Written by Alison Bos

The Missouri State Horsemen’s Association and the Missouri State Ranch Horse Team hosted the first ever Ride with the Bears Horse Show at the Darr Center’s Pinegar Arena.

Several riders competed at the event including members from the Missouri State Equestrian Team and Ranch Horse Team, Missouri State Alumni, Northeastern Oklahoma Equestrian Team and members of the community. The show consisted of several classes including jumping, equitation, hunter under saddle, western pleasure, western horsemanship, reining, ranch pleasure and ranch trail. Organizers of the show wanted to demonstrate how the shows are ran, as well as give community members the opportunity to compete.

Along with demonstrating what the competing teams do, the show was also designed to give new members the opportunity to practice in a show setting before riding at other shows this semester. Missouri State team members were given the option of showing the school’s horses or showing their own. The equitation and western horsemanship classes were organized using Intercollegiate Horse Show Association rules meaning riders had to draw for the horse they rode.

Dr. Gary Webb and Sue Webb, along with the help of Jessica Boyts and members of Horsemen’s Association and the Ranch Horse Team planned and organized the show. Prizes were generously donated by PFI Western Store and Gordon’s Feed and Pet Store.

“I am grateful for all the help we received, in particular from Horsemen’s Association and the Ranch Horse Team, as well as prize sponsors,” said Jessica Boyts. “It would definitely not been possible without any of them and all the hard work every person put in.”

The Missouri State Western Equestrian Team kicks of the 2012-2013 show season this weekend at Truman State University in Kirksville. The Hunt Seat Team and Ranch Horse Team will begin their season next month.  More information regarding the competing teams can be found on the Missouri State William H. Darr School of Agriculture website, as well as Campus Link.