Riding Lessons
Watching over the fence as her daughter rides a horse named Vinnie, Mandy Bittner Vergerio nods in time to the hoof beats, whispering "Good girl!" under her breath.
"I still get excited every time she rides," said Vergerio, 29, of Mars, admiring 8-year-old Faith Ann's composure as Vinnie jumps some hurdles.
Faith Ann has been showing horses for three years — sharing the pastime with Vergerio and her own mother, Nancy Bittner.
"It's something we enjoy doing together and we get to see each other every day," Vergerio said.
"It's all about family here. We're hands on. We're dedicated to this. It's our life."
For many women like Bittner and Vergerio, the pastime shapes their roles as mothers.
For many mothers, the shared activity creates a way to stay close to their children.Many also cite better parenting techniques by way of working with horses."They're just like kids," laughs Bittner, 63, of Adams Township, who began riding in her teens."You can't make a horse do anything. You have to show them it's easier to do it your way. Parenting is pretty much the same," she said."It's a teaching tool for patience. You're asking instead of being physical and demanding. You're setting the situation up to be positive."Kelley Jones agrees."There are a lot of parallels between horse training and child rearing," said Jones, 44, of Fombell, who does barrel racing with her teenage daughter."You have to read the horse's body language, and it's the same way with your child. They don't always tell you what they're thinking."Although horses have taught some mothers to lead with gentle diplomacy, an existing knowledge of their children's sport allows them to lend support."Mandy grew up riding with her parents as her teachers," said Redean Sheppard, the riding instructor at the Bittner family's Anvil Ring Farm.Bittner's husband Dave is a farrier, and the couple has been building their 14-acre horse operation since the 1970s. Due to those efforts, Vergerio had access to an indoor riding arena, which Bittner never had."I horse showed until I was in my 50s," Bittner said. "She was always younger, stronger, had better balance."I really respect Mandy's abilities on a horse," she added. "She's extremely talented."
Jones, too, is offering 17-year-old Kahlianne the benefits of her own experience. Jones and her sister, 48-year-old Sue Bologna, both hold equestrian science degrees from the University of Findley in Ohio. Their homes connect to their family's 100-acre Timber Creek Farm, a lesson and training facility with trails and indoor and outdoor arenas.Their mother, Linda Schweiger, gave up riding when the sisters were young, but now can often be found touring with them and their own daughters to out-of-town events."It definitely makes us closer," Jones said. "We go to these barrel races. We're in a camper probably 10 feet long and 8 feet wide."Sharing time and space helps keep them close. But activities also reinforce bonding."Another thing we share is accomplishment," Jones said of the camaraderie that grows when the family is succeeding at shows and competitions."And when you're not, you can cry together," she said.For reasons unknown, Jones said a majority of barrel racing events are attended by women."A lot of moms and daughters do this event," she said. "Not so many boys as girls ride."Not true for 17-year-old Kyle Carson of Connoquenessing Township, who was exposed to horses by his mother, Jackie.
Kyle was the 2009 Pennsylvania High School Rodeo champion for bull riding and a third place finisher in steer wrestling."He carried a rope around from the time he was little,' Jackie Carson recalls."We have pictures of him wearing shorts and a cowboy hat carrying a rope. When he was 2 we'd go to horse shows, and he'd be roping everyone. It got to the point the older kids would give him a dollar to rope someone."Although still active herself with horses, Carson spends much of her time accompanying Kyle to events. Her efforts are not unnoticed."She's always the one taking me. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be able to do it," Kyle said, explaining how his mother's guidance has encompassed more than riding tips."She has taught me a lot of life lessons," he said. "Not so much horses — just everything."Kyle recognizes how horses can teach hard work and responsibility: "A lot more than other kids get," he said."You learn how to take care of things the right way — and how to take care of yourself.""Even my girls will tell you they wouldn't trade growing up that way," said Carson of Kyle's adult sisters.
Due to a full schedule of competitive events — some of them out of state — the family's truck remains hooked up to a horse trailer in the yard, moved occasionally for mowing.When not parked, the truck is occupied by mother and son, who pass the time talking and singing."We both like our music a lot," Kyle said, noting the duo has become used to all-night drives, perfect for conversation."We talk about situations that happen at rodeos and school," Carson said. "When Kyle has a bad day: He's my son, I know not to ask. He'll eventually start talking about it on the way home."Back at the ranch, Kyle's father lends support by doing ongoing animal care.When work detains him, Kyle and his mother also partner in farm chores like cutting and baling hay."It teaches you so much from a young age. I'm glad I've always had it," Kyle said.Many mothers are likewise grateful."It's really exciting to see your child be able to do something you have done and to excel at it," Vergerio said."It warms your heart."
