As riders on horseback gingerly balanced tennis balls on rackets, Langley Riders Society director Alex Holmes was explaining how “Tennis Anybody?” is played at the LRS 208th St. arena.
“Riders have to come in and they have a tennis racket with three tennis balls on top, and they have to come up right around a pole within 30 seconds without dropping off any of the tennis balls from the top, and then cross the finish line,” Holmes told the Langley Advance Times.
It was Shaggy Pony Day at the LRS on Sunday, April 20th, one of the first events of the new season, an opportunity for riders and non-riders to sample different events, ranging from show jumping and barrel racing to gaming events, as well as shopping local vendors in a mini-market on the grounds.
“It’s a club very much focused on fun and just being out with your horse,” Holmes enthused.
Shaggy Pony Day was held just a few weeks after LRS completed an extensive arena remediation on April 5.
After 25 years of use, the club determined the increasing cost of keeping the arena footing in good condition had reached a point where a full overhaul was required, digging it out, then trucking in 400 tons of structural fill before finishing it off with layers of crusher dust and sand.
It took several days to complete, wrapping up with a final grade using laser levelling equipment, and the installation of new arena fencing.
This year, after a long absence due to the pandemic, the Little Britches Rodeo will, finally return, running on the June 22-23 weekend with the theme of “Kids. Cowboys. Chaos.”
The last Little Britches, featuring competitors aged 2-17, was held at LRS in 2019.
One highlight of the event is the Mutton Busting competition where competitors under 45 lbs. ride sheep.
On Cinco de Mayo, May 5, LRS will host a fiesta-themed obstacle challenge, formerly known as the cowboy challenge.
A timed course with obstacles to challenge a rider’s horsemanship it may include (but is not limited to) static and moving bridges, platforms, water obstacles, flags, drags, curtains, backing, side pass, and small jumps.
Competitors can register at www.langleyriders.com/obstacle-challenge.
READ ALSO: Langley Little Britches rodeo big fun for participants
Located at 4303 208th St., LRS has been operating in south Langley since 1965.
It relies on volunteers to provide an “opportunity for people of all ages to get together to share their mutual interest in horses,” according to the LRS mission statement.
”We provide a fun, learning, practice environment in which both children and adults get together to participate in several multi-disciplinary riding events and shows.”
READ ALSO: Riders return to Langley arena