Flatlanders Dressage & Combined Training Association, Inc.
Geauga Horse & Pony Association
Great Lakes Appaloosa Horse Club
Hoosier Quarter Pony Association
Knox County Horse Park
Lake Erie Mounted Vaqueros
Massillon Saddle Club
Miami Valley Horse Show Association
Michigan Trail Riders Association, Inc.
Mid-Eastern Farriers Association
Mid Ohio Dressage Association
Mid-Ohio Marauders
National Pole Bending Association
Northern Ohio Dressage Association
Northern Kentucky Horse Network
Northern Ohio Miniature Horse Club
Northern Ohio Outlaws
Ohio Appaloosa Association
O.H.I.O. EXCA
Ohio Foundation Quarter Horse Assoc.
Ohio Haflinger Association
Ohio High School Rodeo Association
Ohio Horseman’s Council
Ohio Gaited Horse Trailriders
Ohio Morgan Horse Association
Ohio Paint Horse Club
Ohio Quarter Horse Association
Ohio Ranch Horse Association
Ohio State Buckskin Association
Ohio Western Horse Association, Inc.
Ottawa County Horse Foundation
Ohio Valley Team Penning Association
Pinto Horse Association of Ohio
Premier Mount N Trail
Pure Gold Stables
Tri-County Trail Association
Tri-State Rodeo Association
Wayne County Saddle Club
Western Reserve Carriage Association
The Corral Staff
Editor Bobbie Coalter
Advertising Sales & General Manager Joe Coalter email joe@thehorsemenscorral.com
Features: Kelley Bitter, Rob and Tanya Corzatt, Robert Eversole, Bryan Farcus, Terry Myers, Sarah Vas
Guests:
THE HORSEMEN’S CORRAL is published monthly by Horsemen’s Corral, 8283 Richman Road, Lodi, Ohio 44254. (ISSN 0164-6591). Published as Periodicals at the Lodi Post Office USPS 889-180 with additional entry points of Cleveland, OH 44101 and New Philadelphia, OH 44663. Periodicals postage paid at Lodi, Ohio, and additional entry offices. Subscriptions may only be purchased through Horsemen’s Corral member clubs. Single copies, $3.00 at select distributors. For subscriptions, address changes, and adjustments, write to: Horsemen’s Corral, P.O. Box 32, Lodi, Ohio 44254. Manuscripts, drawings, and other material submitted must be accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope.
POSTMASTER: All subscription addresses are properly screened through CASS per USPS requirements. The Horsemen’s Corral will not accept returns of magazines deemed undeliverable for any reason. Please discard copy of any issue deemed as undeliverable.
The Horsemen’s Corral cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material.
MAILING ADDRESS & PHONE:
P.O. Box 32, Lodi, Ohio 44254
OFFICE: 330/635-4145
at
Affaire—Ohio. Whispery Pines Percherons is home to nine Percheron geldings, owned by Sam and Kellie Rettinger from Kingsville, Ohio. Whispery Pines will be attending the Equine Affaire, once again in 2025. Look for them performing in Fantasia, participating in breed demos, and holding many clinics such as the very exciting Drive-a-Draft and Harnessing Horsepower.
Whispery Pines Percherons will be located in the Gilligan Complex Horse and Farm exhibit area by the big green wall and show office. Pictured are Octane, Tony, Hawke, Ace, Colt, and Flash. Photo by Winslow Photography, LLC. Photo courtesy of Winslow Photography, LLC. Visit them on Facebook or at www. winslowphoto.com for your next professional photo.
Ride In Sync
Most Problems Start With Shoulders
by Terry Myers
Having trouble with your horse bucking or rearing? Barring any physical problems, your problem is in your horse’s shoulders. Problems with collection? It’s a shoulder problem. Horse loping too fast? Yep—it’s a shoulder problem. Knocking down a barrel in your barrel pattern? Definitely a shoulder problem. Missing leads or lousy spins in reining? You guessed it—shoulder problem.
More than anything, having your horse soft and square in their shoulders improves performance in just about any discipline. A horse must be square in their shoulders in order to be able lift their back and drive with their hind end. If they are not square in their shoulders, the hind end has no place to go and they end up with their hocks out in their tail.
How do you fix a horse that is stiff in their shoulders? It starts with being aware of your horse’s
feet and understanding when they are forehand heavy or heavy in one foot. For people who have ridden in my clinics, you have heard me say ‘count the feet and feel the rhythm.’ Example, when you count your horses’ feet at the walk, your count should be steady and consistent, much like a march. If not, you will notice one hoof beat that seems heavier than the rest. That will probably be the inside front foot, meaning your horse is dropping that shoulder. You need to be able to feel this at all three gaits, but you should always start at the walk.
Many times a horse drops their inside shoulder because the rider is tilting their head and looking down at their horse’s nose. When the rider does that, they drop their inside shoulder. The horse will mirror what the rider is doing. Try this exercise. Sit in a chair and tilt your head slightly to your left shoulder and look down. Notice how your left
shoulder drops. You will have that same effect on your horse. Riders instinctively want to watch their horses nose. I’ve been riding horses all my life and have never seen a horse’s nose fall off. So stop watching the nose! Instead, look through your horses ears. You should be able to put a level from tip to tip on top of their ears and have that bubble be right in the middle. If you look at their ears and one dips lower than the other, they are dropping that ear. Where the ear goes, so goes the shoulder. Example, if you are riding in a circle to the left (counter clock wise) and you see your horse’s left ear is lower than their right, they are dropping their left ear and shoulder and have their nose tipped to the outside of your circle. That means their nose is not in front of them. Think about it, a horse always wins a race by a nose, not an ear. They have to follow their nose to be balanced. The exception is when you are doing a counter bend. Many times riders have been taught to ride with their elbows clamped into their sides. Riders who are not confident or scared will ride with their elbows in their sides, setting them in the fetal position. Their horse’s response is to stiffen and drop their shoulders. Try this: sit in a chair and clamp you elbows into your sides. Feel how this causes you to round and drop your shoulders. Now open your elbows and ‘air your arm pits.’ Feel how this lifts your shoulders and puts you in a more balanced position.
Another pet peeve of mine is people who ride with an arch in
the back. When a rider puts an arch in their back, they roll their pelvis forward and dump their weight on their horses’ front end. A horse already has 60 percent of their body weight on their front legs. If the rider arches their back, they are making their horse’s job much harder by adding their weight to that already heavy front end. The remedy is simple. Ride on your pockets, i.e. roll your pelvis back in your saddle and sit deeper in your saddle. Then take a breath and relax!
I always say if the rider is not balanced, the horse cannot be balanced. The fixes we talk about in this article are critical before we talk about fixing a horse with shoulder problems. Now that we have fixed the rider, next month we’ll discuss how to fix the horse. It’s all about the shoulders. Your horse can’t buck, kick or rear if they are soft and square in their shoulders.
Terry Myers is a national clinician and champion horse trainer with a depth of knowledge developed from over 50 years in the horse industry. Myers has been a popular clinician at multiple expos in the U.S. and Canada. To learn more about Myers’ Ride-In-Sync methods as well as clinic and training services available, visit www. tmtrainingcenter.com or on Facebook.
BEING RAISED A MOUNTED SHOOTER
The Mounter Shooter Handbook GET THIS BOOk, GAIN MORE MASTERy!
Let’s talk about the stuff that makes you a better horseman, a better team with your horse and a better competitor! In this book, I talk a little about me and a bunch about the pieces of this mounted shooting thing.
NRS Acquires Rod’s Western Palace
NRS (National Roper’s Supply), a family-owned company, based in Decatur, Texas, has acquired Rod’s Western Palace, based in Columbus, Ohio. NRS is a multichannel retailer of products for the western lifestyle including saddles, tack, ropes, animal health supplies, boots, hats and western apparel. NRS plans to continue the Rod’s tradition of supplying products for the western lifestyle to customers in the Midwest and beyond. Specifically, NRS will continue to support customers at the All-American Quarter
Horse Congress in Columbus in October as both a sponsor and a retail resource.
“We are so happy that NRS will be taking the reins of our stores and ecommerce business in the Midwest. NRS has a longstanding tradition of high quality, integrity and customer focus that blends very well with our 49year history and culture. There is no doubt they will continue and improve upon the deeprooted family values that David and Cade Isham have built over that same time period at NRS.”
—Scott Hartle, owner of Rod’s.
“We are so excited to come to Columbus and serve a new western lifestyle customer and hopefully continue to build on what Rod’s has cultivated over so many years. It has been an honor for my family to get to know Scott Hartle and his family. We definitely share the same values.”—David Isham, founder and owner of NRS.
This acquisition represents a continuation of two family legacies. Anne Marie Cantrell, daughter of Scott Hartle, will transition to work for NRS and head up operations in Columbus.
Cade Isham, son of David Isham, currently serves as President at NRS. These two roles will ensure that members from each family continue to serve the western community for years to come.
ABOUT ROD’S WESTERN PALACE
Founded in 1976, Rod’s is a family-owned business dedicated to True Western Living. Based in Central Ohio and shipping around the globe, True Western isn’t just a brand—it’s a way of life. At Rod’s we value our principles of faith, family, hard
work, truthfulness and freedom which guide us daily. Rod’s has been the western authority in the Midwest for 49 years.
ABOUT NRS (NATIONAL ROPER’S SUPPLY)
With over 35 years in the western industry, NRS has been a one-of-a-kind national source for ‘All Things Western’. The flagship location in Decatur, Texas, includes a 90,000 sq. ft. store surrounded by several hundred acres of beautiful North Texas landscape to trail ride or explore by golf cart, the NRS Feed Store, an event center, café, horse stalls, RV hookups, cabins, bunkhouses, and the headquarters for National Trailer Source. Sister store locations are in Granbury, Texas, and Wickenburg, Arizona. NRS Feed Store locations are in Granbury, Texas, Springtown, Texas, and Wickenburg, Arizona. NRS has also been a premier online and catalog retailer nationwide for decades.
For more information visit our website at www.nrsworld.com or contact 940/627-3949, support@ nrsworld.com, Facebook: @ nrsworld, Instagram: @nrsworld
Looking Forward to the Start of a New Show Season
PRESIDENT, Leanne; VICE PRESIDENT (CONTEST), Anna; VICE PRESIDENT (PLEASURE), Samantha; SECRETARY, Francine; TREASURER, Ruth
Happy April! I hope everyone had a good March. The days of warmer weather were very much appreciated! It is 2025 and Massillon Saddle Club (MSC) ‘show’ season began in March with a shopping event. Wayne County Saddle Club/Massillon Saddle Club joint tack swap was held on March 29 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in the new indoor building. I hope you were able to attend, and found some bargains. Save The Date: The 2025 Year End Awards Banquet and election of 2026 officers will be held November 20 at Nickajack Farms. More information to follow. Massillon Saddle Club would like to welcome two new officers to Massillon Saddle Club, Inc.
Welcome to the new Contest VP Anna Leach, and the new Pleasure VP Samantha Thompson. Both joined MSC in 2023.
Welcome, also, to the new Junior Trustees: Robert Gauder, and Tiegan Reed. Welcome back to Junior Trustee, Ellie Shoup. In addition, please welcome the new Trustees: Kristen Collins, Alyssa Crofut, Becca Rogers, Carisa Wise, Madelyn Zerbe, and, Lane Louive. Welcome back to the returning Trustees Loretta Gauder, Caroline Bedlion, Ty Hershey, Machell Spencer, and Lawrence Louive. Welcome back to MSC Officers Leanne Louive (President), Ruth Radtka (Treasurer), Francine (Secretary). Many thanks to the ‘retiring’ Trustees Mandy Herbruck and Holly Garton, for all of their efforts in the past few years. You are very much appreciated! If the weather cooperated, showgrounds cleanup dates were March 15 and March 22. If you missed the cleanup dates and would like to complete your volunteer hours before the show season, please let us know. There are a few projects that need a bit
warmer weather to complete. And, at any time during the year, if you see a special project that you would like to do, please let us know. Volunteer hours can be completed on days other than show day. Volunteer hours are needed for members who are working towards year end awards. You do not need to be a member to show at MSC, however, there are show day discounts, as well as amazing awards, attached to your membership.
A Massillon Saddle Club membership is one of the few bargains still available today. Membership rates have not increased in several decades. Single membership is $15 and a family membership is $30. Membership forms can be found on the website. Membership and volunteer hour forms will be also available at the showgrounds.
award registration fee. Year End Award Miles are tracked by each rider and submitted by October 5. Please see the MSC Facebook for specific details.
There are a few special events that are being held this year. Details are being researched at this time. Please watch the MSC Facebook page for all updates.
Established in 1988, the Equicizer offers a unique, fun and effective alternative to standard exercise equipment.
From beginners to professionals, the Equicizer is being used in all riding disciplines and is a training tool used by instructors.
The Equicizer also serves as a great addition to many therapy programs, centers, and private homes offering a safe and effective core exercise for everyone!
and
Visitors are welcome to visit our shop! Visit www.equicizer.com for more information. Wooden Horse Corporation 819 W. Dublin Road • Norwalk, Ohio 44857 (419) 663-1472 Email: info@equicizer.com www.equicizer.com
New This Year: MSC is excited to announce the debut of a Trail Riding Program! Love to spend time with your horse, but, prefer not to show? Massillon Saddle Club is more than horse shows; MSC also has exhibitions/clinics, and, as requested by our members, a trail riding program. The EquiLab app will track your trail hours; you do not need to be a member to use the app. The app is free (just decline the $99 membership to access the free app). If you wish to be included in year end awards of Top Three Overall for trail riding miles, there is a $25 (per rider) registration fee for members. You may ride multiple horses as the trail miles accumulate per rider. If you are not yet a member, and wish to be included in the Year End Trail Miles Award, your MSC membership fee will be in addition to the
One of the 2025 events is the return of the Super Fun Show (also known as ‘Ellie’s Super Fun Show’) August 3. In addition to Ellie’s Fun Show, there are two additional Fun Shows planned: May 18 and September 28. New this year is a Jackpot/Buckle Series (poles and barrels) planned for April 5, May 17, June 28, and August 9. Contest Show dates are June 8, June 22, July 13, August 17, September 21, October 5. Pleasure Show dates are June 29, July 27, August 10, August 24, with a rain date (if needed) September 14.
If you would like more information about the MSC scholarship program, please see the Massillon Saddle Club website, MassillonSaddleClub. org, or contact Francine. Please watch the MSC Facebook page for updates on upcoming events, classes, and updates.
I hope everyone has the opportunity to attend Equine Affaire, April 10-13 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. This is always a fantastic event.
Until the 2025 events begin, MSC hopes everyone enjoys the spring days and has amazing rides. Were looking forward to the start of a new season and renewing friendships, seeing returning riders, and to meeting new ones as the year progresses. May each of your days be filled with happy horse adventures!
Equicizer Creator Frank Lovato Jr.
Hand-crafted
custom painted faces.
PRESIDENT, Tim Snapp
VICE PRESIDENT, Mark Peterson
TREASURER, Jill Davis
SECRETARY, Heather Collins
WEBSITE, www.ophc.org
by Tim Snapp
The APHA Leadership Gathering was February 28 through March 2 in Fort Worth, Texas. State Directors Tim Snapp, Cindy Snapp and Sue Johnson attended on behalf of the Ohio Paint Horse Club (OPHC) members as well as incumbent AJPHA president Natalie Snapp, board vice president Mark Peterson and state director Jenn Peterson. We were educated, elevated and engaged with fellow horsemen and hope to make a difference in the association’s future.
Following the considerable discussions, APHA state directors passed 27 new rule changes. That included modifications that will allow international exhibitors in
New Rule Changes for Point System
Zones 12, 13 and 14 to show up to two horses in hunt-seat equitation and western horsemanship. New classes for English and western Versatility Pattern classes and Open Breakaway Roping will also be added.
Attendees also participated in feedback on APHA’s strategic plan progress, helping direct areas of emphasis for future work. They connected during parties and exclusive experiences, like a behind-the-scenes tour of Highpoint Performance Horses, a ‘Paint Your Paint’ art activity, Stockyards Championship Rodeo and a Stockyards-centric pub crawl. The American Paint Horse Foundation also hosted more than 150 guests at the John Wayne Museum for its inaugural ‘Drinks With A Legend’ event.
The OPHC Trail Rides are June 13-15 and October 3-5 at VanBuren State Park. For more information contact Elaine Fry Bennett, phone/text 419/7011854, camping: reserveohio.com
The OPHC show schedule is set for 2025! You can show your solid bred horses in regular classes this year and anyone is eligible for
the Paynt Point system. This will allow $10 a point to be earned in Youth, Novice Youth, Amateur, and Novice Amateur’s! These will be distributed by APHA two times each year. The cost is $2 per class/per judge. APHA is kicking in $500k to get the program off the ground!
NOTE: The board has decided to not participate in the Summer Breakout Paint Pinto Show in Findlay in May. But we are considering adding another show this summer.
APRIL 26-27: Buckeye Extravaganza (four judges), Champions Center, Springfield, Ohio. New location, all under one roof and climate controlled!
MAY 2-4: Zone 8 Show (six judges), C Bar C, Cloverdale, IN
SEPT. 6-7: Amateur Club Show (four judges), Champions Center (covered pen), Springfield, Ohio Don’t forget to plan to support the Midwest Connection Shows in 2025 too!
The first being Indiana at the
Early Bird show in New Castle, The Zone Show at C Bar C in Cloverdale, then the Memorial Day Show in Mason, Mich., and the Buckeye Bonanza Bash show at the WEC in Wilmington, Ohio. Many amazing awards will be given at the end of the series!
The OPHC/MPHC and the Midwest Series banquet was held March 15 at the Maumee State Park Lodge in Oregon, Ohio. All three boards voted to have them in one location. More to come after the banquet.
We welcome our new Youth advisor’s for 2025! Rachel Mooney and Nichole Ellerbrock. Continued prayers for Tim and Suzie Dawson as he recovers at OSU Ross Hear Hospital from a spinal injury. Also to Matt Woodson as he recovers from a terrible truck and trailer accident, where he broke his neck in two places. He is in a rehab facility in Columbus and doing remarkably well. He hopes to be home the end of March.
See the ophc.org website or Facebook to stay up to date and for more information! Get out and Ride!
Dusty Boots Riding Club
Calling All Youth Join Dusty Boots Youth Group
PRESIDENT, Jason Brown 1st VICE PRESIDENT, Jacki Davis TREASURER, Tonya Stenger SECRETARY, Dana Johnson EMAIL, dustyboots@dustybootsridingclub.com WEBSITE, dustybootsridingclub.com
by Josie Nicholas
Dusty Boots has been up to a lot recently! We have finalized our show dates. Show dates being: MAY 31 & JUNE 1: Ashtabula County Fairgrounds
JUNE 14-15: Ashtabula County Fairgrounds
JULY 28-29: Trumbull County Fairgrounds
AUG. 17: Blue Lakes Farm
AUG. 23-24: Ashtabula County Fairgrounds
This years rule book is finalized and has been approved for print.
YOUTH GROUP
We have also been working on bringing back our youth group! The Dusty Boots ‘Boot Dusters’ is all about bringing young equestrians together to learn, grow, and support each other— both in and out of the arena. Whether you ride, show, or just love horses, there’s a place for you in our group! We are also hosting a clinic at Green Hill Stables. Refer to our Facebook
page for more information regarding sign ups!
Want to get involved? Contact our youth group coordinators: Holly Carr, Joclyn Nicholas, Harley Buckley and Rachel Shymanski
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS
APRIL 19: Youth meeting, 10 a.m., Andover Library
APRIL 26: Ranch and Showmanship Clinic Fundraiser, Green Hill Stables
MAY 10: Tack PickUp, Fieldstone (Fieldstone generously donates their leftover swap tack to help our youth group fundraiser!)
All Dusty Boots Youth members are welcome and encouraged to participate—this group is for you! Let’s make 2025 an incredible year for the Dusty Boots Youth Group! Who’s ready to kick up some dust?!
We had our Blue Jean Ball on March 22. We crowned the NEOHA Dusty Boots Queen or King and Princess. At the banquet we will be presenting our 2024 year end awards. Congratulations to all award winners.
Our monthly meetings are hosted the first Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. at Pizza Joes in Jefferson, Ohio. All are welcome and encouraged to come!
NEW PACKAGING Improved Recipe Lower
We have improved our original recipe to include a natural bitter blocker for better taste and added Magnesium Citrate for overall health and wellness. That’s not all, we have lowered the price!
64-pack one time purchase
$139.00 plus $7.50 shipping
Subscription Price: $115.00 with free shipping!
20-pack $60.00, free shipping
Ohio Foundation Quarter Horse Association
Congratulations to 2024 Season Class Champions
PRESIDENT, Donnie Uffner
VICE PRESIDENT, Eric Erwin
TREASURER, Rick Learn
SECRETARY, Leann Bauer
PHONE, 740/877-7993
EMAIL, ofqhashows@gmail.com
WEBSITE, http://ohfqha.com
by Lisa Betts
On March 1, Ohio Foundation Quarter Horse Association (OFQHA) hosted the 2024 OFQHA Awards Banquet celebrating all the hard work of members and directors. The event was held at the Southgate Hotel in Cambridge, Ohio, with a mouth watering catered dinner provided by Shirley and Ron Goodpaster.
Congratulations to our 2024 season class champions:
MODIFIED RANCH RIDERS: Ben Dryer, Kyle Frizzell, Russell Law, Grayson King
CUTTING: Jim Colopy
GREEN CUTTING: Tiffany Schweitzer
YOUTH CUTTING: Lauren Morris
RANCH ROPING: Clint Adkinson
YOUTH RANCH ROPING: Lauren
Morris
GREEN REINER: Ashley Copley
YOUTH REINING: Annaliese Eshler
RANCH REINING: Terry Kaufman
YOUTH RANCH CUTTING: Lauren
Morris
GREEN RANCH CUTTING: Laura
Sauer
RANCH CUTTING: John Kreis
W/T RANCH RIDING: Tiffany
Schweitzer
YOUTH W/T RANCH RIDING: JT
Dryer
NOVICE W/T RANCH RIDING:
Heather Sands
BOXING: Rick Learn
BOX DRIVE BOX: Sam Parkinson
RANCH RIDING: Terry Kaufman
YOUTH RANCH RIDING: Annaliese Eshler
GREEN BOXING: Paige Watt
YOUTH BOXING: Lauren Morris
GREEN BOX DRIVE BOX: Paige
Watt
YOUTH BOX DRIVE BOX: Lauren
Morris
RANCH BOXING: Terry Kaufman
RANCH CONFORMATION: Rebecca
Dryer
YOUTH CONFORMATION: Lauren Morris
2 & UNDER CONFORMATION: Kris Geiger
RANCH TRAIL: Stephanie Wolf
YOUTH RANCH TRAIL: Annaliesse
Eshler
W/T RANCH TRAIL: Dean Dryer
W/T YOUTH TRAIL: Courtney Briggs
IN-HAND TRAIL: Jody Atkinson
RANCHMANSHIP: Ashley Copley
YOUTH RANCHMANSHIP: Annaliese
Eshler
W/T RANCHMANSHIP: Lisa Betts
YOUTH W/T RANCHMANSHIP: Courtney Briggs
Additional congratulations to the over-all champions:
ROOKIE RIDER: Laura Sauer
VERSATILITY: Kevin Seidle
HIGH POINT YOUTH: Lauren Morris
HIGH POINT ADULT: Stephanie Wolf
HIGH POINT FOUNDATION QH: Kevin Seidle
Special thanks to our amazing gate keeper Kyle Frizzell! We look forward to seeing everyone at our first show on May 3!
