Samantha Straub, managing instructor at Mihara Horse Club, buckles Big's gear in preparation for putting him through his paces in the club's arena in Uruma City. (Cindy Fisher / S&S)
Samantha Straub, managing instructor at Mihara Horse Club, buckles Big's gear in preparation for putting him through his paces in the club's arena in Uruma City. (Cindy Fisher / S&S)
Samantha Straub puts Big through his paces at the club's arena in Uruma City. (Cindy Fisher / S&S)
Jenipher Gass, left, an instructor at Mihara Horse Club, points out to Melissa Pinkert how to properly clean out a horse's hoof during a lesson at the club in Uruma City. In addition to riding, lessons at the club include caring for the horses and their tack. (Cindy Fisher / S&S)
Selena Gojovaagi, 14, feeds Essassa a bit of apple before she grooms him at the Mihara Horse Club in Uruma City. Gojovaagi has been riding at the club for two years. (Cindy Fisher / S&S)
Samantha Straub gives instructions to a riding class at the club's arena. The club's instructors teach the English style of riding, which includes both hands on the reins. Western riding, which evoved partly from ranching needs, often uses only one hand on the reins, freeing the other hand for ranch work. (Cindy Fisher / S&S)
The first horse Toshihiro Nakahara bought was originally for eating.
Fortunately for Black King and horse-riding enthusiasts on Okinawa, Nakahara’s plans soon changed and the Mihara Horse Club was born.
Eleven years later, Black King is the "grand-daddy" of the stables that includes three ponies and seven other horses.
The club in Uruma City is one of the few horse-riding stables on Okinawa and the only that has English speaking instructors.
"It’s nice being around them since there are not many horses on Okinawa," said Julie Howell, one of the club’s caretakers. Her daughter Riley, 9, started riding in June.
The club has about 60 American members, said Samantha Straub, the stable’s managing instructor. Members pay a yearly fee and use the club’s services at a discounted rate. The club offers private and semi-private lessons and group jumping sessions.
Instructors teach English-style riding for all skill levels, from "never ridden on a horse to riding all their life," said Straub, who started riding when she was 5.
In English-style, riders keep both hands on the reins and use their whole body to control the horse, said Straub, who has qualified for the U.S. and Canadian horse show nationals.
This is different from the American Western-style of riding which is a looser type of riding that features heavily on rein control of the horse, she said.
Instructors focus on technique to ensure students learn proper form and control, says instructor Jenipher Gass, who also began riding when she was 5.
Students also learn to care for the horses and their tack, Gass said.
"So they don’t get to just ride, they also have to do the dirty work" such as rubbing the horse down before and after a ride and cleaning their horse’s hooves, Straub added.
Riding at the club during the past year has been a great experience for her daughter Madison, 12, said Melanie Robinson.
It’s teaching Madison self confidence, her mother said.
For those who just want to say they’ve ridden a horse at least once in their lives, the club also offers pony rides, scout tours, birthday parties and beach or village tours.
But watch out, you may become hooked, Straub said.
"A lot of people come here brand new and stay."
For more, call (098)964-6278 or visit miharahorse@yahoo.com.
