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Cowboy Challenge couples equestrian fun, charity

Staff photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

Kate Donahue, left, and Abbey Harms balance a ball as they ride horses during the obstacle event at the Florida Cowboy V Extreme Team Challenge at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds Saturday.

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BY YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: October 25, 2009

DOVER - It doesn't have the fast pace of a NASCAR race or the drama of a marathon.
But who needs all that when you've got a horse?

Local equestrians have found a way to balance fun and fundraising in their own competitive way.

Some 38 teams paid $70 a piece to compete in the Florida Cowboy V Extreme Team Challenge, an obstacle course set up in an arena at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds Oct. 24.

Wrangler wasn't keen on standing next to his partner while his rider reached for a dipper of water, then dripped it across his mane to fill a canteen. But, he endured.

The horse and his rider, Marcy Green, then made it over a rickety bridge with some coaxing, worked with their partners to haul a log through the dirt arena and trotted to the finish.

"We practice all this with them ahead of time, but what they'll do at home isn't always what they'll do here," said Green, of Wesley Chapel. "But, it's all about teamwork."

Green teamed up with Laura VanHoose of Dade City and her horse, Cruiser, to run the obstacle course.

Proceeds from the event benefit Special Olympics and the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.

"It's one of the most satisfying ways to have fun," said Calvin Young, a member of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Mounted Posse for about 25 years. "We can't go out and solicit money in uniform, so we have to be creative."

"It's all about getting on our horses and having fun," said VanHoose, noting most of the equestrians competing are trail riders.

"Some people are just nuts about competing," said organizer Karl Boger. Many return to the event time and again. "Not so much winning, just competing. I think the attraction to this is that you don't need an expensive, fancy horse and you don't have to wear fancy clothes."

For Star Diaz of Plant City, this year was a first for competition.
This year, teams were the twist in the competition. Previous challenges were for individual riders.

"It's just a blast," said Diaz. She and her horse, Dude, partnered with Vickie Oliva, of Antioch and her horse, Champ.

"The partnership is a whole new game for us," Oliva said. "The idea of getting an 1,100-pound animal to do what you want, when you want, is definitely a challenge."

Add a partner and it's even more zany, she said.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 627-4763.

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