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
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
Kelley Bitter, Rob and Tanya Corzatt
Eversole, Terry Myers, Sarah Vas Guest: Juliet M.
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.
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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
Ride In Sync
Good Equipment Makes the Difference
by Terry Myers
Like most professionals, I have definite opinions regarding the tools of my trade. I have been riding and training horses for a living for over 50 years and have learned a thing or two in that time about what I like in the tack I use. So many people who are new to the horse world go out and buy cheap tack. For just a little bit more money, they could buy good tack that will help with their riding, last longer and hold value. Based on what I have seen
in clinics over the years, I would like to take this opportunity to share some tack tips.
I like a nylon halter that you don’t need three hands in order to put it on your horse because it’s so flimsy. I like a halter that is substantial enough to hold its shape when you put it on your horse, one with a good heavy buckle and a heavy snap at the cheek. By the way, always buckle it with the snap facing the cheek and not facing out where it could get hooked on something. A good heavy halter is double thickness, I want to know that when I tie a horse, they will stay there. I do not use break away halters, they can teach a horse that if they pull hard enough, they can break loose. If you have a horse that panics and pulls, consult a professional about behavior modification, rather than reinforcing the behavior. Your basic barn lead rope need to be 8 feet long. I hate short lead ropes. I also prefer one that is made of rope that will not be as likely to burn your hand if the horse pulls back. As a side note: I do not leave a halter on a horse in their
stall or turned out, for safety reasons. Also, every stall door has a halter and lead rope on it, for quick access, again for safety. For ground work/training, I use rope halters. I like a halter that has evenly placed, well tied knots. To tell if a halter is made well, look at it from the side; from the throat latch to the nose it should form a square. If you are going to use a rope training halter, learn how to tie it properly. Take the top piece (that comes over the poll) down through the loop and around the loop, not above the loop, with the loose end pointing to the back of the horse (see pictures). For training ropes, I prefer a heavy double braid rope, 5/8 to 3/4 inch in diameter, 14-foot-long with a good heavy snap. A rope this heavy sends a clearer signal to your horse. It is also long enough to get the job done, but not so long that you get caught up in it.
As for lunge lines, I like a nice rope (again double braid) line half inch, about 22 feet long made of a fiber with little nylon that can burn your hand. I hate flimsy single thickness nylon lunge lines with cheap snaps. If your lunge line has a hand loop on the end, cut it. Never loop it around your hand, for your safety.
For my bridle headstalls, I used good harness leather brow band headstalls for all my snaffle bridles. All my bridles have latigo ties. I do not like chicago screws because they can come unscrewed while you are riding. Been there, done that! A wellmade headstall will last a very long time. I have some in my tack room that are 25 years old and in great shape (and it’s not because I clean my tack often!).
A well-made headstall will cost $40 to $80, but if it lasts 25 years, it well worth the price. Last but not least, there are the bridle reins. I have very definite
thoughts on reins. I prefer 8 foot reins made of harness leather, but 7 foot reins will work for smaller horses. As for weight, I absolutely hate ‘wet noodle’ reins. These are reins that are so flimsy, I might as well be riding with the reins that are on the mechanical horse at the Meijer grocery store. My reins are heavier on the ends to provide a better feel and sends a clearer signal to your horse. In my clinics, when I have someone riding in cheap reins and I put one of my bridles on their horse, they can’t believe the difference. Good reins will cost about $45$100. This may seem a high price, but remember, reins are your communication line with your horse, plus good reins last forever!
If you plan on being a horse person for the long run, then buy equipment that will last for the long run. As well, good tools always made any job easier. The info in this article are my opinions, based on my experience. And opinions are like noses, everyone has one! One final thing to remember… horses don’t make mistakes, people do. If you try to keep this philosophy in the forefront of your mind when working with your horse, you will be a more effective partner.
Questions about this or any of our articles can be emailed to us at myers5000@aol.com.
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.
Rope halter fit and how to tie.
Western Reserve Carriage Association
Zoar Drive, July 4 Weekend Show
PRESIDENT, Cathy Rhoades
VICE PRESIDENT, Michele Steven
TREASURER, Ann Petersen
SECRETARY, Cathy Rhoades
WEBSITE, Westernreservecarriage.com
by Barb King
As June provided us with a variety of changing weather, early June was cooler than normal. Then, just as we were enjoying this and driving our horses regularly, we had some thunderstorms midmonth. This brought some wind damage and some flooding in Ohio. Personally, we had a large, older tree split apart and come down across our drive and hitting the house. Fortunately, broken windows and some minor damage to the house was all we sustained. Once we got that cleaned up, the heat hit us like a freight train. It was too hot to drive during the day, so some opted to drive early evening. Fans were put up in the barn and horses who didn’t have
shade in their pastures stayed in with their fans.
The club participated in the annual Zoar, Ohio, drive. The village of Zoar was home to a communal society of German religious dissenters. It is a beautiful village with several restored Zoarite buildings and businesses with a big public garden to enjoy. We generally bring our horses and carriages and drive through the village after a nice potluck lunch. We only had two turnouts this year. JoAnn Murr and Cathy Rhoades brought their ponies and the residents enjoyed the carriages.
Nancy Rebman, Michele and Tim Steven as well as the organizer, Ann Petersen attended.
On the July 4th weekend, member Stacey Giere organized another great weekend show at the Medina County Fairgrounds. Guest judge and clinician, Madeleine Augustsson, as well as Stacey Giere, gave lessons on Friday. A Fix-A-Test dressage test was on Saturday. This involves driving the test and then having the judge critique the test afterwards. Then you drive it again, trying to implement the improvements. It’s a great tool to learn from our mistakes
and improve our performance in dressage! A very hot, but breezy day ended with shopping at Equine Essential and dinner at Paninis. Sunday, the CT (combined test, consisting of dressage and a cones course) was completed during rain and thunderstorms, but all had a smile in spite of the weather. Our next club outing will be at Carlisle Reservation in Lagrange, Ohio, on Saturday, August 1. Come join us for a potluck and driving!
More Shows Added to Schedule
PRESIDENT, Roger Fritch
VICE PRESIDENTS, Marc Beck, Cinda Bame
SECRETARY, Jeremy Reed
TREASURER, Eric Haudenschield WEBSITE, www.owha.org
Welcome Corral readers! Hopefully, you are finding time to enjoy the sunshine and your equine friends this summer.
The Ohio Western Horse Association met on July 9 in Kenton, Ohio. At the meeting, we discussed the recent show
in Marion, Ohio. We saw some really big classes happen and were excited to see some new memberships coming in. We are looking forward to seeing them this season as well as the new faces that will join us later.
More shows are being added to our schedule as well as banquet plans to celebrate the many victories our members are finding with their horses this summer.
If you want to know more about Ohio Western Horse Association check out our Facebook page or email us at ohiowesternhorseassociation@ gmail.com. Ride on!
It’s crazy to think that our summer show season is coming to an end! This year we tried something new with two-day shows, added jumping classes, tried 3D style for our contesting, and a few other fun things throughout our shows. We would love to hear your feedback. Geauga Horse and Pony Association (GHPA) is always looking for ways to improve our shows, we want to hear about the things you loved, the things maybe you didn’t like so much, and perhaps some things you’d like to see happen at our shows with classes or format. Be on the lookout for some polls and questionnaires! Your feedback is very important to us!
Next up will be the Great Geauga County Fair! The theme will be ‘United We Show.’ There will be a mandatory meeting for all members attending. Please watch the Facebook page and emails for a confirmed date. Cleanup and decoration day will
be August 29. Be sure to stop by and visit all of our youth members at the fair!
Our youth groups Saddles and Spurs, and Tails and Trails are working together to host more educational clinics. Saddles and Spurs is working on heading up a trip to the Kentucky Horse Park, and have invited the Tails and Trails group to join them.
If you are interested in joining one of our youth clubs, please reach out to Kelli Burns (kelliburns86@ gmail.com), Frank Muellnar (f-muellner@sbcglobal.net) or Jaimie Olson (jaimiesutter230@ gmail.com).
Please join us at our monthly meetings on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Geauga County Fairgrounds in the pavillion near the East Show Ring (weather permitting).
Stay connected! Visit our website (ghpa.us) and follow us on Facebook for the latest updates and announcements.
Geauga Horse and Pony Association thanks Big Dee’s Tack for their generous support of our organization through their Bonus Buck’s program. We also thank Schneiders Saddlery for their donations for our gifts at our shows. We greatly appreciate all these wonderful companies provide for our organization. Be sure to check out their Facebook pages for awesome deals and seminars coming up.
Ohio Foundation Quarter Horse Association Love Seeing New Faces at Our Shows
PRESIDENT, Donnie Uffner
VICE PRESIDENT, Justin Miller
TREASURER, Kris Geiger
SECRETARY, Charlotte Miller
PHONE, 740/877-7993
EMAIL, ofqhashows@gmail.com
WEBSITE, http://ohfqha.com
by Charlotte Miller
The summer is flying by. We have had many new faces join us at our shows, along with our past members. It has been exciting to see how everyone has improved and hear about their successes. The same encouragement and laughter has been shared like always. This is what makes our shows what they are.
Unfortunately our July show had to be canceled due to the heat and the safety of the animals and competitors. With that our youth weekend had to be pushed to August. We started off the weekend with some fun games and laughter shared by all. Even the adults got in on the fun as well. On Saturday, during the show, we recognized our amazing youth members and they received their swag bags. We love seeing more and more youth come out and show! We also had our herd roping jackpot which brought lots of fun and new faces to the roping classes.
We have one final special event of the year, which is our freestyle reining. This takes place on Friday night, August 28. Exhibitors will have a
costume and music to go along with their costume. They make up their own reign pattern, which has to be four minutes or less. You don’t need a reining horse to participate! It is a super fun night for all and more information can be found on our Facebook page or website (ohfqha.com).
Our Jackpot rail has continued to be a great success, with more being paid out each show. We hope to continue to have a great final show of the year and to continue to see a few new faces come out!
Fun at the 2026 OQHA Mountain Trail Competition
Jordyn Jones (9 years old) and her new horse Louie at the 2026 Ohio Quarter Horse Association (OQHA) Mountain Trail Competition held June 17-21 at Creekside Horse Park in Waynesburg, Ohio. This was Louie’s first OQHA Mountain Trail competition.
Jones and Cora Finley at the OQHA Mountain Trail competition.
Jordyn
Knox County Horse Park
September at the Knox County Horse Park
PRESIDENT, Lauren Smith VICE PRESIDENT, Travis Ross SECRETARY, Madisyn Weekley TREASURER, Pam Niner PHONE, 740/398-5366 (call or text) WEBSITE, knoxcountyhorsepark.mypixieset.com
by Lauren Smith
September has a few exciting things up its sleeve!
Our fifth High Point Show of the season will take place on Saturday, September 19, and the competition is heating up! With only a couple of shows remaining, the High Point standings are incredibly close. Every class counts, don’t miss your chance to earn valuable points toward those year-end awards.
RIDE FOR A GREAT CAUSE—POKER RUN
On September 26, we’ll be hosting our second Poker Run of the season. This year’s fall ride will benefit New Directions, helping provide both monetary donations and much-needed supplies for individuals and families throughout Knox County who are taking the next safe step toward a better future.
Be sure to visit the Knox County Horse Park Facebook page to view the New Directions wish list and see the items currently needed most.
Can’t participate in the Poker Run but still want to help? We’d love to accept your donations!
Volunteers will be at the Knox County Horse Park on September 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to collect monetary donations and wish list items.
Together, we can make a difference for members of our community who need it most.
BEHIND THE SCENES: THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
While our exhibitors, volunteers, and events often take center stage, many local businesses work behind the scenes to help keep the Knox County Horse Park running smoothly. We’d like to recognize these outstanding supporters:
Congratulations to our safety-first award winner at June’s show. Allyssa Pierce received a Wendy’s gift card for putting safety first during her riding time.
Sims On-Site Sanitation for keeping our portable restrooms clean, stocked, and ready for every event.
Lowe’s for their continued donations and generous support of park improvements.
Trophies Unlimited for creating beautiful awards, signs, and ribbons, even when we’re working with tight deadlines!
Page One for providing fast, professional printing services that help us advertise all our events.
Holmes Rental for supplying the equipment we need to maintain and improve our campgrounds and trails.
These businesses may work behind the scenes, but their generosity has a tremendous impact on the success of our events and the experience of everyone who visits the Knox County Horse Park.
To each of these supporters— thank you for believing in our mission and helping us provide a welcoming, safe, and wellmaintained facility for our horse community.
IMPORTANT DATES
AUGUST 1: Cowboy Challenge
AUGUST 11: KCHP monthly meeting, 7 p.m.
AUGUST 22: High Point Show, start times 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. SEPTEMBER 26: Poker Run
ALL HORSE PARADE — 40th ANNIVERSARY
September
13, 2026 at 3 p.m.
in Delaware, Ohio
The All-Horse Parade Committee invites you to participate in the 40TH ANNIVERSARY of the ALL HORSE PARADE. We are recognized as one of the largest and most unique, non-motorized parades east of the Mississippi. We have thousands of spectators in attendance, and our Horse and Band Parade is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate our community pride. Our Horse Parade has many Units, including hundreds of horses, mules, donkeys, and bands parading through our town.
PARADE IS FREE TO ENTER • SIMPLY MAIL YOUR FORM IN!
Contact Person:
Address:
Phone:
Approx. Number in Your Group?
Entry Name:
City, State, Zip:
Email:
Approx. Number of Years in Parade:
ARE YOU A NEW ENTRY TO THE PARADE? IF YES, WE NEED A PHOTO OF YOUR ENTRY DOES YOUR ENTRY HAVE ANY MINIS OR DONKEYS, IF YES HOW MANY? __________ DOES YOUR ENTRY HAVE ANY PEOPLE WALKING/LEADING, IF YES HOW MANY? __________ DO YOU HAVE ROOM FOR EXTRA VIP/ TV PEOPLE, IF YES, HOW MANY? __________ PLEASE PROVIDE DESCRIPTION OF YOUR ENTRY SO YOU RECEIVE PROPER RECOGNITION FROM PARADE REVIEW STANDS.
**INSURANCE WAIVER MUST BE SIGNED BEFORE ENTRY CAN BE ACCEPTED.** In consideration of the acceptance of this entry to the All Horse Parade, the Group/ Organization/ Individual named as “Entry” and as authorized by all participants in this entry or their legal representatives, agrees and understands that the All Horse Parade including any of its agents, officials, employees and/or property owned and/or used by “Entry” including but not limited to vehicles, equipment, and horses in connection with the All Horse Parade. Adult parents or guardians of minor children participating hereby agree to indemnify the All Horse Parade, its agents, officials, employees and volunteers from any claim made by said parents of minor children for injuries they might receive herein. **ALL RIDERS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD MUST WEAR HELMETS (4-H Rules). **
GROUP REPRESENTED, PRINTED
SIGNATURE OF INDIVIDUAL IN CHARGE or Parent if Minor DATE
We are a CIRCLE PARADE that begins and ends at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. You can always dress in your favorite Red, White & Blue apparel and you are encouraged to dress your horse as may be appropriate. The Line-Up Position and Parking Position will be mailed out around Labor Day. The information in the packet is sent to the CONTACT PERSON and is for ALL PARTICIPANTS. It is the responsibility of the CONTACT PERSON to make the ENTIRE GROUP aware of the RULES. Please make sure to get your ALL HORSE PARADE T-SHIRTS. T-Shirts are available for Purchase on Parade Day at the Fairgrounds. We accept cash or checks only for T-shirts. Checks are payable to ALL HORSE PARADE T-SHIRTS.
Get Ready —The OPHC Amateur Club Show is About to Explode with Fun!
PRESIDENT, Tim Snapp
VICE PRESIDENT, Mark Peterson
TREASURER, Jill Davis
SECRETARY, Heather Collins
WEBSITE, www.ophc.org
By the time you’re reading this, we’ll have already powered
through four of our five Ohio Paint Horse Club (OPHC) shows, and now we’re charging full-speed into the grand finale of the season —the OPHC Amateur Club Show! It may be the last show on the OPHC schedule, but trust us… it’s absolutely packed with prizes, energy, and the kind of fun that makes this club legendary.
The Ohio Amateur Club along with their co-host, The
Kentucky Paint Horse Club, has once again gone all-out — securing incredible sponsors, piling on the prizes, bringing in top-tier judges, and creating an atmosphere that guarantees this show will end our season with a bang.
Just like last year, we’re taking over the Champions Center outside covered arena, and we’re bringing back All Breed classes, money added classes, and the full lineup of APHA classes. Circle those dates: September 12–13. This is a four judge show, and the lineup is amazing! Stephanie McConnell, Mark Smith, Randy Alderson, Jennifer Gross. Sponsor Power-Up: Look at this lineup! There’s still time to donate or become a sponsor — reach out to Fred Borer at fborer22@gmail.com to join the fun!
Gold Sponsors—Bringing the Heat: R.G. Smith Company (Thad and Sarah Rusmisel), donation; High Point Sponsors: Dawn and Jeff Katz; Miguel Aguilar, product for High Point Amateurs; Tribute Superior Equine, Constant Comfort Paste; Schneiders, surprise product giveaways throughout the show; Peterson Show Horses (Mark and Jen Peterson), DAC product giveaways.
Silver Sponsors—Fueling the Fun: Tammy and Bill Meeks, custom piece by Bill Meeks for every High Point winner; Rusty
Miller, High Point sponsor; Sandy and Rick Vondenhuevel, Leadline goodies; Mill Stone Paints (Sue and Keith Johnson), Saturday morning doughnuts and coffee; Marie Ternes, Sunday morning doughnuts and coffee; Snapp Show Stock (Tim and Cindy Snapp), show banner; Boot Cinch (Heather and Mark Hembree), $100 All Breed class sponsorship; Deb Shroeder, $100 All Breed class sponsorship; Silver Trace Farm, LLC, $100 All Breed class sponsorship; Pulse Body Works PEMF Therapy (Ellie McGarry), $100 All Breed class sponsorship; Lisa Alley, RCC (Really Cool Chick), $100 All Breed class sponsorship; Calland Performance Horses (Camden and Tori Calland), $100 All Breed class sponsorship. Special Awards: Pee Wee High Point, custom neck ribbon; All High Point winners, Tribute Constant Comfort Paste.
Amateur
President Sue Johnson returning to the show pen in June.
President and Vice President sponsoring the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Show.
Ohio Paint Horse Club
by Robert Eversole
Every mohair cinch clinic starts the same. People arrive carrying all sorts of life experiences. I’ve had doctors, engineers, attorneys, and people with more degrees than I can count sit down at the looms. They’re smart people who’ve spent their lives becoming very good at difficult things. Then I hand them a hank of mohair, and suddenly, we’re all beginners again.
To be fair, some people have a natural knack. Their hands seem to understand fiber and knots more quickly than others. I wasn’t one of those people. But after teaching a lot of people, I’ve become convinced there’s only one way to get good at making cinches. You have to make a lot of cinches.
My mentor, Ed Haefliger, used to say, “You need to build more cinches.” It’s simple advice, but it isn’t always easy to accept.
The Beginner Again
People who are used to being good at things often become frustrated when their first diamond pattern looks no better than the one woven by the person sitting next to them. Sometimes it looks worse. They’re used to competence following them through life and expect it to show up at the loom as well. Unfortunately, mohair isn’t impressed by your résumé. The loom doesn’t care what letters appear after your name. The knots ask the same question of everyone: Are you willing to be a beginner?
