Onanegozie RC&D and NRCS Making a Difference in Aitkin County, Minnesota

By Julie MacSwain, Public Affairs Specialist

For the past several years, horse riding and other horse related activities are flourishing throughout Minnesota. In many rural areas, as the family farm gave way to hobby farms, horse ownership, instead of declining actually increased. Aitkin County in northern Minnesota is no exception.

In the Aitkin area, 4-H was a popular way for children to gain riding skills and learn more about horse care. The Aitkin area is fortunate to have a local saddle club, Bit & Bridle Saddle Club, as its 4-H partner. Before this year, the Bit and Bridle Saddle Club and its 4-H youth partners, the “Young Riders”, hosted their events in the only available horse arena within 50 miles, the county fairgrounds.

While the county fairgrounds offered a central location it had several drawbacks. The arena had a surface that offered poor footing for horses, drainage problems during wet weather, was undersized and had old fencing that was dangerous.

The Bit and Bridle Saddle Club contacted NRCS District Conservationist, Steven Gorecky. Steven provided the catalyst for the saddle club to plan a project for revamping the arena. The project was divided into two phases. First, during 2000, the community donated materials, cash and labor to build a new announcer’s stand. Next, the Bit and Bridle Saddle Club contacted the Onanegozie RC&D Council for their grant writing help.

A funding application was submitted to the Minnesota Horse Council, seeking financial assistance to enlarge and rebuild the arena. Reconstruction started in 2002. The old fence was torn down and replaced with a safe fence. The drainage problems were corrected and finally, a new riding surface was placed in the arena. Construction was completed during 2003, just in time for the beginning of a new riding season.

Aitkin Horse Arena.
 

The primary users of the arena are the 4H “Young Riders” who seem to have a growing membership. It is safe to say that last year more than 1,000+ people used the new facility. The arena is able to host additional horse shows and other events.

 

Aitkin 4-H Young Riders opening ceremony/spring show with new announcing stand in the background.
 

This project is a wonderful example of people working together to improve their community and provide a safer place where their children can participate in the rapidly expanding world of horseback riding.

For more information regarding the Aitkin Arena, please contact: Steven Gorecky, District Conservationist: steven.gorecky@mn.usda.gov