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By Randy Rice West Washington County Directory e Lincoln Riding Club brings horses and people together. It's made up of volunteers who love riding and providing opportunities for the people of Lincoln and Northwest Arkansas to ride, play and connect with animals. "I was originally involved as a parent," said Sherry Barnard Smith, Secretary of the Lincoln Riding Club. "For over ten years when our kids were growing up we were very active in the club. en we took a break and, now, ten years later, I am active again as a grandparent." e club offers a facility for members to ride in a professional arena and work with their horses. ey also hold events that they call play days. ese will start up in May and take place about twice a month going forward. "Children and adults alike can come out and participate in our play day events," Sherry said. "It's all for fun and at the end of the year we hold an awards ceremony where we give out ribbons and present a saddle to the high point winner of the year. It gives an opportunity for the amateurs to participate in events." ese Play Day events held throughout the year include barrel racing and pole racing where the riders have to weave in and out of a pattern laid out by the poles. "It shows the skills of the riders as they get the horses to turn really quickly," Sherry said. "e are all designed to show the connection between the horse and the rider. ey also have an event where they ride down to the other end of the arena, grab a flag and ride back. e participants range from two or three years old up to seventy! Everyone is welcome to participate." And perhaps the best part of these events is you don't always have to own a horse to participate! "Most everybody in the riding club is really good about letting people ride their horses," Sherry said. "ere was an older gentleman in the club when my kids were growing up who knew a lot of the kids in the community wanted to ride but they didn't have their own horse. So, he would bring his horses to the arena and let those kids ride in the events. He would fun for all! Lincoln Riding Club & Rodeo 22 | 2021 West Washington County Directory Get the best internet in the region with unlimited data caps for $79.95 FIBER INTERNET // TV // PHONE OZARKSGO.NET // 479.684.4900 get fast get fast get gigabit get fast