Big plans for Canadian Trick Riders Association

Andrea Roberts
Times Contributor

 

The Canadian Trick Riding Association (CRTA) is a newly-formed association that hopes to bring new riders into the sport of trick riding by offering a safe environment in which to learn, as well as a support network for the rider s and their families.
“We want to actually bring more young people into the sport that is our goal,” says Jerri Duce, a well-known trick rider and one of the CRTA directors.
“It is not for the trick riders already out there, already performing, it is to bring new people in.”
No experience will be required for joining, and while most participants will be children, there are categories for a peewee age, a junior age, an intermediate age and a senior age.
Those that want to learn the sport will be placed into clinics run by the directors of the association. All of the directors are trick riders of high stature and want to be able to inspire the new riders coming in, while making sure things are conducted in a safe manner.
“It is a dangerous sport and we have had so much interest in the past few years,” said Niki Flundra, another of the CTRA directors. “Both young and old showed interest in starting, so we just hope we can give them a really great chance to ride in a safe and fun manner along with other kids.”
The association has already been making news since its formation in December 2014. One of their first achievements was sending some of the children to Australia to compete in the Royal Easter Show Trick Riding Competition that was held in March.
With this in mind, the CRTA has big plans for the future as they hope to host more clinics to train and bring exposure for the sport. They also hope to take part in more competitions and eventually make their way to the Canadian finals.
For those interested in the sport you can contact Niki Flundra at nikiflundra@gmail.com or look on the association’s Facebook page for their clinics list.