Not Just Horsing Around
In rural Butler County, seeing a young man or woman riding serenely by on horseback is common. For some young equestrians, it is also a serious sport.
Two Butler County high school students, Jesse Dillaman of Slippery Rock and Austin Baker from Butler, qualified for the 2017 Interscholastic Equestrian Association National Finals in Oklahoma earlier this summer.
The association promotes athleticism and higher standards for the sport through competition, education and coaching.
Dillaman and Baker were among those on the Grove City Area team.
“There were only 13 high school teams in the United States that qualified for national competition out of 73 high school teams,” said Karen Dillaman, Jesse's mother. “Grove City came in fifth.”
When they lost their coach four years ago, Butler County students joined the Grove City Area team, coached by Tammy Braham.
Braham started her business, Seven Oaks Farm in Wolf Creek Township, when she was just 25.
“I have had National qualifiers and placement ever since,” said Braham, who credits much of the success of her young riders to hard work. “Work ethic is the most important ingredient. It is the only sure path to success.”
But professional, expert instruction also is key, said Braham, not sold on the idea that “practice makes perfect” but “perfect practice makes perfect.”
Braham, who holds a degree in animal science from Penn State University, is one of only six horsemen in the state to earn status as a nationally carded judge for the American Quarter Horse Association.
“I coach amateurs and youth for all-around competition, but the IEA team competes in only two events, reining and horsemanship,” she said.
Both are of the Western discipline and both judged on the ability of the rider, not the horse. She also coaches several college teams.
IEA awards points individually which contribute to the total team points. Competitors place at their own level or “class.”
Baker, placed second in the Varsity Intermediate class, and Dillaman fifth in the Open class, the highest level for his age group. Both began riding as toddlers.
“My grandfather was a cowboy,” said Baker. “He's 75 and still breaks horses. When I was 3, we went to Colorado to visit him. They led my sister and me around for a while, but we wanted to ride the horses.”
Baker and his sister continued to ride and three years ago Baker got a horse. He said that most of his teammates have horses or lease them, but horse ownership isn't necessary.
“IEA affords children an opportunity to participate without the expense of owning a horse,” Braham said. Horses are provided for training and competing.
Baker qualified in horsemanship at IEA Nationals, riding along the rail while being commanded to trot, jog or pick up the speed.
“You are judged by how you perform, not the horse. If the horse freaks out, you have to fix it,” he said.
Braham sends the team to five IEA competitions a year to qualify for nationals.
“The thing I love most about IEA is that it is so fair. Money has nothing to do with it. The playing field is level because riders draw a random horse and must demonstrate the skill to ride any horse …. If one person has a Lamborghini and the other has a Volkswagen, you know who is going to win. They (the competitors) show whatever is provided.”
Dillaman qualified in reining, also judged on the rider's skills, showing the ability to take the horse through a variety of maneuvers in a pattern. His entire family rides.
“Jesse was 2 years old when he did his first horse halter and lead line class at the Big Butler Fair. He started riding at age 3,” said his mother.The family is traveling to horse shows most weekends when it is not the dead of winter.“I've probably done 15 shows so far this year,” said Dillaman, who shows at competitions sponsored by a variety of associations.“It's all about improving your horse and yourself to place higher. You have to train every day to get better,” he said.And he doesn't seem to mind.“Personally it is a stress reliever and a lot of fun,” he said.“It's all about the friendships,” said his mother.“It's very social. You get to meet a bunch of new people and it's always friendly competition,” said Dillaman.That could be the reason that equine industry is big business, especially in Butler and Mercer counties. Dillaman hopes to reap the benefits someday.He works for Vencienzo Santos at iSlide Performance Horses in Sharpsville, where he helps to care for and train horses for reining. Santos hired him after seeing him ride at a clinic.“He liked the way I rode, and put me on the schedule. I'm looking to learn from Vencienzo to own my own business,” said Dillaman.Though Baker does not plan a livelihood in the industry, he said he will “always ride.”Braham sees a lot of value in equine sports.“Much of what you learn from horses has nothing to do with riding,” Braham said.“Kids learn cooperation, winning and losing gracefully, team skills, problem solving, work ethic, communication and also good sportsmanship,” she said.For information about the IEA Grove City Area Equestrian Team, call Tammy Braham at 724-967-5501 or email tammybraham@gmail.com. Sponsors are available for high school students who need financial aid. To sponsor a rider, contact Braham.