FRY’S EQUINE INSURANCE AGENCY
Lauren Morris
Laura Sauer
Stephanie Wolfe
Geauga Horse and Pony Association
Youth Club Visits Field Stone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center
PRESIDENT, Lisa Formica
1st VICE PRESIDENT, Rachel Formica
2nd VICE PRESIDENT, Dustin Sutter
TREASURER, Shauna Gingrich
SECRETARY, Kelli Burns
WEBSITE, www.ghpa.us
by Jaimie and Joselyn Olson
On March 15 we held our 37th annual awards banquet. A night full of fun and celebration. Congratulations to all of the 2024 award recipients! We are all looking forward to our 2025 show season with Sunday Open Shows and Friday Night Lights Contesting.
Our new updated showbills have been released and can be viewed on our website, GHPA.us, and in this issue of the Horsemen’s Corral. The 2025 show dates are as follows; Open Shows: June 1, June 22, July 20, August 10 and Friday Night Lights Contesting Shows: June 13, June 27, July 11, August 1. All of our shows are held at the Geauga County
Fairgrounds, 4373 N. Cheshire Street, Burton, Ohio.
Even though it was a cold winter, our youth clubs have been keeping busy! Tails and Trails visited Field Stone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center for their February meeting. They were able to tour the facility and meet the horses! Saddles and Spurs collected donations to support a local family. Both clubs are planning for a fun 2025 season. If you are interested in being a part of one of the clubs, please contact one of the
club advisors, Frank Muellner (f-muellner@sbcglobal.net), Jaimie Olson (Jaimiesutter230@ gmail.com) or Kelli Burns (kelliburns86@gmail.com).
The Geauga Horse and Pony Association Education Committee is working on putting together some great clinics this year. Please be sure to check our Facebook page, website and your emails for the upcoming events. Stay up-to-date on the current news, events, and show dates within our organization by visiting www.ghpa.us, or
following us on Facebook. Our club meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Geauga County Fairgrounds and are open to all members.
GHPA thanks Big Dee’s Tack for their generous support of our organization through their Bonus Buck’s program. Likewise, thank you to Schneiders Saddlery for their generous support. We greatly appreciate all that these two wonderful companies provide for our organization.
Tails and Trails Youth Club at Field Stone Therapeutic Riding Center.
Lake Erie Mounted Vaqueros
Mark Your Calendars, 2025 Shoot Dates
PRESIDENT, R. David Davis
VICE PRESIDENT, Mike Sheets
TREASURER, Jessica Sheets
SECRETARY, Nancy Virzi
EMAIL, nvirzi@yahoo.com
WEBSITE, www.lakeerievaqueros.net
by Nancy (Go Forward Virzi) Virzi
Hi everyone. This winter has been a never-ending deep freeze which has made riding a chore if not impossible. I heard Mourning Doves this morning and saw a flock of Robins. Spring is coming, have faith.
Our banquet was on January 18 and was well attended despite the cold. Here are the results:
OVERALL OVERALL & OVERALL
COWBOY: Sylvio Pellegrino
OVERALL COWGIRL: Marcy Gruchalak
OVERALL SR COWBOY: Bob Koniak
OVERALL SR COWGIRL: Rhonda Brown
RESERVE COWBOY: Ed Haefner
RESERVE COWGIRL: Maria Haefner
RESERVE SR COWBOY: Charle Brown
RESERVE SR COWGIRL: Colleen Kelly
CLASS WINNERS
L2 Maria Haefner, L3 Christy Pellegrino, L5 Marcy Gruchalak, M2
Ed Haefner, M3 Sylvio Pellegrino, SL3
Nancy Virzi, SL4 Dawn Wojtowicz and Cheri Stady, SL5 Rhonda Brown, SM5 Bob Koniak.
MOST IMPROVED
COWBOY: Ed Haefner
COWGIRL: Maria Haefner
SHOTGUN: Ed Haefner
WRANGLERS: Kylie Kitzmiller and Kamille Huff
Colleen Kelly made and donated a skirt for each of our wranglers. Great job Colleen. Congratulations to our winners.
Thank you to everyone for making it a fun successful season. Special good wishes for a happy life to our balloon setters Bekah and Cooper, they will be getting married in June.
Karen Foley has stepped down as secretary and I volunteered to fill the vacancy. It accepted at our last club meeting. Thank you, Karen, for your many years of service to the Vaqueros.
Our shoot dates for the 2025 season are: June 21-22, July 1920, August 16-17, and September 20-21. Our shoots begin at 9 a.m. and are held at the Ashtabula Fairgrounds, 107 Poplar Street, Jefferson, Ohio.
Thank you to John Truman for his years as our announcer. You rock!
A big thanks to our great sponsors: Big Dee’s Vet and Tack Supply, CMSA, Lonesome Pine Ammo, Curly’s Ammo, The Horsemen’s Corral, Stagecoach West, Parkside Trailer Sales and Services Inc., Siracki Realty, Altmeyers Trailer Sales, Wendy Shaffer, MMCP, Agile Equine
Bodywork, Junction Buick and GMC, Kiko Meats, Jefferson Milling. If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact me at the above mail.
Thank you to Sylvio and Christy Pellegrino for hosting the February meeting. The March meeting was at Carmen and Nancy Virzi’s in North Bloomfield, Ohio 44450. Our meetings start at 7 p.m.
Hello members and friends! April is here, are you ready for summer shows? I know a place that has a lot to offer; the Wayne County Saddle Club in Wooster, Ohio, aka The Hollow. Want to run fast like Ricky Bobbie; we have that! Friday night fun shows, the buckle series and open contest shows.
this Issue
How about running and playing fun games with your equine partner; we have that. Sunday Fun Day shows. Cupcakes might even appear. Even more fun at the open youth shows, games and good times!
Don’t get too serious at our open pleasure shows. We have added money and jackpot, plus payback. Yes, money, whoop, whoop! Never fear little ones, you all still get ribbons and as many trophies as we can hand out! Our judges are the best. We hope to see big shows this year. You are why we do what we do!
In this issue of the Corral you can view all of our showbills. Check them out and mark them on your calendar. See you soon!
Sylvio Pellegrino, Dave Davis and Rhonda and Charlie Brown.
Wrangler Kylie Kitzmiller and President Dave Davis.
Sylvio Pellegrino and Dave Davis.
Flatlanders Dressage & Combined Training Association, Inc.
How Relationships are Formed
PRESIDENT, Pat Boutwell
VICE PRESIDENT, LeeAnn Kagy
TREASURER, Lisa Gross
SECRETARY, Jill Christopher
EMAIL, fdcta@aol.com
FACEBOOK, www.facebook.com/ groups/FDCTA
by Heather Bonifas
How are relationships formed? Some relationships are formed by proximity, such as coworkers, employers, and classmates. Some are created out of pure necessity, for example, doctors and bank tellers. Those sort of associations are part of every person’s life, like it or lump it. Interrelationships such as these are not the type we choose,
typically. They are thrust upon us. However, the relationships that are most cherished are those we choose for ourselves. Now, how does someone develop a quality relationship? Let’s think about that a bit.
If you ask any old, married couple (the ultimate relationship) what the secret to a great marriage is, most will tell you it is great communication. Just think about it. How do we, as human beings, communicate? Physical touch, body language, subtle movement, and verbal utterances are the primary ways we relay our thoughts and emotions.
Spending quality time as well as quantity time together with whom we choose to build relations with is another absolute must. Consider just seeing a person on occasion for brief moments but expecting a lasting and productive
friendship to develop; seems a bit silly to say the least.
startling them. Talking soothingly to horses is something we all do. Even though they do not understand the human language per se, we do so and find that horses respond with regular attention. Just try walking into the stable area talking to your four-legged friends and see what happens!
Continuing on with our little thought experiment, I propose the same course of action works with humans and their horses (or other pets). Physically touching, brushing and even picking hooves are things we do to not only keep our animals healthy, but these actions develop familiarity. Leading and riding with calm, quiet confidence promotes a sense of peace and a willingness to follow in a herd animal such as our equine pets. We avoid sudden and surprising movements around them to prevent accidents and
Riding skills are built up over a period of time, just as any connection to another. Try something different, like trail-inhand or reading aloud in the barn, or even singing to the horses (they don’t judge). Why not take time to think over how these human relationship building staples can correlate to the equine bond we all want to build. Looking forward to the summer months, we have the opportunity to build better relationships with both our horses and the members of the Flatlander’s through clinics, fun-days, monthly meetings and some good old fashioned trail rides. Our future looks bright, members. The directory is available to print and reference when we need a little relationship building time.
Beth and the donkey.
How to Keep Pasture Nice
by Laura Stern DVM, DABVT of the ASPCA® Animal Poison Control Center
Pastures are more than a pretty place for horses to play. They are a source of nutrition and enrichment. Here are some tips for making them safe and beneficial for your horse.
Regularly walk your pasture
• Inspect your pasture regularly for any dangerous situations for your horse. Are there animals living in your pasture (such as groundhogs) that might make footing unsafe? Are there holes that need to be filled in? Is there fencing or wires in need of repair that could post a risk of injury or allow horses to get out of the pasture? Are there areas of deep mud that need to be avoided to prevent injury?
• Regularly inspect pastures for the presence of toxic weeds, trees, or shrubs.
• Horses are more likely to eat toxic plants during times of drought, in the early spring, when pastures are overgrazed, if herbicides have recently been used, if they are thin or in poor condition, if clippings have been thrown over the fence, or if a recent storm has blown down tree limbs. If any of these conditions are present, be extra vigilant about detecting and eliminating toxic plants.
• Keep weeds down in the pasture by using good pasture management and grazing practices. When found, eliminate toxic weeds by manually removing them or by using herbicides (see below for tips on using herbicides safely). Even weeds that don’t pose a risk of poison are lower in nutritional value and can prevent your horse from getting adequate nutrition. Consider renovating the pasture if it is overgrown or there are a large number of weeds.
Using Herbicides Safely on our Pastures
• Herbicides are not a sole method of weed control but can be a very valuable tool in your arsenal against weeds.
• Herbicides should be used according to labeled directions, should be labeled for use in horse pastures, any withdrawal times should be noted, and horses should be kept off the pasture until it is safe to return.
• Be aware that herbicides may make some plants more palatable as they wilt. Horses may eat plants that they normally leave alone. Be sure that there aren’t any poisonous plants in the pasture prior to spraying with an herbicide. You may need to keep horses off the pasture for 7-10 days if there are poisonous plants.
Applying sound pasture management techniques results in productive, high-quality pastures. Grass is a horse’s natural food source and good pasture management goes a long way to keeping your horse happy and healthy.
Even with good pasture management, accidents can happen. The ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance program for horses, the first standalone insurance coverage for the health of your horse, can help with veterinary costs related to accidents*. To learn more about plan details go to www.ProtectYourHorse.com.
*Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For all terms and conditions visit www.aspcapetin¬surance.com/terms. Preventive Care coverage reimbursements are based on a schedule. Complete Coverage(SM) reimbursements are based on the invoice. Products, schedules, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Discounts may vary and are subject to change. More information available at checkout. Premiums are based on the current age of your pet. Premium may increase due to the age of your pet at renewal. Initial premiums may be impacted by the species or breed of your pet. Premium may change based on your home address.
Insurance products are underwritten by either Independence American Insurance Company (NAIC #26581. A Delaware insurance company located at 11333 N. Scottsdale Rd, Ste. 160, Scottsdale, AZ 85254), or United States Fire Insurance Company (NAIC #21113. Morristown, NJ). Please refer to your policy forms to determine the underwriter for your policy. Insurance is produced by PTZ Insurance Agency, Ltd. (NPN: 5328528. Domiciled in Illinois with offices at 1208 Massillon Road, Suite G200, Akron, Ohio 44306). (California residents only: PTZ Insurance Agency, Ltd., d.b.a PIA Insurance Agency, Ltd. CA license #OE36937). The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance. Through a licensing agreement, the ASPCA receives a royalty fee that is in exchange for use of the ASPCA’s marks and is not a charitable contribution.
Mid Ohio Dressage Association
Show Season has Started, Time to Prepare for Year End Awards
PRESIDENT, Jessica Kuhnash
VICE PRESIDENT, Christine Talbert-Bash
SECRETARY, Vicki Sethna
TREASURER, Angela Tewksbury
EMAIL, midohiodressage@gmail.com
WEBSITE, www.midohiodressage.org
by Shannon Call
The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the various year end award programs supported by Mid Ohio Dressage Association (MODA) competitions. This list is not comprehensive, nor do I guarantee the completeness or correctness of this information.
Please see each programs website for the complete list of requirements of membership, eligibility, and participation requirements.
All MODA members in good standing are encouraged to participate in the MODA Year End Award Program.
The first horse is included with
your MODA membership, $25 for each additional horse.
A total of eight volunteer hours are required to participate in the Year End Awards Program with four hours minimum obtained at a MODA event. Up to four volunteer hours may be purchased at $10 per hour.
Retain all of your test score sheets. Scores are not tracked by MODA. Your tests are your proof of your scores. Scores from recognized USDF/USEF shows can be obtained from the USDF scorecheck website.
See MODA award details here https://www. midohiodressage.com/ uploads/1/1/2/0/112066871/ moda_awards_program.pdf
AQHA
Competing with a Quarter Horse then don’t leave your potential AQHA awards on the table. Awards available for classical (requires a one-time $85 fee to AQHA) and western dressage (no additional fee). MODA is hosting two AQHA special event shows so show
your support and sign up for AQHA portion of the show at the Mid Ohio Western Dressage June Jubilation and East Meets West. A small additional entry is required for the AQHA event. See ShowSecretary.com
Join AQHA as a Youth ($25) members under age 19. Amateur ($75). Learn about the variety of AQHA awards that recognize your show-pen achievements with your American Quarter Horse at https://www.aqha.com/ types-of-awards.
(WDAA)
Join or renew your Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) membership. Yearly membership is $55 for adults and $40 for junior membership— under 18 years old on December 1 of the current year.
The WDAA Year-End High Point Program (YEHP) is a program that recognizes horses that excel in Western Dressage competition over the course of a competition year. Through the YEHP, horses earn points based on their performance at WDAA-recognized shows, with awards and recognition given to high-achieving horses in various divisions and levels. This program is free for members, offering a way for competitors to track their horse’s progress and accomplishments year-overyear. Non-WDAA members are not eligible to participate in YEHP.
WDAA Horse Lifetime Points and Awards Program (WHLPAP): A pay-to-participate program offering lifetime points tracking. Earn awards and recognize the accomplishments of your horse over his/her lifetime as you achieve test scores and rail class placings in Western Dressage shows at all levels. Visit https://wdaapoints. org/wdaa-point-programscomparison-chart/ for details on both programs.
All Western Dressage rules are contained in the USEF rule book and USEF enforces these rules
at USEF licensed shows. All WDAA recognized shows follow USEF rules, to provide a level playing field for all participants. USEF licenses all Western Dressage judges.
Mid Ohio Western Dressage June Jubliation and East Meets West are both WDAA approved for points. ShowSecretary.com
USDF
The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) promotes and encourages a high standard of accomplishment in dressage throughout the United States. To recognize this high standard, USDF has developed a comprehensive award program to reward excellence within our sport. USDF encourages all members to strive for excellence by offering award programs for everyone.
USEF/USDF Horse ID Requirement Effective 12/1/2023 All horses entered in USEF/ USDF recognized shows must at least have a USEF HID (Horse Identification) and a USDF HID (Horse Identification) number to participate. If riding in qualifying classes, you must have a USDF Lifetime Registration in addition to a USEF Annual or Lifetime Recording.
As a MODA member you hold a GMO (group membership organization) membership with USDF which is all that is needed for some awards while an upgrade to participating membership may be necessary to earn certain awards and to qualify for championship events. For those MODA members working towards USDF awards and/or championship show qualification MODA’s own The Mid-Ohio Classic, celebrated for more than 40 years, is one of the oldest USEF/USDF recognized shows in the country. This show bill be held July 11-13 at Brave Horse in Johnstown, Ohio. See ShowSecretary.com
Guide to USDF awards found at https://www.usdf.org/awards/ awards-resource-guide.asp
Becoming More ‘Abscess Aware’
by Bryan Farcus MA, CJF
Nature of the Beast
Being observant and addressing minor concerns will, in the vast majority of cases, prevent the occurrence of many hoof complications. However, despite all your efforts, one day you may enter your barn and be shocked to find your horse in a helpless posture, as he struggles to move and cannot bear any weight on one of his hooves. You instantly entertain thoughts of a broken leg or a ruptured tendon. Fortunately, after some investigating, you breathe a sigh of relief, as you rule out these extreme possibilities. But, what now? What lameness could be so mystifying, as though it had happened overnight? The answer: a hoof abscess. An abscess or gravel, as some call it, almost always greets us in this manner. When a horse’s hoof tissue is damaged to a degree that penetrates the deeper, sensitive tissue, foreign material (most likely gravel) can enter and cause sepsis (infection). The pain experienced by the horse will often leave him ‘threelegged’ lame.
Earlier Detection
According to most veterinary manuals, a hoof abscess is the leading cause of hoof related lameness. Generally, abscesses will manifest in one of three situations:
• A bruising of the sole (dry injury); usually visible as a reddish discoloration which occurs due to a minor subcutaneous bleed. Often, when we see the discoloration the healing process has already begun and most likely the horse is showing no sign of lameness.
• Weakening of tissue due to overexposure to moisture (moist injury), causing fissures (cracks) on the surface of sole, which provides the opportunity for a friction-related irritation and/or hoof wall separation.
2.
• An obstruction/ puncture of the sole or frog which generates necrosis (death) of the infected sensitive tissue (suppurating injury); often this injury is unable to be treated without veterinary assistance, since the puncture can be deep within the sensitive structures (coria). Also, if the object of puncture (nail, wire, long wood splinter) is still lodged within the hoof, you should resist temptation and don’t remove until your veterinarian is consulted, as a radiograph can reveal the depth and proximity of the object to any critical hoof area that could result in permanent lameness.
Prevention
And finally, keep in mind that prevention of an abscess is primarily centered on eliminating any possible source, such as:
• dropped nails along fence line or barn area after repairs/an attractor magnet is very helpful.
• roadside, tossed glass bottles or aluminum cans.
• buried barbed wire from older fence lines.
• avoid keeping your horse in wet, soggy flood plains for prolonged periods of time, as that will soften hoof tissues and make them prone to bruising/injury.
And finally, equally important is to commit to a regular farrier schedule. An experienced farrier will be able to spot the early symptoms that may predispose your horse to an abscess. Quite often, in this situation, many people tend to overlook the benefits of a wellbalanced hoof. In my practice, I’ve noticed that there tends to be a strong correlation between neglected, unbalanced hooves and the reoccurrence of abscesses.
If you’ve enjoyed Bryan’s articles, go to amazon.com/ farrierfriendly and check-out his books offered in Kindle or paperback form. You can also tune into Bryan’s YouTube channel: “The Farrier Friendy Network”.
References and Recommended Reading
• Shoeing the Modern Horse, S. Kraus
• Understanding the Equine Foot, F .Jurga
• Merck Veterinary Manual-7th edition, C. Fraser, J. Bergeron, A. Mays, S. Aiello
• Principles of Horseshoeing (P3), D. Butler, J. Butler
For more information please visit: www.farrierfriendly.com
Crack from old abscess eruption in toe region. Photo credit: Bryan Farcus, CJF
Hello fellow horse lovers! April is here. Are you looking for a family oriented hobby? Welcome to the Black Swamp Driving Club!
Our mission is to have safe and fun driving events, learn while having new experiences and enjoy delicious potlucks at all drives. We welcome new horse loving folks!
Congratulations to Taylor Arthur who applied for and achieved being voted to receive the Hardin County Scholarship.
clinic June 7, Memorial Park, 115 N. Park, Ada, Ohio at 10 a.m. Light lunch provided. Plan on joining us for a day of fun and education as you explore your possibilities of driving a horse and carriage: $10 if you want to bring a horse and carriage, please email Ranee Liedel, gliedel@hotmail.com to make arrangements. $5 for auditing
(paperwork printing cost), free if you’re coming to watch (no paperwork needed), but you can always take notes on your own.
CLUB NEWS
Mary Emmons fell and is recovering in a rehab facility from a hairline pelvic fracture. Prayers to her and her family!
2025 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MAY 17: Owens and Emmons Drive and potluck at Downtown Richwood Park, noon
JUNE 7: Driving Clinic, Memorial Park, 115 N. Park, Ada, Ohio
JUNE 21: Higgins Drive and potluck, Meeker Community Park, bring a comfortable chair, noon
JULY 12: Carriage Display, set up at 11 a.m. (no horses), Ice Cream Social, Wyandotte Historical Museum, 12-4
AUG. 23: Owens Drive Pending! Further details to follow.
OCT. 25: Emmons and Owens Halloween Drive and potluck, France Lake, Kenton, noon
NOV. 8: Christmas potluck meeting, Good Hope Church, 300 S. Main St., Arlington, OH, 2 p.m.
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to meeting you and hope you will come and be part of our carriage driving family!
Buckeye Equestrian Association
Google Horse Protection Act and Stay Informed
PRESIDENT, Patricia Andio
VICE PRESIDENT, Susan Smith-Gordan SECRETARY, Jennifer Milliner
TREASURER, Sally Kish
FACEBOOK, Buckeye Equestrian Association
Thank goodness for a break in the weather. This winter has been a cold one. Today it is 60 degrees and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. The horses look happy to be in the sun.
Not much is happening in the horse world right now. But soon there will be tack swaps, Equine Affaire and lots of activities for horse lovers.
If you have not heard about the new regulations involving horse activities, you should go online and read all the new rules published under the Horse Protection Act. From what I have read this could have a huge impact on all horse events. The main problem is the requirement for horse inspectors to be at horse events from 4-H to Breed Shows. This will add to the cost of participating. Some of the rules are really strict even regulating fly spray on horse’s limbs. We as horse lovers need to keep up with what our government is doing. Google HPA to get informed. For the love of horses and riders. ~Sally Kish
PRESIDENT, Kelly Chapman
VICE PRESIDENT, Stephanie Tarr
SECRETARY, Justin Miller
TREASURER, Susan Croft
EMAIL, premiermountntrail@gmail.com
WEBSITE, www.premiermountntrail.com
The arrival of spring offers a perfect opportunity to deepen the bond with your horse. After months of winter, spring brings a renewed sense of energy and excitement, both for you and your horse. It’s a great time to focus on building trust and communication, whether through groundwork, grooming sessions, or casual trail rides. We believe that spring is the season to strengthen that bond, as you both embrace new challenges, and the joy of being outdoors together. With warmer weather here it’s
Spring is Here
time to start thinking about the show season approaching. The first Premier Mount N Trail show scheduled to kick off our 2025 season is May 11 at KalVal in Michigan. Our first Ohio show scheduled is May 31 at Jagged Ridge. Finally, the first Pennsylvania show is June 1415. We look forward to starting the 2025 show season.
Some of our parks are also offering many clinics in 2025. Whether you are a beginner looking for more guidance and wanting to gain more information
and/or skill or maybe you’re an advanced horseman looking to sharpen up on skills, one of the clinics could be the right one for you!
Knox County Horse Park
Open House, Poker Run, Fun Show Dates Announced
PRESIDENT, Lauren Smith VICE PRESIDENTS, Travis Ross and Claude Robinson TREASURER, Pam Niner SECRETARY, Madisyn Weekley PHONE, 740/398-5366 (call or text) WEBSITE, knoxcountyhorsepark.mypixieset.com
by Anna Chadwick
During the March meeting we discussed having two Poker runs, May 31 and October 11. Registration is at 10 a.m.; last horse out at 11:30 a.m.; all horses back by 1:30 p.m.