When someone gets frustrated, I usually start asking questions. Did you mark the center? Did you follow the sequence we just practiced? The end product usually tells the truth. A step was skipped. Something wasn’t done quite the way it was demonstrated.
How someone responds to that moment often determines whether they’re willing to learn.
You can’t buy a new tool to get yourself out of those weeds. You can’t say, “But I have a PhD,” and have the knots suddenly behave differently.
At some point, every beginner has to admit something uncomfortable. “I stink at this.” Fortunately, being bad at something is the first step toward becoming good at it.
Books can help. That’s one reason I wrote, “It’s a Cinch!” a book can tell you where your hands should go and explain how a knot is formed. But eventually, the instructions have to leave the page and make their way into your fingers. With some students, I’ve literally taken their hands and guided them through a knot so they could feel what right felt like. That’s uncomfortable for some people because they’re accustomed to being the person with answers rather than the person asking questions.
But there are certain kinds of learning that can’t be downloaded. Some things have to be uploaded through your fingers.
those conversations. But at the loom, sometimes words become obstacles. Words are clumsy tools for describing something your hands need to feel.
Eventually, there comes a point where there’s nothing left for words to explain. You simply have to weave another row, tie another knot, and build another cinch.
The way forward is, I’m afraid, to go full Buddhism and set down your sense of self. You have to become a child on the first day of school and do exactly what you’re told. Tie the knot this way. Hold the cord this way. Little by little, your hands begin matching the movements to the results. The knots become familiar. Eventually, you realize you aren’t consciously following instructions anymore.
You’re weaving.
I’ve changed the way I teach because of this. Somewhere along the line I realized people weren’t struggling because they lacked information. They were struggling because they hadn’t yet developed the feel. I used to think my job was to give people as much information as possible. I wanted to tell them everything I knew about looms, knots, mohair, mules, and the history behind all of it. Now I know a little better. The books, magazines, YouTube videos, and internet rabbit holes are largely self-directed. At the loom, students usually do well with remarkably little instruction.
“Watch this.” “Try again.”
“May I make a suggestion?”
“That’s it.”
I’m happy to talk about the finer points of weaving around a campfire. I very much enjoy
And maybe that’s one of the great gifts of learning. Whether we’re weaving a cinch, trying to understand a mule, or simply trying to grow into a better version of ourselves, it occasionally invites us to become children again. To listen carefully. To follow directions. To make mistakes without embarrassment. To be beginners. And to discover that competence still grows the same way it always has. Little by little, one repetition at a time.
For more thoughts on trail riding, horse camping, and caring for the horses and mules that carry us into wild places, visit www.TrailMeister.com, home to the world’s largest guide to horse trails and camps. You can also find my books on Amazon.
If you want the deeper dive, thinking through trail safety, preparation, and decisionmaking from A to Z, my books are available through Amazon and on the site: The ABCs of Trail Riding and Horse Camping, It’s a Cinch!, and Daily Wisdom from the Saddle. They’re not about shortcuts or silver bullets. They’re about what works, lessons learned the hard way, and the long view that only comes from miles in the saddle. Same work. Just written down for when you need a reminder.
Lake Erie Mounted Vaqueros
PRESIDENT, Mike Sheets
VICE PRESIDENT, John Truman
TREASURER, Jessica Sheets
SECRETARY, Christy Pellegrino
EMAIL, nvirzi@yahoo.com
WEBSITE, www.lakeerievaqueros.net
by Nancy Virzi (Go Forward Virzi)
The first shoot of the season under new officers is done and everything went well. It looks like it should be a good season. We have a food truck on site during the shoot with great food. We welcome an audience.
Results from the shoot:
SATURDAY
OVERALL OVERALL AND OVERALL
COWGIRL, Audrey McHugh
RESERVE COWGIRL, Carla Durnell
OVERALL COWBOY, Mike Sheets
RESERVE COWBOY, Sylvio Pellegrino
OVERALL SENIOR COWBOY AND RESERVE OVERALL COWBOY, Ron Kiko
RES. SR COWBOY, RALPH SOEHNLEN
OVERALL SENIOR COWGIRL, Lisa Jones
First Shoot Went Well
RESERVE OVERALL SENIOR COWGIRL, Nola Haupert-Keill
Colleen Kelly, SM 1 Christopher Little, SM4 Duane Joyner, SM5 Barry Larson, SM6 Ralph Soehnlen.
Thank you to our great sponsors: Big Ds Tack and Vet Supplies, Kiko Meats, Garrett’s Guns, and Jefferson Mill.
Winners!
Audrey McHugh
Farrier Friendly
Making Shoeing Safer for your Farrier
by Bryan Farcus MA, CJF
A Foundation First
According to reports released by most human safety and health organizations, notably the US National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) and the National Coroner’s Statistics Agency of the UK and Australia, approximately 20 individuals per year are killed and countless more are injured, while engaging in horse-related activities. It has been suggested in various surveys conducted in the US in recent years that the horse has made the top 10 list of most deadly animals for several years running.
This statistic should be concerning and hopefully an eye-opener for those who may enter into the task of dealing with horses without any real preparation for their safety and those around them. As a practicing farrier, I have witnessed firsthand the danger and permanent damage that can occur to both horse and human when a horse owner chooses not to be safety conscious. When it comes to the shoeing of horses, heeding all the warning signs to avoid a “wreck” while your farrier is attempting to shoe a horse is literally a matter of life and death. For your farrier, a safe shoeing experience is a necessity, not a luxury.
Of the many horse-related occupations, it has been suggested that farriers are equal to or at least rank a close second to what most consider being the most dangerous equine occupation—a jockey. In my experience, I have found that most injuries to a farrier are a result of a failed attempt to shoe untrained horses. In this situation, untrained pertains to the lack of preparation by the owner to help the horse become farrier-friendly. Horses can lack that part of their training regardless of age or discipline, I routinely meet horses that
may be great at their “day job” (trail/ cow work/ jumping, etc.) but lack the foundation training necessary to be a safe and trustworthy shoeing partner.
Choose a Technique Over Quick Tactics
It is vital that everyone dealing with a horse begin to understand horse logic. I’m not suggesting anything cute like becoming one with the horse, or becoming psychic. In fact, I’m suggesting something quite simple, just become more aware of your surroundings and begin reading some basic body expressions/reactions that your horse may send your way. Whether your horse is young or old, you can enhance your communication with him by practicing a training method that emphasizes leadership exercises. In the long run, you will find that any true and lasting communication between you and your horse will develop through a Spot/Direction/Motivator cue system, rather than a Bribe/Bait/&Switch approach.
Ready or Not?
One question you may have already faced or eventually will, is whether your horse is ready for shoes? It is a given that most people prefer a farrier that is courteous to them and kind to their horse, but no farrier can be that farrier without your help.
Here are a few things you can do ahead of time, long before you call upon a farrier, to build a good foundation:
• A respectful horse is a happier horse…be a leader. Practice having your horse “turn and face” you each time you enter stalls/turn-out areas.
• Practice halter leading…be able to move his nose/hips/ and shoulders, with a leadline and training stick, rather than shoving him around with your bare hands (pushing and shoving won’t be safe or helpful to you while the farrier is trying to work).
• Practice lowering you horse’s head and relaxing him at his poll. This will help with focus and rebalancing of his stance.
After establishing the above as a routine for you and your horse, now you are ready to test your horse’s readiness for shoes. The following five parts make-up what I refer to as the Farrier-Friendly Readiness Test™:
The Steering Test: Can you move him around with a Hind end first approach? Should be comfortable with the use of a crop or stick to help guide hindquarters.
The Flexibility Test: Is he willing to give you his nose? Bend and flex head and neck to each side? and lower his head to relax the poll?. This will help him focus and become more balanced in general.
The Touch Test: Is your horse comfortable with touching and rubbing of his entire leg from top down? Also, ok with a stick or rope touching legs?
The Tap Test: Can you tap his hoof capsule with your stick or crop to simulate the pounding sound? Getting use to the noise of shoeing is important.
The 3-LeggedBalance Test: Will your horse offer up his foot before
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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”. For more information please visit: www.farrierfriendly.com
For some informative videos on this topic and many others, tune into: The Farrier Friendly Network channel on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/@ thefarrier-friendlynetwork3912 or scan the QR code.
Ohio High School Rodeo Association
Congratulations to the Junior High National Team
NATIONAL DIRECTOR, Nikki McCarty
PRESIDENT, Ryan Ashbaugh
SECRETARY, Deborah Richards
PHONE, 317/319-5197
WEBSITE, www.ohiohighschoolrodeo.org
by Haydn Daniels Student Vice President
Junior High National Finals have come to an end. Our Ohio kids head home from Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, with new friends, big accomplishments and many memories!
Our Junior High worked hard all season long for the opportunity to compete. A huge congratulations to Kyrah Knight, sixth in the Pole Bending, first go round and to the following short go qualifiers: Mason Long, Junior High Barback Riding; Brody Crass, Team Roping; Cooper Rickly, Team Roping; Trent Hendrick, Tie-Down Roping.
We would also like to acknowledge the new 2026-2027 National Junior High President, Brayden Pontius!
Q&A SPOTLIGHT
I caught up with fellow athletes to get a firsthand look at their time at Nationals and their 20252026 Rodeo season!
Q: What was your favorite memory from Nationals?
A: “My favorite memory was when I got elected for president.”
A: “My favorite memory from Nationals was meeting so many people from different states and it was exciting to be there and make memories with my friends and family while doing something I enjoy.”
Q: What is your favorite part about rodeo?
A: “My favorite part of rodeo is meeting new people, my friends, and the late nights.”
A: “My favorite part about rodeo is getting to compete in the events I love and seeing my hard work pay off. It feels good to achieve goals, win buckles and earn awards, but I also enjoy the memories I make and the people I meet along the way.”
Want to be a part of our team?
High School/Junior High Rodeo is a great opportunity to make new friends, get involved and learn more about what you
Farrier Friendly
love. Visit our website, www. ohiohighschoolrodeo.org, or check out our Facebook page: Ohio High School and Junior High Rodeo Association. Membership sign up for the 2026-2027 season opened on July 1.
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you actually try to lift and pull it off the ground? If not… begin by using a Light-Footed posture approach. No “tug of war” or “dead lifting a live horse”!
Don’t Get in Over Your Head
I urge you to seek the help of a qualified trainer at any point you may feel uncomfortable working on any exercise with your horse. Remember by nature, horses at times can be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous. It’s important that we not feel like a failure if we find ourselves in a situation where we need help. Being able to ask for help when
necessary is a sure sign of a strong leader and never that of a weak one.
I urge each of you to make a commitment to making the shoeing of your horse as safe as possible—your horse and your farrier will be forever grateful!
REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDING READING:
• UC Santa Barbara Dept. of Geography, www.geog.ucsb.edu/ forget-sharks
• US Consumer Product Safety Commission, www.cpsc.gov
• The Sydney Morning Herald, www. smh.com.au
2026 Junior High National Team
Brayden Pontius, National Jr. High President from Ohio.
2026 Short Go Team Ohio: Trent Hedrick, Mason Long, Cooper Rickly, Brody Crass.
2026 Mt. Hope Auction • Mt. Hope, Ohio
MID-OHIO DRAFT HORSE EXPO
October 5-9 in the Event Center
Monday, October 5
11 a.m. - Cataloged Pony Sale
Tuesday, October 6
8 a.m. - Mixed Breed Horses in Beachy Arena
1 p.m. - Special Standardbred Breeder Sale followed by Weanling Yearling Sale, followed by Haflingers
8 a.m. - Cataloged Percheron Sale followed by Cataloged Pulling Bred Belgians
Friday, October 9
8 a.m. - Cataloged Draft Crosses & Belgians followed by Uncataloged Draft Horses in Ring 2 & Crossbreds, Riders & Ponies in Main Ring
$11,000.00
2 yr old Reg PB Belgian, Y Lane Rudy, from Abe E Yoder, Millersburg OH to Matthew Vollmar, Kingston OH
$17,000.00
3 yr Reg Percheron Mare, Horseshoe Acres Ashley, from Raymond E Yoder, Millersburg, OH to Andrew D Weaver, Millersburg OH
$11,000.00 4 yr old Reg PB Belgian stud, Hardy’s Supreme Huck, from Enos Schwartz, Genesee PA to Ben C Shetler, Conewango Valley NY
$34,000.00
6 yr old Reg GRHA Mare, SD Rose N Roses, from Memory Lane Equine, Millersburg OH to Daniel Raber, Dundee OH
$18,000.00
3 yr old Reg Belgian gelding, WR Fire Chips Jay, from Henry N Miller, New Phila OH to Rees Family Belgians, Elk WA
$39,000.00 Yearling Reg Percheron Stud, WB Encore, from Raymond W Miller, Millersburg OH to Leonard Beachy, Mio MI
Yearling Reg Percheron Stud, LAM Willow’s Ace, from Leroy A Miller, Millersburg OH to Monroe R Yoder, Fredericksburg OH Catalog will be online www.mthopeauction.com Unloading tack, field equipment, and carriages on Monday & Tuesday, October 5 and 6 - 8 am to 6 pm
$30,000.00
2 yr old Reg Standardbred Mare, Queen of Class, from Emanuel J Yoder, Mt Vernon OH to Andrew R Miller, Emlenton PA
$17,000.00 5 yr old PB Belgian gelding from Raymond R Hershberger, Lakeville OH to Andrew Schwartz, Sligo PA
$35,000.00
$24,000.00
4 yr old Reg Friesian/Pony Stud, Little Rocket Man, from Nelson R Yoder, Middlefield OH to Daniel Burkholder, Middlefield OH
View From the Cheap Seats
My Iron Gut and Other Gastronomical Mysteries
by Sarah Vas
Let’s talk nutrition. Not the forage and grain conversation. Our own nutrition. Or lack thereof. It’s a wonder most equestrians don’t have diabetes, stunted growth, and a digestive system like a third world sewer system. I absolutely do not relate wholesome food and healthy diets to my equine experiences and I have a dismal relationship with food to this day from a lifetime of eating like a stray dog. If there was ever a strenuous sport that should encourage healthy eating, it’s equestrian sports, am I right?!
My earliest horse show food memories were shaped at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. Ignorant to child abduction or trafficking, it was standard policy for my parents to set me loose on the show grounds upon our arrival. I’m talking 6, 7, 8 years old. My mother would hand me $20 and tell me to make it last the whole
weekend. That bought a lot of popcorn, soft serve, and nacho bowls back in the 70s and 80s. I stretched my money by trolling the show office candy bowls and the exhibitor party buffets. As long as I was in the back seat of my parents’ truck when they hauled out on Sunday, I was on my own like some sticky-faced street urchin.
The summers of my 12th and 13th years, I packed a suitcase and lived full time with an old family friend of my parents; a chain-smoking, hard-nosed woman running her professional operation out of a sprawling 42-stall facility. I was free labor. Slept under horse coolers on hay bales in the tack room at more shows than I remember, and worked harder than I ever had before or since for nothing more than food and fun. Grocery shopping was not high on her priority list.
How To Get a Horse Kid Washed Up For Dinner...
She subsisted on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, diet cola, and countless sacks of takeout burgers and fries. Thus, so did I. That and hose water. Best two summers of my young life. I was never good at feeding myself at shows. Fortunately, my mom’s love language is food. She was the horse show’s selfappointed Feeder of the Masses. Mom always packed more grub than we could eat, and she never asked if you were hungry. She’d just shove food in your hand like a cuisine roulette. Maybe it was fresh carrot sticks or bundles of grapes. But more times than not, you got the questionable egg salad sandwich she’d trawled from the depths of her waterlogged cooler fishbowl. We never mastered the mysterious art of replenishing the cooler ice faster than it could melt. How I didn’t come down with dysentery, I will never know. Once, my dear friend asked me to help her out at a driving event. I agreed even though I knew the accommodations were gonna be rough by my standards; dry camping inside the same bare bones stock trailer that we would haul two Haflingers and a weekend’s worth of gear 5 hours away to Hoosier, Indiana. It was well after dark when we pulled in but I refused to bunk down for the night before hosing out the trailer. But by the last day, I was totally indoctrinated into the squatter lifestyle. I was making myself a sandwich from our makeshift commissary when a sizable moth dove sideways into my freshly squeezed mayo ribbons. I paused, white bread slice in hand, then shouted a disgruntled expletive. My cohorts saw it, too. And then I flicked the poor sucker out of my mayo and ate the sandwich anyway. Somewhere there’s photo evidence of the moth clinging to life on my sandwich… Fade to countless summer days spent hauling lesson kids
to local horse shows. Our menu options improved exponentially based on how many moms came along to help out. One mom in particular had a habit of bringing cans of Hawaiian Punch. Now, I had never before purchased Hawaiian Punch for myself, not for any particular reason so much as it was just not on my radar. Frankly, that stuff was the rich kids’ Kool-Aid to me. Growing up, we barely had sugar to mix into whatever off brand drink mix we could afford. But here I was, discovering my affection for Hawaiian Punch, almost too much if you catch my drift. I could pound a full can of that rocket-red, indulgent beverage in one crack like a frat boy at a college kegger.
And there were the RV years when it sounded like a great idea to buy a piece of junk camper for big horse shows. Again, were it not for mom somehow wrangling up three squares a day out of that raggedy galley kitchen and mini fridge, none of our teenage riders nor my own young son would have stayed alive on the road with me. We had such a huge client group in tow for one year’s week-long championship, we had to pitch a tent outside the RV just to hold a secondary fridge and food pantry overflow. Of course, that was the year it
S Please turn to page 30
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.
Sarah Vas
Dusty Boots Riding Club
PRESIDENT, Holly Carr
1st VICE PRESIDENT, Dana Johnson
TREASURER, Donna Rohrer
SECRETARY, Harley Buckley
EMAIL, dustyboots@dustybootsridingclub.com
WEBSITE, dustybootsridingclub.com
by Sarah Fabian
Our June shows have put our showmanship ring center stage with our scholarship class and our generation gap showmanship classes and we couldn’t be prouder.
Each year, N.E.O.H.A. hosts a Scholarship Showmanship Class in memory of local horseman Dan Borelli Sr. The winner receives $500 scholarship to the college of their choice. This year’s recipient is Kylie Olsen and she earned it! Kylie is a senior at Trumbull Career and Technical Center in Champion, Ohio, in the Pre-Nursing twoyear program. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and has earned perfect attendance throughout her time at TCTC. That same dedication shows in the arena. Hard work with her horse, Zoey ‘So Capable,’ paid off with the scholarship showmanship win. Kylie’s consistency, work ethic, and heart show up both at TCTC and in the show pen. Congrats Kylie on the grades, the perfect attendance, the scholarship, and the bright future ahead! Kylie plans to continue her education at Kent State Trumbull Campus in the fall of 2027, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. We’re so proud to have you representing our club! In addition to the Scholarship
Show Year is Going Great
Showmanship, our Generation Gap Showmanship class has also been a highlight this year, bringing together exhibitors of all ages to celebrate the skills and sportsmanship that make our club strong.
Generation Gap Showmanship is sponsored by Darlene Morrison in memory of Deluxe Little Lena. Every year Darlene Morrison sponsors this class to honor Lena—a true ‘diamond in the rough’ who became much more than a show horse. Lena won at Region Four Quarter Horse, the Quarter Horse Congress, and open shows, but her most important job was as a babysitter and teacher. She started Darlene’s granddaughters in riding and showing, and brought joy to kids with her kind heart and common sense. Even through battles with cancer and many setbacks, Lena stayed sweet and loved being in the show pen.
