South West		Montana Chapter
PO BOX 10394, Bozeman, MT 59719	(406) 587-4377	lazybow@montanadsl.net

 

Riders find middle years not time to dismount

04/17/02 By LuANN ROD Chronicle staff writer

So, they're not as young as they used to be.   That hasn't stopped the members of the Southwest Montana Old People's Riding  Club from getting together and recreating  the fun of being a kid with a horse.   Recently, eight members of the recently formed chapter of the national organization, met at Lazy Bow Ranch on the west side of the Bridgers to enjoy a day of riding, relaxing and trying new things with their best horsey friends.  "It's for the 'mature' person," says Elena Bohannan, founder of the local chapter, "one with a sense of humor." Members must be least 21 and a glance around showed riders in their middle-ish years, hardly elderly.  The group originated in 1998 in Maryland when Hope Jacob decided the kids were having all the fun. According to the official Old People's Riding Club Web site, she wanted a place where adults could get together and have fun riding and learning without the pressure of competition dominated by professionals. She based her idea of an adults-only riding club on Pony Club, a long-established international riding club for young people that stresses safety and education. That esteemed organization has become the incubator for national- and Olympic-caliber riders in competitive horse sport.  The goals of most OPRC members are less lofty. Beth Merrick came to her first event with her buckskin named Six           because "it sounds like fun." Lois and Brian Blasberg "came for the opportunity to ride in the arena. It sounded good for our young horses."  There to guide the riders onto new avenues was Stephanie Jacobson. New to the area, Jacobson is a professional trainer and a former United States Pony Club member. Both Western and English tack is acceptable to encourage participation from a wide range of riders and their interests. "This is a learning thing and meant to be fun," Jacobson said. But safety is taken seriously. Helmets are required, and all riding  members must pass a basic riding test based on skill ratings by the OPRC. Membership for non-riders who enjoy learning   about horses but may not yet feel comfortable on horseback is also available and helping hands of all sorts are welcomed.  As Jacobson guided the members through games and exercises meant to make the horse and rider more of a team, the Lazy Bow arena quieted. Clods of dirt tossed by passing hoofs punctuated the concentration. Riders focused in on the job.  "Head up, eyes forward, don't look down." Fun events to try included beginning jumping and a trail course. By the time Bohannan brought out a broom and a soccer ball for an introduction to polo, most riders and horses had had a day of it.  So far the fledgling club has visited the Carriage House Ranch in Big Timber, a stable specializing in driving disciplines, and the Flying M Paso Fino Ranch near Livingston. The group also spent a day on the trail getting winter kinks out of pasture potato equines.  Future events include Pony Club games, more polo, trail riding and jumping clinics. Bohannan hopes, as the club grows from its current 15 members, that their input will lead in other directions taking in a broad spectrum of horse activities.  "It's just for fun," Bohannan said, "no horizons and no limitations."  For more information on OPRC visit the Web site at www.oldpeoplesridingclub.org. For the local chapter call Bohannan       at 587-4377.                        LuAnn Rod is at lrod@dailychronicle.com