Westrum Wins Reining Competition

A willingness to learn coupled with dedication and practice can lead to huge personal satisfaction. Paulette Westrum, Williston, learned that fact in October when, after showing only four times, she won the beginner ranch reining class and took second in the green reining class held at the Saskatchewan Reining Horse Show, Moose Jaw.

“Both these classes were for people just beginning in reining,” Westrum comments. “To enter in the ranch class, neither the horse nor the rider could have won more than $250. To qualify for the green reining class, the rider couldn’t have won more than $100.”

Westrum began showing in reining classes a year ago and has made great strides in her horsemanship skills. “I started showing and reining last summer, and I started it up again this year,” she says. “I ride with the Yellowstone Reining Horse Association and started out as a green reiner. I had to earn 30 points as a green reiner, and I have achieved that, so now I will ride at the rookie level.”

Westrum first became interested in reining when she bought a mare seven years ago. The mare’s trainer felt the animal had a lot of reining potential, and this intrigued her and encouraged her to look into the world of reining. She took some lessons and first rode the mare in shows last summer. In February, she purchased a new horse, the two of them clicked as a team, and together they won the competition in Moose Jaw in October.

“Seven years ago, I bought a horse at the Breeders Classic. My cousin broke her for me and thought that she was really good,” Westrum remarks. “He showed her, and this sparked my interest. I learned on this horse and I rode her last summer.”

She continues, “The trainer moved to Texas and the mare went with him, so I needed a new horse. I shopped around, and through friends, I met Pat Mitchell, Pat Mitchell’s Performance Horses, Billings. He had a horse we thought would be perfect for me, and he was.”

Westrum boards her horse at Mitchell’s Performance Horses. She makes the trip to Billings once a month to work with the animal. She will spend the entire week prior to a show practicing with her horse so both of them are prepared and ready for competition.

She also does a lot of riding at home and credits several locals with providing her with invaluable help. “First of all, this would not be possible without the help and support of my husband Rod, and my family,” Westrum remarks. “Rod has always encouraged me to keep going, and my family helps out so I can go to the shows. Also, John Hovde helps me with my general horsemanship, and Bill and Karen Novak, Williston Saddlery, have encouraged me and been so helpful and supportive. I ride with MonDak Quarter Horse Association members and they provide a lot of support as well.”

Westrum loves reining and she encourages anyone with an interest to give it a try. “This is something anyone can do, and it really builds confidence,” she comments. “If I can do it, anyone can. I had a bad experience with a horse and had very low confidence, but in doing reining, my horsemanship skills have improved and so has my confidence.”

She concludes, “I really recommend this. I have met so many great people, and the experience has been wonderful for us. We have our reining family and it has all been marvelous. If a person wants to get started or wants to meet other horsemen, I recommend they join the MonDak Quarter Horse Association and begin riding with them.”

Congratulations to Westrum on her win in Moose Jaw, and on her advancement to the next skill level.