The Knox County Horse Park (KCHP) Open House is May 3, from 12 to 5 p.m. All members and non-members are invited to visit and enjoy the Knox County Horse Park. There will be wagon rides, pony rides, petting zoo, vendors, open arena, equine salt therapy trailer and lunch. June 28 there will be a ‘The Big and Little Show’. The Cookshack will be open.
The KCHP fun shows are for points and will contain ranch classes and contest classes.
Fun shows for are: May 17 (high point show), June 7 (high point show), June 21 (high point show), July 12 (time only), August 16 (high point show), September 20 (high point show), October 18 (high point show— last point show of the season), November 1 (Halloween show). Mark your calendars and come join us for some fun. The cookshack will be open.
Check our Facebook page (Knox County Horse Park Inc) for any additional information and a copy of each fun show flyer.
This year KCHP will use venmo for entries and at the cookshack. We will continue to accept cash and checks.
If you would like to host a show, we have available weekends open for people to rent the arena.
The April 14 meeting will be start at 7 p.m. The location is 411 Pittsburg Avenue in Mt. Vernon. All interested families and individuals are welcome.
Western Reserve Carriage Association
Mark These Dates on Your Calendar
PRESIDENT, Barbara King
VICE PRESIDENT, Michele Steven
TREASURER, Shellie Kwitkowski
SECRETARY, Cathy Rhoades
WEBSITE, Westernreservecarriage.com
by Betsy Connor
Western Reserve Carriage Association welcome new members, so if you are interested, come join us! Check us out on
Facebook: https:www.facebook. com/WRCarriage
Here is our 2025 calendar, with more to come:
MARCH 28-30: Jean Paul Gautier Clinic, Maple Crest Farm
APRIL 1, 5, 10 & 13: Carlisle Open
APRIL 10-13: Equine Affaire
APRIL 24-27: Spring National Drive
MAY 1, 4, 6 & 10: Carlisle Open
MAY 16-18: Charlotte’s Creek CDE (USEF), Kentucky
Western Horse Association
PRESIDENT, Gale Davis
MAY 16-18: Tracey Morgan Clinic, New York
JUNE 7-8: Ionia CT and Pleasure Show (ADS), Michigan
JUNE 14-15: Schooling Weekend, Indiana Horse Park
JULY 4-6: Medina Driving Show
JULY 12-13: Schooling Weekend, Indiana Horse Park
JULY 18-20: Lorenzo Pleasure Show (ADS), New York
AUG. 7-10: Orleton Farm Pleasure Show (ADS) Mass. AUG. 9-10: Mini CDE/
Schooling Weekend, Indiana Horse Park
AUG. 29-31: Suzy Stafford Clinic, Kentucky
SEPT. 4-7: ParaWorld Driving Championship, Lahden Germany
SEPT. 5-7: Villa Louis Pleasure Show (ADS), Wisconsin
SEPT. 26-28: Indiana CDE (ADS), Indiana
OCT. 2-5: Garden State CDE (USEF), New Jersey
OCT. 7-12: National Drive
OCT. 24-26: Halloween at the Haven CDE (ADS), Kentucky
Show Schedule Dates to be Announced Soon
VICE PRESIDENTS, Marc Beck, Cinda Bame
SECRETARY, Jeremy Reed
TREASURER, Eric Haudenschield WEBSITE, www.owha.org
Hello Corral readers! Ohio Western Horse Association (OWHA) hopes that you are finding the joy the spring offers
us equestrians. The joy of longer days, more sunshine, and a lot of shedding horse hair! May the sparkling new coats of our horse friends remind us of all the fun that the warmer days will bring.
I know that OWHA is looking forward to this upcoming year and what is in store.
Ohio Western Horse Association held its monthly meeting on March 6, in Ada, Ohio. We want to thank all executive board members and youth members who were able to be present. Many things were discussed and voted on at the meeting including new membership, the annual banquet/awards, some different
show locations, and youth business. The OWHA board is working hard to solidify a show schedule for the year and hope to have the dates out soon.
If your organization would be interested in putting on an OWHA sanctioned show or are interested in joining the family friendly and member dedicated organization of OWHA, please reach out to any of the OWHA board members.
Colorado Ranger Horse Association
Send in Program Fees Check Website for All Programs
PRESIDENT, Toni Lukavich; 1ST VICE PRESIDENT, Charmaine Wulff; SECRETARY, Barbara Summerson; TREASURER, Jane Montgomery. WEBSITE, www.coloradoranger.com EMAIL, prranger@verizon.net
by Cathy Martens-Nitschke
The Colorado Ranger Horse (“The Using Horse of the High Plains”) is one that is registered with the Colorado Ranger Horse Association, Inc. (CRHA), which is one of the oldest of the western horse breed registries still in existence in the United States. Don’t forget to send in your 2025 program fees. Youth Point Program applications and fees to Cathy Martens Nitschke. Sarah Craig: Ranger Log Program. Toni Lukavich: Open Show Program. Forms are on the website above.
Check all other programs for the upcoming year, too.
2024 CRHA RANGER LOG RESULTS
Adults participating: 10
Youth participating: 1
Adult Most Hours: Vicki Cross
Youth Most Hours: Caleb Worrell
Adult $25 Drawing: Jennifer Fischhaber
Youth $25 Drawing: Caleb Worrell
HOUR MILESTONES
300: Sarah Craig
700: Vicki Cross and Erin Worrell
800: Vicki Cross
900: Vicki Cross
The 2025 Colorado Ranger Horse Association National Show will be September 20-21 at Clinton County Fairgrounds, Mill Hall, Pa.
@ 7:30 a.m. Performance Preview @ 10 a.m. SALE Check
From Hesitant to Happy Camper: A Guide to Your First Horse Camping Trip
Overcoming Your Fears of First-Time Trailhead Horse Camping
by Robert Eversole
Ivividly remember my first time horse camping. It was a great time—we survived, the horses survived—but looking back, I was as prepared as a city slicker in a cowboy movie. Every trip since then has been a learning experience, and now I can set up camp in my sleep (but preferably before dark). If you’re feeling nervous about your first trip, don’t worry—we’ve all been there, and I’ve got you covered. If you’re considering your first horse camping trip, you might be nervous about wildlife, getting lost, or handling camp logistics. Maybe you’re worried about keeping your horse comfortable overnight, figuring out what gear to bring, or even something as simple as using the bathroom outdoors. These are all valid concerns, but with preparation, your first trip can be enjoyable and rewarding.
Fear #1: Wildlife and Unexpected Visitors
Wildlife encounters are a common concern, but simple precautions help.
• Bears: Store all food and scented items in a bear-proof container or hang them away from camp. Avoid leaving grain or treats lying around. If bear spray is allowed, carry it.
• Mini-bears (chipmunks, raccoons, skunks): Store feed securely. These fearless critters will raid your supplies in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.
• Moose: Moose may not be predators, but they can be dangerous. If you see one, give way and back off—moose don’t bluff-charge like bears, they just charge.
• Safety from People: Most fellow riders and campers are friendly, but trailhead theft can be an issue. Lock your truck and trailer and keep valuables out of sight. Park in visible, high-traffic areas.
Fear #2: Camping Alone
Don’t do it. Your first trip should be with a friend or an experienced horse camper—it makes everything easier and safer. No riding buddy? Consider joining a local equestrian group to learn from seasoned horse campers.
Fear #3: Picking the Best Campsite
For a stress-free first trip, pick a location close to home so you can cut the trip short if needed. Your back pasture is an excellent practice run. Choose an area with well-established trails, water access, and designated equestrian camping areas. Check with land management offices for rules, permits, and horse camping regulations. TrailMeister.com is an excellent resource for trail and campsite info.
Fear #4: Not Being Fit Enough
Unlike backpacking, horse camping isn’t about carrying weight—it’s about ensuring your horse is conditioned for the miles ahead. If you and your horse are used to all-day trail rides, an overnight should be easy. Don’t push beyond what your horse is ready for—stick to moderate terrain and manageable distances.
Fear #5: Getting Lost
Know your trail by studying maps, understanding the route, and checking water sources before you go. Tell someone your plan, including location, estimated return time, and emergency contacts. Bring navigation tools such as a physical map and compass, a GPS device, or a Garmin InReach for emergencies.
Fear #6: Not Knowing What to Pack
Feed transitions: Don’t wait until you get there. Many public lands require certified weed-free hay. Start feeding it at home before your trip to prevent digestive upset.
Horse gear includes a saddle, bridle, halter, lead rope, high-line or corral, and a feed bag. Camping gear includes a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, camp stove, food, water filter, and headlamp. Safety gear includes a first aid kit for both human and horse, a multi-tool, and an emergency device. Food and water should be carefully planned. Confirm water sources before your trip. If none are available, pack at least 10 gallons per horse per day. For a complete packing guide, check out my horse camping checklist at www.trailmeister.com/trailrider-check-list.
Please turn to page 44
Michigan Trail Riders Association, Inc.
2025 MTRA Ride Schedule
PRESIDENT, Dug Jordan
1st VICE PRESIDENT, Jimmy Corlew
SECRETARY, Jan Gould
TREASURER, Cindy Lawrence
WEBSITE, www.mtra.org
EMAIL, mtra.office@gmail.com
PHONE, 231/492-9494
BLOSSOM RIDE
MAY 14-19
Experience camping and circle riding with your horse at Hopkins Creek Trail Camp near Manton. This is not a trophy ride but a great way to start the summer riding season with the Michigan Trail Riders Association (MTRA). We will have a potluck dinner on Saturday (May 17) to visit with other members and meet/make new friends. On Sunday (May
First Camping Trip
18) there is an option to ride the 18.9 miles to Cadillac Trail Camp for those wanting to do so.
FIRST JUNE RIDE
MAY 28-JUNE 8
This is our first Shore-to-Shore trophy ride of the year. We start in Oscoda (Lake Huron) and ride approximately 230 miles to Empire (Lake Michigan) over the period of 11 days averaging 21 miles per day.
SECOND JUNE RIDE
JUNE 14-29
Welcome to the Shore-to-Shore trophy ride with layover days! During this 15 day ride we have four layover (rest) days. On these days we remain at one camp. Members can relax, or go do laundry, replenish supplies, etc. This year we are bringing back activities for children. On each layover day, we will have
(Continued from page 42)
Fear #7: Bathroom Logistics At developed campsites, you’ll probably find vault toilets. But for remote camping, pack out
something planned for them to enjoy. The children are our future!
61ST ANNIVERSARY REUNION RIDE
AUGUST 6-10
Come celebrate 61 years of MTRA Shore-to-Shore Rides! We will be camping at Goose Creek Trail Camp near Grayling. No membership is required to attend this ride. We will enjoy many activities such as; circle riding, swimming, campfires, a ‘camping with your horse clinic’, story hour, euchre tournament, raffle drawings, children’s activities, etc. We would love to meet others who share the love of camping with your horse.
SEPTEMBER RIDE
SEPTEMBER 5-14
This year we will be using the North Spur starting at Stoney Creek Trail Camp near Afton in Northern Michigan. We will ride approximately 185 miles to
all used toilet paper and wipes by bringing a ziplock for waste. Dig a 6–8 inch cathole if no facilities are available. Bring hand sanitizer—it’s a must.
Fear
#8:
Running Out of Food or Water
For you, pack lightweight, highcalorie foods like dehydrated meals, wraps, jerky, nuts, and oatmeal.
For your horse, bring certified weed-free hay if required and start feeding it before the trip. Confirm water access. If none is available, bring at least 10 gallons per horse per day.
Fear #9: Sleeping Comfortably
Your first few nights camping with horses may feel unfamiliar, but experience makes it easier. Set up camp before dark. Keep your horse secure using a highline, portable corral, or electric fence. Stay warm by layering up and packing a quality sleeping
Oscoda (Lake Huron) in nine days averaging 23 miles per day. We have one layover day at Luzerne Trail Camp. This is a trophy ride.
COLOR RIDE
OCTOBER 9–13
Come join us at South Branch Trail Camp near Hale. This is a beautiful camp for circle riding! The trails around this camp take you to overlooks on the AuSable River. Our Michigan fall colors will give you beautiful backdrops for perfect photo opportunities. This camp also has a large memorial campfire ring in honor of Ilma Flannery, a past secretary, which we will enjoy as well.
Register online at mtra. org. Visit/join our Facebook page ‘MTRA Friends’ to seek advice and answers from riders/ members who have experienced the Shore to Shore Trail Rides. Contact mtra.office@gmail.com for more information.
bag suited for the temperatures. Eat well before bed—a warm drink and meal make a huge difference.
Final Thoughts: Get Out There! Your first horse camping trip is a learning experience—expect to make a few mistakes, but don’t let that discourage you. With each trip, you’ll refine your setup, gain confidence, and feel more at home in camp and eventually in the backcountry. Now that you know what to expect, what’s stopping you? Start small, pick a location, and experience the adventure of horse camping.
For more of my thoughts on trail riding and camping with horses, as well as more resources, tips, and inspiration, visit me at TrailMeister.com or pick up a copy of my best-selling book, The ABCs of Trail Riding and Horse Camping, on Amazon.
View From the Cheap Seats
The Business of Boarding Barns – Part 2 of 2
by Sarah Vas
Last month, I talked about the Boarding Barn industry from the barn owner’s perspective. It may have read like a brutal interrogation to some but truth be told, there are a whole lot of badly run barns out there that don’t have the best answers to those questions. As promised, I’d like to examine the horse owner role in this business agreement. I encourage every horse owner to reread March’s column and consider the questions from a barn owner’s definition of the perfect boarder. Sure, being the model boarder doesn’t guarantee your barn owner will do right by you and your horse but it can’t hurt. First, the obvious. What’s your budget? It’s a fact that the cheapest part of horse ownership is the purchase price. Beware the hobby that eats! And just like everything else in life, costs only go up. Owning horses is a lifestyle
choice even when the animals don’t live on your own property. If you’re already scraping bottom right now to afford the most basic of equine expenses, ask yourself if you are truly capable of this lifestyle long term. Secondly, how far are you willing to drive? How many days a week are you able to carve out that drive time? Will you be a weekend warrior or absentee owner and is the barn owner OK with that? Would you understand their concerns if they weren’t OK with it?
With regards to the facility services, what are your nonnegotiables? I’d keep this list pretty short unless you live in an area where horse culture and barn options are abundant. Ample turnout, indoor riding arena, access to public trails. The big-ticket priorities either come with the facility or they don’t. This brings me back to the third variable I mentioned
last month; Tolerance. Horse owners have to know their own tolerances if they want to have a peaceful and productive business relationship with the barn owner. And as mentioned, horse owners better get really comfortable with the idea that things at a boarding barn are bound to change. The only guarantee with horses is that there are no guarantees. Here’s the key element to tolerance. If you find yourself faced with something that pushes your tolerances, what’s your response? How’s your emotional regulation these days? What about your interpersonal skills? Do you feel comfortable communicating with the barn owner about your concerns or questions? Are you willing to tolerate not always having a say in the daily goings on with your horse? The services offered under any boarding contract can be under fire every day. Did the stall cleaner skip out today? Who’s going to step in and do the work then? Are you willing to ask what’s up or do you stew about it without giving the barn owner the opportunity to explain? If the barn owner isn’t receptive to the conversation, what’s next? Are you stuck and is there a work around and if so, is your work around really just sneaking around?
The barn owner/horse owner relationship is just that, a relationship. Apart from your own safety on site, you’ve entrusted another with the general health and well-being of your animal. As much as barn owners should hold themselves accountable to the business they’re running and the obligations they’re paid to uphold, horse owners can extend the benefit of the doubt when addressing any concerns. What’s that phrase? Trust but Verify. Tell your barn owner not what you want but what you think is true. “I want…” statements will always put a barn owner on the defensive. “I trust that you have always…” statements not only show the barn owner what you witness but it encourages future integrity on their part. The greatest compliment ever given to me by my past clientele was the statement, “I Trust Your Judgement.” It all comes back to saying what you’ll do, then doing what you said.
Many folks get into horses because they wanted to ride. In reality, lots of owners end up just enjoying the horse as a pet. Regardless of what you do with your horse, there’s the element of cooperative fellowship in a barn. You’ve heard the term Barn Family. What does that mean to you and is it something you want? Even if you choose to remain completely removed from the goings on of a boarding facility, you should at the very least practice general common courtesy to others and the facility when you’re there. Remember, every boarding barn has a culture, a clientele category, a flavor to it. If you have no other options available and you have to house your animal in a barn that isn’t a perfect match in this category, can you tolerate it? Can you reasonably enjoy your animal and maintain your contentment if it means you have to accommodate for things you can’t change?
If the answer is no, absolutely not, then it’s time to go back to the other two variables. Short of abject abuse or neglect, there are only two truly objective reasons to change barns. Your horse is not receiving a reasonable standard of care suitable to that individual animal or you are not able to partake in your chosen equine activity due to the limitations of the facility. Sticking to these two reasons helps you compartmentalize emotion. Take another hard look at budget and distance to and from a different facility. Remember what I said. Horse ownership is a lifestyle. It
Do you have a mare due to foal?
Your mare can be boarded at the hospital prior to foaling. All foalings are attended to ensure the best possible care for your mare and foal.
• Mare can be dropped off 7-10 days prior to due date, so she can get acclimated to the hospital.
• Hospital is staffed 24x7 for monitoring.
• Once foal is born – we ensure it stands and nurses on its own. If not, immediate intervention is provided.
• Daily board for mare is at a reduced rate, until the foal is born.
• Blood work and IgG is performed on the foal before discharge.
Was the foal born at your farm, but now experiencing issues?
The hospital has a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to accommodate foals requiring intensive medical or surgical care.
• The unit consists of two heated and fully padded neonate stalls.
• Each stall is equipped for oxygen delivery, vital sign monitoring, continuous intravenous fluid, and intravenous nutrition administration.
• The mare of the critically ill foal can be housed in an immediately adjacent stall. She may be allowed either visual contact or direct contact with the foal as appropriate.
Ohio High School Rodeo Association
Members Had a Blast at Cowboy Prom
NATIONAL DIRECTOR, Nikki McCarty
PRESIDENT, Brian Corsi
SECRETARY, Holly Rowe
PHONE, 614-432-0177
WEBSITE, www.ohiohighschoolrodeo.org
by Hannah Boyes
There is so much to touch on as the winter festivities come to a close and as we look forward to the upcoming spring season.
To recap, our members had a blast at Cowboy Prom! To kick off the night, our members enjoyed an Italian dinner, hit the dance floor, and then captured memories at the photo booth. Cowboy Prom is a great way to make lasting bonds and memories with teammates and competitors, and it’s an event the Ohio High School Rodeo Association hosts every year.
Now, looking ahead! On March 28, we kicked off the second
half of the season in Winfield, W. Va. This multi-state rodeo is an amazing opportunity for the Ohio High School Rodeo team to connect with other associations!
Following this, there will be two more regular-season rodeos, one of which will also host the Junior High Finals. The high school team
will then have their Finals Rodeo in Negley, Ohio, from June 6-8.
As we enter the second half of the season, it also marks the end of the road for our current senior high school rodeo careers. With that in mind, it’s important to recognize our seniors: Lexie Saint, Caroline Rowe, Macie Baker, Hannah Boyes, Reese Todd, Owen Gardner, Kyle Mangan,
Alexa Nisonger, Josie Stiner, Mason Humphrey, Kailyn Greer, Lola Stillion, Hunter McLaughlin, Brooke Bates, Bridget Capella, and Klint Shamblin. It’s never too late to become a member and join our rodeo family within the Ohio High School Rodeo Association. To do so, just visit our website at ohiohighschoolrodeo.org.
View From the Cheap Seats
Continued from page 46
requires your time, your money, and your commitment. And just like any relationship, the good ones only work with a healthy dose of open communication, mutual levels of tolerance, and adaptation. Hmmm…sounds like the foundation of a sound horse/human partnership. The best barns don’t have to be fancy or expensive. They just have to operate like civilized businesses. Barn owners and horse owners exist on different sides of a transaction but the best
partnerships happen when they both put their own work into the relationship.
Sarah Vas, a second-generation horse woman, writes about her decades of adventure and mayhem in the equine industry. Her experience encompasses multiple breeds and disciplines. A humble storyteller and educator at heart, her Cheap Seats column is often infused with the spirit of her two favorite philosophies. Laughter is the Breath of Life and Poverty is the Real Mother of Invention.
Western Dressage
How to Teach Your Horse to Pivot Like a Pro
by Kelley Bitter
Mastering the pivot with your horse is like teaching them a carefully choreographed dance move—graceful, balanced, and undeniably impressive. If you’re gearing up for Western Dressage or just want to add a new skill to your horse’s repertoire, nailing the pivot is a great place to start. But fair warning—this isn’t a ‘done-in-a-day’ activity. Teaching a horse to pivot requires patience, practice, and a steady dose of positivity.
Let’s break it down step by step, sprinkled with humor and hardearned wisdom.
Start with Groundwork
Imagine teaching someone salsa before they even know how to count the beat. That’s what you’re doing if you jump straight into pivots without groundwork. Before you even think about climbing into the saddle, make sure your horse can handle basic cues on the ground. Responsive groundwork sets the foundation for everything that follows.
Start by introducing the concept of moving their shoulders independently from their hindquarters. Using a lead rope and your body language, encourage them to step away from light pressure on their shoulder. Be consistent and gentle—it’s all about building understanding, not overwhelming your horse.
Once your horse understands moving their shoulders, it’s time to break it down into simple, step-by-step instructions to help them connect the dots.
1. Prepare your tools—Grab a lead rope and halter. If you’re feeling fancy, you can use a training stick, but your hand works just as well!
Make sure you’re in a safe, distraction-free environment, like a round pen or an arena.
2. Position yourself—Stand by your horse’s shoulder at a slight angle so you’re not directly in front of them (horses aren’t great at parallel parking, and you don’t want to be in their blind spot). Hold the lead rope loosely in one hand and keep your energy calm.
3. Apply pressure—Using your free hand or stick, gently tap or press the area just behind your horse’s shoulder. Think of it more as a polite ‘excuse me’ than a hard nudge.
4. Watch for a response—At first, your horse might look at you like you’re explaining algebra. Be patient and consistent. The goal is to get them to step their shoulder away from the pressure. Even the slightest shift counts—reward that effort!
5. Release and reward—The moment they take a step in the right direction, release the pressure and give them a scratch, a kind word, or even a delicious treat (because who doesn’t love snacks?).
6. Rinse and repeat—Practice this a few times on one side, then switch to the other. Horses love balance and consistency, and soon they’ll be moving those shoulders like a pro.
Remember, it’s all about small wins and positive reinforcement. If things go south and your horse looks confused, take a deep breath, regroup, and try again. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are good shoulder yields!
Patience, Patience, Patience
Think of groundwork as baking a good loaf of bread. You can’t rush the rise. Your horse needs time to process these movements on the ground before they’re ready for the saddle. Resist the urge to skip ahead—trust me, you’ll thank yourself later when you’re not trying to fix bad habits that could’ve been avoided.
Use Clear and Consistent Cues
Once your horse gets the concept on the ground, it’s time to introduce cues that will translate to under-saddle work. Use your hands, reins, and voice clearly and consistently. Be mindful of your leg pressure—it should gently guide, not confuse.
Start with simple cues and build up gradually. For example, when asking for a turn, pair a slight pull on the rein with gentle leg pressure on the opposite side. Your horse is like that one friend who needs you to repeat what restaurant you’re meeting at three times—consistency is key! And don’t forget your tone of voice. A calm, encouraging tone can do wonders to reassure your horse, especially if they seems unsure or hesitant. Be patient and reward their progress with plenty of praise or a treat. Remember, you’re building a language together, and just like any good relationship, communication is everything.
