Once a month, members of the Blackwater Saddle Club gather at the June Ates Arena for some friendly horse riding competition.
Click here: To view photos from the Blackwater Saddle Club.
Horse riders of all ages gathered to compete in horse riding events on the second Saturday of each month at the June Ates Arena in East Milton – such as pole bending, barrel and arena racing. Kyle Holley, president of the club, said the monthly events allow each member to gain experience with their horse.
“Primarily the number one thing that is happening is that we are building confidence in the horse and confidence in the kid,” Holley said.
East Milton resident Judith Musco attends to support her two granddaughters.
Musco said she regularly attends to see her grandchildren compete in the monthly Fun Day events. She said the friendly environment is beneficial to the competitors.
“It’s good motivation for the young people,” Musco said. “They really encourage the young kids.”
For each competition, each participant’s timed and recorded on a score board. Top placing members will usually be rewarded. Several of the younger members use the competition for practice in other horse riding events, like 12-year-old Amanda Hachtel of Milton.
“I planning to compete at NBHA (National Barrel Horse Association) and I compete in the CBRA (Chumuckla Barrel Racing Association), which is down in Chumuckla,” she said. “When I get the opportunity I love to compete.”
Hachtel said each competition offers a learning experience.
“You’re always learning about ways to better learn your horse and better your riding skills,” she said.
The club offers several age divisions to compete in. Patricia Anderson was competing in the Jack Benny Division (for adults age 38 and older) for the first time.
Anderson was inspired to compete alongside her 13-year-old granddaughter Grace Sanborn.
“We are getting into it, little by little,” Anderson said. “I want to keep at it, at least I hope to get a little better.”
For more information on the Blackwater Saddle Club, visit their website at the blackwatersaddleclub.com
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Youth, adults gather for friendly horse-riding competition (PHOTOS)