HORSE SENSE: PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPED BETWEEN RIDER, HORSE

SuAnne Remley guided Joe Bob Lynx onto a platform to simulate walking across a bridge.

Before heading outside the stable for practice, Remley brushed the horse's tail.

The rider's foot can be used to help guide the horse.

SuAnne Remley leaned forward from the saddle and patted Joe Bob Lynx, a 10-year-old quarter horse, on the neck. The horse had worked hard during his morning lessons and Remley was pleased with his progress.

The horse snorted and shook his mane. "He loves this," Remley said.

Remley is among thousands of people raising and training horses. Horse-related sports, including horse shows and trail riding, are on the rise across the country.

The goals for those thousands of horses may be different. Some are destined for huge national shows. Others might never appear outside a training ring. Some are more like family pets.

Remley trains horses for show. Horse shows vary as much as horses. A number of local shows are held throughout Southeast Missouri, and give riders and horses a chance to participate and learn.

Regional and national shows also are held at different locations across the country. Each horse breed has an association and a show.

A multitude of show classes have been developed with names like Western Pleasure, English Pleasure and Trail.

Every weekend, horse owners could pack up their trailer and head to a show somewhere. Remley travels about two weekends a month year-round.

Preparing for a show requires training for both the horse and rider. That's where Remley comes in. As a professional horse trainer in Cape Girardeau since 1983, Remley works with horses in her care daily. She also works with the riders.

"It's a partnership," Remley said, as she brushed the horse's tail. "It's a team. You can put a great rider on a horse that's not so good, and the result won't be great."

In reverse, a great horse can make a mediocre rider look much better.

Part of the partnership lies with the personality of the horse.

"Yes, horses have personalities, just like dogs and cats have personalities," Remley said. "Some are more timid. Some are more brave. Some get bored easily and need to be challenged. Others don't mind riding around in circles."

Remley trains horses in a variety of skills, partly to keep the animals challenged.

"When you train a more all-around horse," she explained, "there's always something to learn."

Joe Bob Lynx, the quarter horse Remley was training last week, practiced trail-riding skills like walking over a simulated bridge or allowing the rider to open a simulated gate.

Training and showing horses can be an expensive proposition. But for those who are interested, a small investment will start.

And when the show starts, judges don't know how much money has been invested in the horse or training.

"You may have spent $100,000 or $5,000 on a horse," Remley said. "When you're in the arena, its the rider and the horse and nothing else."