Champion Country, Tuesday, August 3, 2004-15 Hard work pays off for horse and traîner By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion H ehad a difficuit childhood that was made worse by his behavioural problems. But as a Milton teacher used to deal- ing with problem children, Christine Bartîiff wasn't about to give up onl hlm - even tbough, in this case. it wasn't a chiJd at A but a horse. "If he didn't belong to me, bc'd be glue," Ms Bartîiff said, chuckling. Ile adage 'No pain, no gain' is par- ticularly true whcn it cornes to the effort Ms Bartliff bas put into, ber horse, Dance of tbe Century, and the rewards shes now reaping. Just recently, Dancer won first place in the Classic Pleasure Saddle catego- ry at the Ontario Morgan Horse Championsbip Classic in Paîgrave, Ont. The judging in thc category is based on a 50-50 split beîween performance r and confirmation, wbicb mcans "bow well tbe borse is put togetber." said Ms Bartliff, wbo's an amateur rider and Dancer's tramner as well as owner. "1 certainly boped bc'd do well," Ms Bartliff said, refemrng to tbe July 17 and 18 event. "Be won last year, and its more cballenging to try to defend your title." Dancer is a l0-year-old gelding and bas bad enougb draina in bis life to Msva Bn sartif st Dnerr.nh Msivalif n oa h star. rwhnh was two years nId from a woman wbo MME owned tbe farm wbere she bad taken borseback riding lessons as a cbild in New Jersey. A breeder bad declared bankruptcy, and the farm owner was left wiîb a horse sbe didn't really want. "1 bougbt bim with my dad and tben 1 bougbî my dad out," Ms Baniliff said, adding ber parents got into borses wben she began taking lessons as a cbild. To say Dancer was temperamental is an understatement, Ms Bartliff said. Wben sbe attempted I0 sbow bim for tbe first tme, sbe couldn't get bîm imb Uic tradler. And sbe bad to pay a veterinarian to clip bis nails, after Dancer made it clear be wasn't going to allow bis owner to do the deed. "H-e was very difficult," Ms Bartliff recalled. At the tender age of five, Dancer was involved in a bain fire the first nigbt after be was sent to a tramner in Peterborough. Forsunaîely, a woman travelling on the igbway noticed the bain tire and quickly alerted the tramner. AIl tbe hors- es were freed in lime - Dancer took off in bis frigbt and was later found - altbougb a litter of puppies perisbed. "He went from a bankruptcy baby to having bebavioural problems 10 (being in) a bain tire," Ms Bartîiff said. At one point. Ms Baniliff said she decided enougb was enougb. Dancer bad overstayed bis welcome. "1 tried to give him away. but no one e se. HORSE on page 17 Photo courtesy of SHOOT photographie Ten-year-old gelding Dance of the Century struts his stuff as owner and tramner Christine Bartliff looks Poised and relaxed. Dancer recently placed first in the Classic Pleasure Saddle category at the Ontario Morgan Hors. Championship Classic in Paigrave, Ont. 150 F,. of Hose For Crossing Lawns- High Pressure Drain Flushing & Repairs.- Same Day Emergency Servi'e - 2 Truks to Serve You - Radio Dispatch i 0 Cha moion