For Wednesday, April 6, 2005

Paw Print
Riding club offers practice, camaraderie and more

By Sharon Pflaumer   Special to The MidWeek

Kingston resident, Linda Odom thinks Paw Print readers should horse around more — that is, if they’re equine owners. And she knows where they can do it, too. “I belong to Circle K-D Trail Riders,” Odom e-mailed to say. “It’s a riding club that some of your readers might be interested in joining. It’s a lot of fun for anyone who loves horses and friendly competition in a family atmosphere.”

That’s just exactly what the club offers in the form of the play nights and horse shows it holds. Play nights are like practice horse shows. Because they’re governed by the same rules as regulation horse shows, they provide opportunities for members to refine their riding skills, and thus ready themselves for real competition. Or they can just have fun. Play night competition classes are divided by age groups: Junior Junior - 12 years and younger; Junior – 13-19 years and Senior – 20 years and older.

Each entrant’s performance is judged and class placements are made. Other members, who are more advanced riders, judge the classes. Instead of trophies or ribbons being awarded at play nights, entrants earn points based on their placement in the classes in which they competed.

In mid-November, the club holds its annual awards banquet. At that time, prizes and ribbons are presented based on the total number of points earned by members at play nights held throughout the riding season.

Like real horse shows, several different competition classes are offered at play nights for both English and Western style riders. For example, there are classes for horsemanship and pleasure horse riding. In horsemanship classes, the rider’s seat, hands, leg position and ability to control and show his horse are judged. Entrants in the horsemanship classes are worked at a walk, jog or trot, canter or lope, and must travel in both directions of the ring. They also may be asked to extend their horse’s gaits, back their mounts and ride patterns.

In pleasure riding classes, the horse’s performance is evaluated instead of the rider’s. While the same exercises are performed as in the horsemanship classes, it’s the horse’s behavior and its responsiveness to the rider’s cues that are judged.

Registration to participate in any play night is done on-site the night of the event. While play night participation is free to members, guest riders pay a $5 entry fee. Play nights begin at 6:30 p.m. and are held on Thursdays, June through August, with the exception of the first two scheduled for this riding season. They’re being held on the last two Fridays in May.

In addition to play nights and horse shows, Circle K-D holds speed shows, monthly trail rides and educational horse clinics. Speed shows include classes for barrel, flag and plug racing competition. Monthly trail rides are held at a variety of locations, such as Lowden State Park in the town of Oregon. (The club also allows 4-H Clubs to use its facility for drill team practice and educational presentations on various aspects of riding, or horse behavior and training.)

“Club membership has lots of advantages,” says Odom, who is Circle K-D’s president. “Although we don’t give riding lessons or provide horses for members to ride, novice riders still can learn a lot about horses and riding by associating with other members who are more advanced riders. Membership is a great networking opportunity, too. For example, anyone having a particular health problem with his horse will probably find at least one other member who can supply the name of a veterinary specialist, equine chiropractor or acupuncturist who can help resolve it. I also enjoy the camaraderie of hanging around with other horse people.”

Circle K-D is a regional club with members living throughout northern Illinois: Rockford, DeKalb, Sycamore, Genoa, Hampshire, Garden Prairie, etc. Membership is open to anyone of any age. Annual membership dues are Single - $25, Family - $50, and Non-rider - $15. Other annual membership requirements include working two play nights, one horse show and helping with one clean up. The club’s arena is located at 28746 Moose Range Road, between Sycamore and Genoa.

Circle K-D members meet monthly, February through November. Although the first play night isn’t scheduled until May, there’s plenty to do now in the way of preparation and fundraising. In addition to raising funds by holding horse shows and selling food at them and on play nights, Circle K-D is seeking northern Illinois businesses to act as club sponsors. This year, the club is raising money for new arena footing and fencing.

“There are two different sponsorship options: the Gold and Silver Programs,” Odom says. “The Gold Sponsor Program costs $200+ annually. It includes business advertisements on Circle K-D show bills, newsletters and event announcements. Sponsoring businesses also are listed as a link on the club’s Web site. And 2’ x 4’ signs, provided by each business, are posted at the club’s arena. The Silver Sponsor program costs $100-plus annually.

It includes advertisements on show bills, newsletters and event announcements. Again, sponsoring businesses are listed on the club’s Web site. But no links are provided. And 2’ x 2’ signs, provided by each business, are posted at the arena.” For more information about the club, visit http://www.circlekd.org/ or call (815) 784-2645 or (815) 784-5627.

Send your pet questions to The MidWeek, 650F Peace Road, DeKalb, IL or e-mail Sharon at: PAWPRINT44@HOTMAIL.COM