LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Saddle Club hosts its second horse show this Saturday and Sunday at Silver Falls Ranch in Kilauea. This weekend from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., horse lovers from ages six and up will be competing in
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Saddle Club hosts its second horse show this Saturday and Sunday at Silver Falls Ranch in Kilauea. This weekend from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., horse lovers from ages six and up will be competing in English and Western styles of riding.
Saturday’s event will focus on English riding events, including jumping at all age levels. Sunday’s event will feature Western-style of riding, which includes speed camps and an obstacle course.
“There’s a huge community here that likes to ride,” said Gina Calisher, president of the Kaua‘i Saddle Club. “It’s a good, fun family-friendly sport. It teaches kids a tremendous amount of responsibility and respect because they are dealing with a living, breathing animal.”
When Calisher teaches children how to ride, she reminds them, “horses aren’t surfboards, they have feelings.”
The Kaua‘i Saddle Club is a non-profit organization that formed in May 2010. The club’s mission is to create a safe haven for youth while providing positive life experiences for the children of Kaua‘i, and to teach life skills including responsibility, discipline, patience and respect. Its mission is also to make lessons affordable while sharing different disciplines of riding.
All proceeds the club receives are pumped right back into the horse-riding community. The money is used for a variety of programs, and Calisher said she hopes to bring horse trainers from the mainland to teach clinics and educate the youth on riding techniques.
“Our goal is to educate the youth on the endless possibilities that are available to them through hard work, determination, ethics, and perseverance, whether it is in the equine industry or elsewhere,” according to a statement from the club.
Calisher said she hopes to establish a college scholarship fund in the future.
Last September, the club’s first horse show drew 60 entrants. Calisher expects the same number for this weekend’s show. All breeds of horses and ponies are welcome.
This weekend’s show is free and will not be canceled due to rain. Parking is limited.
To donate to the club, call Lucinda Michetti at 635-5152 or mail donations to PO Box 609, Kilauea, 96754.
• Andrea Frainier, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or afrainier@
thegardenisland.com.
