Horseman's Association
PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION
The goal of Horseman's Association is to educate the community and the Truman student body about horses. Horseman's Association consists of about 50 members who meet twice a month. Members range from Agricultural Science majors with an equine science emphasis, to students in other academic majors with an equine science minor, to those students who have never been on a horse but want to learn more.
ANNUAL ACTIVITIES
- Horseman's Association sponsors two horse shows per year, one in the fall and the other in the spring. The Spring show is co-sponsored with Northeast Missouri Arabian Horse Association and is a point show for the Missouri State Saddle Club Association. Students are allowed to ride University or personal horses in both the Fall and Spring shows. Classes include both western and english, games classes (barrels, stakes races, pole bending), and some fun classes.
- Horseman's Association participates in two parades each academic year, the "Still the Best" parade and the Truman State University Homecoming parade. Participation in these parades give the membership a chance to show off their riding skills and compete for awards.
- Horseman's also plans trips to shows and clinics in surrounding areas. For example, each year members usually attend the American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri, and attend Missouri Equine Council's Equine Celebration held in Columbia each February.
- Horseman's Association also sponsors Circus Equus, a horse fair dedicated to educating horse owners in the community and Truman students on new things happening in the horse industry. There are usually speakers, vendors, horses of various and unusual breeds, or even members of the horse community who conduct small clinics. In the spring of 1998 Pat Parelli did an excellent 2 hour clinic with his wife for Circus Equus.
- Members of the Association have annually participated in a walk-a-thon that supports the Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Program in Columbia.
- 4-H clinics are held at the University Farm. Students give demonstrations and lessons using University-owned horses to help these youth improve their riding skills.
Members of Horseman's Association pay a membership fee of $10 per year or $7 per semester. A newsletter (Hoofprints) is sent out to all members to let them know about up-coming activities and events. A privilege of active members is to attend "Open Riding" on Saturday mornings: each active member is allowed time to ride University horses. It's chance to ride the animals that we all love so much and an opportunity to have fun with friends.
WANT TO JOIN?
For more information, contact Horseman's Association sponsor Dr. Charlie Apter at 660-785-4584.