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Horse Population Growing in Weld County, Colo.

Posted on: Monday, 20 March 2006, 18:00 CST

By Bill Jackson, Greeley Tribune, Colo.

Mar. 19--The number of horses in Weld County and the surrounding area is growing about as fast as the human population.

The 2002 Census of Agriculture shows Weld County had more than 9,000 horses, while Larimer County had more than 7,300. Those two northern Colorado counties nearly doubled the population of horses in any of the other top 10 counties in the state.

So, realizing the importance of the equine industry to those residents and the need to offer activities that appeal to a variety of horse lovers, enter the Northern Colorado Riding Club. The purpose of the club is to offer a well-organized and well-balanced calendar of horse shows and special events to riders of all levels and in a variety of disciplines, said Jere Underwood, publicity chairwoman of the new organization.

"The club will be combining the traditional with the unique, a bit of the old with a lot of surprises," Underwood said.

The 2006 season will offer two separate and rotating show schedules -- an open show performance buckle series and a jackpot buckle and award series. The performance series will include five shows beginning April 23; the jackpot series will have five shows beginning May 28.

The performance series will offer more than 50 classes for novice riders, novice horses, and four separate age groups including a 50 and over classic division. It will also feature jackpot reining and jackpot pleasure, training classes, and a warm-up mini-clinic. Daily high point awards will be offered for each division.

The jackpot series will offer barrels, poles, key races and a surprise event at each show. Included are opportunities for exhibition runs, an open all ages division, and five age group divisions. Daily high point awards will be offered for the age group divisions.

All shows will be at the Greeley Saddle Club Arena, 899 N. 11th Ave.

Underwood said the club is a non-profit organization supported by membership fees -- $15 per year for individuals, $25 per year for families -- sponsors and gifts-in-kind. While annual memberships are available, they are not required for participation in any event. Membership is required to be eligible for year end awards.

The goal of the club, Underwood said, is to encourage participation in horse activities through education, recreation, and healthy competition.

"A commitment to the benefits of the equestrian lifestyle and a desire to share those benefits with a wide audience are the backbone of the club's philosophy," she said. She noted the board of directors has more than 100 years combined experience ranging from barrel racing, gymkhana, rodeo rough stock, Western and English performance riding, open horse shows, clinics, multi-breed shows, training, teaching, and judging.

"Young or not, experienced or not, we invite everyone to join in the pursuit and enjoyment of our goal," Underwood said.

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To see more of the Greeley Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.greeleytribune.com.

Copyright (c) 2006, Greeley Tribune, Colo.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: Greeley Tribune, Colorado

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