This year’s generation gap class had a great showing with 18 participants with Makayla and Kylie Olsen winning the class with So Capable. Lydia and Maebree Fabian took second with Certainly Born to Lope. Placing third was Addison Ashcraft and
Brooklyn Blakemore with Live for the Applause. Fourth was Riley Edwards and Maverick Buchanan with Winsome the VZ Way. Grace Klar and Invitation to Strut placed fifth. What a great class, we would like to thank all of our participants for
attending this year and keeping Lena’s legacy and the love of showmanship alive!
We would also like to thank Big Dees for their dedication to our club. You don’t go unnoticed— thank you!
View From the Cheap Seats
Continued from page 28
rained 11 inches in nine days. That was also the year we woke up one morning to a teenager’s dirty pair of socks on the stove top. Insert eye roll here then pass the pancakes. My first bout of morning sickness happened at a county fair. My lesson kids were riding their 4H classes and I was just five weeks pregnant. Surely, I could handle hanging out rail side for the day but little did I know that greasy fries, hand
shaken lemonade, and kettle corn could taste so bad the second time around. And then, there was the Ashland County Fairgrounds diner manned by lovely church ladies serving sliced pie, potato salad, and made-to-order burgers. After several years of faithful consumption, I finally got the nerve to compliment the church lady chefs on the best homemade mac-n-cheese I’ve ever tasted. One church lady looked at me with pity and said, ‘Honey, that’s from Stouffer’s.’
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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. Please “Call before you haul”.
AUGUST 2026
AUG. 1 — Cowboy Trail Challenge, 10 a.m., Knox County Horse Park, 7500 Thayer Rd., Mt. Vernon, OH. Lauren Smith, 740-3985366, FMI: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/420822485270892
AUG. 1 — Ohio Foundation Quarter Horse Association Ranch Horse Show, 9 a.m., Guernsey Co. Fairgrounds, 335 Old National Rd., Lore City, OH. FMI: ofqhashows@ gmail.com, www.ohfqha.com
AUG. 1 — Newcomerstown Saddle Club, Inc. Contest Fun Show, 4 p.m., Sunset Arena, 6274 Kings Ridge Rd., Newcomerstown, OH. FMI: Richard Gano, 740-498-8931
AUG. 1 — Rough Riders Saddle Club Show, 5 p.m., Jim Everman Horse Park, Garrison, KY. FMI: (606) 202-0945, https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61558040019297
AUG. 1-2 — Geauga Horse & Pony Association Open 2-Day Horse Show, 8 a.m., Geauga County Fairgrounds, Burton, OH. FMI: www.ghpa.us
AUG. 2 — Wayne County Saddle Club Fun Show, 12 p.m., The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: Rachel Adamson, 419-606-9712, https:// waynecountysaddleclub.com/
AUG. 2 — Lasso The Moon Pleasure Show Series, 8 a.m., Auglaize County Fairgrounds, Wapakoneta, OH. FMI: Pam, 419-733-1119, https://www.facebook. com/profile.php?id=100064919254590
AUG. 6 — Holland Western Speed Series, 6 p.m., Holland Western Horse Park, 3856 61st St., Holland, MI. FMI: https://www. facebook.com/HollandWesternHorsePark
AUG. 7 — Wayne County Saddle Club Friday Night Fun Show Buckle Series, 6:30 p.m., The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: Leanne, 330-844-4041, https://waynecountysaddleclub.com/
AUG. 7 — Portage County Equine Show Committee Friday Night Open Contesting Show, Portage County Randolph Fairgrounds, 4215 Fairground Rd., Randolph, OH. FMI: Renee, 330647-8738, https://www.facebook.com/ groups/591592654515570
AUG. 7 — Bluegrass Saddle Club, 365 W. 1st St., Shephersville, KY. FMI: 859-588-8156, www.facebook.com/bluegrasssaddleclub
AUG. 7-8 — Golden Summer Classic Mini Show/Contesting (7th) & Buckle Series (8th), Lawrence County Fairgrounds, 11261 US Highway 50W, Bedford, IN. FMI: Savannah Golden, 812-277-6441
AUG. 7-9 — Ohio Ranch Horse Association, Henderson’s Arena, 800 Van Fossan Rd., Jackson, OH. FMI: Andy Paston, 740-8173848, ohioranchhorseassociation.com
AUG. 7-9 — Miami County Horse Association 4th Annual 5 Rides to the Prize, 650 N. Co. Rd. 25A, Troy, OH. FMI: miamicountyhorseassociation@gmail.com, https://www.facebook.com/MCHA4H
AUG. 7-9 — Extreme Mountain Trail Beginner Clinic with Kelly Chapman (7th) & Extreme Mountain Trail/Premier Mountain Trail Challenge (8-9th), Holland Western Horse Park, 3856 61st St., Holland, MI. FMI: www.hollandwestern.com
AUG. 8 — Wayne County Saddle Open Club Contest Show, The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: Jamie Carlisle, 330-933-3741, https:// waynecountysaddleclub.com/
AUG. 8 — Lasso The Moon Friday Night Speed Show Series, Auglaize County Fairgrounds, Wapakoneta, OH. FMI: Pam Feathers, 419-733-1119, https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100064919254590
AUG. 8 — Ohio Standardbreds & Friends Open Horse Show, Pickaway County Fairgrounds, 415 Lancaster Pike, Circleville, OH. FMI: 740-207-0852, dschiff@ roadrunner.com, https://www.facebook. com/profile.php?id=100057305596235
AUG. 8 — 2D Arena Barrels & Poles Show, 6 p.m., 39300 Mechanicsburg Rd., Woodsfield, OH. FMI: 740-516-3580, https://www.facebook.com/2DArenaLLC
AUG. 8 — Horse Sale, Mt. Hope Event Center, 8076 SR 241, Millersburg, OH. FMI: 330-674-6188, www.mthopeauction.com
AUG. 8 — Casino Classic All Breed Horse Sale, Oak Grove, 777 Winners Way, Oak Grove, KY. FMI: Scotty Nicks, 502-6646561, casinoclassichorse@gmail.com
AUG. 8 — NBHA KY 03, NPBA, Hometown Barrel Squad Show, Grayson County Saddle Club Show, 4783 Shrewsbury Rd., Leitchfield, KY. FMI: gcsaddleclub@gmail.com
AUG. 8 — Wranglers Riding Club Show, 3 p.m., 3385 KY-80 E., Murray, KY. FMI: 270227-8649, wranglersmurray.wixsite.com/ wranglers
AUG. 8 — L&B Knox County Horse Show, Legion Field, 6 p.m., 250 Pitzer Street, Barbourville, KY. FMI: Larry Brown, 606546-2092
AUG. 8 — Open Pleasure Show Series, Holland Western Horse Park, 3856 61st St., Holland, MI. FMI: https://www.facebook. com/HollandWesternHorsePark
AUG. 8-9 — Northern Ohio Outlaws Cowboy Mounted Shooting, Wayne County Fairgrounds, 199 Vanover St., Wooster, OH. FMI: www.nooutlaws.com
AUG. 8-9 — Ashland Paint & Plain Saddle Club Show, Ashland County Fairgrounds, 2042 Claremont Ave., Ashland, OH. FMI: www.ashlandpaintandplain.com
AUG. 8-9 — Michigan Paint Horse Club Summer of Color, Muskegon County Fairgrounds, Muskegon, MI. FMI: 616-6109326, bribri1402@gmail.com, http://www. miphc.com/
AUG. 9 — Massillon Saddle Club Pleasure Show, 10 a.m., 12680 Sally St., Massillon OH. FMI: Alyssa, 330-844-6465, https:// www.facebook.com/MassillonSaddleClub
AUG. 9 — Angels Haven Horse Rescue Fun Show, 9 a.m., Carlisle Equestrian Center, 13630 Nickle Plate Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, OH. FMI: 440-781-5060, www. facebook.com/Angels.Haven.Horse/ AUG. 9 — Indiana Miniature Equine Club Show, 10 a.m., Hendricks County Fairgrounds, Danville, IN. FMI: Joyse, 317727-5153, www.imecnews.com
AUG. 14 — Horse Sale, Sugarcreek Stockyards, 102 Buckeye St., Sugarcreek, OH. FMI: 330-831-1720, www.facebook. com/sugarcreekstockyards
AUG. 14 — Friday Nights Lights, Hoppel’s Arena, 40891 SR 518, Lisbon, OH. FMI: 330-424-2051, https://www.facebook.com/ HoppelsArena
AUG. 14-15 — OAATS Detroit Horse Power, Kensington Metro Park, 4570 Huron River Pkwy., Milford, MI. FMI: Amy, 606-638-4852, arabsrun@lycommonline.com, oaats.org
AUG. 14-16 — Lake Erie Feathered Splash Horse Show, Lake Erie College Equestrian Center, 10145 Pinecrest Rd., Painesville, OH. FMI: https://www.facebook.com/ profile.php?id=61580466572240
AUG. 15 — Wayne County Saddle Club Open Pleasure Show, 1 p.m., The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: Angel Bonewitz, 330-465-8386, https:// waynecountysaddleclub.com/
AUG. 15 — WHAO Summer Classic & Ohio Regional Futurity, Ashland County Fairgrounds, 2042 Claremont Ave., Ashland, OH. FMI: Courtney Stockmaster, 419-271-2025, ohiowalkers@gmail.com
AUG. 15 — Obstacle Clinic, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Timber Ridge Stables, 13401 River Road, Milan, OH. FMI: Kim Veenstra, 810923-4964, confidenthorse.com
AUG. 15 — Gibsonburg Saddle Club Speed Show, 961 N. Main St., Gibsonburg, OH. FMI: 419-351-9716, gibsonburgsaddleclub.org
AUG. 15 — Summer Sizzler Fun Show (10 a.m.) and Open Barrel and Contest Show (1 p.m.), Blue Lakes Farm, 14037 Auburn Rd., Newbury, OH. FMI: 440-564-7303
AUG. 15 — Ohio Valley Team Penning Association Sorting, Treharnes Training Center, 49053 Fredricktown/Clarkson Rd., Negley, OH. FMI: John May, 814-387-3265
AUG. 15 — Newcomerstown Saddle Club, Inc. Contest Fun Show, 4 p.m., Sunset Arena, 6274 Kings Ridge Rd., Newcomerstown, OH. FMI: 740-498-8931
AUG. 15 — IBRA Show, Triple R Arena, 3813 State Route 274 E Rushsylvania, OH. FMI: Karly, 937-935-1420
AUG. 15 — Ranch Horse Show Series, 8:30 a.m., Holland Western Horse Park, 3856 61st St., Holland, MI. FMI: https://www. facebook.com/HollandWesternHorsePark
AUG. 15 — Davis Ranch Open Show, 385 East US Hwy. 150, Hardinsburg, IN. FMI: David Davis, 812-620-5707, dave@ daviddavishorsemanship.com
AUG. 15 — Ramblen Farm Open Shows, 9 a.m., Kentucky Cowtown Arena, Williamstown, KY. FMI: https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61584240691888
AUG. 16 — Massillon Saddle Club Pleasure Show, 10 a.m., 12680 Sally St., Massillon OH. FMI: Alyssa, 330-844-6465, https:// www.facebook.com/MassillonSaddleClub
AUGUST 16 — Valley Riders Saddle Club Open Horse Show, Johnson County Fairgrounds, Franklin, IN. FMI: Stephanie, 317-313-1445, www.valleyriders.com
Hit the trails for a fun day of riding, clues, prizes, and adventure!
Gather cards along the route, find hidden items and enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly day at Creekside Horse Park.
With the fun on the trails. The Mt Trail course will also be open to play on.
Trail ride will take approx. 1.5 hours to complete.
Awards announced at lunch
9 am start, last in by noon
Enjoy a fun lunch for the Creekside year end party!
~ Food Starts at 12 noon ~
Meal ticket is a raffle item per person. No extra cost.
Bring any type of item for the Raffles.
Enjoy a fun party for the end of the season!
Loads of raffle items you won’t want to miss out on!
Bring your friends and anyone else you can round up!
All welcome just for lunch.
While enjoying all the fun, be sure to stop in and pick up year end awards for the Creekside season.
Every participant for the Mt Trail season earns awards (when participating in 5 or more events)
Corral Calendar
Continued from page 34
AUG. 21-23 — Mid-Ohio Marauders Cowboy Mounted Shooting, Madison County Fairgrounds, 205 Elm St., London, OH. FMI: 740-206-7214, www. midohiomarauders.com
AUG. 21-22 — Barry County Under The Lights Speed Series & Open Pleasure Series, Barry County Fairgrounds, 1350 M-37, Hastings, MI. FMI: 616-206-9774
AUG. 21-22 — Bluegrass Saddle Club, 365 W. 1st St., Shephersville, KY. FMI: www. facebook.com/bluegrasssaddleclub
AUG. 22 — KCHP High Point Show (Contesting/Ranch), 9:30 a.m., Knox County Horse Park, 7500 Thayer Rd., Mt. Vernon, OH. FMI: Lauren Smith, 740398-5366, https://www.facebook.com/ groups/420822485270892
AUG. 22 — Wayne County Saddle Club Open Contest Show, The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: Jamie Carlisle, 330-933-3741, https:// waynecountysaddleclub.com/
AUG. 22 — Open Horse Show sponsored by Fairfield County OHC, 9 a.m., Crazy Woman Ranch Indoor Arena, Lancaster, OH. FMI: Liz McGrady, 614-254-2225
AUG. 22 — Hocking Hills Saddle Club Horse Show, Hocking County Fairgrounds Outdoor Arena, Logan, OH. FMI: 740-6032073, Hchorseshow@gmail.com
AUG. 22 — School Pony Auction, 5 p.m., Danville Auctions LLC, 15780 Body Rd., Danville, OH. FMI: 740-599-6607, https:// facebook.com/GoatAuction
AUG. 22 — Henry County Saddle Club Show, Henry County Fairgrounds, 1700 Castlye Hwy., Eminence, KY. FMI: Jackie, 502-595-7141
AUG. 22-23 — Dusty Boots Riding Club Open Pleasure Show, 8 a.m., Ashtabula County Fairgrounds, Jefferson, OH. FMI: Holly Carr, 440-858-7912, https://www. facebook.com/DustyBootsRidingClub
AUG. 22-23 — Ottawa County Horse Foundation Points On The Portage Circuit #4 (Performance/22nd, Speed/23rd), Ottawa County Fairgrounds, 7870 W. State Route 163, Oak Harbor, OH. FMI: ochf.net
AUG. 22-23 — Valley City Saddle Club 2026 Summer Series, 9 a.m., Medina County Fairgrounds (Route 42 Entrance), 720 W. Smith Rd., Medina, OH. FMI: Kristina Phillips, 440-334-6434
AUG. 22-23 — Butler County Saddle Horse Association 2-Day Relaxed Horse Show, 9 a.m., Preble County Fairgrounds, Eaton, OH. FMI: bcsaddlehorse.com
AUG. 22-23 — Buckskin Horse Association of Michigan Show, Shiawassee County Fairgrounds, 2900 E. Hibbard Rd., Corunna, MI. FMI: michiganbuckskin.org
AUG. 23 — Massillon Saddle Club Contesting Show, 10 a.m., 12680 Sally St., Massillon OH. FMI: 330-844-4041, https:// www.facebook.com/MassillonSaddleClub
AUG. 28 — Lasso The Moon Friday Night Speed Show Series, 6 p.m., Auglaize County Fairgrounds, Wapakoneta, OH. FMI: Pam Feathers, 419-733-1119, https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100064919254590
AUG. 28-30 — Lake Erie Mounted Vaqueros Good Ride Cowboy, Ashtabula County Fairgrounds, 107 Poplar St., Jefferson, OH. FMI: 440-645-9455, LEMV4545@gmail. com, lakeeriemountedvaqueros.net
AUG. 28-30 — Refining The Partnership: 3-Day Horsemanship Clinic, Meredith State Stables, 16817 Meredith State Rd. Barn #5, Sunbury, OH. FMI: Kaylie, 989-395-8904, kaylieeaves@gmail.com
AUG. 29 — Ohio Foundation Quarter Horse Assoc. Ranch Horse Show, 9 a.m., Guernsey County Fairgrounds, 335 Old National Rd., Lore City, OH. FMI: ofqhashows@gmail. com, www.ohfqha.com
AUG. 29 — Lasso The Moon Pleasure Show Series, 9 a.m., Auglaize County Fairgrounds, Wapakoneta, OH. FMI: Pam, 419-733-1119, https://www.facebook. com/profile.php?id=100064919254590
AUG. 29 — The Mane Event Open Show Series, Madison County Fairgrounds, 205 Elm St., London, OH. FMI: jdshowhorses@ yahoo.com, jdshowhorses.com
AUG. 29 — Allen County Horse Council Speed Show, 1 p.m., Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, OH. FMI: Heather, 419236-2402, https://www.facebook.com/ profile.php?id=61579052577534
AUG. 29 — Elk River Boots & Saddle Club Open All Breed Show, Winfield Riding Club, 5449 State Route 34, Winfield, WV. FMI: 304-541-6399, https://www.facebook. com/ElkRiverBootsandSaddleClub
SEPT. 5 — IBRA Show, Triple R Arena, 3813 State Route 274 E Rushsylvania, OH. FMI: Karly, 937-935-1420
SEPT. 5 — Rough Riders Saddle Club Show, 5 p.m., Jim Everman Horse Park, Garrison, KY. FMI: (606) 202-0945, https://www.facebook. com/profile.php?id=61558040019297
SEPT. 5-6 — Mid Ohio Dressage Association East Meets West, Brave Horse, 1029 South County Line Rd., Johnstown, OH. FMI: midohiodressage@gmail.com, midohiodressage.com
SEPT. 5-6 — South Eastern Ohio Horse Show Organization Pleasure Show, 4028 Fairgrounds Rd., Croton, OH. FMI:614-2033153, seohso2023@gmail.com
AUG. 29 — Michigan Throwback Open Horse Show, 9 a.m., Mason County Fairgrounds, 5302 US-10, Ludington, MI. FMI: Carla Truman, 231-920-1091
AUG. 29-30 — Northern Ohio Saddle Club Show, Medina County Fairgrounds, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, OH. FMI: northernohiosaddleclub@gmail.com, https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61587236287836
AUG. 29-30 — Mounted Shooting Clinic with Elizabeth Clavette, Ohio Horse Park, 400 Bobcat Lane, Franklin Furnace, OH. FMI: 859-339-9000, dmehlhorn78@gmail. com, www.doubleeperformancehorse.com
AUG. 29-30 — Lower Michigan Horse Association Horse Show, Ingham County Fairgrounds, 700 E. Ash St., Mason, MI. FMI: lmhastalls@gmail.com, www. facebook.com/LMHAHorseShows
SEPTEMBER 2026
SEPT. 3-7 — Fairfield County OHC Annual Labor Day State Ride, Scioto Trail State Forest, Chillicothe, OH. FMI: cstreite@ gmail.com, https://ffohc.com
SEPT. 4-5 — 2026 American Haflinger Registry Sport Futurity, Ashland County Fairgrounds, 2042 Claremont Ave., Ashland, OH. FMI: 330-784-0000, secretary@ haflingerhorse.com, haflingerhorse.com
SEPT. 4-6 — Miami County Horse Association 4th Annual 5 Rides to the Prize, 650 N. Co. Rd. 25A, Troy, OH. FMI: https:// www.facebook.com/MCHA4H
SEPT. 4-7 — OHC State Trail Ride hosted by Fairfield County, Scioto Trails State Forest, Chillicothe, OH. FMI: Chris Streitenberger, 740-703-7740, ohconline.com
SEPT. 5 — Wayne County Saddle Club Team Barrel Race, The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: 330-844-4041, https:// waynecountysaddleclub.com/
SEPT 11-12 — Delaware Co. OHC Autumn at Alum Trail Ride, Alum Creek State Park Horsemen’s Campground, 5591 Howard Road, Delaware, OH. FMI: https://www. facebook.com/groups/183153625056030
SEPT. 11-13 — Central West Virginia Mule & Donkey Show, Holly Gray Park, Sutton, WV. FMI: Darrel & Karen Shaffer, 304-864-0526, wvcentralmule@gmail.com, https://www. facebook.com/WVMuleandDonkeyShow
SEPT. 12 — Lasso The Moon Pleasure Show Series, 9 a.m., Auglaize County Fairgrounds, Wapakoneta, OH. FMI: Pam, 419-733-1119, https://www.facebook. com/profile.php?id=100064919254590
SEPT. 12 — Erie County OHC Poker Ride, 9 a.m., Edison Woods MetroPark, Berlin Heights, OH. FMI: https://www.facebook. com/profile.php?id=100064262456397
SEPT. 12 — Lake Erie College Fall Open Show, 8 a.m., Lake Erie College Equestrian Center, 10145 Pinecrest Road, Painesville, OH. FMI: Kelsea, 330-749-5853, kminks@lec.edu, lec.edu/events/equine-experience-day
SEPT. 12 — Horse Sale, Mt. Hope Event Center, 8076 SR 241, Millersburg, OH. FMI: 330-674-6188, www.mthopeauction.com
SEPT. 12 — Ohio Valley Team Penning Association Sorting, Treharnes Training Center, 49053 Fredricktown/Clarkson Rd., Negley, OH. FMI: John May, 814-387-3265