Start Small and Check for Balance
When you’re ready to work on pivots under saddle, take it one step at a time. Quite literally. Start with a small angle of movement. For example, ask for a quarter pivot instead of attempting a full 360-degree turn right off the bat.
Pay close attention to your horse’s balance and rhythm during these early steps. Think of balance as the backbone of a smooth pivot. If your horse feels off-balance or clunky, take a step back and reassess. Are you asking too much, too fast? Is your rein pressure too heavy? Be your horse’s supportive dance coach, not an over-eager competition judge. Once your horse becomes comfortable with the initial quarter pivot, it’s time to gradually build on that foundation. Here’s how to proceed step by step:
1. Start Small and Build Confidence. Begin with a few steps in the pivot, keeping it short and sweet. For example, ask your horse for a controlled, balanced movement in just two or three steps. Praise them whenever they attempt it, think of it as cheering for their effort, not just the result.
2. Enhance Your Cues. Focus on your cues being clear and consistent. Your inside leg should stay active, providing a guiding post, while your outside leg should gently encourage the turn. Meanwhile, maintain soft but steady rein contact to direct the head and shoulders. Imagine you’re steering a shopping cart; too much force will throw everything off course!
3. Work on the Rhythm. Pay attention to the timing of your cues. Pivoting is all about rhythm, so don’t rush through it, you’re not auditioning for a horsey tap dance routine. Give your horse enough time to understand your request and shift their weight smoothly.
4. Introduce Half Pivots. Once your horse is consistently nailing quarter pivots, you can progress to half pivots. Increase the angle of the turn, but keep the same calm, composed energy. Keep checking your horse’s balance, it’s like making sure they don’t spill their coffee while walking and turning!
5. Practice in Both Directions. Horses, like people, usually have a dominant side. Make sure you’re practicing pivots in both directions to build strength and coordination evenly. You don’t want your horse feeling like a professional turner in one direction and a wobbly novice in the other.
6. Reward Generously. After any successful attempt, reward your horse with a pat, a kind word, or even a small break. Positive reinforcement will boost their confidence and encourage them to keep trying.
By taking it step by step and focusing on balance, rhythm, and clear communication, you’ll set your horse up for pivoting success. Remember, this is a partnership, you and your horse are in this together! (And if mistakes happen, at least there’s no pivot police.)
Reward the Wins
Training without rewards is like working overtime with no paycheck— not exactly motivating. Rewarding your horse for understanding your cues and executing even small movements correctly reinforces good behavior. This can be a verbal “Good boy!” or “Good girl!” (Yes, horses love verbal praise!), a pat on the neck, or even a moment of rest.
Aim for 10-15 minutes of focused practice and then move on to something your horse enjoys or does well. Balance the grind with the good stuff!
Common Challenges to Watch Out For
• Impatience (yours, not your horse’s): Pivots take time. Don’t rush.
• Skipping the groundwork: Remember, groundwork is not optional. Your horse needs to understand the concept on the ground before attempting it under saddle.
• Heavy hands or overuse of aids: Less is more when it comes to helping your horse pivot. Keep your aids light and clear.
• Balance issues: If your horse feels wobbly, practice smaller, slower movements until they build the strength and coordination to pivot smoothly.
The Pivot in Western Dressage
Now that you’ve got a grasp on teaching the pivot, let’s explore why it’s such a big deal in Western Dressage. This essential maneuver isn’t just about looking fancy; it’s a fundamental skill featured in many Western dressage tests and patterns. The pivot highlights your horse’s balance, responsiveness, and ability to transition weight smoothly— all while showcasing the connection between horse and rider.
One particularly common use of the pivot in Western Dressage is during turns on the haunches or pirouettes. These movements require your horse to plant their inside hind leg as a pivot point while stepping their front legs around, all without rushing or losing rhythm. Judges love to see precision, smoothness, and a clear demonstration of the horse properly engaging their hindquarters.
The pivot also comes into play during rein-backs and lateral movements, where control and finesse are key. For example, nailing a perfect pivot in a Western Dressage test or transitioning seamlessly into a side-pass can make your test stand out. Think of it as the Western Dressage equivalent of a showstopper twirl at the end of a ballroom routine—except it involves a bit more hoof and a lot less glitter.
The best part? Mastering the pivot doesn’t just score points in competition; it also improves your horse’s overall athleticism, coordination, and trust in your cues. Whether you’re aiming for the blue ribbon or just having fun in the arena, the pivot is your horse’s secret weapon for stepping up their dressage game (literally). So, next time you’re practicing your dressage moves, don’t forget to give the pivot a little extra love and attention. Who knows, with enough practice, you may just become the Beyoncé of Western Dressage— mastering those pivots like nobody’s business. Keep slaying!
The pivot is also a great exercise for riders, as it requires precise communication and coordination between horse and rider. It can improve your balance, timing, and feel in the saddle as you work together with your horse to execute a perfect pivot. Plus, who doesn’t love feeling like they’re dancing with their horse?
Incorporating the pivot into your training routine can also bring some variety and fun to your rides. Instead of just working on the same old circles and straight lines, throw in some pivots to keep things interesting for both you and your horse. And let’s be real, who doesn’t want to feel like a fancy dressage rider now and then?
Date/Time of Equine Event
Venue Name of where event will be held
Address of venue
So don’t underestimate the power of the pivot in Western Dressage. It may seem like a simple movement, but it has numerous benefits for both horse and rider. Plus, if all else fails, at least you can impress your friends with your Beyoncé-level pivot skills at your next barn party. Keep practicing and perfecting those pivots, because as they say in the dance world, “Pivot turns make the world go ‘round!” So, next time you hit the dressage arena, don’t forget to show off your killer pivot with pride. Your horse will thank you for it, and your inner Beyoncé will, too. Keep slaying those pivots, cowgirl! Just remember to always have fun and enjoy the ride.
Don’t forget to check out my online courses at EaglesNestEquestrian. com/courses. Happy training, and remember—every great pivot starts with a single step.
Contact us at Eagles Nest Equestrian Center in Shalersville, Ohio. Offering lessons in western dressage, horsemanship, showmanship, and contesting. Check us out on Facebook. Look at our website for blog, lesson schedule and clinics. www.eaglesnestequestrian.com
The Cowboy Perseverance Ranch
It’s Not Working, It’s Not Working
by Rob and Tanya Corzatt
In January and February, I went back to basic exercises with lesson students to teach them how to communicate clearer to the horses with their hands. During the extremely cold days we did an exercise in the house. The kids paired up and one person was the horse, and the other was the rider. The ‘horse’ held the reins in their hands with elbows bent 90 degrees, like carrying a tray. Their hands were the horse’s mouth. The rider utilized the reins to guide their horse around our family room asking for turns, stops and backups. This was to help them feel a release of pressure, applying too much pressure, timing with turns and overall clarity when guiding them. It became obvious whether they were communicating clearly. When the weather warmed back up, we went back to riding and applied what was learned on horseback.
One of the exercises we worked on with our hands and timing was to make a perfect circle around a cone. One evening while working with two girls, that are beginner riders, this exercise proved to be a little challenging and brought on frustration. As one of the girls was attempting to circle the cone, the horse she was on was diving in on one side too much. Her timing was off when releasing pressure or she would turn too hard, and the horse picked up on that pattern. I instructed her to kick the horse a little harder in order to create a little more impulsion to help drive it away from the cone and when to turn and release. As she executed what she thought was ‘kicking harder’ and trying to improve her timing, the horse did move a small amount further from the cone but not as much as what she was expecting. In a sing songy tone she said to me “Miss Tanya, it’s not working, it’s not working!” The way she
said it and the tone she used came across as she was doubting the process I was coaching her through, and it rubbed me the wrong way.
I asked the girls to stop so I could explain what I saw happening in the exercise. I informed the one girl and that she needed to keep trying because there was gradual progress. I did assist a little from the ground with a dressage stick in order to encourage the horse to move forward even more. We were nearing the end of the lesson, and we needed to find a positive note to end on. The assistance I gave worked and in a few moments the girl was able to do a much better circle unassisted. However, after this challenging lesson we all seemed to still be a bit frustrated. I didn’t want anyone to feel defeated and give up.
God inflicted a different plague on the Egyptians. My goodness, 10 plagues! That’s a lot! At one point, God did inform Moses that he was going to harden Pharoah’s heart. What struck me was that if God hadn’t told Moses that he was going to do that can you imagine the frustration Moses may have felt? What if Moses said to God “it’s not working, it’s not working!”
At the beginning of the year, I started a plan in my Holy Bible app to read the Bible in a year. At this particular time, we were in the book of Exodus when Moses was appointed by God to lead his people out of Egypt. It was the day after the girls’ lesson that we were going over God’s instructions to Moses on how he was to approach Pharoah to command him to let the Israelites go. What I read actually became very inspirational and helped me to take a different perspective with the young rider saying to me “it’s not working!”
In Exodus 3:19-20, God began his instructions to Moses regarding the journey that was about to take place. He told Moses “but I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So, I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.” God prepared Moses and gave specific instructions how he and Aaron were to approach Pharoah. In Exodus 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 11 it is recorded that ten different times Moses and Aaron asked Pharoah to let the Israelites go. Each time that Pharoah refused,
When going through challenging situations we may not always get the results we desire in the time frame we would like. It can be heartbreaking and extremely frustrating because we don’t know or understand God’s plan. We want to see the progress or miracle now and if we don’t, doubt in God can set in. Resist the mind set of “it’s not working”. What we all need to keep in our hearts is that God’s timing is perfect.
My friends, may you be blessed on your ride!
The Corzatt family owns and operates the Cowboy Perseverance Ranch (CPR) in Marengo, Ohio. CPR is a faith based operation and our mission is to build a strong foundation and relationship with our training horses and students. We are blessed to be able to provide western horsemanship lessons infused with biblical scripture to students of all ages. One student has described her time here as “CPR for the soul!” Visit our website at www.cpranch. wixsite.com/home or follow us on Facebook.
Tanya and Rob Corzatt
by Leslie Harmata
Ihave been in the horse world for over 30 years now. As owner of Rising Star Ranch in central Ohio, there have been many occasions where I came across a horse and it really just needed some good, knowledgeable care and re-education. So as I was able to afford it, we would help one or two horses here and there in the hopes of giving them a better future.
This past fall, a good friend and I trekked from Ohio to Texas to pick up two weanlings who needed some medical care and a chance to grow up. The entire trip I kept thinking—“if we could get organized and create a nonprofit with great volunteers and supporters, we could help so many more…” My husband, who has to be the world’s best ‘horse husband’ (you know what I mean!) said — quit pondering on it. If you feel it is the right thing, just do it.
And so January 2025, with an amazing group of people who became our Board of Directors, Rising Star Ranch Rescue Foundation (RSR Rescue) was officially ‘born’. I’ve purposely turned my focus from teaching humans to focusing almost entirely on horses. And although I ‘educate’ horses, I find that every single day they find a way to educate me.
Our humanity is defined by our ability and willingness to learn, and take those learnings to help others—even of different species. To that end, we hope you will support our efforts to provide medical care, training and adoption, be it through RSR Rescue activities or another rescue organization. The need is undeniably great.
Get involved in making a difference! We love our supporters, contact us today to volunteer or donate!
Rising Star Ranch Rescue Foundation is located at 11337 Watkins Road SW in Pataskala, Ohio. For more information on the rescue foundation please visit our website, RSR-rescuefoundation.org
Our Mission
Rising Star Ranch (RSR) Rescue Foundation is devoted to empowering the lives of horses by delivering crucial medical care, expert training, and compassionate adoption opportunities, rescuing them from uncertain futures and granting them a second chance at a fulfilling life.
Tri-County Trail Association
Improved Website, Register Online
PRESIDENT, Jim Mike
VICE
PRESIDENT, Cindy Krumm
SECRETARY, Bev Mills
TREASURER, Lydia Fox
WEBSITE, www.tri-cotrails.com
by Kelly Jo Heffner
Another camping season has begun here at Tri-County Trail Association as of April 1. The campground looks great and ready for visitors! There will be many events this year, and if you have never visited us here in East Sparta, Ohio, we have some special treats for you all in 2025!
Our first event this year is the annual tack swap. It’s a great opportunity for someone who has never been to our campground to come and check out all the amenities while shopping for used tack or buying some used tack. There are all kinds of vendors as well as a chance to help support one of the local 4H groups by purchasing some concessions.
The Summer Bash and obstacle course event is in June and the
flyer to get preregistered for the event is included in this issue. Be sure to register early and get your favorite camping spot for the event! This is one of the club’s most popular events, and camping spots fill up quickly. Our webpage is now up and operational to preregister for any of our events. The webpage address is TriCoTrails.com for anyone that would like to utilize the page to get preregistered.
The new and improved webpage for Tri-Co Trails is up and operational! There are many new things to see on the page as well as having lots of information about the campground and trails. The new page also has easy access to being able to preregister for any or all events for the year! The club will be adding more photos and information as they come in. There is also a map of the campground with the corresponding numbers for anyone that wishes to reserve a specific campsite.
The club is looking forward to another great camping and riding season, please plan to attend one of the many events (or more than one) and enjoy the many things that Tri-Co has to offer!
• Tubular steel gates — (2) 7 ft. x 8 ft. gates (makes a 14 ft. opening)
• Welded hinges
• Horse detail or custom with your own design or logo! Customize with your own design or logo!
Be The change you wish to see!
Rising Star Ranch Rescue Foundation (RSR Rescue) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to saving horses’ lives by providing medical care, training, and adoption opportunities
a life today with your tax deductible
(502) 494-5314
$1,400 per set
Corral Calendar
DISCLAIMER: The Horsemen’s Corral has made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided on this calendar of events. However, the information is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. The Corral does not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained herein. Where possible, event contact information is provided. Call before you haul.
APRIL 2025
APRIL 1 — MSU Rodeo Spring Barrel Jackpot Series, 2101 College Farm Road, Murray, KY. FMI: https://www.facebook. com/murraystaterodeoteam
APRIL 2 — Treharne’s Wednesday Night Barrel & Pole Jackpot, 49053 Fredricktown Clarkson Rd., Negley, OH. FMI: 330692-1271, https://www.facebook.com/ davetreharnetrainingcenter
APRIL 4-5 — New Paris Equine Center Mount Up Sale, NPEC South, 17625 CR 48, New Paris, IN. FMI: 574-535-4887, newparisequine.com/npec-mount-up-sale
APRIL 4-6 — Hello Spring Barrel Race, Hoosier Horse Park, 7105 S. Kern St., Nineveh, IN. FMI: Penny, 812-406-8512
APRIL 4-6 — Daniel Boone Distance Riders Endurance 101 Clinic, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, KY. FMI: tammimedina@gmail.com
APRIL 5 — Premier Mount N Trail Winter Series, Shenanigans Stables, 7310 Abbey Rd. NE, Carrollton, OH. FMI: www. shenanigansstables.com
APRIL 5 — Massillon Saddle Club Buckle Series, 12680 Sally St. SW, Massillon, OH. FMI: 330-844-4041, massillonsaddleclub@ gmail.com, massillonsaddleclub.org
APRIL 5 — Mid Ohio Dressage Association Spring Schooling (Classical and Western) Show, Duncan Run Farm, Galena, OH. FMI: susan@showsecretary.com, showsecretary.com
APRIL 5 — Miami County OHC Tack Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Monroe Grange, 4729 Peters Rd., Troy, OH. FMI: miamico_ ohc@yahoo.com
APRIL 5 — Tack Swap, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Once Upon A Time All Event Planning and Equine Center, 11965 Zartman Rd., Thornville, OH. FMI: Lisa, 740-973-8901
APRIL 5 — Cow Horse Show, 2 p.m., Davis Ranch Training & Event Center, 385 East U.S. Hwy. 150, Hardinsburg, IN. FMI: Dave, 812-620-5707
APRIL 5 — Annual Spring Horse & Tack Auction, Hillsdale Auction, 115 S. Broad St., Hillsdale, MI. FMI: 517-437-2424
APRIL 5-6 — Ponies of America Show, Bullen Equestrian Center, 722 South Franklin St., Eaton, OH. FMI: Kaylee, 937603-2197, https://www.facebook.com/ bullenequestriancenter
APRIL 5-6 — Allegany Mountain Saddle Fittings, Rising Star Ranch LLC, 11337 Watkins Rd. SW, Pataskala, OH. FMI: 502494-5314
APRIL 5-6 — Spring Working Equitation Clinic, Sand Hill Stable, 4311 State Route 303, Mantua, OH. FMI: 330-221-8819, sandhillstableoh.com
APRIL 5-6 — Roy Dale Memorial International Barrel Racing, Central KY Ag Expo Center, 678 Wallace Wilkinson Blvd., Liberty, KY. FMI: Savannah Monroe, 859559-2662
APRIL 5-6 — Chris Blane Barrel Clinic, Raine N Dreams Farms LLC, 3313 Stevenson Lake Rd., Farwell, MI. FMI: 405-268-0558, rainendreams@gmail.com
APRIL 6 — Blue Lakes Farm 2024-2025 Winter Series Pleasure Show, 14037 Auburn Road, Newbury, OH. FMI: 440-564-7303, https://bluelakesfarm.wixsite.com/website
APRIL 6 — Youth Rodeo Series Finals, Garwood Arena, 2538 Middleton Rd., Columbiana, OH. FMI: 330-717-4329, garwoodarena@gmail.com
APRIL 8 — MSU Rodeo Spring Barrel Jackpot Series, 2101 College Farm Road, Murray, KY. FMI: https://www.facebook. com/murraystaterodeoteam
APRIL 9-13 — Indiana Quarter Horse Youth Association Show, C Bar C Arena, 253 W. Stardust Rd., Cloverdale, IN. FMI: Kathy Avolt, 765-714-4324, www.iqha.com
APRIL 10-13 — Equine Affaire, Ohio Expo Center, 651 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH Columbus, OH. FMI: equineaffaire.com
APRIL 11 — Henderson 500 Buckle Series, Henderson Arena, 739 Van Fossan West Rd., Jackson, OH. FMI: Kelsie, 937-728-9422
APRIL 11 — Horse Sale, Sugarcreek Stockyards, 102 Buckeye St., Sugarcreek, OH. FMI: 330-831-1720
APRIL 11-12 — Madison County Equine Committee Open Horse Show Series/Tack Sale, 205 Elem Street, London, OH. FMI: Morgan Krebs, 740-506-1429
APRIL 11-13 — Spring Bowser Barrel Clinic, The Show Arena, Swanton, OH. FMI: 419290-3700, www.theshowarena.com
APRIL 11-13 — Eastern Ohio Quarter Horse Association Horse Show, Champions Center, Springfield, OH. FMI: eoqha.us
APRIL 11-13 — OHAHA Spring Show, World Equestrian Center, Wilmington, OH. FMI: www.ringsideproductionsllc.com
APRIL 11-13 — RSTPA Big Bucks Series, Diamond 7 Arena, 36 Deardorff Rd., Dillsburg, PA. FMI: Paul, 516-639-6666
APRIL 12 — Archery Practice (No Horses), Creek Side Horse Park, 7369 Mottice Dr. SE, Waynesburg, OH. FMI: creeksidehorsepark@gmail.com, creeksidehorsepark.com
APRIL 12 — New Shooter Clinic, Ruggles Arena, Cardington, OH. FMI: northernohiooutlawsinfo@gmail.com, www.nooutlaws.com
APRIL 12 — Blue Lakes Farm 2024-2025 Winter Series Contest Show, 14037 Auburn Road, Newbury, OH. FMI: 440-564-7303, https://bluelakesfarm.wixsite.com/website
APRIL 12 — Gibsonburg Saddle Club Expo Show, Gisbsonburg Saddle Club Saddle Grounds, 961 N. Main Street, Gibsonburg, OH. FMI: Jerry Heaps, 419-351-9716, gibsonburgsaddleclub@gmail.com, https://gibsonburgsaddleclub.org
APRIL 12 — Obstacle Course Play Day, Kentucky Cowtown Arena, 210 Wainscott Rd., Williamstown, KY. FMI: Joyce Voet, 859-630-4566
APRIL 12 — Bar 20 Horse Auction, Loy’s Sale Barn, 120 N 800 E, Portland, IN. FMI: Zeb Anderson, 260-729-3520, https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61573461639167
APRIL 12-13 — High Call Productions & Central States Ropes, Bullen Equestrian Center, 722 South Franklin St., Eaton, OH. FMI: Kaylee, 937-603-2197, https://www. facebook.com/bullenequestriancenter
