Amateur Horseman’s show about family, fun, horses
PROSPECT — The Pennsylvania Amateur Horseman’s Association’s show this past weekend at the Big Butler Fairgrounds featured 250 people riding their horses in various disciplines to win money, points, ribbons or to just ride for fun.
The show was the fourth of the association’s eight annual open shows for members and nonmembers in youth, adult and master classes.
“It’s about family, fun and riding horses,” said association president T.J. McConahy, of New Castle.
Association members had the opportunity to compete for points. Awards are presented at a ceremony at the end of the year. Nonmembers participate for fun and to help them decide if they want to join, he said. Any breed of horse can ridden. Judges are hired from outside of the association to select the winners.
“We’re all here for the same reason — to have some fun and show some horses,” said McConahy, who has been involved with the association for 27 years.
Riders came from Butler, Clarion, Venango, Mercer, Lawrence and Beaver counties for the show. At least 10 people have joined the association in the last couple months, he said.
“We’re gaining numbers,” McConahy said. “That makes it nice.’
There are 41 riding competitions requiring horse and rider to demonstrate various skills, but some, like the walk, trot egg and spoon, are meant to let the young riders have fun. In that contest, youth had to carry an egg in a spoon while following a judge’s instructions to walk, trot, stop and turn their horses. The rider who holds on to his or her egg the longest wins.
“We try to cater to the kids. They’re the future,” McConahy said.
Young riders received reminders and tips from Deb Fleeger, association treasurer, when they and their horses rode past her. Fleeger taught many of the youth to ride at her farm, Hard Luck Farm in Clintonville, Venango County.
She said a third to half of the youth at the show take lessons or keep their horses at her farm.
“Keep you heels down,” she told several young equestrians.
Laura Leonard, of Hilliards, watched her daughters, Alexis Kirshner, 13, and Brinn Kirschner, 12, who take riding lessons from Fleeger, participate in their second show.
She said she also leases the horses her daughters ride. Alexis rides Breeze and Brinn rides Max. She said the girls “clicked” with those horses.
“They connect with Deb. She’s a good teacher,” Leonard said.
She said her daughters never rode horses before they started taking lessons in August.
“Now they’re addicted,” Leonard said.
She said her daugthers aren’t the only ones gaining knowledge on horses and riding disciplines.
“I’ve learned a lot in the last year,” she said.