January 25 — Indoor March 22 — Indoor
April 19 — Indoor June 6 & 7
July 18 — Double Points
July 19 — PMT Fundraiser Show/Double Points
August 15 & 16
September 12 & 13
January 3 February 7
March 7 — Double Points
April 4
June 13 & 14
July 11 & 12
August 8 & 9 (Double Points 9th)
May 16 & 17 (Clinic 16th)
July 24-26 (Clinic 24th/Double Points 26th)
August 23
September 27
Corral Calendar
SEPT. 12 — 9th Annual Fall Color Run, 10:30 a.m., Hawk Hill Farm, 6815 Olsen Lane, Grayling, MI. FMI: Geri, 989-1193
SEPT. 12-13 — Valley City Saddle Club 2026 Summer Series, 9 a.m., Medina County Fairgrounds (Rt 42 Entrance), 720 W. Smith Rd., Medina, OH. FMI: 440-334-6434
SEPT. 18-20 — Lake Erie Mounted Vaqueros End Of The Trail, Ashtabula County Fairgrounds, 107 Poplar St., Jefferson, OH. FMI: 440-645-9455, LEMV4545@gmail. com, lakeeriemountedvaqueros.net
SEPT. 18-20 — OHC State Trail Ride hosted by Ashland County, Mohican State Forest, Perrysville, OH. FMI: Tim Tuttle, 419-5121216, ohconline.com
SEPT. 19 — Scavenger Hunt/Poker Run/ Trail Ride & Liberty Clinic with Bella Sweigard, Creekside Horse Park, 7369 Mottice Dr. SE, Waynesburg, OH. FMI: 330-323-3559, creeksidehorsepark.com
SEPT. 19 — KCHP High Point Show (Contesting/Ranch), 9:30 a.m., Knox County Horse Park, 7500 Thayer Rd., Mt. Vernon, OH. FMI: 740-398-5366, https://www. facebook.com/groups/420822485270892
SEPT. 19 — Belmont County Saddle Club All Breed Open Horse Show, 41915 National Rd., Belmont, OH. FMI: 740-391-3396
SEPT. 19 — Davis Ranch Open Show, 385 East US Hwy. 150, Hardinsburg, IN. FMI: 812-6205707, dave@daviddavishorsemanship.com
SEPT. 19 — Wranglers Riding Club Show, 3385 KY-80 E., Murray, KY. FMI: 270-227-8649, wranglersmurray.wixsite.com/wranglers
SEPT. 19-20 — Ottawa County Horse Foundation Points On The Portage Circuit #5, Ottawa County Fairgrounds, Oak Harbor, OH. FMI: ochf.net
SEPT. 19-20 — Northern Ohio Saddle Club Show, Medina County Fairgrounds, Medina, OH. FMI: https://www.facebook. com/profile.php?id=61587236287836
SEPT. 19-20 — Minds In Motion—Blending Brain-Centered Horsemanship with Equine Fitness Clinic, Shenanigans Stables, Carrollton, OH. FMI: 814-434-0914 (text), horseofadifferentcolor.org
SEPT. 19-20 — Lower Michigan Horse Association Horse Show, Ingham County Fairgrounds, 700 E. Ash St., Mason, MI. FMI: www.facebook.com/LMHAHorseShows
SEPT. 20 — Wayne County Saddle Club Fun Show, 12 p.m., The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: 419-606-9712, https://waynecountysaddleclub.com/
SEPT. 20 — Angels Haven Horse Rescue Fun Show, 9 a.m., Lewis Riding Ring Show, Cleveland Metroparks, Olmsed Falls, OH. FMI: 440-781-5060, www.facebook.com/ Angels.Haven.Horse/
SEPT. 23-25 — Ty Evans Mulemanship Clinic, Good Evening Ranch, 539 Exotic Dr., Canvas, WV. FMI: 717-512-0615, tsmules.com
SEPT. 24-27 — 20th Annual Tough Enough To Wear Pink Horse Show, Champions Center, 4122 Laybourne Rd., Springfield, OH. FMI: 740-572-7785, info@tetwphs. com, tetwphs.com
SEPT. 24-27 — MI Open Horse Show Championships, Ingham County Fairgrounds, Mason, MI. FMI: mohsc.com
SEPT. 25-27 — OHC State Trail Ride hosted by OHC Northwest Region, Van Buren State Park, Van Buren, OH. FMI: Al Sidell, 419-680-2036, ohconline.com
SEPT. 25-27 — Mid-Ohio Marauders Cowboy Mounted Shooting, Madison County Fairgrounds, London, OH. FMI: 740206-7214, www.midohiomarauders.com
SEPT. 26 — Spur For The Cure Trail Ride, Camp Manatoc, 1075 Truxell Rd., Peninsula, OH. FMI: kgreen@centerracoop. com, www.facebook.com/SpurForTheCure, www.centerracoop.com/spur-for-the-cure/ SEPT. 26 — Poker Run, 10 a.m., Knox County Horse Park, 7500 Thayer Rd., Mt. Vernon, OH. FMI: 740-398-5366, https://www. facebook.com/groups/420822485270892
SEPT. 26 — Wayne Co. Saddle Club Open Contest Show, The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: 330-933-3741, https://waynecountysaddleclub.com/
SEPT. 26 — Central Ohio Carriage Driving Schooling Event, Infirmary Mound Park, Granville, OH. FMI: centraohiocarriagedriving.godaddysites.com
SEPT. 26 — Henry County Saddle Club Show, Henry Co. Fairgrounds, 1700 Castlye Hwy., Eminence, KY. FMI: 502-595-7141
SEPT. 26-27 — Indiana Paint Horse Club Hoosier Harvest APHA POR & All Breed Open Show, Fulton County Equestrian Center, Rochester, IN. FMI: www.facebook. com/groups/inphc
SEPT. 26-27 — Valley Riders Saddle Club Anniversary Open Horse Show, 9 a.m., Johnson County Fairgrounds, Franklin, IN. FMI: 317-313-1445, www.valleyriders.com
SEPT. 25 — Wayne County Saddle Club Friday Night Fun Show Buckle Series, 6:30 p.m., The Hollow, 4200 Overton Rd., Wooster, OH. FMI: 330-844-4041, https:// waynecountysaddleclub.com/
SEPT. 25-26 — Barry County Under The Lights Speed Series & Open Pleasure Series, Barry County Fairgrounds, 1350 M-37, Hastings, MI. FMI: 616-206-9774
SEPT. 27 — South Eastern Ohio Horse Show Organization Contesting Show, 4028 Fairgrounds Rd., Croton, OH. FMI: 614-2033153, seohso2023@gmail.com
Buckeye Equestrian Association Finalizing Rose Watt Clinic
PRESIDENT, Patricia Andio VICE PRESIDENT, Susan Smith-Gordan SECRETARY, Jennifer Milliner TREASURER, William Milliner FACEBOOK, Buckeye Equestrian Association
by Jane Malmsberry
How can this be? They are taking the wheat off! Show season is in full swing. Fourth of July is history! And when it got hot, it really got hot! But what happened to May and June?
As always, Jen and William at Hackamore Farm put on a great mini trial. Everyone had a good time. The weather was good and no injuries!
We are still finalizing our
Rose Watt clinic, stay tuned for details.
We are looking forward to the United Way Polo Cup on August 1 in Austintown. Come support United Way and learn about polo! Oh and be sure to join in on the ‘divot stomping!’
40’x64’x14’ 1-20’x14’ Slide Door 1-3’x6’ Walk-In Door Trusses 4’ O.C. $29,775 Erected
60’x96’x16’ 1-20’x14’ Slide Door 1-24’x16’ Slide Door
Erected
70’x120’x16’ 1-20’x14’ Slide Door 1-24’x16’ Slide Door 1 Walk-In Door Trusses 4’ O.C. $87,500 Erected
Michigan Trail Riders Association, Inc.
Join the MTRA for Our September Criss Cross Ride
PRESIDENT, Dug Jordan
1st VICE PRESIDENT, Jimmy Corlew
SECRETARY, Jan Gould
TREASURER, Cindy Lawrence
WEBSITE, www.mtra.org
EMAIL, mtra.office@gmail.com
PHONE, 989/324-8549
Saddle up and join the Michigan Trail Riders Association (MTRA) for an unforgettable September adventure through the beautiful trails of Northern Michigan! This year’s event is especially meaningful, as it will be our last Criss Cross Ride—for now. If you’ve ever wanted to experience this unique ride, now is the time! Whether you’re looking to complete one section, ride across Michigan, or challenge yourself
with the entire route, there’s an adventure waiting for you.
Trophy Option #1
North to South Spur Ride
Arrive at Stoney Creek Trail Camp on September 5 and ride approximately 207 miles, finishing at Cadillac Trail Camp on September 15. This route covers our North to South Spur Section, taking you through some of Michigan’s finest trail systems while earning your trophy.
Trophy Option #2
Across Michigan
Arrive at Garey Lake Trail Camp on September 16 and begin an incredible cross-state journey. Ride into Lake Michigan on September 17, then travel approximately 238 miles across the state, finishing at Lake Huron on September 27. Few horseback adventures offer the opportunity
to ride from one Great Lake to another!
The Ultimate Challenge
Looking to accomplish something truly extraordinary? Join a handful of dedicated riders and complete both rides for a total of approximately 445 miles! Riders who complete the entire Criss Cross will earn a special trophy recognizing this remarkable achievement. Can’t ride the entire event? No problem! One of the best parts of MTRA rides is their flexibility. Join us for a day, a weekend, several days, or the entire adventure. Ride camp-to-camp or explore the beautiful circle rides available from each camp. No matter how long you ride, you’ll experience some of the best trails Northern Michigan has to offer.
The Michigan Trail Riders
Black Swamp Driving Club Appleseed Days Coming in September
The Black Swamp Driving Club (BSDC) would like to welcome its newest member, Dale Emary of Wakeman, Ohio.
The end of June 27-28 was Cowboy Days in Findlay, Ghost Town. The photo is of Julie with Mack, her Percheron. Mike, the club blacksmith historian, brought a table full of historic tools and useful things that people admired and had to have explained as to their uses. Many
of the items being over 100 years old, had very little in common with today’s tools.
Here are our calendar events for the rest of the year:
SEPTEMBER 12-13: Johnny Appleseed Days at Ghost Town, 10630 County Road 40, Findlay, Ohio. No horses please. Julie will be there giving rides for a fee.
OCTOBER 18 — A drive at Riverbend Recreation Area, 16618 Township Road 208,
Association is more than organized trail rides—it’s a community of horse enthusiasts who share a love of horses, camping, beautiful trails, and lasting friendships. Whether you’re a longtime member or joining us for your first ride, you’ll be welcomed by fellow riders who enjoy the adventure as much as the destination. Registration is now open at mtra.org. As always, participants must be current MTRA members to ride in our organized events. If you’re not already a member, we’d love to have you join us! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this special event and help us celebrate the final MTRA Criss Cross Ride—for now. Challenge yourself, ride with friends old and new, and make memories that will last a lifetime. We can’t wait to see you on the trail this September!
Findlay, Ohio. Potluck at 1 p.m. at the Veteran’s Pavillion across the road from the horse trailer parking. The drive is along the Blanchard River and reservoir featuring a covered bridge as you drive into the park. For those with carriages it is a paved road, for those on horseback the trails are natural. For questions contact Angie Hohenbrink, 419/2741122.
NOVEMBER 14 — BSDC Christmas dinner and auction. Start gathering items and giving
thought to things you could contribute to the auction. Remember with the heat your animals also need to keep hydrated.
We hope all enjoyed the 250 year celebration of America and please don’t forget about what it stands for in the coming election. It is up to each of us to preserve our rights, freedoms and liberties! If we give them away we will never get them back again!
Rare opportunity! Discover this well-established equine facility nestled in a private, picturesque setting on over 7 scenic acres in the heart of Solon. Enjoy direct access to the Metroparks bridle trails — an ideal location for horse lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The property features a spacious 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home with comfortable living spaces and beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Outside, you’ll find a wellequipped barn, indoor arena, and multiple outbuildings with a total of 32 stalls designed to support a variety of
equestrian activities or hobby farm uses. There is well water to the barns, city water to the house. Whether you’re looking to operate a horse boarding business, train, or simply enjoy your own private riding retreat, this exceptional property offers endless possibilities in a serene, convenient location close to city amenities.
Premier Mount N Trail
Still Plenty of Time to Get in the Saddle with PMT
PRESIDENT, Kelly Chapman
VICE PRESIDENT, Carla Kline
SECRETARY, Stephanie Reaves
TREASURER, Susan Croft
EMAIL, premiermountntrail@gmail.com
WEBSITE, www.premiermountntrail.com
by Madison Eshelman
As summer slowly begins to wind down, we are looking forward to making the most of the remaining show season! The warmer days maybe
getting shorter, but there are still plenty of opportunities to get in the saddle, spend time with your horse, and enjoy the Premier Mount N Trail (PMT) community. Our upcoming shows are a great way to finish out the summer strong while creating memories with friends, family, and fellow riders. As we move into August and September, we are excited to continue the show season with several events still ahead. Our next stop is Holland Western Park on August 8–9, followed by Phoenix on Killian on August 15–16. Later in the month,
Wayne County Saddle Club
we’ll head to Kal-Val Saddle Club on August 23. The season continues into September with another Phoenix on Killian show on September 12–13, before wrapping up at Kal-Val Saddle Club on September 27.
The riding season is still in full swing, don’t forget to keep tracking your ride hours for the PMT RIDE Program. Keep enjoying your time in the saddle or doing ground work and working toward your goals!
Whether you’re chasing yearend points, trying a new class, or simply enjoying a weekend with friends and family, we hope
you’ll join us at one or more of these upcoming events. We look forward to seeing everyone in the arena as we continue another fantastic PMT season together!
In June, Wayne County Saddle Club (WCSC) held its first of five contest shows of 2026. Despite the rainy weather, the turnout was strong. Contestants brought their rain jackets and a change of clothes to power throughout the day.
This year, the contest shows have themes. The theme for the June show was ‘Summer in the Saddle’. In support of this theme, there were additional contests held to celebrate summertime. The prize for ‘Best Summer Outfit’ went to Conor Reynolds. The
prize for ‘Most Creative Summer Tack’ was awarded to McKenzie Reynolds. Winning ‘Best Summer Horse,’ was Gema (Andi Paolucci’s horse). The arena was full of bright neon colors and ponies shining with glitter. For the July 18 show, the theme was ‘Happy Birthday, America!’ Riders were encouraged to show off their American spirit by wearing red, white, and blue. Prizes were given for the rider or horse with the ‘Most American Spirit’.
Contest shows start at 10 a.m. with walk/trot classes. Running classes do not start before noon. If the walk/trot classes continue past noon, the running classes immediately follow. In addition to running for points, the contest shows feature 3D Jackpots for barrels and poles with $50 guaranteed, and an additional $50 added if 15 or
Horse with the most summer
more riders enter the class. We do permit rollovers, so one run could potentially win you a lot of money! Lastly, a food vendor is always on site.
Next month, we’ll be sharing some updates on new improvements to the saddle club grounds. Expect photographic evidence! Hope to see you at the Hollow!
spirit.
Won first ribbon! Summer neon color.
The Secret to Healthy Horses — Keep it Simple
by Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.
We all know horses like this. They radiate health. Their muscles are well developed, their coats gleam, their hooves are strong, their digestion is sound, their metabolism works efficiently, and their immune systems seem to shrug off illness. They aren’t merely surviving, they’re thriving.
So, What Makes These Horses Different?
Traditionally, we search for answers by studying disease. We examine overweight horses to understand obesity, horses with laminitis to understand metabolic dysfunction, and horses with digestive disorders to understand gastrointestinal disease. While this research is valuable, it tells us how disease develops, not necessarily how health is created.
Perhaps we should spend more time asking a different question: What do healthy horses experience every day?
The answer is surprisingly simple: Feed for health, not for excess calories.
Obesity is one of the greatest health challenges facing today’s horse. It develops when calorie intake consistently exceeds energy needs, particularly when concentrated feeds are added to an already adequate forage diet.
Excess body fat is far more than a cosmetic issue. Fat tissue produces inflammatory compounds that interfere with normal metabolism, increase stress on joints and hooves, and contribute to insulin dysregulation and laminitis.
Maintaining a healthy body condition begins with respecting the horse’s natural design rather than simply restricting calories.
Never Restrict Forage
Forage is not simply another feed—it is the foundation of the horse’s digestive system. The equine gastrointestinal tract is designed for a continual flow of forage throughout the day and night. When this steady flow is interrupted, digestion becomes compromised and the risk of ulcers, colic, behavioral problems, and even weight gain increases.
confinement or restrictive feeding devices.
Companionship is especially important. Horses are herd animals whose sense of security depends upon the presence of other horses. Living with at least one compatible companion allows them to relax, rest more deeply, and digest their food more efficiently.
Keep Horses Moving
Movement is not simply exercise, it’s a biological necessity. Every system in the horse’s body depends upon regular movement. It stimulates normal intestinal function, strengthens hooves, lubricates joints, maintains muscle, supports circulation, improves insulin sensitivity, and helps regulate body weight.
Don’t forget the basics: provide salt and plenty of clean, fresh water.
Ironically, one of the most common weight-loss strategies, restricting forage, often works against the horse’s biology. In the wild, forage naturally becomes scarce during winter. As part of this seasonal adaptation, horses temporarily become less insulin sensitive, allowing them to conserve body fat until spring forage returns. This ‘winter metabolism’ is a normal survival mechanism and is followed by renewed grazing and increased metabolic activity.
