Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
A group photo at the Colton clinic Aug. 21.
Florida's Daniel Stewart, left, experiences a Palouse harvest
Horses and trailers, riders and a judge gathered near Colton Aug. 20-21 for a clinic led by a traveling Florida trainer named Daniel Stewart.
At the residence of Jerry and Jean Morse on Johnson Road, nine riders began last Thursday, part of 22 participants over both days.
"Fine tuning how to be competitive under stress," said organizer Jana Schultheis.
The group which put on the event, Paradise Creek Pony Club – begun as Palouse Hills Pony Club in 1967 includes riders from age six up to their 50s.
Each year many of the 25 members go to four rallies in the Inland Empire Region (mainly eastern and central Washington) hoping to advance to the national competition; the U.S. Pony Club Festival, held every three years in Lexington, Kentucky. The 2020 event has been postponed to next year due to COVID-19.
In the arena last Thursday morning outside Colton were four jumpers, with Stewart in the middle.
"He's trying to crack 'em, make 'em so stressed they can't think," said Schultheis.
At the end of the day, the coach totaled up each rider's scoresheet and depending on their tally of "faults," they did sit-ups.
The fences for the jumps were kept low.
"The height is not the point, the point is mental agility," Schultheis said.
Overall, Stewart looked to hone the form of the rider and their horse.
"Daniel works to break you and build you back," said clinic participant Kate Schultheis of Colton.
A total of 12 riders came on day two.
"He challenges you to go beyond where you're comfortable and teaches you to become comfortable," said Cassie Davis of Pullman.
Paradise Creek Pony Club has an adult and college-age group, then one for junior high and high school and another for elementary-age kids.
The club's leader is Lisa Morse, known as its district commissioner, heading one of 12 chapters that make up the Inland Empire Region.
Last week's clinic was the group's first formal activity for the year. 4H Horse clubs have been suspended due to the virus, as well as the Palouse Empire Fair.
Stewart held a clinic in Spokane the week before which allowed the Palouse club the opportunity to book him.
Will he be back?
"Yes. He spent three hours in a combine last night and loved it," said Schultheis Aug. 21.
The club includes riders from Colton, Moscow, Pullman, Lenore, Idaho, Asotin, Garfield and Colfax.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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