Brian Hagberg
WARREN, Pa. – The first of three Extreme Cowboy Association events will be held at the Serenity Equestrian Center on Saturday, June 25.
This is the second year Serenity has hosted EXCA events, after having two events last year. Riders at the events have the opportunity to earn points for competing at EXCA national and world championships later in the year.
“People can compete here and go to nationals in Texas in the fall,” Abby Wenzel said.
Wenzel is part of the Northeastern Great Lakes EXCA club, based at Serenity Equestrian Center. The club is the only EXCA club in the state, and one of only two EXCA clubs in the northeast (the other is in Dover, Ohio).
The club aims to help not just EXCA riders but to grow interest in the sport of equestrian as well.
“We’re hoping to draw people as we grow,” Wenzel said.
As part of that growth, the club has held several practice sessions leading up to this initial event (another is set for Wednesday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m.).
“The practice sessions are to get the horses used to the obstacles, build trust between horse and rider, and improve horsemanship,” Missy Fitzgerald said.
In mid-May, noted horse trainer Stuart Rybak came to Serenity to hold a 5-day camp and 2-day horsemanship clinic.
According to Rybak’s website, “Stuart has worked with horses and riders in almost every discipline to help develop that coveted partnership so they can strive in their disciplines and accomplish their goals.”
The “Extreme” in Extreme Cowboy Association is more a descriptor for the event’s originator than the event itself.
From the EXCA website, “Extreme is part of the original name used for the first televised event. The word, “Extreme” also acknowledges that our event is directly associated with Craig Cameron who originated the sport as we know it and is the founder of the Extreme Cowboy Association. The vast majority of the obstacles that you will encounter in a sanctioned EXCA event are things you will routinely encounter while on a trail ride or daily work on a ranch.”
There are various levels of competition from youth through 55+, and any experience level is welcome.
“It’s open to anyone who can sit on a horse,” Wenzel said.
Additional events will be held on July 16 and Aug. 6.
For more information about the club or the upcoming events, visit Serenity Equestrian Center on Facebook, or call Traci Wade at 814-316-1064.