When we repeatedly restrict forage in domesticated horses, we may unintentionally recreate this winter survival signal without providing the natural seasonal reset. Instead of encouraging fat loss, the body shifts toward conserving energy. When this is combined with diets high in sugar and starch, the result can be a metabolism that favors continued fat storage rather than healthy weight regulation.
Reduce Stress Whenever Possible
Stress affects far more than behavior. It influences hormone production, immune function, inflammation, digestion, and metabolism. A chronically stressed horse is more likely to develop ulcers, digestive disturbances, allergies, inflammatory conditions, poor hoof quality, skin problems, obesity, insulin dysregulation, and a diminished ability to fight infection.
Many common management practices create unnecessary stress simply because they prevent horses from living according to their natural instincts. Horses should have continual access to forage, room to move freely, opportunities to socialize, and the ability to make normal choices throughout the day. They should not be forced to wait for forage (hay and/or pasture) according to our schedules or be prevented from expressing natural behavior through unnecessary
Confinement, on the other hand, is physically and mentally stressful. A horse’s natural response to uncertainty is movement, and when that ability is limited, both physical and emotional health suffer. If stall housing is unavoidable, provide as much turnout and voluntary movement as possible every day.
Fill the Nutritional Gaps
Fresh pasture naturally supplies a wide variety of nutrients from different grasses, legumes, edible weeds, shrubs, flowers, and trees. Hay cannot fully duplicate this diversity. Drying and storing forage to produce hay, reduces many nutrients, making supplementation necessary for horses living primarily on hay.
A balanced vitamin and mineral supplement helps replace nutrients lost during hay production. Essential omega-3 fatty acids must be in the diet daily—they reduce inflammation, support hormonal balance, and reinforce a healthy immune function. High-quality protein from a variety of sources supplies the amino acids needed to build and repair tissues, maintain blood proteins, and support every organ system.
Don’t forget the basics: provide salt and plenty of clean, fresh water.
Meet Your Horse’s Changing Needs
As horses age, their nutritional and physical requirements change. Maintaining regular movement helps preserve muscle mass and joint function. Adequate high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and appropriate vitamins and minerals help support aging tissues. Regular dental care becomes increasingly important, and routine blood work can detect changes in liver or kidney function before they become serious.
Older horses also produce less saliva, making it beneficial to moisten their feed and offer meals at ground level to improve chewing and reduce the risk of choking.
Continue Learning
The more you understand how the horse’s body is designed to function, the easier good management becomes. Learning how the digestive system works, why continual forage is essential, how stress affects metabolism, and how nutrition supports every
S
Mid-Ohio Marauders
Mid-Ohio Marauders June Show Down at Sunrise Shoots
PRESIDENT, Tim Calvin
VICE PRESIDENT, Missy DeForest
SECRETARY, Judy Foster
TREASURER, Laurie Maris
PHONE, 740/206-7214
EMAIL, midohiomarauders@gmail.com
WEBSITE, www.midohiomarauders.com
by Scott Zimmerman
SHOW DOWN AT SUNRISE I SATURDAY RESULTS
LIMITED WRANGLER, Aubree Syring
OPEN WRANGLER, Laeken Jester
LIMITED RIFLE, Alex Gornichec
OPEN RIFLE, JD Hughes
LIMITED SHOTGUN, Nicholas Hall
OPEN SHOTGUN, Stacy Thacker
RES. SENIOR COWGIRL, Ann Smith
SENIOR COWGIRL, Renee Calvin
RES. SENIOR COWBOY, JD Hughes
RESERVE COWBOY, Rob Bernhardt
RESERVE COWGIRL, Stacy Thacker
OVERALL COWGIRL, Kennedy Groome
OVERALL OVERALL, Eric Nelson
SHOW DOWN AT SUNRISE II SUNDAY RESULTS:
LIMITED WRANGLER, Aubree Syring
OPEN WRANGLER, Laeken Jester
RES. SENIOR COWGIRL, Amie Cline
SENIOR COWGIRL, Renee Calvin
RES. SENIOR COWBOY, Tim Calvin
RESERVE COWBOY, Eric Nelson
RESERVE COWGIRL, Kierstin Fritsch
OVERALL COWGIRL, Jen Casey
OVERALL OVERALL, Rob Bernhardt
To spice things up a little more for this shoot, the club went with a new jackpot, called Shoot Pony. Overall, the shoot pony jackpot was a success and will be
added to Mid-Ohio Marauders’ shoots for the rest of this season. The club would also like to recognize and thank all of the balloon setters who help make these shoots a success. To learn more about fundraising for your club, visit the balloon setting page at midohiomarauders.com
As always, if you are interested in joining the Mid-Ohio Marauders, the central Ohio club for CMSA, please visit us at Midohiomarauders.com or on Facebook at Mid-Ohio Marauders. See you soon!
REMAINING 2026
SHOOTING SCHEDULE
JULY 31-AUG. 2: MOM Shoot—State Fair
AUG. 21-23: MOM Shoot
SEPT. 18-20: MOM Shoot
OCT. 23-25: MOM Shoot (2026 Year End) 2027 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
APRIL 16-18: MOM Shoot
MAY 7-9: MOM Clinic— Mothers Day
MAY 14-16: MOM Shoot
JUNE 18-20: MOM Shoot
The Secret to Healthy Horses
body system allows you to make decisions that work with your horse’s biology rather than against it.
Keep it Simple
Modern horse care has become increasingly complicated. We often micromanage every aspect of our horses’ lives while overlooking the basic needs that have sustained horses for thousands of years. Fresh air. Clean water. Continual access to forage. Freedom to move. Companionship. Balanced nutrition. These are the foundations of lifelong health. When we stop trying to outsmart nature and instead support the horse’s natural design, remarkable things happen. Healthy weight becomes easier to maintain, digestion improves, the immune system functions more effectively,
JULY 30-AUG. 1: MOM Shoot —State Fair
AUG. 27-29: MOM Shoot
(continued)
and horses enjoy longer, healthier, more comfortable lives.
Sometimes the secret to healthy horses isn’t adding more. It’s getting back to the basics.
Permission to reprint this article commercially is granted, provided prior notice is given to Dr. Getty at gettyequinenutrition@gmail. com. No editorial changes may be made without her approval.
Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. is an internationally respected, independent equine nutritionist who believes that optimizing horse health comes from understanding how the horse’s physiology and instincts determine the correct feeding and nutrition practices. Dr. Getty provides a world of useful information for the horseperson at www. gettyequinenutrition.com.
Here we are almost half way through the shooting season. We celebrated the clubs 20th anniversary on July 11. The silhouettes are back. There were 102 riders signed up and all kinds of things going on. More about our 20th anniversary event next month.
We are thankful to have some great sponsors: Kiko Meats, Custom Conchos and Tack, Triple Crown Nutrition, Bill Hummell/ReMax Edge Realty, Johns’ Custom Embroidery, 3-C Horsemanship School, JMF Photos, Pronghorn Custom Leather, Ruggles Arena, Saltwell Western Store, NOO Pictures (Susan Wise), Healing Hoves and Paws, LLC/HPP Soaps, Amish
Door Inc., Freedom Rein Equine Massage Therapy, Nancy Engle, Straight A’s/Ranchcity.com. Thank you for your continued support!
Mid Ohio Dressage Association
PRESIDENT, Jessica Kuhnash
VICE PRESIDENT, Gina Wowk
SECRETARY, Vicki Sethna
TREASURER, Angela Tewksbury
EMAIL, midohiodressage@gmail.com WEBSITE, www.midohiodressage.org by Joyce Higgins
Gaited Dressage Classes Offered at MODA Shows
by Margot Pontia
On June 20 Mid Ohio Dressage Association (MODA) collaborated with WDAA (Western Dressage Association of America) to host the June Jubilee show located at Home of Joy Farm in Lancaster, Ohio. Susan Posner was our judge for the day, she is a USEF “R” judge as well as licensed in Western Dressage. This particular exhibition showcased tests in classical dressage and western dressage, as well as expanded to include western dressage classes for gaited horses. A gaited dressage class is a specialized equestrian competition where horses perform dressage tests using their breed-specific, smooth four-beat ambling gaits such as the flat walk, fox trot, or tölt (as referred to in the Icelandic language) instead of the traditional two-beat trot. We hope this month’s article will encourage and enlighten other gaited horse enthusiasts
to give dressage a try, knowing that they will be judged fairly and according to their breed’s standards.
A competitor that was a part of this experience in the June Jubilee schooling show was Sigrid Batten and her 8-year-old Missouri fox trotter mare Little Red’s Ruby. Sigrid and Ruby are well known by the trail and pleasure riding community, and are also accomplished drivers. This was the first time this pair had ever entered the dressage ring. They rode an introductory WDAA gaited dressage test and also competed in two Dressage Suitability classes judged on the rail. Sigrid Batten, upon being asked about the show, states, “It was a great experience for both of us and I would encourage
all of my western equestrians and especially the gaited horse riders to try it. Everyone was very welcoming towards us and personally answered all questions that arose”. Sigrid Batten has expressed a large amount of gratitude to everyone who helped put this show in motion at Home of Joy farm. She mentioned, “It was an especially helpful test. The judge seemed very knowledgeable about gaited horses and gave us great feedback which is not the case everywhere. I am really happy that we have found a place in the show world that embraces our gaited horses and makes us
better riders at the same time.” MODA has been working with WDAA to integrate organized dressage tests and AQHAapproved standards with western stock-type horses and their equipment. Over the past few years the club has been trying to bring western dressage more to the forefront of the horse world. Recently that has been taken as a success as many new riders emerge to the MODA schooling shows. More gaited classes will be provided for at the East Meets West schooling show at brave horse. The dates that this will be hosted are September 5 and 6.
The Canter-Halt on the Centerline: The Move That Humbles Us All
by Kelley Bitter
The first time I really blew it on the centerline, I knew it was happening in real time and couldn’t do a thing about it. It was a warm Saturday morning in early October, one of those crisp fall competition days when the air smells like wood shavings and anticipation. My gelding, a flashy half-Arab buckskin named Gunner, was wound tight from the trailer ride and two horses squealing in the warm-up pen. I’d done my prep work. I thought we were ready.
We picked up the canter at A, turned down the centerline, and that’s when everything unraveled. Gunner drifted right off the line before we were two strides in. I tried to straighten him. He swapped behind. I panicked, grabbed the reins. He threw his head up, trotted two steps, and parked himself about a foot left of X with his right hind cocked and his nose in the air like he was offended by the whole situation.
The judge, a kind woman with reading glasses perched halfway down her nose, was already writing. She didn’t look up.
I rode out of that arena with a 4 on that movement and a lesson that has stuck with me ever since: the canter-halt doesn’t lie. It shows everything—your horse’s balance, your own tension, the gaps in your training—all compressed into about six seconds in front of a stranger with a clipboard.
If you’ve been around western dressage long enough, you’ve had your version of that moment. Maybe it’s not as dramatic. Maybe it’s just a halt that keeps landing crooked, or a horse who sneaks in a trot step every single time. Either way, this movement has a way of exposing exactly where the work still needs to happen.
So let’s talk about it honestly.
What the WDAA Judge is Actually Looking For
Here’s something worth understanding before you fix anything: the judge watching your centerline isn’t rooting against you. She has a score sheet in front of her with specific criteria, and she wants to give you good marks. Her job is just to call it as she sees it.
Under WDAA judging standards, the canter-halt is broken down into several distinct elements, each of which carries weight in your final score:
• Quality of the canter. The judge is looking for a balanced, rhythmic, uphill lope—one where your horse carries weight behind rather than leaning on the forehand. Clear three-beat footfalls, energy through the back, and self-carriage. If he’s trucking along on his shoulders coming down the centerline, the halt is already compromised before you ask for it.
• Accuracy and straightness on the centerline. Your horse’s body —from poll to tail—needs to follow the line. Shoulders drifting, quarters swinging, a crooked entry off the corner: all of it counts. Straight means straight, not mostly straight.
• A direct canter-to-halt transition. This one is non-negotiable under WDAA criteria. No trot steps. No walk steps. Canter, then halt. Any footfalls in between are explicitly flagged as a fault, and experienced judges will catch even the subtle ones.
• A square, balanced halt. All four feet placed evenly. No diagonal pair trailing out behind, no hip cocked to the side. The horse should look like he parked with intention, not like he stumbled to a stop.
• Immobility. From the moment he halts until the next aid, he stands still. No shuffling, no stepping back to rebalance, no fidgeting. A horse that moves in the halt is penalized, full stop.
• Submission and attentiveness. The poll should stay at or near the highest point. The horse stays light in the contact and tuned in to the rider—not braced, not curled behind the bit, not checked out. He’s still listening, just standing.
• Overall harmony. The WDAA places real value on the picture you present together—soft aids, a willing horse, a rider who guides rather than hauls. That harmony, or the lack of it, shows up most clearly in transitions. You can’t fake it at X.
Where it Falls Apart
Back to Gunner and me. After that October show, I sat down and went through what had gone wrong. It wasn’t one thing. It was a chain reaction, and that’s almost always the case with this movement. Most of the common faults in the canter-halt connect back to two root causes: the canter isn’t balanced, and the horse isn’t straight. Fix those, and half the problems on the judge’s sheet solve themselves. On the forehand. A horse who’s heavy in front has nowhere to go when you ask for the halt. He can’t sit. He falls forward and scrambles, either trotting out of it or slamming down onto his front legs. The halt is already decided by the quality of the canter—not by what you do at X.
Drifting on entry. Your horse goes where your eyes and seat go. Come off the short side with your eyes wandering or your weight shifted, and he’ll wander too. Most horses also have a preferred direction to fall, and the centerline shows it every time.
Quarters swinging out. This is the evasion move. Rather than engage his hindquarters and carry weight, the horse shoves his hind end sideways. It’s easier for him and it looks like a drift, but what’s really happening is an avoidance of the collection the halt requires. He can’t stop square if he’s crooked.
Trot or walk steps before the halt. When a horse loses balance mid-transition, he grabs for it by stepping through the lower
gaits. It’s a self-preservation instinct. He’s not being naughty, he’s telling you he needed more balance going in.
The abrupt transition. The overcorrection. Riders who’ve been burned by runaway halts sometimes clamp down too hard, and the horse flings his head up, hollows his back, and plants. Square? Maybe. Pretty? Not even close.
The poll drops. A subtler fault, but the judges see it. Once stopped, some horses curl behind the contact and let their poll sink. The topline collapses. It looks like they’ve given up on the conversation.
Stepping back. He stops, but then he rocks back a step or two to find his balance. This reads as a loss of immobility and a clear signal that he stopped on the forehand. He’s trying to rebalance after the fact.
Tension. The wrapper around everything else. A tight, anxious horse braces through the transition and through the halt. The picture looks forced, the movement looks effortful, and the score reflects it.
Gunner was doing at least four of these things that morning in October. I was probably contributing to three of them myself.
Building a Better Halt: Exercises That Actually Help
The temptation after a bad test is to go home and drill the canter-halt until you get it right. Resist that urge. Repeating a bad movement doesn’t fix it, it just engrains the pattern. What works is building the individual skills separately, then stacking them.
Here’s what we worked on, and what I’d recommend to any rider who’s fighting this movement:
1. Start at the Walk (Seriously). Before you ever think about the canter-halt, ask yourself: can your horse halt square and immobile from the walk? Can he do it from the trot? If those aren’t solid, the canter version is wishful thinking.
Work walk-halt transitions until they’re quiet and honest. Use your seat and core first—hands are the backup, not the first ask. Ask, breathe, wait. Let him find square rather than pulling him into a position. Reward the good ones with a moment of stillness, then move on. You’re teaching him what ‘halt’ actually means: sit, stop, and wait.
Once walk-halt is genuinely soft and reliable, move to trot-halt with the same patience and the same principles. This is the foundation. Don’t skip it.
2. Transitions on a Circle. The 20-meter circle is underrated as a training tool for this movement. The bend naturally encourages your horse to engage behind and balance himself, which is exactly the body state you need for a clean halt.
Ride canter to walk, walk to canter, over and over on the circle. Keep them smooth—not abrupt, not rushed. As things improve, tighten the ask: canter, a few steps of walk, back to canter. You’re training him to rock back onto his hindquarters without losing rhythm or balance. That skill, right there, is the foundation of your halt.
The circle also helps with straightness because the bend makes it harder for the quarters to swing out unchecked. Use it.
3. Ride the Centerline Without Halting. This sounds too simple, but it changed everything for me and Gunner. Just ride straight. Walk and trot down the centerline all the way through, focusing entirely on keeping his body aligned from poll to tail. Pick a fixed point at the far end of the arena and lock your eyes on it.
Feel where he wants to drift. If his quarters come right, catch it early with your leg—don’t wait until it’s obvious. If his shoulder falls left, support it. Pay attention to your own body: are your shoulders square? Are your seat bones even? Are you tipping forward? Do this consistently for a few weeks and a straight centerline starts to feel normal instead of nerve-wracking.
4. Canter-Halt on the Long Side First. Once your transitions are balanced and your centerline is straight, put the two together—just not on the centerline yet. Use the long side of the arena. The rail gives you a little help with straightness and takes pressure off both of you. Ride a good, uphill canter, throw in a half-halt or two to prepare, then ask. If you get trot steps, don’t panic. That’s feedback. It means the canter wasn’t balanced enough going in. Adjust, try again. When the halt on the track is consistently clean and square, then take it to the centerline.
The Real Secret
Here’s what I wish someone had told me before that October show: the halt is decided long before you reach X. By the time you’re two
strides from the marker, the outcome is already mostly written. If the canter is balanced, uphill, and straight coming in, the halt tends to land cleanly. If it’s not, no amount of hand in the last stride will save you. The work isn’t at X. The work is every stride before it.
Gunner and I went back to that same show the following spring. The weather was warmer, the horses in the warm-up were just as dramatic, and he was still Gunner—opinionated and occasionally offended by life. But we’d put in the months. We’d done the walkhalts and the circles and the boring straight centerlines at home until they weren’t boring anymore because they were right.
We turned down the centerline, I kept my eyes up and my seat quiet, and he cantered straight and soft and sat right down at X. Four feet square. Still as a painting. The judge looked up. I could see her write something. I didn’t know the number yet, but I knew by the way Gunner stood underneath me that we’d gotten it.
That’s what this movement can feel like when you’ve done the work. It’s worth every early morning, every botched transition in the practice pen, every humbling moment in the ring. Ride a better canter. Keep him straight. Prepare early. Trust the training.
And when the halt lands square and quiet, hold it for just a breath longer than you need to, and enjoy every second of it.
Want to know more? Eagles Nest Equestrian in Ravenna is ready to help you with your riding goals.
Eagles Nest Equestrian in Ravenna, Ohio, is dedicated to helping you build that perfect partnership. We offer monthly clinics specifically designed for Western dressage riders of all levels. Our experienced instructors will help you assess your current foundation, set realistic training goals, and gain the confidence you need to shine in the show ring. Check out our Facebook page for upcoming events and visit our website at eaglesnestequestrian.com to secure your spot in our next clinic. Let us help you and your horse reach your full potential together.
Name of Equine Event
Date/Time of Equine Event
Venue Name of where event will be held
Address of venue
Contact name and phone number
You may include an email and website address also.
