Ashley Replogle - Horse Riding

At the age of five, when most children are learning to how ride a bike, Mrs. Ashley Replogle was learning how to saddle up and ride her horse. She had always had a love for horses and after much begging, her parents got her involved in lessons. After two years, at age seven, Replogle started riding competitively. She trained at the John Wallen Stables and said that she typically tried to ride about four to five times a week. She spent about two hours on one horse then would ride other horses after that. Replogle got her first horse when she was ten. He is a registered quarter horse named Smokem Spirit. She was able to show her horse in many shows in many categories. Replogle’s competitions, however, went much further than just showing her horse. She competed in many fun shows and regional competitions in several categories. Her favorite categories were the three gated classes. She explained that in these classes you are judged on your form and how well you ride. One judge stands in the middle of the ring and the other judges will stay in the judge’s box. Replogle also enjoyed fun shows. At these events one competes in categories like riding with an egg on a spoon or bareback with money between your knees. Unlike most little girls, Replogle never grew out of her obsession with horses.  She not only loved riding but she also loved learning about the horses.

She further explained, “When you ride you have to anticipate everything, anticipate your horse spooking at the tractor, anticipate your horse wanting to go faster and then stop. To fully anticipate you have to know how horses think and recognize the subtle signs they give out.” in every hobby or activity there are times of ups and downs, Replogle’s worst memory of riding was during a trail ride when her and her horse slipped down hill and couldn’t stop. Just when she thought she was about to hit rock her horse’s leg got caught in a tree. The horse’s weight continued to pull them down the hill and she couldn’t get him unstuck. Luckily a friend was able to cut the trees away with his pocket knife and they returned to safety. Replogle’s fondest memory was when she received her first horse, smoke. She would stop at a nearby house every day and pet this horse, she thought it was the most beautiful horse she had ever seen. The next year at her Birthday, her parents took her outside and revealed her Birthday present. It was the very horse she loved and always stopped to pet. To this day she still has the same horse.
                Because of the stresses of school Replogle is not currently competing, but she has learned abilities through this hobby that will never leave her. Through her experiences in training she has learned responsibility, teaching abilities, and how to better communicate. The knowledge that she has gained through her years of riding will continue to help her in many walks of life.