APRIL 12-13 — INPHC Early Bird, Henry County Saddle Club, New Castle, IN. FMI: www.inphc.club
APRIL 12-13 — Early Bird Ride, Sand Ridge Forest, Forest City, IL. FMI: Lucy Stafford, 217-971-5673, oaats.org
APRIL 13 — Lawrence County Horseman’s Association Show, 1 p.m., 475 Commerce Dr., Ironton, OH. FMI: Laura, 304-360-0013
APRIL 16 — Treharne’s Wednesday Night Barrel & Pole Jackpot, 49053 Fredricktown Clarkson Rd., Negley, OH. FMI: 330692-1271, https://www.facebook.com/ davetreharnetrainingcenter
APRIL 18 — Preble County OHC Good Friday Group Ride, 4 Mile Valley Rd., Camden, OH. FMI: prebleohc.com
APRIL 18 — Wayne County Saddle Club Friday Nite Fun Show & Buckle Series, The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: Leanne Louive, 330-844-4041, waynecountysaddleclub.com
APRIL 18-19 — No Frills Ride, Star Tannery, VA. FMI: Diane Connolly, 703-505-7123, dcconnolly24@gmail.com, oaats.org
APRIL 18-20 — 1st Annual Carter County Trail Ride, Dirt Slingers Off-Road Park, 3710 West US Hwy. 60, Grayson, KY. FMI: rushcartel@gmail.com
APRIL 18-20 — Obstacle Challenge Easter Event, Silver Spur Saddle Club, 1725 Priceville Rd., Bonnieville, KY. FMI: Jeff Mosher, 270-537-3854, APRIL 18-20 — Michigan Foundation Quarter Horse Registry Show, Midland County Fairgrounds, Midland, MI. FMI: 517-331-6085, michigan-fqhr.com
APRIL 19 — Just A Small Town Ranch Fun Show, 10 a.m., 297 Bobb Road, Middleburg, PA. FMI: Becky Bobb, 570-765-1610, https://www.facebook.com/ justasmalltownranch
APRIL 19 — Southern Kentucky Team Penning Association Show, 10:30 a.m., WKU L.D. Brown Ag Expo Center, 406 Elrod Rd., Bowling Green, KY. FMI: Greg, 270646-8495
APRIL 19 — Davis Ranch Open Horse Show, 10 a.m., 385 East U.S. Hwy. 150, Hardinsburg, IN. FMI: David Davis, 812-620-5707, dave@ daviddavishorsemanship.com
APRIL 19 — Monroe County Saddle Club Winter Show, 2 p.m., 8010 W. Elwren Rd., Bloomington, IN. FMI: Candace McFarland, 812-320-9675, www.facebook.com/ themonroecountysaddleclub
APRIL 19 — Twistn B Ranch 2025 Buckle Series, 3435 S. Pleasant Ridge Rd., Scottsburg, IN. FMI: Penny, 812-406-8512
APRIL 23-26 — 79th River Ridge Horse Show, Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, OH. FMI: Barbara Dunham, 740-3528562, showsec1@aol.com, https://www. riverridgehs.org/
Please turn to page
Corral Calendar
APRIL 24-25 — Joe Beaver Clinic, The Show Arena, 1640 CR B, Swanton, OH. FMI: 419290-3700, www.theshowarena.com
APRIL 24-27 — 5th Annual Wounded Warrior Horseback Ride, Tim Applegate Horse Event Center East Fork State Park, Batavia, OH. FMI: www.facebook.com/ groups/clermontcountyohc
APRIL 24-27 — Down For The Derby, Madison County Fairgrounds, 3237 Old Irvine Rd., Richmond, KY. FMI: Ronnie Smith, 859-771-3388
APRIL 25-27 — Keystone Legacy Rodeo, Keystone Horse Center, 103 Horse Farm Rd., Bloomsburg, PA. FMI: www.nhsra.org
APRIL 25-27 — Michigan Paint Horse Club Back 2 Michigan Show, Ingham County Fairgrounds, Mason, MI. FMI: www.miphc. com
APRIL 25-27 — Bryan Neubert Clinic, Blue Gates Horse, Fenton, MI. FMI: Kathy, 734834-7733, bluegateshorse@gmail.com
APRIL 25-27 — Spring ShoCase, Michigan State University Pavilion, Lansing, MI. FMI: www.shomehorseshows.com
APRIL 26 — Tri-Co Trails 4th Annual Tack Swap, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2662 Downing St. SW, East Sparta, OH. FMI: Cindy Krumm, 330-705-2897, ckrumm1958@gmail.com
APRIL 26 — Preble County OHC Spring Fling Speed & Fun Show, Hueston Woods State Park Horseman’s Camp Arena, 4 Mile Valley Rd., Morning Sun, OH. FMI: www.facebook.com/groups/pcohc
APRIL 26 — Dusty Boots Tack Swap, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Knox County Fairgrounds Ramser Center, 601 Fairgrounds Rd., Mt. Vernon, OH. FMI: Lexi, 740-358-8720
APRIL 26 — Wayne County Saddle Club Pleasure Show, The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: Angela, 330-4658386, waynecountysaddleclub.com
APRIL 26 — OVTPA Sorting, Treharne Training Center, 49053 Fredricktown/ Clarkson Rd., Negly, OH. FMI: John May, 814-397-3265
APRIL 26 — SAGA Farm Schooling Show Series, Morrow County Fairgrounds, 195 S. Main St., Mt. Gilead, OH. FMI: 419-5641205, sagasporthorses@gmail.com
APRIL 26 — LoCo No Frills Horse Show Buckle Series, 9 a.m., Logan County Fairgrounds, 301 E. Lake Ave., Bellefontaine, OH. FMI: 937-539-0754, Follow Facebook page, LoCo Open Horse Shows
APRIL 26 — Large Animal Auction, BLT Livestock Auction, 19340 Raymond Rd., Marysville, OH. FMI: Tom, 937-537-0910, https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100057160642514
APRIL 26 — 6th Annual Mega Swap, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Crooked Creek Horse Park, 467 Crooked Creek Dam Rd., Ford City, PA. FMI: Brittney, 724-954-7658 (text only)
APRIL 26 — Kentuckiana Ranch Horse Association Show, Shelby County Fairgrounds, 1513 Midland Trail, Shelbyville, KY. FMI: kentuckianaranchhorse.weebly.com
APRIL 26-27 — OPHC Buckeye Extravaganza APHA & All Breed Open Show, Champions Center, Springfield, OH. FMI: ohiophc@gmail.com, www.ophc.org
APRIL 26-27 — Northern Ohio Outlaw Shoot, Wayne County Fairgrounds, Wooster, OH. FMI: northernohiooutlawsinfo@gmail. com, www.nooutlaws.com
APRIL 26-27 — 1st Ohio Cowboy Mounted Shooting, Bullen Equestrian Center, 722 South Franklin St., Eaton, OH. FMI: Kaylee, 937-603-2197, https://www.facebook. com/bullenequestriancenter
APRIL 27 — Obstacle Odyssey with Brenda Hanson, Eagles Nest Equestrian Performance Center, Ravenna, OH. FMI: www.eaglesnestequestrian.com/events
APRIL 27 — NEO Multi-County Summer Show Series, 9 a.m., Summit County Fairgrounds, Tallmadge, OH. FMI: 330-7052567, neoshowseries@gmail.com
APRIL 27 — INPHC All Breed Invitational, Jasper County Fairgrounds, Rensselaer, IN. FMI: www.inphc.club
APRIL 27 — Two Minds, One Mission BrainCentered Horsemanship Clinic, Orion Farms, 415 Cedar Run Rd., Allison Park, PA. FMI: 724-456-0237, horseofadifferentcolor.org
MAY 2025
MAY 2 — Intro To Liberty & Tricks Clinic, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Win-Seek Fallen Pines, 5022 Everett Hull Rd., Cortland, OH. FMI: Laura, 724-301-2244, Lwiencek24@gmail.com
MAY 2-4 — Great 8 Zone-O-Rama, Cowpokes Arena, Cloverdale, IN. FMI: www.zone8apha.weebly.com
MAY 2-4 — IBRA Show, The Show Arena, 1540 CR B, Swanton, OH. FMI: Joe, 419290-3700, theshowarena@yahoo.com
MAY 2-4 — 5 Rides To The Prize Show, Miami County Fairgrounds, 650 N. County Road 25A, Troy, OH. FMI: miamicountyhorseassociation@gmail.com
MAY 2-4 — Rockin’ Ranch Youth Rodeo, Rodeo Run Arena, 11641 Alspach Rd., Canal Winchester, OH. FMI: 740-538-1491
MAY 3 — Ohio Foundation Quarter Horse Association Show, Guernsey County Fairgrounds, Old Washington, OH. FMI: 740-877-7993, ohfqha.com
MAY 3 — Knox County Horse Park Open House, 12-5 p.m., 7500 Thayer Rd., Mt. Vernon, OH. FMI: kchp.mtv.ohio@ gmail.com, https://www.facebook.com/ KnoxCountyHorseParkMountVernonOH
MAY 3 — 19th Annual Superior Friesian Sale, 9 a.m., Mt. Hope Auction, Mt. Hope, OH. FMI: Thurman, 330-674-6188, mthopeauction.com
MAY 3 — TCTC Equestrian Studies Horse Show, 9 a.m., 528 Educational Highway, Warren, OH. FMI: Lisa.Street@TCTCHome. com
MAY 3 — Hocking Hills Saddle Club Open Horse Show Series, 9 a.m., Hocking County Fairgrounds, Logan, OH. FMI: Chrissy, 740603-2073, hchorseshow@gmail.com
MAY 3 — Olivia Montgomery Memorial Horse Show, Rodeo Run Stables, 11641 Alspach Rd. NW, Canal Winchester, OH. FMI: Deanna Davis, 740-641-6543
MAY 3 — Portage County Tack Swap, Clinic and Craft Show, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Portage County Fairgrounds, Randolph, OH. FMI: Megan Kline, 330-730-5859, portagecountytackswap@gmail.com
MAY 3 — Double B’s Equestrian Team Tack Swap, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Meadowbrook Church of God, 10152 State Route 150, Rayland, OH. FMI: Emilee, 740-359-0009
MAY 3 — St. Joseph County Horseman’s Association Fun Speed Show, 21388 Centreville-Constantine Rd., Centreville, MI. FMI: Shirel Hart, 269-506-6390
MAY 3 — Vinton Karrasch Clinic, 9 a.m., Cedar Lodge Stables, 47138 52nd St., Lawrence, MI. FMI: 269-674-8072, cedarlodgestables@gmail.com
MAY 3 — Cow Horse Show, 2 p.m., Davis Ranch Training & Event Center, 385 East U.S. Hwy. 150, Hardinsburg, IN. FMI: Dave, 812-620-5707
MAY 3 — Circle X Ranch Open Show, 10 a.m., 818 W. 250 N., Winchester, IN. FMI: 317-868-6011
MAY 3 — Midwest Saddle Club Tack Swap, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 25 N 450 E, Valparaiso, IN. FMI: Tab Somers, 219-241-3037
MAY 3-4 — Northwest Ohio Driving Circuit Show, Wood County Fairgrounds, 13800 W. Poe Rd., Bowling Green, OH. FMI: Emily Wolery, 419-656-0050
MAY 3-4 — The Superior Friesian Horse Sale, Mt. Hope Auction Center, 8076 SR 241, Millersburg, OH. FMI: Harry Yoder, 330-231-4548, mthopeauction.com
MAY 3-4 — Champions Center Open Show, 4144 Laybourne Rd., Springfield, OH. FMI: 937-324-4353, championscenter06@ gmail.com, championscenterarena.com
MAY 3-4 — Western Ohio Youth Rodeo, Preble County Fairgrounds Bullen Equestrian Center, Eaton, OH. FMI: Mike Asbury, 937-726-9711, https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61557530051194
MAY 3-4 — White River Spring Ride, Timbers Edge Campground, 4345 N. Warner Ave., Hesperia, MI. FMI: Pat Wierengo, 231-854-0092, oaats.org
MAY 3-6 — AQHA/WDAA Western Dressage Show/Grow Your Scores Clinic/ Grow Your Skills Clinic, Hold Your Horses Stables, Ashville, OH. FMI: 352-362-7847, lynnpalm.com
MAY 4 — Preble County 4-H Horse Advisors Tack Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Preble County Fairgrounds Expo Building, Eaton, OH. FMI: Jillian, 513-869-8164
MAY 4 — Lawrence County Horseman’s Association Show, 1 p.m., 475 Commerce Drive, Ironton, OH. FMI: Laura Adkins, 304360-0013
MAY 4 — Valley City Saddle Club Tack Swap, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Medina County Fairgrounds Barns 10, 12 & 30, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, OH. FMI: Kristina, 440-334-6434, https://valleycitysaddleclub.weebly.com
MAY 4 — Steubenville Saddle Club Horse Show, 9 a.m., 8675 State Route 152, Richmond, OH. FMI: https://www. facebook.com/SteubenvilleSaddleClub
MAY 4 — Indiana Miniature Equine Club Show, 10 a.m., Hendricks County Fairgrounds Horse Arena & Barn, Danville, IN. FMI: Lori Benge, 317-289-4284, Lori. Benge25@yahoo.com, www.imecnews.com
MAY 7 — Treharne’s Wednesday Night Barrel & Pole Jackpot, 49053 Fredricktown Clarkson Rd., Negley, OH. FMI: 330-692-1271, dttrainingcenter@ gmail.com, https://www.facebook.com/ davetreharnetrainingcenter
MAY 8-11 — Shaw Farm Productions
NCHA Days Cutting, Bullen Equestrian Center, 722 South Franklin St., Eaton, OH. FMI: Kaylee, 937-603-2197, https://www. facebook.com/bullenequestriancenter
MAY 9 — Horse Sale, Sugarcreek Stockyards, 102 Buckeye St., Sugarcreek, OH. FMI: 330-831-1720
MAY 9-10 — Wayne County Saddle Club Friday Nite Fun Show & Buckle Series (9th) & Open Contest Show (10th), The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: Leanne (fun show) 330-8444041, Jamie (contest) 330-933-3741, waynecountysaddleclub.com
Corral Calendar
Continued from page 64
MAY 9-10 — Yoder Bros. Spring Horse & Carriage Auction, Midland County Fairgrounds, 6905 Eastman Ave., Midland, MI. FMI: Leroy, 989-386-9082, GoToAuction.com/2109
MAY 9-11 — Ranch Horse Association of Michigan Show, Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds, Berrien Springs, MI. FMI: www.miranchhorse.com
MAY 9-11 — Michigan Paint Horse Club Spring Breakout, Ingham County Fairgrounds, Mason, MI. FMI: Brianna Slager, 616-610-9326, www.miphc.com
MAY 9-12 — Mark Langley Clinic, Royal Impact Farm, 317 Clore Jackson Road, Shelbyville, KY. FMI: Kelly, 419-265-7087, engelhart08@gmail.com
MAY 10 — Mounted Archery Practice & Mountain Trail Judges Refresher & Schooling For Competitors, Creek Side Horse Park, 7369 Mottice Dr. SE, Waynesburg, OH. FMI: creeksidehorsepark@gmail.com, creeksidehorsepark.com
MAY 10 — Hocking Hills Saddle Club Mini Show, Hocking County Fairgrounds, Logan, OH. FMI: Chrissy Robers, 740-6032073, https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61556989073547
MAY 10 — Horse Equipment Total Dispersal, 10 a.m., Midnight Rose Farm, 16980 Burrows Rd., Thompson, OH. FMI: 440-4880048, midnightrosefarm@juno.com
MAY 10 — Open Mountain Horse Fun Show, 2 p.m., Crosswind Stables, Winchester, KY. FMI: 606-643-5130, andreacrawford1996@gmail.com
MAY 10-11 — Ashland Paint & Plain Saddle Club Show, 9 a.m., Ashland County Fairgrounds, 2042 Claremont Ave., Ashland, OH. FMI: appshowoffice@gmail. com, ashlandpaintandplain.com
MAY 10-11 — Mid Ohio Marauders Clinic, Madison County Fairgrounds, 205 Elm St., London, OH. FMI: 740-206-7214, midohiomarauders@gmail.com, www. midohiomarauders.com
MAY 10-11 — Maracci Performance Horses LLC Open Horse Show (10th) & Open Game Show (11th), Waterford Fairgrounds, Waterford, PA. FMI: 814-323-5882, maracciperformancehorses@gmail.com
MAY 11 — Premier Mount N Trail Obstacle Competition Series, Kal-Val Saddle Club, 9853 S. 34th St., Scotts, MI. FMI: www. premiermountntrail.com
MAY 14-19 — Michigan Trail Rider Association May Blossom Ride, Hopkins Creek Trail Camp, Manton, MI. FMI: mtra. office@gmail.com, www.mtra.org
MAY 16 — Wayne County Saddle Club Friday Family Fun Show, The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: Makenzie Reynolds, 330-556-9570, waynecountysaddleclub.com
MAY 16 — Wyandot County Equine Rescue Spring Horsemanship Clinic, 4658 OH-199, Carey, OH. FMI: 419-294-4477
MAY 16-17 — Gordyville USA All-American Sale, 2205 CR 3000 N, Gifford, IL. FMI: 217568-7117, gordyvilleusa@gmail.com
MAY 16-17 — Spring Spectacular Catalog Horse Sale, Farmers & Ranchers Livestock Commission Company, Inc., Salina, KS. FMI: 785-825-0211, fandrlive.com
MAY 16-17 — Shake It Up Ride, Shaker Village, 3501 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg, KY. FMI: Amy Whelan, 606-638-4852, arabsrun@lycommonline.com, oaats.org
MAY 16-18 — Mounted Archery Clinic —Elizabeth Tinnan (16-18)/Mike Schmidt Mountain Trail Clinic (17th)/ Ranch Show (17th)/Mountain Trail Show (18th), Creek Side Horse Park, 7369 Mottice Dr. SE, Waynesburg, OH. FMI: creeksidehorsepark@gmail.com, creeksidehorsepark.com
MAY 16-18 — Mid Ohio Marauders Shoot, Madison County Fairgrounds, 205 Elm St., London, OH. FMI: 740-206-7214, midohiomarauders@gmail.com, www. midohiomarauders.com
MAY 16-18 — OPHC Summer Warm Up, University of Findlay, Findlay, OH. FMI: ohiophc@gmail.com, www.ophc.org
MAY 16-18 — Michigan Foundation Quarter Horse Registry Show, Midland County Fairgrounds, Midland, MI. FMI: 517-331-6085, michigan-fqhr.com
MAY 17 — Massillon Saddle Club Buckle Series, 12680 Sally St. SW, Massillon, OH. FMI: 330-844-4041, massillonsaddleclub@ gmail.com, massillonsaddleclub.org
MAY 17 — Knox County Horse Park High Point Show, 7500 Thayer Road, Mt. Vernon, OH. FMI: 740-627-0096, kchp.mtv. ohio@gmail.com, knoxcountyhorsepark. mypixieset.com
MAY 17 — OVTPA Sorting, Treharne Training Center, 49053 Fredricktown/ Clarkson Rd., Negly, OH. FMI: John May, 814-397-3265
MAY 17 — LoCo No Frills Horse Show Buckle Series, 9 a.m., Logan County Fairgrounds, 301 E. Lake Ave., Bellefontaine, OH. FMI: 937-539-0754, Follow Facebook page, LoCo Open Horse Shows
MAY 17 — Gibsonburg Saddle Club Speed Show, Gisbsonburg Saddle Club Saddle Grounds, 961 N. Main Street, Gibsonburg, OH. FMI: Jerry Heaps, 419-351-9716, https://gibsonburgsaddleclub.org
MAY 17 — Foxhunting Clinic, Sewickley Hunt Club, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., WPQHA Showgrounds, New Castle, PA. FMI: sewickleyhuntevents@gmail.com, www. sewickleyhuntclub.com
MAY 17 — Just A Small Town Ranch Fun Show, 10 a.m., 297 Bobb Road, Middleburg, PA. FMI: Becky Bobb, 570-765-1610, https://www.facebook.com/ justasmalltownranch
MAY 17 — Southern Kentucky Team Penning Association Show, 10:30 a.m., WKU L.D. Brown Ag Expo Center, Bowling Green, KY. FMI: Greg, 270-646-8495
MAY 17 — Kentuckiana Ranch Horse Association Show, Shelby County Fairgrounds, 1513 Midland Trail, Shelbyville, KY. FMI: kentuckianaranchhorse.weebly.com
MAY 17 — Davis Ranch Open Horse Show, 10 a.m., 385 East U.S. Hwy. 150, Hardinsburg, IN. FMI: David Davis, 812-620-5707, dave@ daviddavishorsemanship.com
MAY 17 — The King’s Horsemen Youth Horse Show, 9 a.m., Global Harvest Church, 5110 E 800 S., Monterey, IN. FMI: 574-772-7767
MAY 17-18 — Preble County 4H, Bullen Equestrian Center, Eaton, OH. FMI: Kaylee, 937-603-2197, https://www.facebook. com/bullenequestriancenter
MAY 17-18 — Saddle Fitting & Horsemanship Clinic with Wendy Winn, Blue Lakes Farm, 14037 Auburn Rd., Newbury, OH. FMI: Amy Snyder, 440-4798503, cowgirlup73@hotmail.com
MAY 17-18 — East Coast Outlaws Banquet Shoot, Lycoming County Fairgrounds, Hughesville, PA. FMI: eastcoastoutlaws. com, www.eastcoastoutlaws.com
MAY 17-18 — ISHA Spring Open All Breed Horse Show, Hoosier Horse Park, Edinburgh, IN. FMI: Donna Skatrud, 317418-6381, skatrudarabians@gmail.com, indianasaddlehorse.org
MAY 17-19 — Carl Bledsoe 3-Day Clinic, Rising Star Ranch LLC, 11337 Watkins Rd. SW, Pataskala, OH. FMI: Tammy Bledsoe, 770-403-4635, carlbledsoehorsemanship@ gmail.com
MAY 18 — Massillon Saddle Club Fun Show, 12680 Sally St. SW, Massillon, OH. FMI: 330-844-4041, massillonsaddleclub@ gmail.com, massillonsaddleclub.org
MAY 18 — Wayne County Saddle Club Sunday Fun Show, The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: Rachael Adamson, 419-606-9712 waynecountysaddleclub.com
MAY 18 — Jagged Ridge Mountain Trail Series Youth Open Horse Show, 9 a.m., Stone Gate Farm, 31575 Schneider Rd., Hanoverton, OH. FMI: Stephanie Tarr, 330-322-5431
MAY 18 — Twistn B Ranch 2025 Buckle Series, 3435 S. Pleasant Ridge Rd., Scottsburg, IN. FMI: Penny, 812-406-8512
MAY 21 — Treharne’s Wednesday Night Barrel & Pole Jackpot, 49053 Fredricktown Clarkson Rd., Negley, OH. FMI: 330-692-1271, dttrainingcenter@ gmail.com, https://www.facebook.com/ davetreharnetrainingcenter
MAY 23 — Fast Times Fridays Series Open Horse Show, Madison County Fairgrounds Indoor Arena, 3237 Old Irvine Rd., Richmond, KY. FMI: Ronnie Smith, 859771-3388
MAY 23-24 — Madison County Equine Committee Open Horse Show Series/Tack Sale, 205 Elem Street, London, OH. FMI: Morgan Krebs, 740-506-1429
MAY 23-25 — Michigan Paint Horse Club Back 2 Memorial Day Show, Ingham County Fairgrounds, Mason, MI. FMI: www.miphc. com
MAY 24 — Wayne County Saddle Club Pleasure Show, The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: Angela, 330-4658386 , waynecountysaddleclub.com
MAY 24 — SAGA Farm Schooling Show Series, Morrow County Fairgrounds, 195 S. Main St., Mt. Gilead, OH. FMI: 419-5641205, sagasporthorses@gmail.com
MAY 24 — Midwest Saddle & Bridle Association Boots & Jeans Show, 9 a.m., 25 N. 450 E. Valparaiso, IN. FMI: 219-241-3037
MAY 24-25 — Northwest Ohio Driving Circuit Show, Wood County Fairgrounds, 13800 W. Poe Rd., Bowling Green, OH. FMI: Emily Wolery, 419-656-0050
MAY 24-25 — BCSHA Open Horse Show, Bullen Equestrian Center, 722 South Franklin St., Eaton, OH. FMI: Kaylee, 937603-2197, https://www.facebook.com/ bullenequestriancenter
MAY 24-25 — Butler County Saddle Horse Association Memorial Day Weekend Show, Bullen Equestrian Center at Preble County Fairgrounds, Eaton, OH. FMI: questions@ bcsaddlehorse.com, bcsaddlehorse.com
MAY 24-25 — Tom Wilson Memorial Open Horse Show, Fulton County 4-H Equestrian Center, 1157 W. 3rd Street, Rochester, IN. FMI: Brenda, 260-403-9670, iqha.com
MAY 24-25 — 4 Season Equine Association Show, 8:30 a.m., Northwestern MI Fairgrounds, Traverse City, MI. FMI: 4seasonequine@gmail.com
MAY 27 — Ingham County 4-H Horse Committee Twilight Show Series, 6:309 p.m., Ingham County Fairgrounds and Exposition Center, Mason, MI. FMI: https:// www.facebook.com/Ingham4Hhorse
MAY 28-JUNE 8 — Michigan Trail Rider Association 1st June Ride, Oscoda to Empire, MI. FMI: mtra.office@gmail.com, www.mtra.org
MAY 29 — Massillon Saddle Club Pleasure Show, 12680 Sally St. SW, Massillon, OH. FMI: 330-844-4041, massillonsaddleclub@ gmail.com, massillonsaddleclub.org
MAY 30 — Showtime 2025, MSU Livestock Pavilion, East Lansing, MI. FMI: https:// www.facebook.com/halfarabianmich/
MAY 30-31 — Wayne County Saddle Club Friday Nite Fun Show & Buckle Series (30th) & Poker Run/Fun Classes/Glow Race (31st), The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: Leanne, 330-8444041, waynecountysaddleclub.com
MAY 30-JUNE 1 — Bowser Barrel Clinic, The Show Arena, 1540 CR B, Swanton, OH. FMI: 419-290-3700, www.theshowarean.com
MAY 30-JUNE 1 — EUPHA Show, Chippewa County Fairgrounds, 124 Fair Rd., Kinross, MI. FMI: carie921@gmail.com, eupha. weebly.com
MAY 31 — Premier Mount N Trail Obstacle Competition Series, Stone Gate Farm, 31575 Schneider Rd., Hanoverton, OH. FMI: www.premiermountntrail.com
MAY 31 — Knox County Horse Park Poker Run, 10 a.m., 7500 Thayer Road, Mt. Vernon, OH. FMI: Steve, 816-305-6330
MAY 31 — LCHS Open Show Summer Series, Carlisle Reservation Equestrian Center, 13630 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, OH. FMI: Jennifer, 440-323-5219
MAY 31 — Southern Ohio Heart of Horsemanship Show, 9 a.m., Crazy Woman Ranch, Lancaster, OH. FMI: 614-209-2154, sohhinfo@gmail.com
MAY 31 — KEC Hunter Schooling Show, 8 a.m., Keystone Equestrian Center, New Alexandria, PA. FMI: 724-668-8280, keystoneequestriancenter.com
MAY 31 — Top of the Rock Endurance Ride, Dream Lake State Recreation Area, Bordon, IN. FMI: Lois McAfee, 812-725-3211, loisjmcafee@yahoo.com, www.oaats.org
MAY 31-JUNE 1 — Western Dressage Clinic with Mike Schmidt & EXCA (31st)/Mounted Archery Competition (31st & 1st), Creek Side Horse Park, 7369 Mottice Dr. SE, Waynesburg, OH. FMI: creeksidehorsepark@gmail.com, creeksidehorsepark.com
MAY 31-JUNE 1 — Fulton County Saddle Club Show, 8 a.m., Fulton County Fairgrounds, 8514 State Route 108, Wauseon, OH. FMI: www. fultoncountysaddleclub.com
MAY 31-JUNE 1 — Dusty Boots Riding Club NEOHA Approved Open Pleasure Show, 9 a.m., Ashtabula County Fairgrounds, Jefferson, OH. FMI: Chip, 440-850-2969, http://www.dustybootsridingclub.com/
MAY 31-JUNE 1 — Jagged Ridge Mountain Trail Series, Stone Gate Farm, 31575 Schneider Rd., Hanoverton, OH. FMI: jaggedridgemttrail@gmail.com
MAY 31-JUNE 1 — Ohio State Buckskin Association Show, 8 a.m., Preble County Fairgrounds Bullen Equestrian Center, Eaton, OH. FMI: Kali Blackburn, 724-7187161 (text), www.ohiobuckskins.org
Visit www.thehorsemenscorral.com for more equine events.
