Rockyford horse club prepares for busy season
Amy Gregson – Times Reporter
It will be another exciting riding season for the Rockyford Horse Club as they prepare to start April 22.
The all-ages, all skill level club is about teaching skills and exposes riders to different aspects of riding.
“Horse club is about exposing people to different things you can do with your horse,” said Dani Gariety, club director. “Instead of teaching the same things year after year, we really want to try and open doors for people and provide opportunities for people to discover different things.”
The club meets Thursday nights throughout the summer starting at the rodeo grounds in Rockyford.
The first two weeks are free nights, where anyone can come and ride to see what the club is all about.
“It’s just for people to come and see what it’s like and if the horse is going to be up for it and just to get a feel for what the club is like,” said Gariety.
After the two weeks are finished, you are required to pay $50 for a single participant for the summer and $100 for a family.
During the sessions, different pens will be set up for different levels of riders and there will also be games such as barrel racing or pole bending.
Every other week in the summer the club will also host clinics where different people will come in to teach techniques on things like reining, pole cross or barrel racing.
“It’s to get people interested in different things they can do with the horses,” said Gariety.
The club will host a few different gymkhanas this year, which will be open to anyone, not just for members.
They also have some dates set for trail rides out in the mountain and an overnight trail ride is planned.
The club is also very involved with the Rockyford Rodeo and participates in the parade, a special horse club event at the rodeo and the rodeo queen competition.
“Last year we had a guy participate [in the rodeo queen competition] and it was really funny, but he was cool with it so anyone can participate,” Gariety said.
To be in the rodeo queen competition, you must be a part of the Rockyford Horse Club and attend regularly.
“I really encourage people that are eligible, to participate in the rodeo queen competition because it’s really starting to get bigger and bigger,” said Gariety.
“It really gives the participants a chance to become involved with the community and represent horse club and the community.”
Last year’s royalty was also invited to ride at the Strathmore Heritage Days.
Gariety said the club is starting to grow.
“There’s a lot of local people and we’re starting to get people from Standard and Strathmore, but we want to spread the word and get more people out,” she said. “We’re always looking for donations of more equipment, but we have a good facility and anyone’s welcome.”
For more information contact Gariety at (403) 901-5938, Dixie at (403) 361-0149 or Karen at (403) 934-3169.