Show Putting on a

Horse events generate an understanding of hard work and dedication

Story by Lisa Z. Leighton

Volunteers who are fueled by a passion for horses, are the reason the Susquehanna River Valley is able to offer a variety of horse shows this year. These events offer families a terrific afternoon of fun — there is no admission fee, but there are snack stands and if you patronize them, you’ll support the local riding clubs.

The Susquehanna Valley Corral in Danville, the Buffalo Valley Riding Club in Lewisburg, and the Mountain Laurel Equestrian Center in Elysburg will all host horse shows (see side bar for dates).

On the national level, horse shows are organized by classes. That is, horses with similar training or breed characteristics compete against one another. In the Susquehanna River Valley, horse shows are more commonly organized by the rider’s age and skill level. Regardless of the type of show, friendly competition is important, with winners taking home awards, trophies, ribbons, medals, and, sometimes, prize money. Above all, the shows work to teach young people riding skills, good sportsmanship, and team building among fellow riders and mentors.

The Susquehanna Valley Corral (SVC), which was founded in 1951, offers the largest mix of shows in the area. These include Open Shows, Fun Shows, like and Jackpot Barrel Shows that award cash prizes and competitors travel from as Harrisburg, State College and beyond to compete.

According to SVC President, Dr. Amy Snover, who grew up showing horses at the Corral, some shows are judged by outside judges and other shows are judged by the clock.

Snover said The Jackpot Barrel Shows, which are the most competitive, draw a high caliber of rider and horse. These shows provide cash prizes. They include pole-bending and barrel classes which are straight-timed, so the clock is the judge. The only way to get eliminated is to knock over a barrel or go off-course. She added, “You just have to go out and run your fastest and the fastest horse wins.”

Snover said it takes dozens of volunteers to plan and execute each horse show. Twenty-two-year-old Kennedy Fagan, a longtime SVC member and horse rider, has been instrumental in planning and publicizing the Jackpot Barrel Shows and Amber Earnest takes the lead on the Fun Shows.

However, Snover continued, “We cater to the young rider or the inexperienced rider, the people who want to have fun and be a little competitive, but not overly competitive. A lot of folks just want a good start for their kids or a good atmosphere.”

A lot of riders use local shows as a springboard to go on to other shows. The good news about them advancing is that a lot of young riders come back as adults and stay involved and give back, according to Snover.

One of those competitive riders who has used the SVC as a springboard is award-winning 16-year-old A. J. Rapp of Paxinos, “I like showing (at the corral), because I get to meet lots of new people and be with friends I may not have seen in a while.”

“The Fun Shows draw people who are just out to have fun with their horses.” Since they’re timed, six of the seven shows count for points, and at the end of the year we give out awards for the highest placings.”

The Open Shows typically include English and Western events and are judged by outside judges who will decide the best horse and best rider of the day. Open Shows offer a wide variety of events including a halter class when the horse is shown “in hand” rather than being ridden. The day also offers competition on English riding, jumping and trail classes — where the horse and rider work together over obstacles in the ring — as well as mini-classes for miniature horses and Western riding classes.

Another local club, the Buffalo Valley Riding Club (BVRC) in Lewisburg, began in 1961 and offers five horse shows each summer. Their venue offers two large show pens, a kitchen with food for sale and free parking.

Deb Keefer, President of BVRC said they offer Open Shows and English and Western Pleasure Shows.

All of the BVRC shows are judged by outside judges. A wide range of ages are invited to participate — from lead liners (riders as young as one-year-old) through adult.

“I have had horses for 48 years,” said Keefer. "I showed there when I was younger and … I wanted to continue with the organization. I’ve reached my show goal, but I do still show there for fun.”

Lea Sharp, vice president of the SVC said, “Horses are our passion. This is a labor of love. For me, we opened it up to the local 4H clubs in Northumberland and Columbia counties, so we’re giving it back to the youth — that’s my motivation.”

Snover said, “It’s a good place to come have fun with people who have the same interests that you do and it’s generally a very supportive environment, with people cheering each other on.”

Keefer agreed, saying she took a lead role for more than 20 years due to the enjoyable atmosphere of the shows and the camaraderie of fellow showmen and patrons alike.

Both the SVC and BVRC are membership organizations, requesting nominal annual dues. However, Snover and Keefer emphasized the need for year-round volunteers to help plan and manage shows and to maintain the show grounds.

On Route 54 south of Elysburg is Mountain Laurel Equestrian Center (MLEC). Jason and Sandra Renno have transitioned the property from a family farm centered on egg and grain production to an equestrian center offering boarding, lessons and public shows. Their daughter Raelyn is an award-winning and highly competitive equestrian vaulter. The Center, which features a 9-stall boarding barn, 28,000 square foot arena, as well as a cross-country course, will host several public shows this summer for dressage, vaulting and jumping skills.

Sandra and her childhood friend Lura Good offer beginner lessons in skills such as vaulting and dressage, which Renno described as gymnastics and ballet for horses.

Good said, “Dressage teaches the horse how to collect, move properly and stay balanced. Vaulting is essentially acrobatics on a horse, whereas in dressage…the horse is using its body in conjunction with the rider; it’s essentially the purest form of riding in my personal opinion and also the most difficult.”

Nicholas Hansen and Hannah Bundy, internationally recognized riders, will judge dressage at MLEC’s upcoming shows.

“For young people learning dressage, it is all about confidence building. You need a little bit of discipline and dedication. You have to learn to control your body yourself and your emotions because they affect the horse,” said Good.

Good said caring for a horse offers many life lessons. “Safety is really, really important,” she said. “I never ride without a helmet.”

Young riders also learn about health and wellness and how to take care of a horse — including getting dirty and shoveling poop.

According to Good, learning and improving their horse riding skills can be intimidating to kids, but you have to build some self-confidence, self-awareness — and learn how to be authoritative. These are all skills that can translate into excellent interpersonal skills later on in life. It’s important to help kids learn it’s okay to take charge. For more information:

• SVC, go to facebook.com/susquehannavalleycorral.

• BVRC, go to facebook.com/bv.rc.9

• MLEC, visit mountainlaurelequestriancenter.com or search for them on Facebook.

2023 Shows

Susquehanna Valley Corral

• Fun Shows at 3 p.m. — May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug. 19, Sept. 9

• Fun Shows at 11 a.m. — Oct 14

• Open Shows at 8:30 a.m. — May 7, June 4, July 30, Sept. 17

• Barrel Bash Series at 6 p.m. — June 29, July 27, Aug. 10, Aug. 31, Sept. 14, 6

• Ridge Road Hunter Show — June 24, 8 a.m.

• Old Timers Show — Oct. 15, 10 a.m.

Halloween Open Show — Oct. 22, 9 a.m.

Buffalo Valley Riding Club

• Open Shows — May 21, June 11, July 2, Aug. 6, Aug. 27

Mountain Laurel Equestrian Center

Subject to change due to weather and staffing. Please confirm with MLEC prior to visiting.

• Fun Schooling Shows — May 28, June 11, July 9, Aug. 20, Sept. 3, Oct. 15