TREASURER Margaret Hite 740/407-6986 treasurer@ohconline.com
Greetings From Your President
I know I keep saying this, but the weather has been a mix of good and not-so-good days. Mother Nature is definitely reminding us of who’s in charge when it comes to enjoying the outdoors. Even so, we try to stick to our plans so we don’t let down those who come out to spend time with their horses and friends or help clear the trails. Looking ahead, our calendars are packed with riding, competitions, and trail clearing. Our youth members are busy with county fairs, local camps, and Jr. Ambassador events. Check the next pages for updates from your local county chapter. Just a heads-up: September is packed with state rides. Local
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AUGLAIZE
Hello fellow horsemen and horsewomen! Hopefully you’ve been enjoying these beautiful summer months and the heat. Auglaize County sure is. We are kicking off our fair and the warm weather is an excellent start to this event. We hope it continues to stay a little while longer.
On June 5, we had our first Lasso the Moon series speed show and also invited the Mercer County Special Olympics. The June 6 pleasure show was unfortunately canceled due to weather. However, we hosted our second show on July 24 and 25, which went well and provided the kids some extra practice before the fair. We have another show series on August 2 and 8 if anyone is interested in attending. If you would like to remain informed of any more upcoming shows, you can follow us on our Facebook page: Auglaize County Horsemen’s Council Inc.
In addition, Cheryl Stauhler is an Ohio Horseman’s Council member and is retiring from
county chapters are hosting these events, and you can join for the whole weekend or just a day. It’s a great chance to meet other equestrians, enjoy the trails, and share some delicious potluck meals and entertainment.
SEPTEMBER 4-7: Scioto Trails State Forest, hosted by Fairfield County Chapter OHC. There are 26 miles of multi-use trails winding through forested hills and valleys. The trails are mostly single-track with natural surfaces, featuring some steep climbs and shallow stream crossings.
SEPTEMBER 18-20: Mohican Memorial Forest, hosted by
PRESIDENT Mary Alice Kuhn 330/413-6589 president@ohconline.com
Ashland County Chapter OHC. There are 35 miles of trails weaving through hardwood forests on the south side of the Mohican River. Some trails are wide enough for two or three horses, while others are singletrack. All have natural surfaces, with plenty of long climbs and shallow creek crossings.
SEPTEMBER 25-27: Van Buren State Park, hosted by the Northwest Region chapters. There are 12 miles of trails through a beech and maple forest next to Van Buren Lake. The trails are mostly flat with natural surfaces. There’s also an obstacle course for horses and riders. The Horse Camp was renovated in
VICE PRESIDENT Charlene Santee 740/670-3470 vicepresident@ohconline.com
OHC COUNTY LINES EDITOR Kirstie Seeger 937/974-3345 countylineeditor@ohconline.com
2025, and now many sites have stalls, pads, electricity, water, and grassy, shaded areas.
You need to let the organizer know in advance if you want to join any of the rides. September rides fill up quickly, so reach out soon. You can find more details about each ride on the homepage at ohconline.com.
Let’s fill all the camp spots for our September state rides, no matter what Mother Nature plans. Post pictures of your September activities on the OHC Facebook group page so everyone can see you and your equine enjoying the outdoors. Happy riding!
~Mary Alice Kuhn
showing horses. She has graciously donated all of her saddles, head stalls, bridles, show pads, blankets and more to the Auglaize County youth. We appreciate her donation and know her kind and generous gift will not be forgotten. This
kindness will support various children and young adults in their riding. Thank you, Cheryl!
Overall, we are so blessed for our county and the amazing people in it. Thank you everyone!
~Veronica Mertz
CLARK
“The heat is on, on the street, inside your head, on every hoof beat.” I can’t help but think of that Glen Frey song with these temperatures. All horse chores and riding must be done early or carefully planned around the heat of the day. I recently read an article that was posted about conditioning your horse to work in hot temperatures. This is a quote from the article. “Avoiding the heat doesn’t save your horse when you’re doing those things. I’m not saying to go out there and be dumb about it... What I’m saying is... the best thing you can do for your horse is to prepare them for the heat. Build their body up for living in the heat and working in the heat.”
It got me to thinking maybe I
am babying my horse a little too much and I should be preparing her for these hotter days. I will also admit part of my laziness is for my own comfort. Something to think about.
Clark County had a wonderful spring campout. The weather cooperated for everyone to complete their rides and then it was time for games and conversation. There were lots of prizes distributed and the tallest Jenga structure I have ever seen. It is always a splendid opportunity to reconnect with friends we have not seen throughout the winter. It was also my first experience with hobo stew. Lots of ingredients thrown together to make a delicious stew accompanied by dinner rolls and lots of sides. Of course, dinner is not complete without an array of desserts and if you have a big enough plate, you can sample every scrumptious one. We had guests from Madison, Champagne and Delaware Counties join us this year.
Next up for Buck Creek is our yearly day at the Clark County Fair and helping serve at the booth
Cheryl Stauhler donation.
Cheryl Stauhler
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for the pork producers. We are very grateful for this opportunity. Come ride with Clark County!
~Jonna Ledyard
CLERMONT
Rain, rain, and more rain, then hot! Hot! June and early July have been quiet for us— lots of rain followed by a week of 100°F days, so riding time has been limited. Volunteers have managed to ride and trim roughly halfway around the lake, doing most of the clearing from horseback. When the ground dries, we’ll finish clearing and add gravel on trails around MM 21–25 and work on Harmon Hill. We cancelled our June camp and ride because of the weather; watch our Facebook page for updates and future ride information. Our next scheduled ride is August 2830 at East Fork (Tim Applegate Horseman’s Area).
From Samantha Watkins regarding the Wounded Warrior 2026 ride: To each and every person who contributed to the 2026 6th Annual Wounded Warrior Horseback Ride, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Because of your generosity, support, hard work, donations, time, and presence, this year’s ride was more than just an event. It was a powerful reminder of what a community can accomplish when people come together for a purpose bigger than themselves.
To our riders, volunteers, sponsors, entertainers, vendors, staff, donors, local businesses, and every single person who showed up to support our veterans and wounded warriors, you made a difference. Whether
you donated, shared a post, worked behind the scenes, cooked food, helped organize, sponsored an item, or simply came out to show support, your contribution mattered.
This event would not be possible without the kindness, patriotism, and dedication of so many amazing people. Your support helps honor the sacrifices made by our veterans and reminds them that they are never forgotten.
We are beyond grateful for the love and support shown throughout this year’s ride. The memories made, the smiles shared, and the community spirit felt all weekend long will stay with us forever. Thank you all for an amazing wounded warrior 2026! Rainy, muddy but so much fun and the best one yet. I am waiting on a couple of donations and I have to pay for tumblers but all that being said we will be sending a bank check for $6000 to Wounded Warrior! Thank you all so much.
Thank you for helping make the 2026 Wounded Warrior horseback ride such an incredible success. We are proud, humbled, and truly blessed to have such an amazing community standing beside us. God bless our veterans, our wounded warriors, and every person who helped make this event possible.
Until September, ride safe
~LaWana Bogard
CLINTON
Hello fellow horsemen and horsewomen. Wow, has it been hot! We ended up canceling the Fourth of July campout due to the extreme heat index. Not only would we have suffered, but the horses standing at the hitching posts would have as well. We will continue watching the weather and hope to plan another campout before Labor Day weekend. Be sure to watch Facebook for updates. This 90-plus degree weather has been rough on all of us and our animals. Hopefully, we’ll get a break from the heat soon! As of now, our next scheduled campout is Labor Day weekend at the group camp at Caesar Creek State Park. Please RSVP on Facebook as space is limited. Kamp Dovetail was a great success! If you follow us on Facebook, I posted a video from the event where I volunteered.
Club member Jerrie Bronson and her daughter, Sam, now run the program and do an amazing job. Member Julie Baughman and her family also volunteer, along with Camile Harris and Gipsy which is wonderful to see. There was a fantastic turnout of volunteers and horses!
What an incredible cause. If you’re interested in volunteering yourself or bringing your horse next year, please contact Jerrie Bronson through the Clinton County OHC Facebook page. This event is always held the week after Father’s Day.
This organization does wonderful work and is supported by an amazing group of volunteers and horses. If you’re unable to volunteer, donations are always appreciated. They help purchase bareback pads, paints, hair decorations, and many other supplies. You can find us on Facebook, where Jerrie has an Amazon wish list posted. Hopefully, the weather cools down soon and I’ll be able to share some ride reports in the next issue. Have a wonderful summer! Take a kid riding and see the future, ~Sue Lamb
DELAWARE
There is something neat about the Delaware Chapter’s members. We all share a common theme and that is our love of horses. But it’s not all about trail riding. We have many members with diverse equestrian backgrounds. From time to time, they trail ride but there are other horse events and activities they focus on too.
One of our oldest members, Mary Chmielewski at 93, is still riding her horse, Jack. But just a few years ago, she was competing in competitive trail and endurance rides on her Arabian gelding, Silver. Both Mary and I share a love of endurance riding but to compete successfully you must condition your horse using the bridle trails that many OHC volunteers maintain throughout Ohio. During the 1990s Mary organized competitive rides at Alum Creek State Park. I was a competitor riding my Arabian stallion then but never would I have guessed that we would become neighbors and good friends 10 years later. Mary was previously our trail work crew leader but she relinquished responsibility to me a couple of years ago. Many of us are in deep admiration of her can-do attitude and her love of riding. Mary still works with us on the trails and it amazes all of us where she gets her energy and stamina.
Our member, Laura Brentlinger, has several wonderful horses and from time to time, you will find her riding the local trails. But her other activities include taking her Quarter Horse gelding, Laredo, and competing him in obstacles course events at Creekside Horse Park in Waynesburg. She has worked very hard in bringing along this young gelding to successfully win many ribbons. She also has a standardbred gelding, Butterbean, who safely carries her on many fox hunts with the Rocky Fork Headly Hunt.
We have members whose focus is horse training. Check out Kaylie Eaves (Kaylie Eaves Horsemanship LLC) and Tanya Corzatt (Cowboy Perseverance Ranch) Facebook sites. It is amazing to watch their training methods and results that they post on Facebook. I like it when I see Kaylie post photos and videos of her trail rides at Alum Creek introducing young horses to our trails.
Clark County OHC
Member Camile Harris and Gipsy. This is their secondyear volunteering.
Nakota being painted.
Hopper got dressed up and decorated. He soaked up all the attention.
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Then there is Pam Lillie. She just recently took the big step in selling her horse property and hitting the road with her horse, Roscoe and two Welsh Corgi’s traveling across the United States. She posts almost daily about her adventures. Such a gutsy lady. I can only imagine what it would be like if I could do the same. Pam was a guest speaker twice at our chapter meetings. Last fall, she shared her travels and riding adventure at the Gettysburg National Park and previously her adventure riding and traveling out West during 2024.
How could I not forget our longterm member, Dan Chambers. What is noteworthy of Dan is his love of cutting. In 2017, Dan arranged for the Delaware Chapter members to complete a cutting horse demonstration and clinic at JM Cutting Horses in Mt. Gilead. Six members climbed aboard finished cutting horses and worked them on the mechanical cow. I was one of them and I thought that was the neatest thing. Kudos for Dan Chambers as a long-term cutting horse competitor.
How about Rose Staeck and Jen Hetzler. Their passion is riding with the Rocky Fork Headley Hunt, pace events and everyday
trail riding. They have been so gracious as new members to help our chapter with finding guest speakers for 2027 and even donating the materials for our new Alum Creek mounting station. We have many other members who enjoy just having their horses at home and trying out new venues with them. The diversity of our membership is broad and ever expanding. That is what makes our chapter special, at least to me.
Don’t forget our Autumn at Alum event scheduled for September 11 and 12 at the Alum Creek equestrian campground. We plan on a Friday afternoon trail ride and another one on Saturday morning. Friday evening will be our potluck dinner where the chapter will furnish pulled pork and fried chicken. Anyone attending is asked to bring a side dish and/or dessert to share. We will have a new music duo, Of Sound Minds, who play 60-70s music. Right up my ally! Saturday evening, we will have a social hour and campfire. We will have our live auction and 50/50 raffle too. All proceeds will go to equine rescue organizations. Look for our Autumn at Alum flyer and details soon on Facebook. Everyone is welcome whether you are a member or not. Happy trails.
~Bobbi Arters
ERIE
Greetings from Erie County! Happy Birthday USA! 250 years and we are still riding free! September 12 is the date of our annual poker ride at Edison Woods Erie Metro Park. This event will be held at the Smokey Road trailhead located at 8111 Smokey Road, Berlin Heights 44814. The event starts at 9 a.m. with registration ending at 11 a.m. Come and join us for a beautiful ride through Edison Woods. Ride a well-marked
course at your own pace. This is not a timed event. Children and riders of all experience levels are welcome. Cash prizes for top hands, door prizes, 50/50 and more will be for your entertainment. A delicious lunch will be provided from 121:30 p.m. This is our annual fundraiser to benefit bridle trails and equine activies. For more information look for our ad in the Corral, OHC chapter website, or our Facebook page.
June had perfect riding weather this year. Rain showed up occasionally to water our gardens. But this gave us good pastures and more time with our horses. We definitely put on a lot of trail miles all over Ohio and beyond. Sunday morning rides at Edison Woods were very popular as we met up old and new friends. Even turkeys showed up occasionally. Poker rides and even murder mysteries added to the horse adventures.
A group of us ventured down to Summit County to attend their ‘Murder at Hobo Camp’ event and fundraiser. Joyce reported it was at a beautiful estate with horse and hiker trails. Participants had to follow clues, meet period dressed characters and solve the mystery of who done it! Everyone had a great time and a good ride to boot. This was a daytime event, enabling them to return home to Edison Woods to attend our monthly campout weekend. Our campout was very well attended with members and OHC guests. What a great summer so far.
Sunday rides in August will meet up at 9 a.m. at the Mason
Road trailhead. Our monthly meeting is Thursday, August 13 on Smokey Road, potluck at 6:30 p.m., meeting at 7 p.m. Monthly campout is the last weekend of the month on Smokey Road. Life is better on the trail!
~Shelley Hayes
FAIRFIELD
June, the sixth month of our 2026 riding season. It gave us 15-plus hours of riding one day and hopefully you all got out and took advantage because in December there is only nine. Our club finally was able to have a great weekend at Mohican. Our past ones always seemed to bring rain and cold. I wasn’t able to attend but was told there was a great turnout. I was able to obtain some pictures which I’m including. It looked like Chris cooked up a big batch of chicken over the fire. I didn’t realize that it was Donna’s birthday but, I am told there is a story behind it. Because I only get grapevine information not sure if this is maybe a rumor.
Talk of some changes maybe at Mohican camp. Speaking of more rumors our club had its June meeting while at Mohican and Chris reported that maybe, remember I said maybe, there could be changes to our group camp at Hocking in the future. I am sure it will be discussed at an upcoming meeting.
I have to tell a little story of something that happened at my house. I was checking out by my back door trying to figure out what the cat was checking out. Here was a big turtle under my lilac bush. I’m not real close to the creek at the back of my house, so couldn’t quite figure out where it came from but was more worried about where it was going to go when it left. On top of that, it looked like it might be laying eggs under my bush. I watched it for quite a while and
The turtle compared to my foot.
Mary and Silver
Laura and Laredo
Kaylie and Spartan
Murder mystery riders
Happy campers.
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finally, it started back toward the creek. I have now marked on my calendar around the middle of July to start watching to see if little baby turtles for some reason start showing up. I have included a picture of this turtle and my foot beside to show its size. It’s not a snapper, just regular turtle. I love nature.
I don’t have much more to report until after our July campout and chapter meeting. Of course I could make stuff up.
~Anita
FULTON
There hasn’t been much going on in our chapter lately; the heat has been oppressive and then rain impacted some plans. We held a chapter meeting on June 6 during our camping event at Reed Road Ranglers June 5-7. We had our National Trail Day hotdog roast at the Oak Openings Rider Center also on that day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jack provided the goods, Al and Roy cooked and several members made delectable cookies. The weather was lousy and most attendees drove in rather than rode, although a few members did ride. In June, members also made trips to Malabar and Pleasant Hill Lake Park to camp.
Our July meeting was planned for July 7 at Reed Road Ranglers. The plans called for pizza and a baking contest event. It was surely a feast as we have some fantastic bakers in our group.
July camping plans have not been made known yet as of this writing and usually get cancelled due to weather. I can’t imagine it’ll be any worse than the latter half of June though! There was a day ride trip to Three Rivers, the Allen County Equestrian Park in Indiana and others at Van Buren and Oak Openings. And our parade contingent showed their red, white and blues at the Kunkle 4th of July parade.
Our August chapter meeting is planned for August 1 at Reed Road Ranglers during a camping weekend. Dinner on Saturday is planned to have a Hawaiian theme with the meeting to follow. Chapter meetings are traditionally on the first Tuesday of the month. During warmer months, we meet at Reed Road Ranglers, sometimes during a camping weekend.
Our website www.fcohc.com, our private Facebook group Fulton County OHC and our public Facebook page Fulton
County Ohio Horseman’s Council can reveal what we’re up to in real time.
~Kathy Brown
GEAUGA
Several Geauga chapter members enjoyed two hours of riding through Win Seek Fallen Pines Mountain obstacle course. Wooden bridges, railroad crossing lights, pebbled streams, fallen logs, and other various natural looking hindrances, offered challenges to the different horse and rider combinations. Some people hand-walked their horses through the course before riding through it. Some made up their own routes through it. The Halloween equine prop was interesting to some horses, my own included. It was pulling a wagon and looked perfectly normal, only the wagon was being pulled by a skeleton. My mare did a double-take before going past it. The covered tunnel proved no problem to most horses. Everyone seemed to have a great time.
Several riders joined Barb
Jurgens as she led a trail ride at Headwaters Park in June. Barb had created some primitive trails there in the past. Some riders followed her, curious as to where the entrances were. Others took the regular flat trail. All had a great time.
Enjoy your horses as summer rolls along.
~R. Reynolds
GREENE
Happy August, everyone! Members of the Greene County Mounted Search and Rescue Team participated in the Flag Retirement Ceremony on June 14 at the Greene County Fairgrounds. All participants are members of the Greene County Ohio Horseman’s Council. Pictured from left to right are Cindi Gould, Gia Williams-Rojas, Jenn Durbin, Robin Traywick, Jillian Hughes, Beth Kreutzfeld, and Gretchen Esch. Gia Williams-Rojas also performed the National Anthem. Several members of the Ohio Valley Carriage Club, including members of the Greene and Warren County Ohio Horse Council chapters, enjoyed a carriage drive at Oeder Lake near Morrow, Ohio, in late June. The beautiful setting provided the perfect backdrop for a day of fellowship and horsemanship. It was wonderful to see the versatility of these horses, many of which are equally skilled under saddle and in harness.
In June, Jerry Smith and Jeannie Nicol resigned from their positions as president and vice president due to health concerns. We respect their decision and at our July meeting held a special election to fill these positions on an interim basis until our regular elections are held. Jerry and Jeannie will remain members of the Greene County Ohio Horseman’s Council through December 31, 2026. We wish them both a less stressful and healthier recovery and thank them for their service to our organization.
On July 2, many members of the Warren and Greene County Ohio Horse Council celebrated Independence Day by participating in a patriotic parade at Otterbein Senior and Assisted Living in Lebanon, Ohio. Kathleen Duchak Girgis rode Jazzy, Harold McKeehan entertained everyone aboard his
Fairfield County OHC
Campers at Pleasant Hill Lake.
Fun at Three Rivers.
Riding in the Kunkle parade.
Scary equine at Win Seek Fallen Pines.
Donna on the wooden bridge.
Covered tunnel at Win Seek Fallen Pines.
