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Tuesday, April 9, 1991 / University Daily Kansan
Features
Timothy Miller/KANSAN
ABOVE: Jill Armstrong, Derby senior, rides Chocolate Chip Sundae during the Triple J Spring Horse Show on Sunday in the western horsemanship competition. Armstrong was competing for the first time.
RIGHT: Sheri Reed, Wichita senior, cleans mud from the hoof of Chocolate Chip Sundae before a ride during her horsemanship class. Students who attend lab at the Triple J Arabian Stable are required to groom and feed the horses every session.
Horsin'around
Opportunities abound for students to saddle up
By Katie Chipman
Kansan staff writer
As the weather continues to get warmer and students want to take a break from studying, an alternative option would be considered — horseback riding.
There are several stables in the Lawrence area that offer horseback riding lessons or hourly rentals for those who just would like to take an
Spencer Ralph Riding Stables in Lecompton rents horses for $15 an hour to ride on their 100-acre farm.
Rockafire Farms, Rt. 3, provides services for people who have their own horses.
The horse owners may transport their horses to the facility to use the outdoor riding arena or the indoor facility for $5.
Joy Underberg gives lessons to people of all ages at the Triple J Arabian stable in Baldwin City during most of the year.
The KU Equestrian Club purchased a horse this semester for club members to use for riding practice.
Nancy Andervich, treasurer, said that having the horse, which they named Jack, would give some of the money to their friends the chance to get some experience.
She said that during the summer, the club would board the horse at a nearby stable but that the members would try to do the majority of the work that is involved with caring for a horse.
Andervich said the club met every two weeks to hear speakers or watch instructional videos.
"We have people in the club who haven't had much experience," she said. "And we have members who have been riding since they were 4 or 5 years old."
For KU students wanting to know more about horses and riding, the department of health, physical education and recreation at the University of Kansas offers a horsemanship class every semester.
The class meets once a week on campus for a lecture covering the basic fundamental concepts of calculus students go to the stables for hands-on training.
Joy Underberg, instructor of the class, said 30 to 40 students enrolled in the class every semester.
She said that any level of student could enroll in the class.
"I have a lot of students who have never been on a horse," she said. "They don't have to know anything to take the class."
"The intermediate class can be advanced as the students want to so." she said.
She said that one of the activities the students were graded on was their participation in a horse show.
The students in the class participated in the Triple J Spring Horse Show on Sunday.
The horsemanship class offers Western and English-style riding for all levels of riders. The main differences between the two styles are in the saddles used and activities that each is associated with.
The English saddle is smaller than the Western and is traditionally associated with hunting and polo. The Western style is for more vigorous riding activities such as barrel racing.
The class requires that students pay a fee of $150 that is used for the tuition. The student must provide their name.
Vicki Kubota, Lawrence senior,
drives 12 miles twice a week to go to
her afternoon horsemanship classes,
but she said it was worth it.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, Kubota drives to the Triple J Arabians stable in Baldwin City for her horsemanship lab.
Kubota said she had little experience with horses before enrolling in the class.
"Really, I did only ride trails on vacations," she said "The lab I'm in is beginning English riding."
Kubota said that being in the class did not mean students could just come out and ride but that they had to be prepared for horsears as part of the class criteria.
Shelly Puckett, Lawrence freshman, said, "It's a good class because you can have no experience and go out and ride.
"You can be an experienced rider and be challenged," she said.
Missing the Kansas Spring Football Game Could Be Hazardous to Your Health.
Saturday, April 13 • 1:00 p.m. Memorial Stadium • FREE Admission