Aleman places 3rd in Australia

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

Last month, April 3, Avery Aleman and her teammates represented Canada in the Sydney Royal Easter Show in Australia. Aleman is a member of the Canadian Trick Riding Association and attended the event with her fellow Canadian Champions Cora Croteu (Sundre) and Shelby Pierson (Cessford), who made up Team Canada.
“I really liked everything, everyone was really nice and kind about everything and super excited for us to be there,” said Aleman.
“I was disappointed that I missed my vaults and fell face first but I guess that is all part of it, the ground conditions had changed from (when) we practiced and I just hit the ground harder than I expected.”
Team Canada did well at the show, which is one of Australia’s premier events. Pierson won the Australia Open Competition, Croteau placed second in the Australian Youth Competition and Aleman placed third in youth and won the Stephanie Coldstream Encouragement Award.
“The Stephanie Coldstream Encouragement award was an award for displaying overall encouragement, and showing sportsmanship along with a true love and desire for the sport – with both the third place as well as the Coldstream award I received a sash, a buckle and some money,” said Aleman.
“The Stephanie Coldstream award was so meaningful and (it was) inspiring that I was chosen. It was cool knowing her story, that she trick rode with cancer and (had) a love and a passion for the sport that her family wants to carry on.”
“I have the utmost respect for Cora, Avery and Shelby, at such a young age, jumping on unfamiliar horses to trick ride. I did this in Bermuda and Japan, and it is no easy feat,” said the girls’ coach Jerri Duce in a press release.
“I am so proud of their talent and professionalism. We could not have had better ambassadors to our sport. On behalf of Ashley Furgeson and myself, it was indeed an honour for us to coach these athletes.”
Aleman is now preparing for all of the pro rodeos and other performances that she has scheduled with Young Gunz Trick Riding. She is also still busy training a few new horses, and said she looks forward to Team Canada next year.