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trusty ‘Mule’, and Cindra Phillips rode Henry. They were joined by Mavis and Ruthie on their horses, and Rachael on Sky, and helped make the event a memorable one for the residents. Harold was our pooper scooper extraordinaire! Adding to the festive atmosphere, many residents decorated their golf carts and mobility scooters and proudly joined the parade. It was a wonderful morning filled with patriotic spirit, laughter, and smiles. Our horses and riders were warmly welcomed, and it was heartwarming to bring joy to so many faces while celebrating our nation’s independence together. Please consider supporting or sponsoring your local 4-H program. These young people represent the future of the equine community and are part of an organization dedicated to youth development through hands-on learning and leadership opportunities. In addition to improving their equine knowledge and riding skills, 4-H members complete many worthwhile community service projects throughout the year.
Supporting an Ohio Horseman’s Council chapter helps ensure that equine trails remain available for future generations of riders. We warmly welcome our new members. Membership dues go directly to the Ohio Horseman’s Council and are used to promote and protect access to public lands for trail riding. County chapters conduct fundraisers to support trail maintenance projects and may apply for annual grants through the state OHC leadership. By joining OHC, you become
a steward of the trails and help preserve them for everyone to enjoy.
We are also proud to have many young participants involved in the OHC Junior Ambassador Program. This program provides valuable opportunities for youth within our chapter and throughout the Ohio Horseman’s Council. We encourage interested young riders and their families to learn more and become involved. Happy trails, and happy summer riding!
~Cindra Phillips
GUERNSEY
Right now, the heat dome is parked over us and it’s miserable, but I’ll take that any day over 10 below zero! I hate winter!
Seems like a tree a week has been going down at Salt Fork! Here’s one that went down on the Purple Trail early June. They’ve been keeping us and Bobcat Bob of the park busy.
Speaking of Bobcat Bob, you see Don McIntyre with Bob setting new posts on the back tie line. (Bob is in the backhoe!) In the last couple of years, we have rebuilt several tie lines at horse camp. Last month I wrote about our trail ride at Great Seal State Park. Half the tie line posts were rotted off. We had to attach a two-inch ratchet strap to the line and attach the other end of the strap to a tree, then pull it tight, to use the tie line. The line is bad, very bad!
Mike and Martha McCoy of the club rode the Red Trail in early June. Several friends and family members joined them in the fun! I’m having more fun than is
legally allowed on the farm and I’m not liking it! I went to get the tractor out of the shed, but the brand new $9,000 garage door would only go up an inch. I used the door the day before and it worked fine. Here, sometime over night the coil spring around the pully rod broke. Those are the springs that kill a lot of people who don’t know what they are doing! Not only can the door company not come for a few days, those springs are not covered by warranty! Oh, joy! Wish I was riding Dee Dee somewhere in east Tennessee! Both of us hope to see you on the trail soon!
~Lee Randolph
HAMILTON
Hello and thank you for stopping by for an August visit! For those who looked and could not find Hamilton County in the July issue of Horsemen’s Corral magazine, I deeply apologize to you. Dear reader, I missed the July deadline to submit. Knowing this and moving forward, tighten your cinch because we have a lot of ground to cover in this issue.
Crosby Township’s Memorial Day parade went on without Hamilton County OHC’s parade division. Why? It rained so much the parade division’s trucks, trailers and horses would have destroyed our staging area. So, we voluntarily cancelled our
participation. The very next day, our parade division was a huge hit at the Cheviot Memorial Day parade. How? Our entire parade division highlighted our driving members—ponies, minis, crowd favorite donkeys, pulling carts in a parade! What’s not to like there? Thank you, Heather and Jeremy Alden, Joan Morris, and Sarah and Dick Stuart, for making this parade so much fun for everyone.
Hamilton County OHC and Great Parks of Hamilton County celebrated National Trails Day with a horse trail cleanup on Miami Whitewater Forest’s Horse Trail B. Eleven hard working volunteers worked the morning clearing out drainage pipes, digging trenches and building swales to help divert water off of the horse trail, and applying gravel to wet/low trail spots. Thank you volunteers Mary Kay and Marc Avery, Donna Boughner, Ann and Mike Frederick, Jaimie Martin, Avery and Pam Owens, and Amanda, Liam and Emma Schultz for all of your hard work improving horse trail B.
Additionally, Hamilton County OHC had a perfect evening for nine members (and one dog) to enjoy Moonlight Ride #2 on the Miami Whitewater Forest Shaker Trace Trail. Thank you Denise and Steve Bleser, Kristin, Ann, Mike and Isa Frederick, Bryan Newberry, and Reese, Sarah and Dick Stuart for turning out to enjoy a nice, late evening ride and a near midnight social Hamilton County OHC’s home base, the Crosby Township Community Center pulled off an excellent America’s 250th
Greene members search and rescue team.
Harold, Kathleen, Mule, Rachael, Cindra.
Henry and Jeepers, OVCC Carriage Drive, Oeder Lake.
Purple trail train wreck.
Tieline repairs with Don.
Mike and Martha McCoy and friends on Salt Fork Red trail.
Moonlight ride group.
National Trails day group.
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birthday celebration. Festivities included a car show, three bands, corn hole tournament, games for kids, multiple vendors and food trucks. Hamilton County OHC volunteers Ann and Mike Frederick were assigned parking duty and directed every car that came through the entrance gate. Five Hamilton County OHC members showed up early and beat the heat to enjoy the very first Junior Ambassador organized day ride held at the Miami Whitewater Forest, riding horse trail A. Thank you Junior Ambassadors Elizabeth Landfried and Emma Schultz for organizing this ride and thank you Allison Findley, Ann Frederick and Amanda Schultz for joining in the fun!
Hamilton County OHC’s parade division proudly represented, riding and handing out candy in Harrison’s 4th of July parade. Thank you members Ronda Austing, Denise and Steve Bleser, Ann, Mike and Kristin Frederick, and Sarah and Dick Stuart for coming out and putting on a good show for the crowd. Come join us! Upcoming events include our club meeting on Wednesday, August 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Crosby Township Community Center, 8910 Willey Road, Harrison, Ohio; Saturday, August 22 Moonlight Ride #4; and multiple evening trail cleanups with dates to soon be determined. To contact/join us, go to ohconline. com, select ‘find chapter’ and type Hamilton County in the search bar. We would love to have you in our herd
~Ann Frederick
HARRISON
Hello OHC, I hope you all are enjoying your summer! Our club hosted a fantastic regional ride in June. A little rain, but for the most part we had perfect weather with nice dry trails. We have tried different weekends in
the last few years and usually get some rain no matter when we have it. However, that has never slowed anyone down! We had attendees from five different counties. Along with our rides and meals, we also hosted the Faye Scavenger Hunt. Faye, who passed away earlier this year, started the scavenger hunt three years ago to raise money for our scholarship program. The hunt consists of riddles and finding the answers on the trail. I went out with a group of six, and the youngest, being only 11, proved to be the best in our group at the scavenger hunt! It really is a lot of fun if you have never done one. Our ride got a little extreme towards the end when we got hit with a thunderstorm and cloud burst, but we all made it safely back thanks to good horses. All the winners and participants in the scavenger hunt were acknowledged and received prizes and gifts after the event. A big thank you to Cindy Schrader and Monna Dowdle for managing the hunt as well as the candy ride. The evening potluck meal, which included fried chicken supplied by the club, was excellent. Thank you to all the good cooks! I almost forgot to mention our egg in a bag breakfast Saturday morning and pancake breakfast Sunday morning. Club members donated the food and supplies. Club president Mark headed up cooking on Saturday while Bill Schrader cooked on Sunday. Bob Glover manned the coffee pot all weekend, no one went without their caffeine fix!
The club presented not one but two youth scholarships this year to two very deserving young ladies following the meal. Both girls, Adalyn and Angelica, wrote essays describing their horse experiences and why they would like the scholarship. The
scholarships are used for riding lessons or horse camp and include a one-year OHC membership. Both girls are interested in the OHC Jr. Ambassador program as well and hope to participate in it. We also had a live auction this year with lots of cool donated items. Special thanks to Don Wagner for being our guest auctioneer. He kept the crowd engaged in some fun bidding wars. One item donated by The Cowgirl in Me, a boutique store located in Cadiz, brought $160! We are always extremely grateful when local businesses help sponsor our ride. Live music with Dusty Carpenter followed the auction, which is always a special treat. He is so good and worked with us even with the threat of rain.
I really like our T-shirts and hoodies this year organized and designed by Desiree Berry. They were so popular that we ran out early in certain sizes. Great job Desiree!
Children activities were provided during the day by Cindy Schrader, and my grandson had a wonderful time again. Also, can’t forget to thank Bob Jenkins for the load of firewood. The best thing about camping is sitting around the fire at night! A special thanks to Cherri Pugh and Dorothy for leading us in Cowboy Church Sunday morning with a meaningful conversation regarding the Lord’s Prayer. What a great way to end the weekend.
All our members helped or donated in various ways to put together a very nice weekend for everyone. You all deserve a hand! Our next organized ride will be in October, but we have members available for smaller rides throughout the summer. Hit us up if you are looking for someone to ride with. Happy trails everyone!
~Sherrie Hart
KNOX
Happy trails and greetings from Knox County! As I write this on July 2, we are in the midst of a heat wave with temperatures in the 90s. But as I am now reporting on our club’s activities in June, we were battling Mother Nature on another front; heavy rain and storms. But of course, that didn’t stop us from enjoying a camp out at Alum Creek. Some of our members, caught out on the trail during a storm, just turned tail to the wind and rode it out safely. Likewise at our next camp out at Zaleski State Park, we had to deal with more rain and some pretty muddy trails. We still had a great time and when not riding, got creative by making our own tie-dye shirts. A big thank you to our Present Teresa Smith, for coming up with this fun idea and for providing the paint. Looking groovy!
Coming up are camp outs at the Central Region ride at Conesville, Stone Church, the Gibby Ride at Bark Camp, Mohican and Paddle Creek. We are also still planning a fun event late August which will be a combined scavenger hunt, obstacle challenge and tack swap. Check our Facebook page for more information as we are still working out some details. We meet the third Monday of
Elizabeth, Allison, Emma at the Jr. Ambassador ride.
Girls riding in the campground.
Good eats at the Harrison ride.
2026 scholarship winners.
Laurie and Bailey at Mohican
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every month at 7 p.m. and now meet at the shelter house at Thayer Ridge Park. Come join us for a meeting, a fun event, or riding down Ohio’s beautiful trails.
~Cindy Cossin
LAKE
The Lake OHC chapter held their June meeting at North Chagrin. It was a potluck ride with the meeting afterward. Fundraising and mounting blocks were discussed. Further discussion concerning which park should receive one from our chapter will be held. Some wanted one for Chapin Forest, others wanted one for Girdled Road Park. Perhaps both parks should have a mounting station.
On Juneteenth, one Lake member volunteered with Free Spirit Farm’s Introduction to Horses program. Four horses were taken to the Dunham Tavern event and helped both children and adults learn about horses. It was a pleasant afternoon with people asking many questions about the horses.
The same volunteer goes with two horses every Tuesday to Rescue Village as part of their summer camp. Rescue Village takes in cats, dogs, and other animals in need of a home, horses included. The children learn how to care for different animals during camp. On Tuesdays the participants interact with the horses by grooming them and leading them. Many of the girls like to braid the manes and tails of both Fancy and Buck.
Sometimes they put flowers in the braids, thus giving Buck and Fancy, ‘Flower Power’.
‘Riding Power’ to you all this summer.
~Rayneen Tisovic
LAWRENCE
Hi gang, our club was hoping to have a July ride with camping and lunch but unfortunately the extreme heat caused us to cancel again. We just can’t seem to catch a break from the weather. It is either too wet or way too hot to ride and camp. Hopefully we can have a good weekend to get back to what we all love.
Our group was finally able to get one of our mounting blocks built thanks to Roger and Nick. They built it at Nick’s farm and brought it down to the Paddle Creek Horse campground. Cheryl and I stained it and Roger has rubber mats to screw down on the steps and the platform to keep everyone from slipping while trying to get on their horse. We are starting some headway on our projects. We plan on
building two more as soon as we can. Happy trails, ~Susan White
LICKING
The hot, humid dog days of summer are here! Hopefully you and your equine partners are staying cool and still enjoying the trails. A reminder that the OSU Vet tour has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 11 and will be limited to 30 people. If you are interested and are not one of the 30 people already signed up, please sign the wait list in the event someone cancels. We will meet for lunch at Bravo Lennox Center at 11 a.m. and will carpool to the tour afterwards. The tour will last one to one and a half hours.
During the June meeting Dean Kreager, Licking County ANR Extension, gave a very informative ‘Tick Talk’. We received very useful information regarding different types of ticks, preventative measures and Lyme disease facts.
A trail maintenance workday at Dillon State Park will be scheduled for August, watch for an email from Charlene announcing details. Our August chapter back to school ride will be Sunday, August 16 at Taft North. Be ready to ride at 10 a.m. Please note that the Northridge High School Cross Country team will be practicing at Lobdell Reserve on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m. Riders will be sharing the trails with runners, be prepared and careful.
Heart of a Warrior Farm is a non-profit organization in Granville that uses horses and other farm animals for therapeutic purposes. They work with
individuals with special needs, veterans and first responders. Please consider attending their annual fundraiser Barn Dance on Saturday, October 3. More details to follow next month.
Please congratulate our own Jr. Ambassador, Rubi Lechuga, who was awarded the 2026 Licking County Reserve Equine Queen. Well done, Rubi! Our August member highlight is Sandy Belt, LCOHC member since 2002 and our treasurer for the last four years. Sandy met her husband Jim through LCOHC, and they have been married 19 years. Sandy has been riding for over 35 years and enjoys camping, hiking, long walks with her German Shepherd Ranger, identifying birds by sound, family time and cruising around in Jims 1991 Notchback mustang. She can always be counted on to bring the fun and stories around the campfire!
The August chapter meeting will be held Sunday, August 30 at 6 p.m., OSU Newark Campus, Warner Library room 126. Hope to see you there!
~Crystal Kirk
Feeling groovy at Zaleski.
Donnie, Rannay and Laurie braving a storm at Alum Creek.
Juneteenth with volunteers.
Ladies from Rescue Village grooming Fancy.
Braiding Fancy’s tail safely.
Nick adding the final touch to our new mounting block.
Group ride.
Sandy Belt
Jr. Ambassador, Rubi Lechuga.
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LOGAN
Greetings from the Logan County OHC! Summertime never fails to bring together good people and horses. Our members have been hitting the trails at Van Buren, Buck Creek, Kiser Lake, Alum Creek, Bark Camp and Fallon Park. You might have also spied a few members on the Creekside Horse Park or Phoenix on Killian trail courses.
We’d like to extend a special thanks to the Champaign County OHC chapter for inviting our chapter to their Firecracker Ride at Kiser Lake in July as it is always a great event.
We are looking forward to our chapter’s annual Mad River canoeing day on August 2. Although we’ll leave the horses at home for this one, it will be a great way to beat the heat and enjoy each other’s company.
This summer our club showed our support for the next generation of equestrians by sponsoring trophies for three classes at the Logan County Fair, and sponsoring a student for summer camp.
Our annual raffle fundraiser allows us to continue making an impact in our community. See any Logan County OHC member for tickets. Drawings for our three cash prize winners will be held at our November meeting. Stay cool and see you on the trails.
LORAIN
Hello Corral readers. Our Lorain County OHC has been traveling around the state hitting up a variety of horse experiences this summer. We have had a number of day rides and horse camping trips so far. Some have taken part in competitions while others have enjoyed traveling to neighboring states.
Our August calendar sponsor is Litchfield Veterinary Clinic located in Litchfield, Ohio. Litchfield Veterinary Clinic cares for small animals and has been providing veterinary care in Medina County for many decades. Our horse council appreciates your sponsorship!
Our Mohican day ride in June was a bit of a washout. Those who were camping nearby at Malabar Farms the day before studied the forecast well into the evening and decided to go for a short ride. Unfortunately, they
missed the short loop and Mother Nature let loose about one hour into the ride. At the end of the ride, all the riders and horses looked as if they’d been through a car wash. A sizable number of Lorain riders filled up the Salt Fork horse campground. Since a sizable area was blocked off due to construction of an additional bathroom, many rigs had close neighbors. As they say, there’s nothing like going camping to get away from it all. Our potluck on Saturday evening was delicious with plenty of food to go around. We celebrated Chris’s birthday with a yummy cake. Unfortunately, while riding, one of our members saddle slipped sideways and he landed on the ground with a thud. We all heard the loud pop when his Hit Air vest canister went off. Fortunately, his Hit Air vest inflated and thus cushioned his fall so that he was not badly injured.
Our August schedule includes camping in Ohio at West Branch State Park and Alum Creek State Park and also at Big Elk horse camp in Pennsylvania. Our day rides include a ride at Charlemont Reservation and also Bedford Reservation. Volunteers are needed to help with the trail maintenance scheduled for Charlemont Reservation on August 15. All volunteers are asked to meet at the trailhead located at 48600 New LondonEastern Road in New London at 9 a.m. Clearing the trails for the good of all horse riders is a good motto for horse riders to live by. When riding throughout Ohio, I for one am so grateful when the trails are safe from downed trees and briars, although an
occasional blackberry along the way could be a tasty treat. Our August membership meeting will be held on August 17 at 7 p.m. but if you like ice cream we will be serving up delicious sundaes beginning at 6:30 p.m. We will be at the pavilion at the Equine Center at Carlisle Reservation. All are welcome.
Looking ahead to September, in Ohio we have scheduled campouts at AEP in Conesville and the Chili Cook Off at Mohican State Forest. We also have a day ride at Malabar Farm. We will be back at Big Elk Lick in Pennsylvania toward the end of the month. All our events are located on our Lorain County OHC website for all to reference. I hope you all have the opportunity to enjoy your horses during these warm days of summer.
~Kathy Duncan MADISON
We are in the midst of summer heat, staying mindful of our horses’ health while still enjoying them safely when the temperature allows.
In Deer Creek State Park news, the long-time day-use parking area is back open! Come and enjoy the trails that our hardworking trail team have been keeping clear; well, as clear as Mother Nature allows. We are working on the installation of new trail marker posts that will identify exactly where you are on the trail, please pick up a trail map to use as your guide after completion. There are several shortcut routes if you choose to make your loops shorter. Thanks to Hugh Leslie and Lorna Kenyon for making this project work!
Our Gymkhana Series is underway at Madison County Fairgrounds (London, Ohio) with remaining events in August, September, and October. Check it out on our Madison County Gymkhana Facebook page. We
thank our sponsors for their support and all of the families that attend to have a great time competing and working with their horses to increase communication and control. It’s worth it to try something different in a welcoming environment with everyone cheering for each other. Some of our group traveled out of state in June. Janet Nelson, Susan Day, and Lisa Reynolds went to Marienville, Pa., for three nights of riding in the Allegheny National Forest and Cook Forest. We stayed at Sharon’s Horse Heaven, which has fabulous facilities for horse and human. Accommodations are one cabin above the bank barn as well as three camping spots with electric and a shelter, with stalls and individual paddocks for the horses. The riding was wonderful, with trails available at the property as well as a short haul to Cook Forest. And everything is very well marked! Janet and Susan traveled two hours north to New York to participate in a gaited horse clinic with clinician Carl Bledsoe. They report that it was the best clinic they have ever attended, and they came away with additional knowledge and confidence. Photos included from the trip. I am hoping others have been enjoying their horses, but I have not had any additional reports this month.
Beating the heat after a ride!
Fred, protecting us from the bull.
Getting away from it all at Salt Fork.
