Ride America participant logs 3,500 hours in the saddle

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Jessica Asay from Toms River, NJ, has recently
received the 3,500 hour award in the American Paint Horse Association’s (APHA) Ride America® program. Her partner on the trails is How Dee Sensation, a 12-year-old chestnut tobiano gelding, better known as “Callahan.”

Jessica Asay and How Dee Sensation recently received the 3,500 award in the American Paint Horse Association's (APHA) Ride America® program. Courtesy Jessica Asay Hirez TIFF (5.33 mb) Hirez JPEG (734 kb)

For their accomplishments, Asay and Callahan receive a special
commemorative patch from APHA, a special achievement certificate and
one ton of horse feed from APHA sponsor Kent Feed.

When Asay purchased Callahan 7 years ago, she didn’t truly know how
wonderful he would be.

“I love everything about him. His personality is the greatest,” said Asay.

When Asay and How Dee Sensation are not on the trails, they are busy competing in both English and Western events at shows. Courtesy Jessica Asay. Hirez TIFF (4.76 mb) Hirez JPEG (696 kb)

The pair ride 5 times a week throughout the state of New Jersey, including Allaire State Park, Colliers Mills Wildlife Refuge, Clayton Park and Assunpink Wildlife Management Area.

“Allaire is my favorite because it is so beautiful and such a great ride,” Asay said.

APHA’s saddle-log program has given Asay and other APHA members the
opportunity to ride or drive their favorite American Paint Horse at their own pace and to receive an official time log and a Ride America patch. They record each hour spent riding their American Paint Horse and as they move through 14 achievement levels—from 100 to 10,000 hours—APHA records their accomplishments on the horse’s performance record and rewards the team with special patches. Depending on the number of hours ridden, participants also earn grooming products, headstalls and saddle pads.

When Asay and Callahan are not on the trails, they are busy competing at local shows in both English and Western events and going team penning and sorting.

More about Ride America
If you are interested in becoming part of APHA’s saddle-log program, call APHA’s Ride America coordinator at (817) 834-2742, ext. 249, or e-mail rideamerica@apha.com. You can also visit the Ride America Website at apha.com/rideamerica.