Entry Secretary: Susan Peacock Email: susan@showsecretary.com Phone: 405-760-0135 Mail Entries to: 837
Saturday, June 7, 2025 • 9 am
Warm up Barrels $2 at gate
60 sec max time per run for Warm ups Warm Up Poles $2 at gate
to
the
Henry
County
4-H Open Show
Sunday, June 8, 2025 • 9 am
• Entry Booth Opens 1 Hr. prior to show
• Stalls available upon request
• All 4H-ers must wear helmets Peewee classes age 9 and under
• Peewees not eligible for 4-H classes
• $5 office fee per horse
• Covered Arena
• Payback to 4-H Open Classes
• 5 must enter for payback
• 4-H Classes place to 5Ribbons
• Class entries close at beginning of preceding class
• All around awards for peewee, pony, 4-H grades 3-7, 4-H grades 8-12
• Must show poles, barrels, flags, keyhole, and speed and action to be eligible for all around awards
Stalls available upon arrival: $10 Camping: $20 Shavings Available Contact: Rachel Phillips
Entry Booth opens 1 hr prior to the show. Peewee classes age 9 and under. Peewees not eligible for 4H classes. Peewees walk trot only. $5 office fee per horse. $2 peewee class - $3 4H class - $8 open class - $10 added $$ class - 5 must enter for payback 70% payback for 4, open classes - 4H classes place to 5, ribbons - Class entries close at beginning of preceding class. Camping welcome $20. Stalls available upon arrival. Shavings available.
4-H PLEASURE & PRE-PAS SHOW
4-H members and youth ages 8-18
JUNE 14, 2025 • 9 A.M. Judge: Bridgette Brubaker The judge’s decisions are final!
Erie County Fairgrounds • Sandusky, Ohio
All Classes: $5 entry fee. Payback if 5 entries or more ($5/$4/$3/$2/$1) in non Pre-PAS classes.
1. Small Equine Showmanship E & W 8-18
2. ** Pre-PAS Small Equine Showmanship E & W 8-18
3. Small Equine Hunter in Hand 8-18
4. **Pre-PAS Small Equine Hunter in-Hand 8-18
5. Small Equine Jumpers 8-18
6. **Pre-PAS Small Equine Jumpers 8-18 ~~~ 15-minute break ~~~
43. **Pre-PAS Reining Contesting not to start before 4 p.m.
44. Keyhole 14-18
45. Keyhole 8-13
46. Pole Bending 14-18
47. Pole Bending 8-13
48. Stakes Race 14-18
49. Stakes Race 8-13
50. Barrels 14-18
51. Barrels 8-13
52. Down & Back 14-18
53. Down & Back 8-13
** Pre-PAS classes are a “rehearsal” for 4-H members trying out for the Ohio State Fair. **Pre-PAS classes are scored, not judged for placing, & are not eligible for payback. **Pre-PAS exhibitors may also enter their age division. Contacts:
FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2025 • 8AM
1/201. Level 1 Trail NSBA
2/202. Level 1 Amateur Trail NSBA
3/203. Select Trail NSBA
4/204. Amateur Trail NSBA
5/205. AQHA Trail NSBA
6/206. Level 1 Youth Trail NSBA
7/207. Youth Trail NSBA
8/208. Small Fry Trail NSBA
9/209. Amateur W/T Trail NSBA
10/210. Youth W/T Trail NSBA
11/211. Level 1 Western Riding NSBA
12/212. Level 1 Youth Western Riding NSBA
13/213. Youth Western Riding NSBA
14/214. Level 1 Amateur Western Riding NSBA
15/215. Amateur Select Western Riding NSBA
16/216. Amateur Western Riding NSBA
17/217. AQHA Western Riding NSBA
18. Open Reining
19. Youth Reining
20. Amateur Reining
21/221. AQHA Ranch Riding NSBA
22/222. Youth Ranch Riding NSBA
23/223. Amateur Ranch Riding NSBA
24. Open Working Western Rail
25. Amateur Working Western Rail
26. Youth Working Western Rail
27. Small Fry Working Western Rail
28./228. Open Ranch Trail
29/229. Amateur Ranch Trail
30/230. Youth Ranch Trail
SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2025 • 7:30AM
31/231. AQHA Barrels
32/232. Youth Barrels
33/233. Amateur Barrels
34/234. Rookie Youth Showmanship
35/235. Level 1 Youth Showmanship NSBA
36/236. Youth 13 & Under Showmanship NSBA
37/237. Youth 14-18 Showmanship NSBA
38/238. Rookie Amateur Showmanship
39/239. Level 1 Amateur Showmanship NSBA
40/240. Amateur Select Showmanship NSBA
41/241. Amateur Showmanship NSBA
42/242. Small Fry Showmanship 9 & Under NSBA *$250 Water Balloon Toss (no entry fee)
43/243. Youth Performance Geldings NSBA
44/244. Amateur Performance Geldings NSBA
45/245. Performance Geldings NSBA
46/246. Youth Performance Mares NSBA
47/247. Amateur Performance Mares NSBA
48/248. Performance Mares NSBA
49/249. Amateur Performance Stallions NSBA
50/250. Performance Stallions NSBA
51. Youth Yearling Geldings
52. Youth Two Year Old Geldings
53. Youth Three Year Old Geldings
54. Youth Aged Geldings
55/56. GRAND & RESERVE YOUTH GELDINGS
57. Amateur Yearling Geldings
58. Amateur Two Year Old Geldings
59. Amateur Three Year Old Geldings
60. Amateur Aged Geldings
61/62. GRAND & RESERVE AMATEUR GELDINGS
63. Yearling Geldings
64. Two Year Old Geldings
65. Three Year Old Geldings
66. Aged Geldings
67/68. GRAND & RESERVE GELDINGS
69. Youth Yearling Mares
70. Youth Two Year Old Mares
71. Youth Three Year Old Mares
72. Youth Aged Mares
73/74.GRAND & RESERVE YOUTH MARES
75. Amateur Yearling Mares
76. Amateur Two Year Old Mares
77. Amateur Three Year Old Mares
78. Amateur Aged Mares
79/80. GRAND & RESERVE AMATEUR MARES
81. Yearling Mares
82. Two Year Old Mares
83. Three Year Old Mares
84. Aged Mares
85/86. GRAND & RESERVE MARES
87. Amateur Yearling Stallions
88. Amateur Two Year Old Stallions
89. Amateur Three Year Old Stallions
90. Amateur Aged Stallions
91/92. GRAND & RESERVE AMATEUR STALLIONS
93. Yearling Stallions
94. Two Year Old Stallions
95. Three Year Old Stallions
96. Aged Stallions
97/98. GRAND & RESERVE STALLIONS
—Hunt Seat Warm Up—
99/299. Level 1 HUS NSBA
100/300. Rookie Youth Hunter Under Saddle
101/301. Level 1 Youth HUS NSBA
102/302. Youth 13 & Under HUS NSBA
103/303. Youth 14-18 HUS NSBA
104/304. Junior HUS NSBA
105/305. Rookie Amateur Hunter Under Saddle
106/306. Level 1 Amateur HUS NSBA
107/307. Amateur Select HUS NSBA
108/308. Amateur HUS NSBA
109/309. Senior HUS NSBA
110/310. Small Fry HUS 9 & Under NSBA 111/311. Small Fry Equitation 9 & Under NSBA
Ranch Trail** 38. Y Ranch Trail** 39. W/T Ranch Trail** 40. Novice Ranch Trail 41. Y W/T Ranch Trail** 42.
2025 HIGH POINT SHOWS
Barrels a. 8 & under b. 9-13 c. 14-18 d. 19-59 e. 60+ f. Walk/Trot
Poles a. 8 & under
b. 9-13
c. 14-18
d. 19-59
e. 60+
f. Walk/Trot
FEES: $4 per cass. $2 grounds fee. Corral subscription: $12.
R RULES: No dogs allowed, No tank tops, No crops, bats, whips or over & unders. Helmets suggested for 18 and under.
See our Facebook page regarding High Point rules and regulations.
QUESTIONS: Contact us via Facebook Messenger @Knox County Horse Park Inc. or email us at kchp.mtv.ohio@gmail.com
Stakes
a. 8 & under b. 9-13
c. 14-18
d. 19-59
e. 60+
f. Walk/Trot
4. Keyhole
a. 8 & under
b. 9-13
c. 14-18
d. 19-59
e. 60+
f. Walk/Trot
5. Flags
a. 8 & under
b. 9-13
c. 14-18
d. 19-59
e. 60+
f. Walk/Trot
Open House
Geauga Horse & Pony Association
2025 OPEN HORSE SHOWS
Geauga County Fairgrounds — Burton, Ohio
Regular Class Entry Fee: $7 per class
Jackpot Classes: $12 entry fee with 80% payback + $100 (**class must have 5 entries to qualify for payback)
Open Class Paybacks: 1st - $10, 2nd - $7, 3rd - $3 GHPA Bucks, 4th - $2 GHPA Bucks, 5th - $1 GHPA Bucks (GHPA Bucks can be used toward purchases at the food booth.)
W/T Awards & Novice Awards: 1st through 6th place ribbons
Grounds and Office Fee: $10 per exhibitor Visit www.ghpa.us for rules, regulations, and how to qualify for year-end awards.
19. Open English Equitation
20. W/T Hunter Under Saddle
21. Novice (18 & U) Hunter Under Saddle
22. Open Hunter Under Saddle
1. W/T Ranch Riding Pattern
2. Novice Ranch Riding Pattern
3. Open Ranch Riding Pattern
4. W/T Ranch Horse Rail
5. Novice Ranch Horse Rail
6. Open Ranch Horse Rail
7. $100 added Jackpot
Ranch Horse Rail (all shows)
8. Stock Horse Halter (W/T, Novice, Open)
9. Non-Stock Horse Halter (W/T, Novice, Open)
10. Ranch Halter
11. W/T Showmanship (English or Western)
12. Novice Showmanship (18 & U) (English or Western)
13. Open Showmanship (English or Western)
14. $100 added Showmanship (English or Western) (all shows)
15. SPECIAL CLASS: S olo Cup Showmanship (6/22 SHOW)
16. Leadline (6 & U) & EWD Riders
• INTERMISSION — 30 MINUTES •
17. W/T English Equitation
18. Novice (18 & U) English Equitation
23. OPEN TO ALL. $100 added Jackpot W/T HUS (6/1 & 7/20 shows) No Trainers
25. SPECIAL CLASS: 6/1, 7/20, 8/10 Shows (see details)
26. W/T Discipline Rail (English or Western)
27. Novice Discipline Rail (18 & U) (English or Western)
28. Open Discipline Rail (English or Western)
29. W/T Western Horsemanship
30. Novice (18 & U) Western Horsemanship
31. Open Western Horsemanship
32. W/T Western Pleasure
33. Novice (18 & U) Western Pleasure
34. Open Western Pleasure
35. OPEN TO ALL. $100 added Jackpot W/T Western Pleasure (6/22 & 8/10 shows) No Trainers
36. $100 added Jackpot Western Pleasure (6/1 & 7/20 shows)
Generation Gap Class
Class 25 - July 20
Entire Class is W/T — Open to Any Pair with required minimum 10-year age difference between riders. See GHPA Show Rules
A list of classes counting toward year-end high point will be available in the entry booth.
W/T classes are open to all ages, including youth & adults new to riding as well as adults who are showing an inexperienced horse. See GHPA rules for details.
**TRAINERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SHOW IN ANY W/T CLASS INCLUDING JACKPOTS**
1. Leadline (6 & U) & EWD Barrels
2. W/T (18 & U) Keyhole
3. Beginner Youth (18 & U) Keyhole
4. Advanced Youth (18 & U) Keyhole
5. Adult Keyhole
6. W/T (18 & U) Stakes
7. Beginner Youth (18 & U) Stakes
8. Advanced Youth (18 & U) Stakes
9. Adult Stakes
10. Exhibition Run Poles
11. $100 Added Jackpot Poles
12. W/T (18 & U) Poles
13. Beginner Youth (18
Contesting Entry Fee: $8 per class
Contesting Timing Fee: $2 per exhibitor
Exhibition Runs: $5/run (maximum of 2 runs per horse/rider combo per class.)
Jackpot Classes: $12 entry fee with 80% payback + $100 (**class must have 5 entries for payback)
W/T Awards: 1st to 6th place ribbons Youth and Adult Class Paybacks: 80% payback per class (**class must have 5 entries for payback)
Grounds and Office Fee: $10 per exhibitor
A list of classes counting toward year-end highpoint will be posted and available in entry booth.
Check our website, www.ghpa.us for all rules, regulations, and how to qualify for year-end awards!
Wayne County Saddle Club
JACKPOT CLASSES
Min. $200 ADDED per show
2025 Open Contest Shows
Min. 15 entries for added $ 80% payout 1 sec. split May 10 • June 14 • July 19 • August 16 September 27 • October 11
1. Walk Trot Poles (A, Y, L)
2. Walk Trot Poles (A, Y, L)
3. Walk Trot Ball Race (A, Y, L)
4. Walk Trot Barrels (A, Y, L)
5. Expo Barrels (2 min. time limit)
6. Open Barrels*
7. Small Fry Barrels*
8. Youth Barrels*
9. 30 & Over Barrels*
10. Jackpot 3D Barrels*
11. Expo Poles (2 min. time limit)
12. Open Poles*
13. Small Fry Poles*
14. Youth Poles*
15. 30 & Over Poles*
*Denotes roll over classes. Must declare on both entry slips.
Walk Trot Classes Start at 10 a.m. • Running Classes not before noon.
16. Jackpot 3D Poles*
17. Open Figure 8
18. Open Keyhole
19. Open Stakes*
20. Small Fry Stakes*
21. Youth Stakes*
22. 30 & Over Stakes*
23. Open Flags
24. Open Down & Back
25. Open Ball Race
26. Small Fry Ball Race
27. Youth Ball Race
For More Information: Jamie Carlisle (330) 933-3741
•
• Must pay a one-time Buckle Series membership fee of $20 per horse and rider combo and per Jackpot
• Points do not count until membership is paid.
• Awards to top 3 in each division.
• Applies to classes 1 & 2 Only
• Must have 20 people to payout added money.
• Payout 50% Added Money may vary depending on sponsor.
• Must have T-Shirt, Long Pants, and Boots. NO TANK TOPS OR CUT OFFS!
ENTRY FEES: Classes 1-2 $10 each Classes 3-9 $1 each with unlimited runs
1. $$ Added Jackpot 3D Barrels (1 sec. split) Side Pots: Pee Wee (12 & under), Youth (18 & under), Adult (19+) Class 1 only $5 2. $$ Added Jackpot 3D Poles (1 sec. split)
AGE DIVISION (as of Jan. 1)
Leadline: 9 & under
Small Fry: 12 & under
Youth: 18 & under
Adult: 19 & older
Open: All ages
PAYOUTS
Leadline & Youth, W, T: Ribbons for 1st-5th
Small Fry: $1, 40%-30%-20%-10%
Youth: $2, 40%-30%-20%-10%
Open/30 & Over/Adult W, T: $3, 40%-30%-20%-10%
*5th Place—Points Only
FOR POINTS & YEAR END AWARDS:
1. Must be a current WCSC member
2. Must show more than half of the shows in that class
3. Must volunteer 4 hours, or in lieu of hours, may pay a $125 sponsorship 4. Must pay one time Contest Show Membership of $20 per horse/ride combo. Points will not be counted until memberships are paid. Nonmembers pay a $4 grounds fee/horse.
Sleeveless tops and shorts are strictly prohibited. Proper riding attire required for rider: jeans, sleeved shirts and riding shoes.
WCSC assumes no liability, ride at your own risk. Other rules and regulations may apply, see office for more details.
Wayne County Saddle Club
2025 Open Pleasure Shows
JUDGES: Phil Harstine • Lisa Miller • Heather Pariso • Patrick Riley • Rae Ellen
1. JACKPOT Open Halter H/P/M
2. Open Halter Stock Type H/P/M
3. Open Halter Non-Stock Type H/P/M
4. Ranch Halter H/P
5. Small Fry Halter 8 & Under H/P/M
6. Small Fry Showmanship 8 & Under H/P/M
7. Showmanship 9-13 H/P/M
8. Showmanship 14-18 H/P/M
9. Open Showmanship H/P/M
10. JACKPOT Open Showmanship H/P/M * 30-Minute Break *
11. Leadline 8 & Under H/P/M E/W
12. W/T 8 & Under Pleasure H/P/M E/W
13. W/T 9-13 Pleasure H/P E/W
14. W/T 14-18 Pleasure H/P E/W
15. Open W/T Pleasure H/P E/W
16. Open English Pleasure H/P
17. English Pleasure 9-13 H/P
18. English Pleasure 14-18 H/P
JACKPOT English Pleasure H/P
* 30-Minute Break * 20. Open Western Pleasure H/P
Western Pleasure 9-13 H/P
Western Pleasure 14-18 23. JACKPOT Western Pleasure
* 20-Minute Break *
24. Open Ranch Horse Pleasure H/P
25. Ranch Horse Pleasure 9-13 H/P
26. Ranch Horse Pleasure 14-18 H/P
27. JACKPOT Ranch Horse Pleasure
28. Ranch Horse Pattern 9-13
29. Ranch Horse Pattern 14-18
30. Open Ranch Horse Pattern
Mystery Class
Grounds Fee: $4 for non-members—per horse and rider combo.
SATURDAY • 12 P.M.
1. OPEN PLEASURE
2. Walk/Trot Stake Bend
3. Open Stake Bend
4. Open Pole Bending
5. Open Barrels
6. Three Legged Sack Race
7. Ribbon Tie
8. Quadrangle Stakes
9. Crawl Through The Barrel Classes may change by show
More classes if time permits!
**For Year-End Awards: Must be a member. Must show more than half of the shows in that class. Must work 4 hours by working a Pleasure show, Contest show, Fun show or other club approved activity or $125 sponsorship will count for the required 4 hours needed. Points will not begin to accumulate until membership is paid. Points will accumulate per horse/rider combination. Same horse-same rider in each division. If showing for points for year end awards must pay a one time $20 fee per horse and rider combo. Points for awards will not accumulate until this is paid.
Proper show attire required.
Western Classes: Western shirt, jeans, boots and western hat or hard hat. English Classes: Polo shirt or English shirt, breaches or jeans, hard hat and boots. Horses should be presented groomed and in good health.
(330) 465-8386
• Entry Fees: NO CHARGE either day (we will accept donations of cash for charity or items for the raffles).
• PRIZES: There will be 10 place ribbons for each class
• Rain or Shine.
• Classes are shown in the order we will run them.
• Raffle tickets sold Saturday and Sunday for drawings each day after the show—you do not need to be present to win.
• Overnight Camping is welcome. We do not have hook-ups.
• Bring lawn chairs, we’ll be indoors but seating may be limited.
Thank you to our many sponsors of these events!
This activity is our worship groups way of thanking the Wayne County Saddle Club for generously allowing us to meet here Sunday mornings throughout the year.
Massillon Saddle Club 2025 Show Dates
PLEASURE SHOWBILL
1. Open Fitting & Grooming
2. Ranch Conformation
3. Jackpot Halter
4. Mini/Pony Halter (58” & under)
5. Horse Halter
6. Leadline Showmanship 7 & under
7. Small Fry Showmanship 12 & under
8. Jackpot Showmanship
9. Showmanship 19 & over
10. Showmanship 18 & under (No Small Fry)
11. Leadline (7 & under) E/W, spotter required
12. Ranch Showmanship
13. Trail W/T All Ages
14. Trail W/T/C All Ages
15. In Hand Trail All Ages — 30 MINUTE INTERMISSION —
16. Small Fry Pleasure E/W 12 & under
17. Small Fry Eq. E/W 12 & under
18. $15 Jackpot W/T E/W Pleasure
May Canter
19. W/T English Pleasure
20. W/T English Equitation
21. Open Jackpot English Pleasure
22. English Pleasure 19 & over
23. English Pleasure 18 & under
24. Open English Pleasure All Ages WTC
25. Open Jackpot English Equitation
26. English Equitation 19 & over
27. English Equitation 18 & under
28. Jackpot W/T E/W Pleasure (MSC Only)
29. Open Jack Benny W/T E/W 39 & over
30. Open W/T Generation Gap (10 yr gap)
31. Open W/T E/W Golf Ball & Spoon Cake/Food Walk $1 Entry
Lewis Road Riding Ring Show Grounds • Cleveland Metroparks, Olmsted Falls
SUNDAY, JULY 13
Lewis Rd. Show Grounds Judge: Jay Lanzer
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10
Carlisle Equestrian Center Judge: Amber Wise
JACKPOT CLASS SPONSOR: Centerra Country Store
CORPORATE SPONSOR: Horsemen’s Corral
DRILL TEAM SPONSOR: Creative Embroidery by Design
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Lewis Rd. Show Grounds Judge: Amber Wise
TROPHIES and HIGH POINT RIBBON SPONSOR: Gold Star Awards
FOR
CLASSES (2 at Carlisle Equestrian and 2 at Lewis Road) • Qualified Classes are indictated with **
1. Halter Class - all breeds
2. Jr. Showmanship 17 & Under
3. Showmanship 18 & Over 10 Minute Break for Tack Change and Warm Up for Under Saddle Classes
4. Open English Equitation **18 & Over
5. Open English Pleasure 18 & Over
6. Leadline Equitation** English and Western 8 & Under
7. Pre Walk/Trot Equitation** English and Western
8. Open English Equitation** 17 & Under
9. Open English Pleasure 17 & Under
10. Walk/Trot Equitation** English and Western 18 & Over
11. Walk/Trot Pleasure English and Western 18 & Over
12. Walk/Trot Equitation** English and Western 13-17
13. Walk/Trot Pleasure English and Western 13-17
14. Walk/Trot Equitation** English and Western 12 & Under
15. Walk/Trot Pleasure English and Western 12 & Under
16. Open Bareback Equitation**
17. Walk/Trot Bareback Equitation**
18. Walk/Trot Road Hack English and Western (Riders can cross enter) — INTERMISSION —
Entry Fees: $5 per class or $35 for 7 classes or more. MUST BE THE SAME HORSE/EXHIBITOR TEAM.