Susan Day, Janet Nelson, Lisa Reynolds at Allegheny National Forest.
Janet Nelson on Asher at Picture Rock in Pennsylvania.
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Our August presentation will be on Cowboy Mounted Shooting by our members who have been travelling nationally in competitions. This should be great!
This month, and always, be thankful for the partnership we have with our hoses. They are the mirrors to our feelings and thoughts, let them help you to center and re-orient yourself and be in a good place. Happy trails!
~Lisa Reynolds
MEDINA
Happy 40th anniversary to us! Did you miss our anniversary ride? Miss the riding, the food, the prizes, the just having a good time with members old and new?
Resident Master Chef Louise Harting did the cooking, and along with Kathy Schmidt and Barb Vega’s help it was a bit like the old days, only without the backbreaking trail work. Back in the day as they say, entire weekends were devoted to trail building and community with like-minded people whose desire to ride in the Cuyahoga Valley inspired the creation of these bridle trails and the birth of Medina OHC. Mild temperatures brought 43 members to Robinson Field. There were lots of prizes and a special Year of the Fire Horse award went to Phil and Ronda Urbank. These charter members contributed many hours and many sides of beef to our cause. The beef was served at past regional rides that many of you will remember along with Phil’s famous peach cobbler. Phil grew up in the valley and his knowledge of the area, (i.e. “See that tree over there? I remember when it was a sapling.”) was invaluable. It’s for members such as these that we are celebrating this our 40th year.
How hot was it? Our July 1 meeting had a sudden change of venue when Molly Eastwood graciously offered the airconditioned comfort of her home for our meeting. But we missed being eaten by bugs and sweltering in the heat of Robinson Field. No, just kidding, we did not! We welcomed our new secretary, Susan Hale who is taking over from Megan Padget who is having the time of her life renovating property in West Virginia, where we hear, it’s almost heaven. Thank you, Susan!
Save this date, November 7, for
our anniversary banquet at Amy’s Rustic Event Center (formerly Valley Tack) in Valley City. This place is truly a blast from our past, only with a spiffed-up vibe. The new owners have done a fantastic job repurposing this former tack store into an event center. So nostalgic you can still smell the leather in the old saddle room. Good food, prizes, memories, and more. Contact Rosemary Young at rosemary4medinaohc@gmail. com or 440/382-7980 for more information and reservation form. We are working hard to keep the trails in the Cuyahoga Valey National Park ready for your riding pleasure. But we could use your help. Got time on your hands? Contact one of our trail committee members and see when and where work is needed. Contact Ken Sims (330/284-1334), Raydeen Ryden (raysden2@ gmail.com or 334/663-7361) or Greg Monsanty (330/352-5737 or (blackhorsebridge@aol.com) for information. Enjoy these last summer days down in the valley!
~Rosemary
MORROW
Morrow County members are busy doing what we enjoy, riding and working with our mules and
horses. We are racking up the miles easily with trips to the High Knob Mule Ride, Shawnee, Illinois, Hodges Horse Park, Hodges, Alabama and Spruce Knob, West Virginia. Members appreciate and are utilizing the wonderful Ohio State Park equestrian trails extensively too. While other members are putting time into groundwork with young babies for future rides. Can’t wait to see what this fall brings. We recently held a potluck at Mount Gilead State Park Equestrian Trail head enjoying each other’s stories, experiences and great food. Council will be moving a sign sheet up near the pavilion that the club built. We invite anyone looking for a nice shady afternoon ride to visit our trails. We have a map of trails just inside the drive when you pull in. Council is busy supporting our local 4-H. We recently donated money for awards and will be working several evenings events at the fair. We enjoy seeing our youth excel.
~Mary Jane Shifley
PERRY
If there were an award for ‘Most Likely to Need a Bigger Calendar,’ our own Donna Shade would have it wrapped up. As if running her trail riding business as Vacation Vaquero wasn’t enough, she’s still out there competing in mounted shooting—and now she’s added yet another horse activity to her résumé: showing her miniature stud, Boomer! Apparently, Boomer didn’t get the memo that he’s miniature because he’s been bringing home ribbons like a fullsized champion. Congratulations to Donna and her tiny superstar!
Our joint Hocking-Perry ride at Mohican included only half a dozen riders who saddled up and had a fantastic time with the most spectacular weather ever. The trails were in great shape.
Over at Burr Oak, progress is being made! The poles are set, tie lines are up, and the Horseman’s Overflow Area is shaping up
nicely. Now all we need is a few willing volunteers for a cleanup day, followed by what we all know is the real reason we’re coming—a group ride!
Several Perry Chapter members made the trip to support Washington County’s Make-AWish Ride at the Appalachian Equine Center in McConnelsville. The event was a tremendous success, featuring delicious food, an outstanding auction, and plenty of great prizes. Everyone left with something to smile about—whether it was a winning auction item, a door prize, or simply a very full stomach.
July has kept everyone busy in the saddle. Riders headed to Cowboy Larry’s to support the Hocking Chapter’s annual ride and also enjoyed time exploring the beautiful trails of Shawnee State Forest near Portsmouth. If your horse is wondering why they’ve suddenly become so fit, now you know.
Looking ahead, we’ll finalize plans at our August meeting for two favorite traditions: our Annual Soup Ride and the always-popular Salt Fork ride hosted by the Stengles. We’re all crossing our fingers that this year finally breaks the streak of lessthan-cooperative luck they’ve had the past two years. Third time’s the charm, right?
Speaking of the Stengles, they have even more exciting news than trail rides—they’ll soon be welcoming their very first grandchild! Congratulations to the entire family. We suspect there’s already a tiny pair of cowboy boots waiting by the door.
Until next month, keep your horses sound, your cinches tight, and may all your trail rides have fewer flies than your barn. Happy trails!
~Marianne Patton PREBLE
Summer has been a busy and rewarding season for the Preble County Chapter of the Ohio Horseman’s Council! Thanks to
Our motto.
Medina 40th anniversary feast.
Bonnie at Medina ride.
Morrow County OHC
Donna and Boomer
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the dedication of our incredible volunteers, our trails are looking better than ever. Over 200 volunteer hours have been invested in cleaning, clearing, and restoring our trail system, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable riding experience for everyone.
Our chapter also had an outstanding 250th Independence Day Celebration. One of the highlights was our free ice cream social, where everyone enjoyed plenty of delicious toppings and sweet treats. We would like to extend a thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event such a success.
A special thank you goes to our generous business associates whose continued support helps make our events possible. We greatly appreciate the donations from Ally Cat Tattoo, and Bob Wells Horse Equipment. Their generosity strengthens our chapter and allows us to continue offering fun, family-friendly activities throughout the year.
Now we’re looking ahead to one of our biggest weekends of this season—our Labor Day Extravaganza! This year’s event promises something for everyone, with exciting activities throughout the weekend. Guests can enjoy multiple events, youth activities, a free dinner, free ice cream, free concert. Plenty of opportunities to spend time with fellow horse friends. We have several new activities planned, making this a weekend you won’t want to miss. Be sure to follow our Facebook page for the complete schedule of events and updates.
We are especially proud to recognize two of our Junior Ambassadors, Ari and Tucker, for their outstanding volunteer service at the Kamp Dovetail Horse Program. Ari generously brought two of her own horses to participate in the program, helping create an unforgettable experience for those involved. Kamp Dovetail provides a truly heartwarming opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, and we encourage everyone to learn more about this wonderful program and consider volunteering.
Another exciting event is just around the corner! On August 15, we will enjoy a Wild West Experience Train Ride.
As always, the Preble County Chapter continues to welcome new members. Whether you’re
an experienced rider, new to horseback riding, or simply enjoy spending time outdoors and supporting our trail system, we’d love to have you become part of our OHC family.
STARK
It was really hard to survive the hot days we had in June, I hope everyone and their livestock made it OK. During that time when I couldn’t do much else, I took the time to read my issue of the June Corral and thoroughly enjoyed it. All of the articles were so interesting. I so enjoyed the news from the other OHC chapters learning about their events, work being done on the trails and especially their plans on how they are celebrating America’s 250 Anniversary this year. Great job everyone! Our chapter had two new members join our chapter this year who are cousins, Ame Stanek and Nikki Wheeler. Ame said she has dreamed of having a horse since she was 5 years old and got her first toy horse. Her cousin Nikki helped her find Chief, a Palomino Quarter Horse recently who has become her perfect partner for this journey. Nikki on the other hand has a different story. Nikki had horses in her life but because of changes in her life and health she had to give them up. Letting go of that felt like losing a piece of myself I did not know how to replace. So when the opportunity came in September of 2025, it did not feel logical, it felt impossible. She was not the horse anyone would have picked for me. Green! Scared of everything, too thin, uncertain and a long road ahead. She came into my life fragile, wearing a beautiful chocolate brown coat and a wild, black, multicolored mane that somehow
mirrored her spirit. Untamed, misunderstood, and breathtaking all at once. An Arabian, full of sensitivity and fire, buried beneath layers of fire. We did not start with riding. We started with trust. Slow days. Patient days. Hard days. Piece by piece, she let me in. And somewhere along the way, she not learn to trust me, she learned to love me! And I, without realizing it, found my way back to life again.
Enjoy the trails and your equine!
~Jo Ellen
SUMMIT
Our first order of business is to thank each and every one who worked, participated, donated or supported our Murder at the Hobo Camp Mystery fundraising event at Richfield Heritage Preserve in June. This sellout event was unique in that participants could choose to ride or hike (through separate trails) and gather information to solve the mystery. We appreciate volunteers from the community, park and SCOHC who played the parts and gave clues for making this special event a success. Luckily, we were blessed with cool weather right before the weeklong heat wave. Well done all.
Some of the funds earned previously were recently invested in trail improvements to the park’s bridle trails just days prior to the event. RHP staff, volunteers and SCOHC members laid geo textile down over a crushed limestone base on approximately 180 feet of muddy trail. We would like to thank John Piepsry who helped us obtain the grant money to fund the work which improves and benefits all who use the trails therein.
Ever wonder what shows up on trail cams. Molly Eastwood may be the latest star as she was enjoying her ride at Hinckley when a dead branch broke and fell about 6” in front of trusty Sierra’s nose. Oh, did I mention there was a squirrel along for the
ride? Can you imagine the two of them locking eyes? By the time everyone figured out what had happened, the squirrel was nowhere to be seen. But seriously, throughout the state trail cams continue to capture pictures of larger wildlife, most recently, more black bears wandering through. They are being drawn to more residential areas as woodlands become developed and there is less cover, These new corridors make them more visible and likely to be seen at all times of the day or night. More recently one wandered through less than two miles from my home and this year within a few miles of my barn. Just be aware they are usually moving through but neither of you wants to be surprised. Follow the ODNR’s cautions about leaving things out that would attract them to your home, barn or property and what to do if encountered on foot or trail. Carrying bear spray is no longer just for the loose dogs or unsavory characters out there.
Listed below are the remaining upcoming events for this year:
AUG. 11-14: Two Mile, Franklin, Pa (three nights)
AUG. 15-17: Camp Tuscazoar (two nights)
AUG. 18-20: Beaver Creek (two nights)
AUG. 20-21: West Branch (one night)
SEPT. 2-7: (five nights) Pike Lake, (two nights), Scioto State Ride, Scioto State Park (three nights)
OCT. 5-9: Salt Fork (two nights) and Bark camp (two nights)
OCT. 20-22: Alum Creek (two nights)
Ame Stanek
Nikki Wheeler
Trail work.
Believe them.
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Note: Meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the RHP Summer Barn through October.
~Joann Ulichney
UNION
Howdy, everyone. Summer is here and I hope everyone has been out enjoying the trails and keeping cool.
The Tuesday Maintenance Crew continued to work on the bridle trails at Alum Creek State Park into June. It seemed that our work was never done, first wind storms in March and then flooding in May. However, the heat of summer will likely slow our trail maintenance efforts, but they will pick up again once autumn arrives. You can follow our trail maintenance activities on the Union County Chapter —Ohio Horseman’s Council Facebook page.
And speaking of autumn, the Delaware County Chapter’s Autumn at Alum event is scheduled for September 11 and 12 at the Alum Creek State Park Horseman’s Campground. The Autumn at Alum flyer with all the details will be posted on Facebook in the near future. Happy trails.
~Debbie Strayton
WARREN
Happy 250 years, United States of America! To help celebrate this milestone, several of us participated in an Independence Day Parade on July 2 at Otterbein Senior Living in Lebanon. Many Otterbein residents decorated their golf carts, cars and even a motorcycle, to lead off the parade. A notable parade entry was the flashy red convertible with its top down, radio blaring Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the U.S.A. driven by a resident and his wife (or girlfriend) and their matching walkers were perched
in the backseat. Turtlecreek firefighters followed with a fire truck and EMT trucks, without sirens. Warren County OHC brought up the rear. We were represented by Cindra with Henry, Rachael, Mavis, Ruthie and me on horses, while our illustrious chapter president Harold McKeehan drove his motorized mule and scooped poop. The parade emcee was stationed at the heritage building so residents with mobility issues could enjoy the parade as we processed under the building’s overhang. If riding in a parade is on your bucket list, this is the parade for you. There was plenty of trailer parking. We staged at 9:30 a.m. The parade started at 10 a.m. sharp. The streets are wide. The residents and their guests are respectful. The only food truck was Kona Ice, no scary grilling meat food trucks. We were back at the trailers by 11 a.m., which was good since the temperature was on the rise. The Otterbein residents were appreciative of us bringing our horses and riding in their parade. It was heartwarming to bring joy to so many folks and a reminder of how blessed we are to have horses in our lives.
The Over the Hill Gang was busy clearing bridle trails at Caesar Creek State Park. The photo is from the June 3 workday. The big tree was blocking the trail. Thank you Over the Hill Gang for removing that tree and all the wonderful work you do keeping the trails clear. We appreciate you! During the summer, the Over the Hill Gang meets two Wednesdays a month from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information on trail clearing, contact chapter
trustee and trail boss Roger Pawsat. Want to help clear trails at CCSP, but don’t have time? Please make a donation to Warren County OHC bridle trail clearing. For more information, contact chapter treasurer Beth Hery. Check your inbox for a July 5 email from Catherine Estill on behalf of the chapter for Roger’s and Beth’s contact information, including a QR code for donating to Warren County OHC’s bridle trail clearing fund. Their contact information is also located on the newsletter’s front page. Be sure to join us for our summer meetings at Caesar Creek State Park Horseman’s Camp. We meet the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.
The CCSP manager, Tiffany DeChant-Hunt, attended June’s potluck and meeting. Tiffany frequently attends meetings. She listens to our concerns, helps solve problems, cares deeply about the park and appreciates the good work of trail clearing and improving drainage by the Over the Hill Gang. Be sure to check the Warren County OHC Facebook to see if a little trail ride is planned prior to the summer potlucks and meetings. Saddle up, enjoy the ride and don’t squat with your spurs on!
~Kathleen Duchak Girgis
WASHINGTON
Welcome to summer, horse friends. This time of year, it gets hard to ride much because of the heat, flies and rain, but keep on riding, winter is coming! Washington County is continuing on our quest to reach one million miles ridden before the end of the year. We are excited!
In the mean time we have several things to report. The work at Kinderhook continues. We are behind schedule from what we had hoped, wet spring and other factors have hampered the work, but it has picked up in the past month. By the Corn Ride August 8, we hope to have all of the auxiliary work completed with just actual trail work remaining. That means digging out wet spots, making new drainage, filling with stone and Geotech, and a top layer of stone. We hope you will come to the corn ride and see our improvements!
We are also applying for another $5000 grant through and
association connected to Wayne National. We are hopeful! That means our $5000 we had saved will become $15,000 with the OHC grant and this new grant. The last news from Wayne is a re-route of the ‘Ravine’. The ravine is a very steep down and up on our trails, it is so bad the trail is actually named for it. Wayne has agreed to a re-route to eliminate this treacherous section. The time line is to layout the trail after the leaves fall this autumn, and the Wayne tech people for biology, anthropology and all other folks that make sure we are not treading on any fragile plants or significant historical sites and such in the early spring. Then the trail should open early next summer, another great upgrade and our trails will be in great condition!
We did not have a July chapter meeting, that is our tradition, and our August meeting will be at the corn ride. It will be a good time! A good ride, a potluck supper at 5 p.m., an auction and the monthly business meeting. Ya’ll come! See you on the trail, ~Rita Schultheis
WOOD
Howdy to all OHC members from Wood County! We hope you’ve been able to find a few moments recently where it hasn’t rained and you were able to get out and enjoy some ride time with your favorite equine partner. It started out as a dry spring but rapidly turned into a much damper early and mid-summer! Several Wood County members were able to brave the forecast and had a wonderful time during the month of June. We travelled east to Beaver Creek State Park and then south to Great Seal and Tar Hollow (we grabbed a quick 5 and a half miles at Great Seal before heading over to Tar Hollow State Forest for our camping).
As mentioned in July’s article, we appreciate all the hard work that other chapters have put into the trails that they have adopted. If you travel to other parks in the state, make sure to check around to see if anyone from the local chapter happens to be camping at the same location. We were able to meet members from Columbiana County, as well as Ross County, and received wonderfully helpful information about ‘their’ parks and trails.
Debbie with her loppers.
Warren County OHC
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Ron and Deb from Ross County introduced us to some of their friends as well and they hung out at our campfire for a bit. Just another example of Horsemen Helping Horsemen! We really enjoyed the beautiful scenery on the trails recommended by Ron at Tar Hollow State Forest as well. It’s awesome to be able to share inside information!
Early July brought, of course, Independence Day (Happy 250th America!), and several Wood County OHC members gathered for a holiday camping trip at our home base of Van Buren State Park. While the weather was questionable, all those in attendance managed to have a ‘sparkling’ celebration and a great time gathering together. With a history of very warm and humid conditions, no camping trips were planned for later in the month, but members remained busy regardless, making plans for upcoming trips to Hueston Woods State Park and Salamonie/Lost Bridge (Indiana) in August. There were also some
‘pop up’ rides during the month when members could catch a decently cool day.
Plans are also in the works for the upcoming 29th Annual Hobo Soup Fest to be held the weekend of October 9-10. Everyone is definitely welcome to attend; there will be many activities for all age groups and activity levels. Monies raised from this event refill the coffers of the Friends of Van Buren State Park and help to fund park improvements. Be sure to attend upcoming meetings for more updates and
to vote on the T-shirt design. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month (unless otherwise announced via our Facebook page) at 6:30 p.m. at Mi Tequilas in Fostoria. If you are in the nearby area, and aren’t already a member, please stop in and attend, or just say hi. We would love to meet you and fill you in on all our activities and goings-on.
Before the Wood County OHC Hobo Soup Fest in October happens, our Northwest Region will be hosting the State Ride at Van Buren State Park. This always well-attended event is happening on September 1820. If you don’t already have camping reservations, please reach out to our regional head, Al Sidell, for assistance via the
Regions’ Facebook page. You definitely need to make plans to attend; this is a fantastic time to connect with other horse lovers from other areas, and we always have so much fun. Money raised from the auction and other activities go straight back to trail maintenance and supplies for repair, etc. for all the chapters in the region. As we reluctantly begin to bid summer farewell, we at Wood County OHC hope that your barn remains relatively fly-free and your deodorant is well supplied and working. All kidding aside, we do absolutely wish everyone wonderful summer evenings and days with your best equine buddies, those with and without tails! Until September arrives, ~Juliann Flage
Challenging Terrain at Tar Hollow State Forest. Wood County OHC
Matt and Jo at beautiful Beaver Creek.
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