena to ride a sequence of patterns set to music. The group then performed at the Snowmass Rodeo over the summer to show off what they had learned.

What is Drill Riding?
Drill team riding is a form of riding that requires teamwork and precision. When riding side beside, in pairs, or riding towards each other execution and timing play a big role in making a group of riders look good while riding a set of patterns together. Choreographed patterns are drawn up and the riders are asked to guide their horses through a routine in an arena. The patterns include circles, pairs, crosses, and lines. Horses are asked to go at different speeds so that spacing and timing are executed in a precise manner. Drill riding is very beneficial to the horses as well as their riders because it requires discipline and skill to work together in a group. It advances the horse's training by practicing rating of speed, changes of gait, obedience to their rider, all within a group of other horses. The riders benefit from the requirement to listen to directions, build teamwork skills, and bond with their horses while guiding them through the maneuvers.

Performance Schedule
Our 2006 season will start up with the Snowmass Rodeo near Aspen, Colorado. The first performance will be Wednesday June 21st and every Wed. thereafter for 10 weeks.

Team Members
Currently we have 10 member/riders on the team. They are Pam Johnson, Chris Kelly, Elizabeth Marschler, Janet Lapin, Susan Gibbs, Jeanne Jolley, Suzy Karlinski, Sarah Newton-Cromwell, Rose Weiben, and Mary Beth Hall.

Drillmaster/leader
Mary Beth Hall rode with the team last year and has been elected to be our team leader for the 2006 season. Her qualifications of 4 years drill team experience include riding as a member on a team for one year, coaching a 4-H youth team one summer, organizing and leading a new team for two years, and obtaining her Drillmaster and Judging certification through the United States Equestrian Drill Association. Mary Beth has a distinct passion for drill riding and passes on her enthusiasm to the rest of the team members while guiding them through the choreographed patterns that she designed into a 3-4 minute routine.

Interested in tying out?
CRRR is back in the arena to start practicing for its 2006 performance season. The Drill Team is always looking for new riders who can walk, trot, canter, side-pass, turn, rollback and stop on command and who enjoy riding at a fast pace. Practice sessions are every Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. If you or someone you know is interested in trying out for the team or would just like to watch us practice and learn more about what we do please contact Mary Beth Hall at (970) 948-6726.