Riders, spectators & volunteers are welcome at all our events. Food will be onsite.
SHOW RULES
1. Registration must be made at least two (2) classes prior to your class - for a refund, you must cancel two (2) classes prior to your class.
2. Proper show attire is optional - long pants and boots required. Helmets are mandatory for anyone under 18 on a horse on the show grounds.
3. Riders may only compete in one division throughout the show. Some classes are also restricted by rider age.
• Leadline: Rider has never shown riding on their own.
• Pre Walk/Trot: Rider has never shown in a class requiring canter. A trainer is allowed in the ring on foot.
19. Walk/Trot Generation Gap Riders must have a 10 year age difference; oldest rides first. (Riders can cross enter)
20. Walk/Trot Jackpot Equitation (Riders can cross enter) ($10 entry fee; $100 payout for top 3 riders)
21. Open Western Equitation** 18 & Over
22. Open Western Pleasure 18 & Over
23. Open Western Equitation** 17 & Under
24. Open Western Pleasure 17 & Under
25. Walk/Trot Jack Benny Pleasure 39 and Over (Riders can cross enter)
26. Walk/Trot Musical Sacks (Riders can cross enter)
27. Pre Walk/Trot Keyhole
28. Walk/Trot Keyhole
29. Open Keyhole
30. Pre Walk/Trot Barrel Racing
31. Walk/Trot Barrel Racing
32. Open Barrel Racing
33. Walk/Trot Egg and Spoon (Riders can cross enter)
34. Pre Walk/Trot Pole Bending
35. Walk/Trot Pole Bending
36. Open Pole Bending
• Walk/Trot: Rider has never shown in a class requiring canter.
• Open: Rider has cantered (loped) in competition.
• Open riders wishing to school a horse in a lower division must still pay an entry fee and enter with no number so they are not judged.
4. Dogs must be leashed at all times and spectators and participants must follow Metroparks rules.
Proceeds to benefit Angels Haven Horse Rescue to aid in the care and comfort of their rescue horses and to the Cleveland Metroparks for improving the show grounds.
Cleveland Metroparks and Angels Haven Horse Rescue or anyone connected with the show, will not assume responsibility for accident, injury, loss or damage to persons, animals or property. Angels Haven Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit volunteer based organization.
TREASURER Margaret Hite 740/407-6986 treasurer@ohconline.com
Greetings From Your President
More than $1,000,000. That’s how much the Ohio Horseman’s Council (OHC) was able to access in funding for bridle trail maintenance in the last few months. The money came from several sources. OHC grants $8,750 to its chapters each year through an application process. However, this year, a partnership effort between OHC and Ohio State Parks generated an additional $12,500 for state park bridle trails which significantly boosted our trail maintenance efforts. Add $1,500 from a NW region auction, bringing the total to $22,750 for 11 county chapters, representing every OHC region
County Lines
CLERMONT
April greetings from Clermont County. As we begin our camp and ride season for 2025, our first event will be the Wounded Warrior Ride, April 24-27 at the Tim Applegate Horseman’s area. Everyone is welcome! Check in Thursday, gate opens about noon, $25 per rig for each night. Water will be provided for horses and the area is primitive camping so generators are welcome. Bring a dish to share for a community meal Thursday evening. We have two bands one on Friday, Whiskey Talk Band is donating his band! We will have our fire dancer also on Friday. The Dillon Band will be the entertainment on Saturday evening. Opening ceremony Saturday 11 a.m. with a ride following. We will have auction items on Saturday and fish races for everyone to enjoy. Food trucks will be available so you don’t have to cook. Saturday we will have a smoked hog dinner for all to enjoy, bring a dish to share. We also have Skye Wilson face painting for the kiddos on Friday and Saturday. Come out and support this awesome event
courtesy of OHC and Ohio State Parks. These projects are to be completed by the end of 2025. An unexpected windfall came from a collaboration with the Ohio Trails Partnership (OTP) on existing trails, which received $5 mil in the Ohio Capital Budget HB 2 135th Assembly for nonmotorized trail maintenance. This funding provided a significant milestone in OTP’s statewide trail maintenance efforts, including hike, bike, multi-use, equestrian, and water trails.
In a matter of a few weeks, OHC conducted extensive meetings with potential horse trail land managers and nominated those
and start the camp and ride season with this event.
May 16-18 will be our second ride for the season at Tim Applegate Horseman’s Area. We will most likely have a community meal so plan to come and enjoy a campfire and ride for the weekend.
Clermont County will continue trail repairs as needed. With the winter storms, there are again trees down and we will begin working to clear those trees as quickly as possible. We will be concentrating our work efforts also on the Harman Hill, as the trail is again in need of some extensive repairs. Once the Blue Trail has dried up to allow repairs, we will be able to start on that project this summer as well.
To understand the soul of a horse is the closest human beings can come to knowing perfection. Until May, and hopefully the weather will allow some additional rides. God Bless.
~LaWana Bogard
CUYAHOGA
We survived! We bought many kinds of survival equipment from
PRESIDENT Mary Alice Kuhn 330/413-6589 president@ohconline.com
that OHC felt could meet the strict requirements and thus apply for a previously determined portion of $1,000,000 for bridle trails with the land manager’s commitment to complete projects by June 2026. The parks that can apply for the OHC share are in four Ohio counties and will use it towards bridle trail maintenance, a significant step towards preserving and enhancing our beloved trails: the City of Jackson, Jackson County, Hammertown Lake Bridle Trails; Vinton County, Moonville shared-use trail; Stark County Parks District, Sippo Valley shared-use trail; Cleveland
VICE PRESIDENT Nancy Strayer 740/694-1007 vicepresident@ohconline.com
OHC COUNTY LINES EDITOR Martie Ackerman 713/553-9644 countylineeditor@ohconline.com
Metroparks, South Chagrin bridle trails and Brecksville Reservations Bridle Trails and trail head improvements for horse trailer parking. Thank you, Ohio Trails Partnership for continuing to push for Ohio capital budget money dedicated to nonmotorized trail maintenance. I don’t doubt the equestrians who enjoy Ohio’s trails will notice improvements. Ohio Horseman’s Council is “Making Ohio Better, Four Hooves at a Time” with dedicated, determined volunteers and a little bit of extra money.
~Mary Alice Kuhn
ice cleats for boots, which saved us from broken bones to warmer blankets for our horses and down coats for us. We bought heated vests, jackets, gloves and buckets. We chopped, and shoveled and braved the wind, rain and snow. We deserve the most beautiful spring and summer we can imagine. Congratulations to all of you in Northeast Ohio! What a tough group of equine owners and caregivers you are!
Now we are headed to rain, mud, filthy horses, dusty barns and spring cleaning! Fresh horses who may be a bit out of shape and we are also a bit stiff, so start out slow. We see Skunk Cabbage, tiny and beautiful wild flowers and wonderful warmer days filled with sunshine.
Banquets, award ceremonies, state, regional, and chapter organizational meetings have been held and new ideas and plans, like spring chicks have hatched. We have caught up with old friends and are planning trail rides, camping, educational and just fun get togethers.
Think about joining another chapter as a secondary/dual member so you get their
newsletters and learn about events you might like to attend. Of course, once you are an OHC member in any chapter you are entitled to attend all other chapter events or meetings. This is the great thing about OHC because you become a member of a huge group of likeminded horse lovers. In Cuyahoga County Chapter a full schedule of events and trail rides are planned. There was a retirement party for Cleveland Metroparks Mounted Police Horse Thor. Equine Affaire is coming up starting April 10 and our Cleveland Metroparks Mounted are going to head to Kentucky to help with the Kentucky Derby crowds and activities. This is by invitation and quite a feather in the cap of the unit.
There will be bridle trail improvements started and we will be stepping up to help as we can. Please don’t ride trails that will become damaged when they have not dried enough. Volunteers and park maintenance deserve your respect. We appreciate all their work!
The Tractor Supply and Big D ads are here so I am off to
County Lines
shop! After all I need some nice new stuff to put on my three shedding, muddy creatures. I sincerely wish you all a sun-filled wonderful start to some serious riding. Track those miles!
~Penny Passalacqua
DELAWARE
Happy April everyone! Did anyone have any April Fool’s Day jokes played on them? If so, I hope the pranks played on you were in the spirit of fun and laughter. Our chapter officers with the help of several other members, have put together an exciting array of speakers and topics for our members to enjoy this year. At the time of article submission, our March meeting had yet to take place. I will share highlights of Ms. Sally Shaffer’s presentation, ‘Racehorse to Trail Horse’, with everyone in next month’s column.
Highlights from our two OHC meetings held last month will also be shared, namely our OHC general membership meeting held March 8, and our Central Regional meeting held March 15. This month’s meeting will take place on Friday, April 4 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Kilbourne United Methodist Church on SR 521. We look forward to welcoming Ms. Parveti Woods, President of the Central Ohio Carriage Club. Ms. Woods will share her knowledge and love of driving. Come and enjoy an evening with friends while listening and learning about another equine discipline. A short business meeting will follow Ms. Woods’ presentation. Light refreshments will be available.
The Equine Affaire comes to town, April 10-13! Ten Delaware Chapter members signed up to attend the equine extravaganza, Fantasia! The performance takes place in the coliseum Thursday, April 10 beginning at 7 p.m. (gates open at 6:30 p.m.) Look for your Delaware OHC buddies as we enjoy an evening of fun and camaraderie!
Looking ahead to May, plans are in the works to welcome Ms. Clair Crawford of Stockhands Horses for Healing as our guest speaker for the May 2 meeting. As always, friends and guests are always welcome.
We hope everyone is getting the chance to ride and enjoy the outdoors with their equine partners. With spring time though, comes the ‘wet and
muddy season’. Our trail volunteers led by Bobbi Arters, work diligently all year long to ensure that our Alum Creek bridle trails are as safe as possible and therefore, enjoyable for everyone. We want to remind our horseback rider visitors to always verify suitable trail conditions before hauling to our park this spring. In wet weather, our many ravines, platforms, together with the clay soil, can create some very slippery conditions not to mention, lead to trail erosion. Please feel free to contact Bobbi Arters or another chapter officer for more information.
Until next month, wishing everyone a Blessed Easter and happy and safe riding.
~Theresa Burke
ERIE
Greetings from Erie County! Is it really April already? Hopefully the mud is gone and the horses are almost done shedding. March was a big month. We finished up details with a great committee and attended our annual member appreciation night on March 20. This year our event was held at the Winery on Route 4. Lots of new surprises welcomed members. I can’t wait to share pictures and details of this fun and exciting event! Also, I will announce the winners of the high mileage awards. April is such a busy month for our club. Our monthly meeting was moved up to April 3 because of Equine Affaire. The meeting location is still at the Coupling, 11618 St. Rt. 113, Milan, Ohio. This will be the last meeting there until October. Next month (May) we will meet at Smokey Road trailer parking lot shelter, Berlin Heights, Ohio. If you want to ride before the meeting just be back in time to attend the potluck and meeting. The time is 6:30 p.m. for potluck and 7 p.m. for the meeting. We have a ride scheduled at Malabar April 19 at 11 a.m. Easter is also that weekend. Erie Metro Parks hold their annual Earth Day celebration at Osbourne Park April 26. Our club helps with a petting zoo much to the delight of the children in attendance. Life is better on the trail.
~Shelley Hayes
FULTON
February and March brought a lot of ice, and then March had
a lot of rain, so there hasn’t been much activity on the trails near us. It’s been suggested that we monitor the condition of the mountain bike trails in Oak Openings (they post at the top of their Facebook page whether they are open or closed) and when they are closed, it is too muddy to ride. I did see them, the bike people, riding in all kinds of weather throughout the winter so I guess they are just as dedicated as many of us horse people, if not more!
Our March chapter meeting was at The Bunker Bar and 30 members and guests attended. We did our first round of committee sign-ups, and several new volunteers stepped forward and many seasoned stayed on for this year. We confirmed our plans for our group breakfast at Delta 109 on March 15, but the bison tour was off the table as it is a bad time of the year to disturb the bison. Several members planned to attend the OHC General Membership meeting in Newark on March 8. Harry Hughes Equestrian Center had planned their spring cleanup for April 5 and many of our members usually participate and lend a hand. The show season at HHYEC kicks off the next day, April 6.
That being said, we don’t have much planned for April. Our chapter meeting will be April 1 at The Bunker Bar. Some members will likely attend Equine Affaire in Columbus. Then we’ll all look forward to our first camping weekend at Reed Road Ranglers May 2-4 with our Kentucky Derby party and chapter meeting May 3.
Our chapter meetings are usually the first Tuesday of the month and are at The Bunker Bar November through April and at Reed Road Ranglers May through October.
Our website, www.fcohc.com, our Facebook group Fulton County OHC and our Facebook page Fulton County Ohio Horseman’s Council can reveal what we’re up to in real time. Keep warm and be safe, we hope to see you on the trails!
~Kathy
Brown
GREENE
Spring has sprung, and hopefully you all are getting out on the trails. The late winter and early spring weather was a sloppy, muddy mess for many of
us that enjoy riding around the year. We are looking forward to cleaning up our trails at Caesar Ford, as several trees came down over the winter months. An alternative to riding on the various trails in our parks in Greene County is to ride the bike paths. They are generally paved and have a wide berm on the sides to accommodate horses. Greene County is the only county where equines are allowed on the bike paths. Check out the Ohio to Erie Trail, Little Miami Scenic Trail, Xenia-Jamestown Connector, and the Creekside Trail, the next time park trails are too muddy or slippery. Many of us attended the March general membership meeting in Newark, Ohio, hosted by the Southeast Region Ohio Horseman’s Council. There was a lot of information shared with everyone. The agenda included trail work hours recognition, trail mileage and saddle hours, Junior Ambassador update, Ohio trail investments and meeting our newest land management agency—ODNR Division of Wildlife which acquired AEP McConnelsville and AEP Fallon Park, Coshocton County.
Supporting an OHC club ensures we have equine trails for the riders of the future. We welcome our new members to our club. We also have many young participants in the Ohio Jr. Ambassador club. This is a wonderful opportunity for the youth of our group and others in the Ohio Horseman’s Council.
Between the ears and llamas.
Ponying on the Ohio Erie bike path near Xenia.
County Lines
Please consider joining a local chapter as a main member or secondary member.
Happy trails, let’s get out and ride!
~Cindra Phillips GUERNSEY
The history of Salt Fork State Park is a rich one, and one we are proud of! Why, even the Governor of the State of Ohio, Governor Rhodes, came to Salt Fork to help cut-in the first horse trail! Now, how many governors have ever done that?!
Salt Fork State Park is the largest state park in Ohio, encompassing 17,229 acres of land and 2,952 acres of water. Salt Fork got its name from a mineral lick along the creek. Plans to dam the creek for use as a water source began in 1956, then switched to planning for use as a recreational area in 1960. The land was platted in September of 1960, with an outline of the shoreline drawn on the map. Property purchases began shortly thereafter. The earthen dam was completed in 1967, with the construction of recreational facilities starting 1968. The Salt Fork Lodge opened in 1972.
Believe it not, the Park actually had Mounted Rangers in the beginning! Our own Diane Secrest’s father, Earl Victor Joan, was the first Chief Ranger at Salt Fork. He also was a mounted ranger. Here’s a picture of E.V. Joan, at his desk in 1973. The next picture shows the original Salt Fork State Park sign on US 22 with Mounted Rangers next to it: Don Vincent on the left and Willard McCauley, on the right. The mounted ranger unit was started in 1972 with; Earl Joan, Don Vincent, Willard McCauley, Robert Callihan, and David Secrest. The next picture is of the Mounted Rangers published in The Jeffersonian, the local newspaper, July 12, 1972. The Mounted Rangers did search and rescue before the formal Mounted Search and Rescue unit was established. An interesting side story, the horses were initially stabled at the farm of Charles Fitzgerald, who was the grandfather of David Thompson, the current maintenance manager at Salt Fork! The Park later built a stable near Winterset, Ohio, just off US 22. The building is now Gray’s Stable. If you ride them all, Salt Fork State Park offers 56 miles of
equestrian trails. Fifty-two miles of those are main trails and the balance being connector trails or bypass trails. We offer a horse camp with overnight primitive camping and a large day-use parking area. The first trail opened was the Blue Trail and the original horse camp was located on the Blue Trail, right beside R-51, a gravel road. It was a day-use only horse camp. The current horse camp opened in 1987. Over the years the camp has been expanded several times. Flush toilets were added about five years ago and two additional flush toilets are being added late 2025 or early 2026. That new facility will be located back next to the entrance of the Purple Trail. Other great improvements are slated, but more to come about those plans as they are confirmed. Speaking of plans, please plan to come and work with us April 26! That will be our Annual Salt Fork Bridle Trails Work Day! We will be working on the trails, horse camp, trail tie-lines and picnic areas. Stay tuned to our Facebook page: Salt Fork Bridle Trails, for up-to-date details of the event.
Dee Dee and I look forward to seeing you on the trail!
~Lee Randolph HARRISON
Hello OHC! Here’s to April showers bringing May flowers! I hope everyone survived the cold winter and is enjoying the beginning of spring activities. I have loved watching all the
birds coming to my bird feeder. So many cardinals this year! My horses are getting spring fever and acting like they are 10 years younger. Why do they like rolling in the mud so much? I will be thankful when the grass starts growing and I can give up hay duty for a while.
One of our members, Desarah Berry, purchased a draft cross rescue from Copper Horse Crusade over the winter. Copper Horse Crusade is a not-for-profit group that rescues and rehomes slaughter bound horses. Desarah named her new horse JD and he is beautiful! Best of all he is quiet and safe to ride. She plans to hit the trails with him and get more involved riding with other OHC members this year. I must admit her finding such a nice horse in a rescue made me a tad bit jealous! I am happy for her and hope she has lots of fun adventures with him. Our club was finally able to meet in February to start working on some activities for 2025. Mark provided information packets on OHC’s new Jr. Ambassador Initiative. What a nice program for our youth to increase their equine knowledge and earn points for awards! Mark has emailed the packets out to our members who missed the meeting. We also discussed developing a resource manual for keeping a current list of equine veterinarians, farriers, and hay suppliers in our area. I think that’s a great idea. How many times have you had an emergency, and your vet or farrier was not available? It’s nice to know who else you can call. Another hot topic at the meeting was when to have our regional ride this year. While it’s nice to have the dry trails in the fall, it did have some drawbacks. The kids back in school and the loss of light in the evenings being the big ones. We voted to return to our old ride slot, being the second weekend in June. It’s official, our 2025
regional ride is scheduled for June 13-15. Please put it on your calendar. Faye plans to organize a scavenger hunt again which will be on Saturday, June 14. The scavenger hunt was a big hit last year and I recommend you try it out. A fun challenge with prizes for the winners. We hope to bring back the candy ride on Friday as well. Kids as well as adults always love that one. More details on the ride and scavenger hunt to come later.
We also scheduled our annual Dorothy Ride for October 18. This ride is in honor of our past president, the late Dorothy Glover, as well as other members of our club who have passed such as Nancy VanCuren and Bruce Kinser. I like to think they are smiling down on us as we ride in their memory.
Mark stated he is trying to put together a regional calendar so we can know when and where rides are scheduled. He is encouraging members to support other rides in our region. It is always fun to try out new trails and meet likeminded OHC members. Not to mention, my favorite, checking out everyone’s beautiful horses! ~Sherrie Hart
HOCKING
This month’s article is always the hardest one to write. Especially with the brutal winter we’ve been having. Most club members were fighting to keep their farms thawed out and safe to traverse, let alone do any sort of riding.
We had a few brave souls out in the frigid temperatures, looking between the ears on a trail, or attending a clinic. Then, the day before I submitted this article, we had a balmy wonderful day. I was able to snag another, between the ears shot from a members’ Facebook page.
Needless to say, everyone is beyond ready for the cold weather to take a hike, and riding season to begin.
Plans are being made to attend Equine Affaire. New and shiny things will be added to the old reliable standby items. It seems to be like this every year, but this year, just like after the mask ban was lifted for Covid, we are all going to appreciate it more than we had before.
Mark your calendars to attend our clubs only fundraiser, the yearly Hocking ride from Cowboy Larry’s scheduled for
Guernsey County OHC
Desarah’s new horse, JD.
County Lines
July 18-20. More details will follow in next month’s article. We will have a potluck dinner and auction, which is open to anyone who wants to contribute, on Saturday night July 19. Our club is very family friendly and meet at the Home Tavern in Logan the third Sunday of every month at 7 p.m. Come in earlier for dinner and relaxed conversation prior to the meeting. Watch our Facebook page for more information about our club and upcoming events!
~Donna Shade
KNOX
Happy trails and greetings from Knox County! February turned out to be just a little more bearable than January with a few milder days that allowed for some time in the saddle. It’s been fun sharing pictures of riding in the snow.
We had our annual tack auction in February and it was our most successful event to date! There are so many of our members to thank, from securing the venue and advertising, to helping with set up and clean up, our great
kitchen crew, to the ladies doing the check-in and checking-out and those running the silent auction. We had so many wonderful items that were made or donated for the silent auction, that it was as profitable as the tack auction itself! We thank our President Teresa Smith for making cheesecakes and pies that were also auctioned off. We appreciate the help that our young friends and members gave our tack provider and for selling 50/50 tickets. We took a few minutes out of the action to sing Happy Birthday to Terry Baker and present him with a cake. Happy 80th Terry! All in all, a lot of work and effort, but also a lot of fun.
We recently received word that our request for a grant from the Knox County Foundation was approved! The grant is for a 20 x 30 shelter house to be built at Thayer Ridge Park to be enjoyed not just by us equestrians, but also the hikers, bikers, frisbee players and others who use the park. We are in debt to David Heithaus, Knox County Park Director for his invaluable assistance in getting this done. We hope to break ground in late March.
I know we are all eagerly waiting for spring and hoping for good weather for our scheduled St. Patrick’s ride.
We meet the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at Pizza Cottage on South Main Street in Mt. Vernon. Come join us for a meeting, an event, or riding down Ohio’s beautiful trails!
~Cindy Cossin
LAKE
Two of our members, Rosemary and myself, attended the Northeast OHC Regional meeting in February.
Several exciting events planned for this year were announced by each OHC chapters there. Tack sales and tack swops, meetings held at restaurants, and various rides were discussed; beach rides, prayer rides, mystery rides, poker rides and moonlight rides. There’s much fun to come!
The Junior Ambassador Initiative was introduced. Two junior ambassadors were recognized at the meeting. One young lady spoke of her loving horses, and wanting to do horsey things. She then showed us her booklet she
had made highlighting her favorite horses. Our cheers to the future! Also in February, some of our members went to Cuyahoga’s banquet in Independence. These people like to party! Some even went down the hall to dance at a polka party. Joe Coalter was the auctioneer for the many items donated by Big D’s. Two young ladies entertained the crowd by demonstrating the items to be auctioned. Especially delightful was their demonstration using a horse blanket.
Enjoy your spring journey all you riders.
~Rayneen Tisovic
LICKING
Everybody should be ready for spring and anxious to ride! I hope all our riders and non-riders are well and over the crud that is going around. Some of my bus kids were carrying it and I tried to stay away from them as much as possible.
