Rixeyville rides again

John Lezcano, Sports Correspondent
Published: June 5, 2008

Horse enthusiasts in Rixeyville wanted to find a way to enhance their local 4-H group. That’s why the Rixeyville Riders have been having club meetings for four years.

“We made this club up so we could have an all-around 4-H club,” founder Robin Lanham said.

The riders, ages 9 to 14, learn about equestrian education and do all kinds of recreational activities.

“We want the kids to be educated in the ways of treating a horse properly and to learn safety as well,” Lanham said.

Learning those lessons and enjoying the activities has been a treat for the kids involved.

“We go on trail rides, do fun shows, games, and go on field trips,” club member Matthew Revis said.

Revis influenced his club to support the Retired Thoroughbred Foundation, in which convicts help with retired thoroughbreds.

The club has been able to donate $100 to this foundation, which it joined just this year.

The riders also get to learn different styles, of riding from English and Western Barrel Racing to Western Pleasure. This type of learning has been quite beneficial and gives the riders a lot of exposure. The twenty-five members of the Rixeyville Riders all are enthused by the activities they take part in and equestrian education they receive.

“The activities we do are really fun,” Revis said.

Maggie Lanham and Taryn McFarland both showed what they have learned from their time at the meetings Thursday night when the group got together to kick off the summer season.

Lanham showed the reining of her horse, Dakota, and McFarland explained the Western style of riding.

“It was fun and just something to get into,” Lanham said.

The group also tries to help the community in many ways. All the riders are required to do community service, such as picking up trash.

With all the work the members and organizers put in, the club is not only enjoyable, but beneficial for aspiring equestrians. 

The Rixeyville Riders

Founded four years ago as part of the Rixeyville 4-H club, the Riders have helped area children learn about horses and last year sent eight members to the State 4-H Horse Show in Lexington.