Illinois man logs 3,000 hours in the saddle

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—For the past 30 years, Butch Crippen of Dongola, Ill., has found that there is nothing more relaxing or gratifying than trail riding. In 2004, he discovered a way to reward both himself and his horse for their efforts—the American Paint Horse Association’s (APHA) Ride America’s program. With his 20-year-old sorrel tovero Paint stallion, Shenandoahs Pride, Crippen has logged 3,000 hours in the program.

For their time in the saddle, Crippen and his stallion receive a special commemorative patch from APHA, a special achievement certificate and one ton of horse feed from APHA sponsor Kent Feed.

APHA’s saddle-log program has given Crippen and other APHA members the opportunity to ride or drive their favorite American Paint Horse at their own pace and to receive recognition for their accomplishments. When riders enroll in Ride America, they 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

Crippen rides his stallion daily around his home, but accrues most of
his hours along the trails of the Shawnee National Forest in southern
Illinois.

“A couple friends and I load up every weekend to go riding,” he said. “It has just become a way of life.”

Horse and rider have also traveled to the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota and the vast lands of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina.

Crippen obtained Shenandoahs Pride when the horse was only 2 months old. The horse became an Illinois show champion in 1989, but was retired due to an injury. Soon after, Crippen started trail riding with the stallion.

“He’s done everything I’ve asked him to do,” said Crippen.

Not only does Crippen trail ride with the horse, but he also breeds him, rides him in parades and participates in cowboy mounted shooting competition.

Crippen has recruited a number of his friends to join Ride America so they, too, can also enjoy the many benefits of the program. He plans to retire soon and will stay busy doing what he loves most—trail riding.

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.

More about American Paint Horses
Among the many qualities that make Paint Horses desirable are their sound conformation, versatile athletic ability, intelligence, calm temperament, willing disposition and beautiful coat color patterns. For more information about the Paint Horse or the American Paint Horse Association and its activities and programs, visit apha.com or call (817) 834-2742.