Oldham County Saddle Club
New
club for horse enthusiasts
forming for county residents
Crestwood’s
Garner conceived
the idea to bring people together
By
Helen E. McKinney
Contributing Writer
CRESTWOOD, Ky. (November 2009) – Sarah Garner
established a saddle club in Oldham County for one reason, and one reason
only: to create a network of individuals who can share a common love
of horses.
The Oldham County Saddle Club was formed recently because “I thought
the county needed a group of people to enjoy their horses in a casual-type
environment,” said Garner, 29. Originally from Jefferson County,
Ky., Garner moved to Oldham County in 2006.
 |
|
Photo
provided Riders
saddle up |
The club is open to both individuals and families. Garner
would prefer that members live in Oldham County to grow the idea of
a saddle club based in the county, but there are no restrictions on
who can join. Member fees are $15 an individual and $40 for a family
consisting of two adults and up to four children under age 18.
Activities for members include special member-only shows, summer shows
and trail rides. The idea is to promote and encourage the care, riding
and enjoyment of horses through fun and new friendships.
Being part of the club can bond horse lovers and provide them with “something
in our backyards that allows us to come together and not spend a lot
of money,” said Garner.
Benefits for members include discounted horse show fees, members only
and year-end awards, and social activities. The club provides an outlet
for trail riding and competing for individuals not associated with other
groups.
“The underlining factor is to have fun,” said Garner. “If
you own a horse, you love it.” Being a member is done “for
the love of the horse-there’s no pressure to do other things if
you don’t want to.”
The saddle club is presently based from her 14-acre farm in Crestwood,
Clover Lea Farm, where she offers boarding services. Garner is looking
for a more permanent visible place to enjoy saddle club activities in
the county.
Garner consulted with Mary Lowry, owner of Alta Vista Farm in Oldham
County, about beginning the saddle club. Lowry, president of the Oldham
County Equine Council, said she offered direction, advice about putting
on shows, and location ideas.
Lowry thinks the club will “bring lots of people from many different
riding disciplines together.” It will also bring the community
together, said Lowry, who grew up knowing Garner.
 |
|
Sarah Garner |
Lowry is willing to do whatever Garner “needs me
to do” in getting the saddle club off of the ground. “It’s
a great thing for the area.”
Garner’s work in the equine industry doesn’t stop with the
Oldham County Saddle Club. She is Director of Fundraising for Saddlebred
Rescue, based in New Jersey and located at North Wind Stables, a nationally
known Saddlebred show facility.
She said she had always wanted to “provide a retirement home for
rescue horses.” She was able to adopt two horses of her own. Through
her acquaintance with the Executive Director of Saddlebred Rescue, Garner
was asked to take on the position of Director of Fundraising. Saddlebred
Rescue hosts the Louisville Luncheon and Silent Auction each year, held
on the Thursday of the World’s Championship Horse Show in August
in Louisville.
“Everybody is welcome” to join the Oldham County Saddle Club,
said Garner. “There is no fancy stuff. It’s geared for people
with backyard horses that you can pull from the field and take for a
ride.”
Traci Missun, Oldham County Cooperative Extension Agent for Agriculture
& Natural Resources, said she is not aware of any other saddle clubs
in the county. Missun said a saddle club “would be an asset to
horse owners in the county. Horses are not only the No. 1 agribusiness
in the county but also a passion for many people here.”
Missun said it is “always beneficial to have a group where you
can network with people who have similar interests. Many good things
come out of networking.”
• The Oldham County Saddle Club will hold its first meeting at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the South Oldham Fire Department. For more information, contact Sarah Garner at (502) 744-5190 or visit www.OldhamCountySaddleClub.com.