In Love with Our Horses

My niece Emily is developing into a good horsewoman. She’s been riding since she was a very small girl and her grandfather would boost her up on Rust, our aging quarter horse, as he grazed on a lead. Rusty is now a retiree well cared for by Emily and her mom (he’s over 30, a very senior horse citizen). Emily has two more horses, Boze and Baby, to keep her busy.

Several years ago her mother allowed her to begin taking riding lessons. It wasn’t long before she began competing in local shows with the NWA Hunter Jumper Association. The new show season is coming up fairly soon for all the area riding clubs; check this calendar of events.


Sunday she reminded me that one of the important events of the equine year in NWA is coming up in a few days, the U of A Horse Festival (April 9 and 10, Friday and Saturday). It will be held in the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Arena.


For as long as I can remember driving past the University Farm (and that is quite a few years) there have always been a few horses grazing in their pastures. Today the school has a good size horse herd and a growing horse program. The Festival is a major fund raiser for the horses and horsemen and women of the U of A. This year they have a fine selection of entertainment, educational programs, and exhibits to suit any equine enthusiast’s taste.


If you go, keep a look out for Emily!