Washington County Enterprise-Leader
‘Ghost Riders’ In The Arena
NO QUIT IN COWGIRLS OR MOUNTS FOR DRILL TEAM
LINCOLN — Precision drill teams performing on horseback during rodeos encounter difficulties maintaining proper spacing when one of their number is either absent or takes a fall out of the saddle.
The Regulators, an offshoot of the Lincoln Riding Club, have successfully dealt with both scenarios over their six year history.
Hannah Huffaker, one of three co-founders along with Marlana Edgmon and Megan Anderson, who formed the Regulators in June of 2013, proclaimed enthusiasm as the group commemorates six years of successful performances.
“Going into our sixth year as a team is such a blessing,” Huffaker said. “I could not be more proud of the team that we lead. Me and my fatty horse, Bullet, have had the privilege of leading this team through so much. He’s definitely not the best horse on the team, but he gives me his whole heart in the arena.”
Huffaker once took a spill during a performance, which potentially created spacing issues, but her horse made up the difference. She marveled at Bullet’s discipline.
“He did half the drill with no rider and never left his spot until the line came to a stop and I could get back on,” Huffaker said. “He’s the best partner a girl could ask for in the arena. He’s never been what one would call thin, even in the heat of the summer and being rode hard. But my pretty dun sure makes me look good. I’m looking forward to year six with this team. We’ve worked so hard for this.”
According to Edgmon, the Regulators strive to be role models for little cowboys and cowgirls. They enjoy getting the crowd involved and meeting and greeting people at the rodeo or parades.
“It’s what makes what we do so much fun,” Edgmon said.
The Regulators have been billed as “some of the most amazing horse women in the world.”
They think of themselves in terms of a family and believe that was proven more this past year than ever before. At at least 85 percent of the rodeos the Regulators performed in they experienced a “ghost rider.”
For those who have never heard the term, “ghost rider” means there is an empty space due to a rider missing and the rest of the cowgirls have to keep that space open or it completely throws off the drill.
For those, who think that sounds easy, the Regulators are quick to say, “No, this is one of the hardest things to do when there are 11 other cowgirls in the arena.”
Adding to the degree of difficulty was the “ghost rider” never represented the same cowgirl absent, so at each rodeo the group was forced to adjust to meet a different spacing whether compensating for a horse that set the pace or one in the middle.
The Regulators involve themselves within the community. They have worked with the staff of the Courage Therapeutic Riding Center, a 501 c (3) non-profit organization located in Prairie Grove, in getting young riders acquainted with horseback rides during clinics.
The founders have seen their dream through performing as a precision drill team to empower LRC, which hosts the annual Lincoln Rodeo, to showcase its members’ horsemanship skills. The parent organization was receptive to the idea from the start, and in June, 2014, the Regulators performed for the first time at the Lincoln Rodeo.
The initiative has been well received within the community with sponsors of all kinds supporting the effort.
This team’s ongoing vision is to go above and beyond what is expected during their performances and uphold not only the Regulator reputation but also represent the Lincoln Riding Club brand to the best of their ability.