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Monday, November 23 2015 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Polo Adventures in Sheridan, Wyoming

By Kerstie Allen

Sheridan, Wyoming, is a hidden summer wonderland of Western and polo heritage. When I arrived in the town voted “Best Town to Live Like an Old West Cowboy” by True West magazine, I felt like I’d stepped back in time and literally found the original center of America’s horse world

Craving the Western ways and a love for the Western horse, I’d found my holiday destination for the summer. Dressed in blue jeans and cowboy boots, my first night in Wyoming kicked off at the Sheridan Pro Rodeo, with the finals of the Indian Relay Horse Race. If you’re looking for Saturday night entertainment, this is the answer.

Never a dull moment during the Indian Relay Races at the Sheridan Rodeo.

Never a dull moment during the Indian Relay Races at the Sheridan Rodeo.

Indian Relay Races
Painted horses and riders come from several states to compete in the historical event. I sat overlooking the rodeo arena connected to a full racetrack for the start of the Indian Relay Horse Race as 15 hand-painted, high-spirited horses were led into the arena by tribes of Indians dressed in matching, brightly colored clothing.

Each team consisted of one rider/jockey and three horses led by their teammates. Each team had a designated color and the five teams each held their first horse at the starting line.

We all jumped as the starter fired the gun to start the race. That was when the fun started. Five athletic Indians jumped on their bareback mounts and headed off around the track at high speed. One fell off and another was pushed off by his opponents, but three stayed on and galloped around the track, back to the arena to dismount at speed and jump onto their next waiting mount, like the pits at a NASCAR race — just without rules! They ran the course one more time on fresh horses amongst eight loose horses to cross the finish line and claim victory to a standing ovation from the crowd.

Then it was on to a full professional rodeo of even more historical Western rough stock and timed events. The wild, spirited bucking horses and bulls competed against the top cowboys in the world, who attempted to stay on for their backs for an eight-second ride, and the old Western ways of roping, tying and steer dogging allowed the cowboys to show off their ranch-hand abilities where fastest time won a big paycheck. It was a great show of man against beast and a tribute to the American cowboy.

Kerstie’s view of the polo fields, which line the foothills of the Big Horn National Park.

Kerstie’s view of the polo fields, which line the foothills of the Big Horn National Park.

A Change of Discipline
After a long, eventful Saturday night, I woke Sunday morning and headed south of town to play a little polo. Polo has been played in Sheridan since 1893 and as I drove closer, I could see why. The view was breathtaking and several immaculate polo fields lined the foothills of Big Horn National Park.

As I saddled up, the polo ponies felt the chill of the fresh mountain air and we pranced out to the field lined with hundreds of local polo fans and tourists all wanting more outdoor action. After our polo game, in Big Horn style, a chariot pulled by two white mules arrived to give us a ride to the award ceremony, followed by a large home-style barbecue thoroughly enjoyed by all as we visited and watched a spectacular sunset over the mountains.

The award ceremony at the Flying H Polo Club.

The award ceremony at the Flying H Polo Club.

Local Flavor
Although the weekend was over, the summer festivities had just begun. My next venture was to the quaint Western main street of Sheridan to visit an amazing hidden equestrian sanctuary: Kings Saddlery, Rope Shop and Museum. It would have been easy to get sidetracked by the amazing store of endless western gifts and horse tack — instead, I headed straight through the store to the working rope shop behind, where I found one of the most amazing galleries of Western memorabilia I’d ever seen.

I viewed a remarkable collection of saddles, bits, Indian artifacts and guns, and a wall dedicated to polo since the King family indulges in the game. Also adjoining the store was the Bozeman Trail Gallery specializing in 19th- to 20th-century fine Western art and collectibles, where it was possible to purchase a piece of American history.

The Big Horn National Forest

The Big Horn National Forest

The rest of my trip consisted of hiking to remote waterfalls, camping in the wilderness, golfing, breathtaking trail rides, 4×4 adventures, fishing and spectating trophy-sized moose and bucks, all in the snow-capped mountains of Big Horn National Forest. Of all my travels, summertime in Sheridan became one of my favorite polo destinations. The great outdoors had everything you can ask for and polo thrives there, thanks to the efforts of the Big Horn Polo Club and Flying H Polo Club.

Buckminster Fuller aptly said, “The minute you begin to do what you really want to do, it’s really a different kind of life.”

Kerstie playing polo at the Big Horn Polo Club in Sheridan, Wyoming. Photo by Kim Campbell

Kerstie playing polo at the Big Horn Polo Club in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Photo by Kim Campbell

About the writer: Kerstie Allen is a native of Melbourne, Australia. Her passion for horses has taken her on a worldwide adventure exploring and mastering nearly every discipline in the equestrian world and opening doors of opportunity for women everywhere. Follow Kerstie’s adventures at: Twitter: @kerstiea; Facebook fan page: Kerstie Allen; and Instagram: allenkerstie.

All photos by Kersite Allen, unless otherwise noted

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Tagged under: big horn national park, indian relay races, kerstie-allen, polo, sheridan wyoming

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It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is. It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is...

 ✨PF'S DIAMO BLUE✨
Diarado-Diamant de Semilly- Chacco Blue
17.0hh, Oldenburg International Hunter Derby/ Jumper Stallion
An outstanding Pedigree- Chacco Blue and Diamant de Semilly
WBFSH/ Rolex top ranking Jumping Sires 2017 thru 2022
Standing at Ryan Pedigo Sport Horses, in California

For more information, you can contact 
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You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

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Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses—in a way, she was born into her career. She grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where her parents ran a farm. Her mother taught, and her father had a jump business and then created one of the first horse show software programs: Ryegate Show Services, Inc.

Riding all her life, Annette spent many years as a groom and loved it, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do as a career. After she finished college, Annette’s father recruited her to help process entries at Ryegate. Since her father, Lloyd Longenecker, founded it in 1981, Ryegate has provided show management and office staff for some of the largest shows in the country. Now, Annette has taken over from her father and directed the company as it focuses on managing memberships and rankings for organizations such as the North American League, WIHS Championships and Equitation, Rolex/USEF Computer Ranking and National Medal Series (THIS NCM and Ariat NAM). Ryegate also provides scoring software for use with video walls, and production teams for hunter and jumper shows.

“Besides running Ryegate Show Services and its various organizations, I can be found in the show office, running a scoreboard or judging jumpers at most shows,” Annette said. “I love getting to wear a few different hats at the show.”

When she’s not busy at a show, Annette lives in Annville, Pennsylvania, with her “fur-baby,” Maggie Mae, and enjoys spending time with her many godchildren. Though she doesn’t currently own any horses, Annette rides when she can at Rolling Acres Farm with Patty Foster, Ashley Foster-Worthington and Mary Lisa Leffler.

Read this month unbridled with Annette Longenecker by clicking the link in our bio. Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 🦄
📸Photo by Sheryl Sutherby

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A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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