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Show Irk HILL TOP TIMES Friday. May 24. 1985 Memmbeirs wofffo ffnmidl seiremiDfiy loDinig rainicllD-sfyl- le Since prehistoric time, man has been intrigued and awed by the large solid hoofed mammal known as the horse. The horse, domesticated by man many years ago, has been used as a beast of burden hauling large loads, a draft animal pulling plows, wagons and carriages, and for riding. The tradition of riding is still carried out today by the Hill Riding Club, a group of people here who consider their horses as part of the family and are glad they have the opportunity to keep and maintain their horse on the base. The riding club is located at the northwest end of the base and has accommodations for 20 horses. The stalls are equipped with a walking area for the horses, a sheltered area for the horses to stay out of the weather, a feed window in the back of the stall and water cans. "We really like the location," said club president Roy L. Clapper. "We're somewhat isolated from the base population and it's safer because the traffic isn't all that heavy. We're also close to the north end of the base where we can ride for miles." With the $25 monthly dues, members receive use of a stall, hay for their horse, access to a tack barn and hay barn and all the riding area they need. "We're really a low budget organization because all the facilities are maintained by members," Mr. Clapper said. "However, the base does assist us on occasion. For example, they painted the two big barns three weeks ago. But most of the work is done by 7 ( the members." Also with the dues, a yearly hay buy is undertaken and the hay barn is filled with approximately $25,000 worth of prime feed for the stall occupants. Two riding areas are also provided. area called an exOne is a fenced-of- f ercise yard for the horses to run, stomp and work off energy. The other area is equipped with different style jumps for riders who want to practice English style riding. Although all the stalls are occupied at the present time, Mr. Clapper said there will be some stalls vacated this summer and if the club finds a need for expansion, that will be considered also. The club is open to active duty military and a limited number of retired military. "The reason we restrict - 1 Vv " it to active duty, ".said Mr. Clapper, "is that retired military and civilian employees are permanent and the stalls would be continually occupied. Active duty members wouldn't be able to get a stall." "Before a horse is put into a stall with the other horses, they must go through a 10 day quarantine," said Shirley Huggins, newest member of the Hill Riding Club. "That's where mare) is now. Gidgit (a to make want is disease-fre- e sure she They and won't pass anything on to the other horses." The member with the longest tenure in the club, Thurman Blackley said, "If you like horses, this is a great club to join and participate in." Mr. Black- three-year-ol- d Kathy Campbell cinches the saddle on her horse "Buttons" before riding at the Hill Riding Club. ley is retired military and has been in the riding club since 1977. Every year he saddles his horse and rides with the Utah State Division of Wildlife Resources on the dead deer count ride each spring. "We take the horses into different areas and see what the kill on deer was over the winter," he said. Members' horses are in different stages of training and riding ability. Some are in the process of being broke and others are training to perform tricks. The oldest horse is 20 years old and the youngest is a foal six-week-o- ld named Roby. Anyone interested in the Hill Riding Club can contact Mr. Clapper at Ext. 77345. Other officers this year are Bob Hill, vice president and Steve Neveraski, secretary-treasurer. |