Speaking of kids, bring yours out to check out the new awesome program that OHC started this year! It’s called the Youth Ambassador Program. The Junior Ambassador club provides an opportunity to develop skills, grow knowledge about horses, help others, make friends and win prizes including a beautiful belt buckle and a scholarship. The kids don’t even have to have a horse to participate. Contact your Licking County chapter officers for more information or send an email to jrambassadors@ohconline.com. We’d love to meet you!
On April 22 we will be at Infirmary Mound for an evening ride to celebrate Earth Day. You can also come to our meetings which are always fun but we will not have a meeting in May or July because of some scheduling conflicts. At the last meeting we announced our five top trail riders: 1. Linda Patterson, 2. Sigrid Batten, 3. Linda Smith, 4. Mitzi Gerber and 5. Deena McPherson who received her 1000-mile patch. Congratulations!
That is all for this month. I hope I’ll see you out there on a horse soon so you can turn in those trail miles at the end of the year and help keep our trails open!
~Sigrid Batten
LOGAN
Logan County OHC is sure starting up the year on a busy
Raven Rau attending a clinic.
Between the ears of Athena.
Between the ears of Sandy.
Most of our members at the tack auction.
Mary Jo, Kim and Connie.
Rachel and her new horse, Donny.
Rayneen with her new helmet.
Rosemary with her sunflower blanket.
Lake County OHC
County Lines
note beginning with our February meeting and a luscious potluck. There were a lot of activities added to our calendar, we have at least one ride per month at least.
Our first ride of the year with Champaign County is April 12 at 11 a.m., and of course, a lot of the members will be heading down to Equine Affaire April 10-13. Brien Lambert brought and distributed our raffle tickets fundraiser, they really turned out nice, so now it’s time to sell, sell, sell, for the drawing at our meeting on May 20 (attendance not required.) Other prizes to win are $200, $100 and $50.
Logan County OHC will have a stand at Tack Swap at Champaign County Fairgrounds on April 19. We will discuss a volunteer work schedule for the tack sale at the next meeting. We also discussed selling donations and having consignment items and implementing a spread sheet to track these items. On consignment items Logan County OHC will get 10 percent of the selling price. So start gathering all your stuff together to sell! It’s the start of mud season, a whole lot of slipping and sliding going on, so stay safe.
~Cynthia Orr
LORAIN
Hello y’all from Lorain County. We are looking forward to lush green pastures and hopefully less of that naughty three letter word, mud, that tends to suck our horses in like a magnet. We’d like to thank Harrison Trailers in Wellington, Ohio, for their ongoing support of our Lorain County OHC calendar. They will be at the Equine Affaire at the Ohio State Fairgrounds scheduled for April 10-13. Harrison Trailers carries a wide assortment of Featherlite, Exiss, Sooner and Elite horse trailers with living quarters and for day use. In addition, they carry great selection of trucks to tow your trailer with if needed.
Here in Northeast Ohio, it was challenging to do any trail riding over the winter unless you had ice skates for your horse. If you didn’t have a way to exercise your horses, remember to take time to condition your horses and also remember to do some stretches ahead of riding for both yourself and your horse to avoid any pulled muscles. Also, perhaps consider making an appointment with an equine
massage specialist afterward and maybe even schedule one for yourself to help work any kinks out.
In February, we scheduled a sled riding day followed by a trip to a local restaurant to help invigorate ourselves and give us some time to catch up on what’s been going on in our lives. This proved to be just the ticket for revitalizing ourselves from the winter blues.
We had 16 members that donned their winter attire and headed for the hill at the Wellington Reservoir. Everyone had a blast and no injuries were reported, even despite the flying saucers.
This month plan to attend Equine Affaire scheduled April 10-13 to gain some knowledge from experts in the horse industry on all sorts of topics from horse training to nutrition. Additionally, quite an assortment of horse competitions will be scheduled throughout this event. Many exhibitors will be demonstrating their products and row upon row of vendors will be present to cover all your equine needs from tack to garments for yourself.
We will have our membership meeting on Monday, April 21 at 7 p.m. at the Carlisle Visitor Center in the Carlisle Room. Please know that all are welcome to attend so if you would like to learn about what our Lorain County OHC is all about, please come. Looking ahead to the first part of May; we have some fun days scheduled and some volunteer help needed. On Friday, May 2 we have plans to tour Amish Country. We will plan to stop at some interesting horse related places and take time to enjoy
one of their delicious restaurants at mid-day. Carol Kenyon has offered to be our contact person for this field trip. Next, we plan to meet at the Carlisle Equestrian Center on Sunday, May 4 ready to ride at 1 p.m. for our popular Pie and Derby Day ride. Please bring a pie or other pastry to share afterward at the enclosed pavilion at 3 p.m. Wear your derby hats for the fun of it; horses are encouraged to wear ones also! Most importantly, we have a scheduled trail maintenance day to clean up the trails at Charlemont on Saturday, May 10. We will meet at the New LondonEastern Road trailhead at 9 a.m. Then if needed, we will move to Wellington Reservation. Let’s all chip in so our trails are safe for all to ride. Afterward, a stop at Dairy Queen is our treat for doing a great job. Ken Cornish is our contact for our trail maintenance if you have any questions. We hope to see you in the coming months for one or more of our scheduled events. It will be good to reconnect now that spring is in the air!
~Kathy Duncan
MADISON
Here we are, writing in early March for an April publication, being hopeful as we watch rain and cold and mud. People with horses must be the most optimistic folks around! I know I am hoping to ride daily; not riding daily, but hoping daily to ride. Our time will come! Flowers will leap forth, ground will thaw, and mud will dry. We invited our Deer Creek State Park Maintenance Manager, Bob Kruse, to our February meeting as a judge for our chili and apple pie cookoff. Bob judged the chili (there were nine entries) and
his colleague, Jennifer Pfauth, judged the apple pies (there were 10 entries). They powered through, and awarded top prize for chili to Lorna Kenyon, second to Jen Hartogh, third to John and Marsha Pierce. Apple pie award for first place went to Natalie Mirick/Jeff Lieb, second place to Lisa Reynolds, and third to Natalie Mirich/Jeff Lieb. The best part is that Natalie and Jeff had never made apple pie before, and had lessons from Jeff’s grandma! I’ll bet dinner at her house is amazing. Thanks Bob and Jen for judging!
Madison County is donating more culvert and other material that is needed for additional mud mitigation to Deer Creek since we did not receive the OSP Trails grant. Bob and his crew have worked this winter on areas that we identified, and we continue to work on improving this lovely park. Honestly, if you have not been to Deer Creek for a few years, try it again! We have addressed many of the overgrown areas (we can’t help it if trees have fallen recently) and have taken care of the muddiest spots. Please let us know of any areas you come across that need attention, and using What3Words is the most accurate way to locate the spot.
Our March meeting program was on Traveling with Your Horse by Ann Hunter. She discussed how to plan for travel, tips for safe travel, what to take, and what not to do. It is great to take advantage of our collective knowledge and share it with others. Thanks so much, Ann! Along with this topic, we are putting together a list of where our chapter members have ridden, with and without their own horses, so we can share information and advice for those who may want to try somewhere new. We are an adventurous group! In April our member Izzy Whiting will present a program on taking horse vital signs. Our five Gymkhana dates are set for Madison County Fairgrounds for 2025. We start May 3, and we invite anyone to come and give it a try! It’s a fun event, and we have many newcomers trying it out for the first time, as well as seasoned Gymkhana riders. We cheer on everyone and encourage good horsemanship, with riders from the age of three all the way into their 70s. We have a food truck on site, and award high point
Fun day sledding at Wellington Reservoir.
Karen on an invigorating ride.
County Lines
prizes at the final October event. Please take a look at our Madison County Gymkhana Facebook page for more information and registration. It’s a great way to expose your horse to something new and get out of a training rut. We are actively seeking business sponsors for our event to help fund our trail work expenses at Deer Creek. We have some new sponsors this year, and we are so thankful that more members are willing to knock on doors to ask for sponsorships and explain the banners at the arena that showcase the sponsor’s business. It takes everyone to make this work.
Deer Creek regular trail maintenance will keep on, weather depending. Our goal is to have everyone enjoy the beautiful trails at Deer Creek!
Remember that the trailer parking area is temporarily at the park office, just on the right after you enter the park. There is a Port A Pot there and a water faucet with a hose on the office building. There are signs directing you to the orange trail which will also take you to the blue and red trails. Our red trail goes through the woods on the west side of the entrance road all the way to the horse camp, and is very nice with some hills and a view of the lake. It connects to the green trail that takes you closer to the park office parking and is also mostly wooded. Deer Creek is varied terrain and not particularly hilly, which makes it great for conditioning and moving out. We look forward to meeting you on the trail!
We meet on the second Thursday of the month at the West Jefferson Community Center in West Jefferson, Ohio, with a simple supper at 6 p.m. followed by our meeting at 6:30. We hope you will join us if you are in the area! Happy trails to all.
~Lisa Reynolds
MEDINA
We kicked off 2025 with our first membership meeting at the town hall in Hinckley. The high winds didn’t keep members from enjoying pizza and news from recent meetings with state, national park and northeast region officers.
The big news at both state and regional meetings is the new Junior Ambassador Club. Medina chapter is now home to more young members than we have had in a while and we are hoping to get
them involved in this program. There are prizes to be won and a $250 scholarship. Contact Raydeen Ryden at raysden2@ gmail.com or 334/663-7361 for more information.
Medina’s officers for 2025, Raydeen Ryden, president; Amy O’Neil, vice president, Megan Padget, secretary; and Rosemary Young, treasurer, met this past February to start planning this year’s schedule. We are working on new places to hold our meetings and new ideas for weekday rides. Megan has created a calendar for us and there will be Friday evening rides at a revolving list of parks. Check our newsletter for further information.
If you don’t attend our meetings, you can miss a lot. You can meet with people who ride and want you to ride with them. Connect with like-minded equestrians who stick to a nice pleasant walk or a full-on power ride. Likewise, if you don’t read our newsletter, you can miss a lot as well. Our dedicated newsletter editor, Kathy Schmidt put a lot of work into getting the news out. Be sure to check it out when it comes to your email or mail box.
Raydeen Ryden and Greg Monsanty, our trail committee have met with the national park maintenance head and are planning a year’s worth of improvements to the trails in the Cuyahoga National Park. Our first work sessions will be April 5 and, likely May 10. Brush trimming and mowing will be the first priorities. Join us! Contact Raydeen Ryden raysden2@ gmail.com or 334/663-7361 or Greg Monsanty 330/352-5737 or blackhorsebridge@aol.com for details on where to meet and time.
Our third annual combined state ride with Cuyahoga and Summit chapters is off and running! September 26-28 is the weekend and South Chagrin Reservation in the Cleveland Metroparks is the place. The flyer is available on Medina, Summit and Cuyahoga Facebook pages and websites as well as ohconline.com. If you came last year, you know how much fun we all had. Test your horse’s skill (and your own) at an obstacle course presented by the Cleveland Metroparks Mounted Unit. The past two courses were learning experiences for the participants and fun for the rest of us to watch. There is a limit of 20 entrants for the course, so get your registration in fast! Great food, raffles, an auction, and
flea market tables round out this weekend. Join us and see what this newest state ride is all about. For more information contact Joani Hedderick 330/730-4652, Cathy Matonis 216/798-0496, Molly Eastwood 330/603- 0820, or Raydeen Ryden 334/663-7361. Where do we ride? Down in the valley!
~Rosemary Young MORROW
Spring is finally here and so is your to do list! Schedule a checkup for your trailer; springs, brakes, bearings, lights, floor, tires, spare tire, hitch, ball, chains and break away cable are in good working order for the upcoming trail riding season. Renew your roadside assistance insurance for the year with USRider to ensure your safely covered. Remember OHC members receive a discount for this service. Refresh and add to your horse and people first aid kits for your trailer(s) and saddle bags. Restock any tack in your trailer such as halters, leads, saddle pads, grooming tools, etc. Where do you keep your list to note your trail miles/saddle hours for each ride? On a note pad in your trailer, the barn, at home, on your phone? Just find the method that is easiest for you to track the miles/hours ridden. Doing this will let the parks/ forests know that we are out there riding the trails! Often times they don’t see us using the trails and don’t know how many horseback riders are enjoying them. This is extremely important in order to keep existing trails open and the possibilities of adding new trails. By now horsehair is filling the air as you are reading this article. It will be a great year to hit the trails on your equine enjoying the company of others. Happy Trails!
~Misty McDonald PERRY
As we anxiously await spring, the Perry Chapter is busy putting together a new participation program and coming up with other ideas to make 2025 exciting and fun for members.
A participation program is being launched to help spur just that, participation in club events, meetings and rides. A rough draft of how points will be awarded was presented and discussed at the February meeting. We hope
to have this finalized and rolled out in time for the April meeting. Speaking of participation, for the 2024 membership year our chapter reported 7,982 miles ridden and 417 schooling hours. Our top rider is Laura Owings with 2,482 miles. Our top ‘Saddle Hours’ is Sheri Humphrey with 230 hours. Thank you to all members who reported their miles and work hours. It is a huge benefit to our mission of keeping the trails open.
The date for our annual Soup Ride at Burr Oak will be October 10-12. We moved it from the first weekend as it conflicted with other annual rides that fell on that date.
The club has been invited to a Red Bud ride April 26 at Appalachian Hills, (old AEP site in McConnelsville). If you’ve not ridden here, you really need to do so and the Red Bud ride would be an excellent time because others who are familiar with the trail system will be there.
A draft of the trail ride schedule was discussed. We are attempting to keep it a fluid schedule that will be updated each month in the newsletter and we are aiming for the club ride to be the second weekend of each month. If no one steps up to host a ride, then there will not be a scheduled ride that month. Members who host a ride can choose the location and length of the ride as well as the trail(s) that will be ridden. We encourage the host to come up with ideas to make the ride special, such as perhaps designating it as a taco ride and having everyone dress in Mexican attire. OK, I admit that is my dumb idea but I want everyone to have fun and get the creativity rolling!
As a reminder, we do offer some really snazzy door prizes at each meeting but you must attend to win! Carol Stoughton won the door prize, a set of jumper cables, at our last meeting. Please join us for your chance to win at the next meetings. All meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at The Pizza Place in New Lex.
Here’s to muddy hair season and hopefully a delightful spring. See ya on the trail!
~Marianne Patton
PREBLE
Preble County OHC would like to welcome all the new members. We were so glad to see new
County Lines
people at our meeting in March. April 12 will be a work weekend. Everyone is encouraged to come help clear trails. We will kick off our spring with a Good Friday group ride April 18. We will leave from Hueston Woods Horsecamp at noon. Pack a lunch we will ride to the dam, eat and back to camp. You can ride together in a group or smaller groups.
Mark your calendars for April 26 will be our Spring Fling weekend at Hueston Woods. Bring your horses for the obstacle course, fun show and food. Following the fun show we will have a dessert auction. We will end the evening with our OHC monthly meeting. We will be giving away a prize for the one lucky person who finds our bunny hidden on the trails. Do you have a youth? We are looking for youth 17 and under that would like to earn a belt buckle or a scholarship. Youth can join the youth ambassador program. Sign your youth up today.
~Nichole Johnson ROSS
Hello all! I’ve taken the last couple months off from writing. Obviously, not much went on in January and February. There was some trail clean up at Tar Hollow on January 4 by Dave Clary and the Skaggs Road Camp. Thank you to all of them for manning the cold weather to try and keep the trails cleared for our next riding season. We did have our Christmas party in
the middle of December. It was quick and sweet, and we all got much needed gifts (or supplies). We have gotten a couple of rides in in the last couple of months, but we all are ready to rock and roll this year! Can’t wait for this weather to warm and clear up!
That’s about all I have for now. Hopefully, next time I have more to write about, seeing that we will hopefully be riding more between now and then. Until next time, ride safe and take extra special care of your fourlegged friends.
~Whitney Stires
STARK
We are excited that Stark OHC was awarded a $1,000 grant to help with the improvements we are doing at Camp Tuscazoar. We appreciate this help so we can improve the muddy spots in the trails and improve the signage to let riders know the type of trail they are on. At Camp Tuscazoar we have all types of trails from easy to more difficult or challenging.
Pike Ridge is another trail system in our area and was just developed in 2024. This year it will be open beginning April 1 to the general public. It is new and small but has room for development and more trails will be added. There is no overnight camping but it is close to Camp Tuscazoar which does have overnight camping.
Here is wishing a great year for riding.
~Jo Ellen Reikowski
UNION
Howdy, everyone. I hope everyone survived our typical Ohio winter weather as it careened through all four seasons, sometimes all within 24 hours. Hopefully, spring is just around the corner.
Jim and I attended the Delaware County Chapter meeting in February. Kaylie Eaves of Kylie Eaves Horsemanship LLC gave a presentation on her boarding, lessons and training services. Happy Trails.
~Debbie Strayton WARREN
February 9, the State Parks, led by Park Director Tiffany DeChant and Assistant Director Clint Tellup, held a reception for volunteers. Most of the Over the
Hill Gang were there. There are six volunteer groups that help between the two parks (Caesar Creek and Little Miami.) We were all thanked and honored, and each group was given a nice commemorative plaque. It was fun seeing photos of other volunteer groups at work.
Roger, Chris, Harold and I were sitting at a table with two guys from the Friends of Little Miami State Park group, and it was interesting comparing notes. The Parks awards pins for every five years of service, so we got those, and they had great desserts. It’s always nice to be appreciated. I’m including photos this month from that event.
There isn’t much other news this month. Next month I should have photos and a report from the Great Tack Exchange. Stay warm and dry!
~Mickie Newnam
WASHINGTON
Trails are open! Hi OHC friends, we are excited the trails are finally open at our home trail, Kinderhook of Wayne National Forest in Newport, Ohio. Chris Yeager, head of the Marietta Unit of the Wayne National Forest was our guest at the March meeting. Several good things came from this encounter. We had a class for certified
sawyers on March 1. Wayne has a very good chainsaw education class and it is necessary to use a chainsaw in the forest. Three of our previous sawyers recertified and we added two more so we now have six total that can work on the trails with saws.
We identified several areas that needed improvement on the trails The level of cooperation is the best we have had since we opened the trails. Our club is supplying material and Wayne will use their equipment to make new signage for all of the Kinderhook trail, all 26 miles or so. A big win for us!
Wayne will build us two new picnic tables; we again are supplying materials and place them at our on-trail picnic area and at the trailhead for our use.
Wayne will use their equipment and personnel to help us deal with the muddy spots on the trails. We only have about six that are really getting bad, but they will help.
They will do a re-work of ‘the Ravine’. The worst spot on the trails since it opened.
The name will not be changing for the forest with the changing of administration in Washington. However, it was noted the next four years will be very lean for the forest and we should not expect much from them due to the lack of funds and man-power. However, if the cooperation we had at the meeting continues we will be quite happy in Washington County!
In other news, our members really stepped up for the State meeting. The Southeast region was the host for the State meeting March 8. Washington County took the lead to handle registration, collect funds, do 50/50, silent auction and several of the other duties. The first time we have ever attempted this. Our members volunteered and helped in a wonderful way and we want to thank them for their efforts! Our Treasurer Debbie Johnson did a wonderful job keeping everything straight and on task! We are also appreciative of the other chapters in the region that assisted in so many ways. Special thank you to Mark Westlake and Don and Vicky Wagner for their help.
Finally, mark your calendar for the Children’s Miracle Network ride we are hosting on June 7 at Appalachian Hills, this is the former AEP near McConnelsville. Don Wagner
Ross County OHC
State Parks reception.
Warren County OHC
County Lines
and his crew have turned this into a great destination for horse people. There is lots of room to camp, great trails and a place that is good for all of the food and auction that we need for this event. Plus, it is a great cause! Come for the weekend, for the day to ride or just for the food, auction and fellowship. It will be a great day! See you on the trails!
~Rita V.
WAYNE
Schultheis
Greetings from Wayne County. We are excited to get this trail season underway. With the opening of Mohican’s equestrian trails on March 31, we hope to see you on the trails at our Tuesday rides. Tuesday rides begin April 1 at 5:30 p.m. Please be prompt. The ride time will alternate from 5:30 p.m. to noon with no organized ride on any fifth Tuesday of the month. All riders of any age and experience level are welcome. We will organize ourselves into groups according to speed and experience if needed. The rideout time is important for the evening rides, especially in the early spring and fall as we will be working with less daylight. We had 19 rides with an average
of seven riders per ride in 2024. Hope you can join us in 2025. If this year is half as much fun and productive it will be a very busy trail season. All together we had 9,101 total trail mileage and 1,788 total saddle hours. Carol Martin was recognized by the club with a special award from our chapter. She was a charter member of the Wayne County OHC and has been a solid, enthusiastic advocate for our chapter for more than 50 years. It was good to see Steve Wickersham win the most increase in miles award as he spent most of 2023 incapacitated from surgery. It was great to see him back in the saddle in 2024. Trail work has already begun at Mohican. Thanks to Marline Smalley who walked almost all the horse trails in her quest to hike 100 miles this winter. She scouted out the places that need immediate attention and we will begin that work soon.
Our youth members were busy in 2024 as well. Brianna Ramsier, Julia Westover and Taran Tate were all members of the Jr. Fair Board in their respective counties. They all did well showing their animals. Denver Aumiller’s first year in 4-H went well and she and her
SUBSCRIBE
horse Cheesecake won several ribbons and trophies at the Knox County Fair. We sponsored trophies for three equine classes at the Wayne County Fair. We want to continue to wish Nancy Strayer a speedy recovery. She recently underwent heart surgery. We hope she enjoys a speedy and complete recovery and is out on the trails with Bugs again very soon.
Our first campout is May 5-11 at Hungry Horse East in Ivanhoe, Virginia. There are a few campsites still available. The camp owner assures me that the posted trail closings are very unlikely to happen due to some issues with the company that was supposed to be conducting logging operations on one of the trails. If you want to get an early start to the camping season at a beautiful camp with great accommodations, join as a primary or secondary member if you haven’t already and make your reservations. The camp host for this ride is Susan Baker. If you decide to join us, please contact her so we can look for your rig and keep you in the loop on any other plans.
Happy trails to you.~Susan Baker
WOOD
April showers bring...the beginning of camping season! Several members are heading to Farmlane Campground in Jackson County, Mich., April 23-27. As always, all are welcome to join us; get your reservations in and join the fun.
During the February monthly meeting, Barb revealed that our trail maintenance and work hours were totaled by the state as being worth $85,000! Whew! We really worked hard this year, and it definitely shows at our home park of Van Buren State Park.
President Jon Meyers stated that the dam has been cut a bit lower, and the lake and river are draining nicely. Time will tell where a good crossing location will reveal itself. It is a goal for our chapter to eliminate having to utilize the road as soon as possible.
The state has delivered the promised $3,000 to Van Buren. We are looking at possible dates during the summer to complete the work on the White Trail.
March’s chapter meeting was also our annual awards program. The following members were honored with high miles: Dawn Gomez, 717; Jo Saam, 653; Matt
Junior members honored were Olivia Saam and Savanah Ley. 200 mile plaques were awarded to Cindy Overmyer, Tina McGinn, Debra McDonald, Barb Oberhaus, and Bonita Lowry. 500 mile plaques were awarded to Cindy Overmyer, Juliann Flage, Deta Miller and Jo Saam. 1200 mile plaques were awarded to Matt Saam and Becky Steingass. 1,500mile plaques were awarded to Elaine Bennett and Dawn Gomez. A 5,000-mile Park and Forest patch was awarded to Dawn Gomez. The total reported miles by Wood County chapter members were 7,068 with 29 members reporting. Congratulations to all the recipients!
Monthly meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at Mi Tequila’s in Fostoria, Ohio, at 6:30 p.m. Please join us for food and fun. Stay safe and on the right side of the saddle. ~Juliann Flage
