Author: hannah zgrablich

Tucked away in a cozy box-stall, nuzzled in dry hay, and munching on crispy treats from his extensive fan-base, lays Houghton Equestrian Center’s most prized possession—the 2014 Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) School Horse of the Year, Pumpkin.

The CHA’s Horse of the Year Program is meant to “honor the animals that spend countless hours being patient with new and experienced riders.” Pumpkin has honored this requirement–exceeding expectations and performing with unique personality.

Pumpkin is a 22-year-old Haflinger horse, small in stature and mighty in spirit.  He has served as a faithful member of the Houghton College lesson herd since he was donated to the college at the age of  five. His chestnut base coat blends him with the autumn landscape and is complimented by a pure white strip that rests down the center of his face. What Pumpkin lacks in height, he makes up for with a sturdy physique built to comfortably hold each rider he meets.

It is Pumpkin’s glowing demeanor that really draws in his fans. “As an instructor in a barn full of horses he is always my first choice,” said equestrian program director, Jo-Anne Young. “Five CHA conference attendees sidled up to me to say that they had purchased an extra plane ticket home so they could take Pumpkin with them!  Obviously they were joking, but it is an indication of how quickly that special Haflinger builds his fan club with his sweet personality!”

At the age of 22 (69 in human years), he shows no signs of retirement, continuing his service to riders with cheerful willingness. He shows his riders patience, allowing them to build confidence in their abilities. Like a grandfather ushering a child to his lap to read a story, Pumpkin has an inviting way of putting riders at ease, welcoming any skill level or saddle to his back.

“He’s a favorite because he is so predictable and consistent,” said junior equestrian minor Hannah Henry, “he always seems to be aware of the rider’s safety.”

This semester Henry is working with horsemanship student, Christina Moore, and Pumpkin—brushing him, tacking him for riding, and running/walking beside them to give direction. Because Moore has impaired eyesight it is important that she can trust the animals she is working with. “Pumpkin is so sweet with her and always does what she asks and would never try anything dirty to throw her off or trick her,” said Henry.

Pumpkin is also willing to collaborate with advanced riders, showing western styled riders how to do sophisticated maneuvers like soaring over course jumps. He performs with patience while riders practice a new move–allowing them to try, and try again, but also has the sophistication and experience to execute a maneuver with ease once his rider gets it. He can gallop 400 meters per minute on a cross-country course, light on his feet, and thoughtfully navigating through rocky terrain.

Among his favorite activities of being a lesson horse are pulling the meadowbrook cart, being pampered with love and affection, and being rewarded with treats to which he responds with an approving exhale or delighted whinny. “I’ve been working with horses all my life and I’ve never met a horse who loves his job as much as Pumpkin,” said, senior, Jalene Amling.

“You could truthfully say he is worth his weight in gold to us! It was an honor and a great pleasure to have him recognized as the 2014 CHA School Horse of the Year,” said Young.

For some people, hunting for “sport” implies frivolity—it’s killing for fun—but for participating students at Houghton College, it is a sacred experience that is widely misunderstood.

Hunters are perpetually accused of recklessly chasing adrenaline and intentionally using weaponry that brings animals cruel deaths. However, listening to some who participate in the sport reveals that it can be perceived as an art—an expression or application of human creative skill and imagination.

Beginning their day before light, hunters spend an extended period of time observing their prey’s behaviors, habits, and tracks. Sporting garb that blends them with their tree-stands, hunters sit in oneness with the woods to assure the animals that their habitat is safe and secure. Though it may take hours, applying this tact and developing strategy to outwit their game is half the enjoyment for hunters.

Additionally hunting is an investment—hobbyists pay to participate in this pastime. Each year, hunters must purchase hunting licenses and sometimes pay to hunt on the specific land they’d like to explore.

“There is much more to hunting than killing animals,” said senior Austin Groff, “Not only is it is beneficial for wildlife management, but it provides good food.” After hunting for almost 10 years, Groff described a feeling of satisfaction that came each time he worked to hunt and harvest an animal.

For Groff and others, hunting has also served as a way to experience the beauty of God’s creation. Sophomore Aaron Eisenhardt reminisced, “Bow hunting in the fall is awesome…sitting in the tree stand with the trees resembling the colors of fall all around me.”

Situated on the site of a former Caneadea Indian Reservation amidst 1,300 acres, Houghton College has delivered an ideal environment for hunting hobbyists. Having grown up close by in Fillmore, first year Jordan Mullen was eager to stay close to the land in which he grew up hunting. “Hunting is the way I take myself out of the busy world and experience nature in its true form,” he said. For Groff, “sitting in the woods in itself, for hours, is enjoyable.”

Mullen has been enjoying hunting with his dad since the age of seven. “I have shared some of the greatest bonds with my friends and family in the woods,” he said, “the perception is that it’s a savage and brutal time, but that’s false.” For Eisenhardt and senior Jordan Sloat, hunting was also shared as a father-son activity beginning at a very young age. “I grew up around it, my whole family hunts, I was born into it,” said Sloat.

“For someone who has never hunted before,” Eisenhardt explained,  “It is hard to describe the reason why I enjoy it.”  He encourages his peers to find an opportunity to get out and try it for themselves.