About us

The Orleans County Boots and Saddle Club was started in the late 40’s/early 50’s and chartered in 1958.  The Club’s purpose has been to promote the love of horses and to invite horse owners and enthusiasts as well as the general public to join us as spectators or participants in a variety of horse related events and activities. Our member meetings are monthly and we often have a free drawing with fun prizes at each meeting.  We have members of all ages and anyone is welcome to join.   We’ve kept our annual dues at the same low, affordable rate for many years.

The early years offered open horse shows, gymkhana, parades and trail rides.  The Club has progressed to offer an annual swap-n-shop, a fun show series, day and overnight trail rides, clinics, schooling shows, educational and informational presentations, and member fun days with food, campfires, and fun obstacle challenges.  Most events are open events with some member only activities throughout the year.  In 2023 we scheduled a poker run, swap-n-shop, trail rides including an ice cream ride, a hunter pace, a cow penning clinic, a presentation on care and final decisions for your equine by Rachel Levin, and a fun show series.  We also support our community with donations to local rescues and emergency agencies.

This year we awarded two individuals with lifetime memberships.  Jerri Hulse received the lifetime longevity award as a consistent member of the Club since she was in her early teens in the 1960’s.  During her years she has served selflessly in many capacities including being our president several times.  Jerri constructed most of our beautiful jumps used in our hunter pace event which she also coordinates, and she hosts our yearly swap-n-shop at her farm in the spring.

Reta Smith is the second lifetime award recipient as one of our founding members and at 94 years old, she is still healthy and active.  As a founding member, she and her husband, Chauncey (1927-2010), were instrumental in getting our Club grounds up and running.  With help from other founding and early members, they built the arena which is one of the largest in our area.  Holes for the fence posts had to be dynamited since we are on a rock base.  Many loads of arena sand had to be brought in to give it great footing for our participants to enjoy. Of course, over the years fence posts needed replacing.  But the original arena is still there and being well used anytime by Club members and at scheduled public and member events.

We are here for fun, community, friendship, learning, and for the love and enjoyment of our horses.