I’m writing this from the perspective of a horse lover–who’s been bucked off just about every horse she has ever tried to ride! But I still love the beasts.

That’s why I was glad recently to meet Yvonne Jannie, owner of TriCo Equestrian Center LLC, located between Galva and Kewanee. If, in my young days, I’d had access to such a center, I might today sit astride a steed with the good form of that pert young rider in the accompanying photo. Sigh…..

Yvonne is the widow of Tick Jannie, who ran TriCo Welding and Repair in Neponset, and as I’ve always told you, once you’re a part of Neponset, it’s for always (whether you want it to be or not). After Tick’s death several years ago, Yvonne bought a farm where she fulfilled a long-time wish and founded TriCo Equestrian Center “because of my passion for horses, my love of kids, and the joy I experience when combining the two.”

TriCo boards horses as well as maintaining its own small herd, including, I believe, a donkey. Besides training students, TriCo provides entertainment for pony parties and various community events. You may well have seen it in action in your town.

TriCo is a member of Youth Equestrian Development Association (YEDA for short), an organization devoted to promoting the joys and benefits of horsemanship. It’s composed of teams of riders in 4th to 12th grade, or alumni, or disabled riders age 10 through adult. Yvonne’s students who don’t have their own horse may use one from the TriCo herd.

YEDA teams consist of a coach, a minimum of three riders per team, divided into junior or senior, beginner, disabled, or alumni designations. YEDA sponsors shows and clinics, including a National Championship event. It offers college recruitment and scholarship opportunities in ag-related subjects. Most importantly, it focuses on individual development. That means students at TriCo get customized training in riding skills. (Wow—that’s what I needed!)

Helping Yvonne carry out this program is instructor Kelsey Whalen. Kelsey is a Black Hawk East alumnae with 20 years’ experience in barrel racing, roping, and fundamental training. She’s an expert in helping students with their particular needs. If a student doesn’t own a horse, Kelsey can match him from the TriCo stable with the mount that best fits his situation.

Let me introduce the present equine population at TriCo Equestrian by name and short description: SLICK (Mr. Goofy); SKIP (Show off): SKIPPA (Best groomed); CECE (Barrels of fun); FANCY (Nice and slow); REBA (Dollie’s mom); TRAVIS (Mischievous); DOLLIE (Reba’s daughter); MARSHMALLOW (So squishy)–various sizes, ages, personalities–just like the riders

I don’t need to tell you it costs money—real money—to keep horses. They need to eat—like horses, of course. They need a stable, and plenty of room to exercise, which requires expensive fencing. If you move them, you need a horse carrier and a truck to pull it. Then there’s the bills for a farrier, and vet service—you think it costs you to go to the doctor? No, horse-care doesn’t come cheap.

TriCo Equestrian Team will be hosting their Blue Ribbon Round- Up Open Show as a fundraiser to help finance its YEDA show team on Sunday, May 4, 9:30 a.m. at the Henry County Fairgrounds. More details can be found at their website.

Is horse-therapy just one more hobby? No. It can be wonderful. Like dogs or cats, horses are very sensitive to human emotions. Yvonne and Kelsey can tell you of students who’ve transformed from sad, and/or introverted students to happier individuals, gradually coming out of their shell to warm first to the horse, then to their fellow humans. YEDA competition makes self-confidence bloom. And perhaps the greatest benefit of all is the unconditional affection that can grow between horse and rider. It can fill a void nothing else can.

To the owner, instructor, and students of TriCo Equestrian Center and the YEDA organization, I say, “Keep up your good activity and—success, success, success!”

Your friend, Carol