Life lived on the back of a horse

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  • Pictured above to the right, Jim Shingleton hugs Veva Jiles as they stand in between Kid to their left and Gus to their right. Pictured below, Alana Owen takes the reigns off her horse, King, after a long trail ride. Photos/Chelsea Weeks.
    Pictured above to the right, Jim Shingleton hugs Veva Jiles as they stand in between Kid to their left and Gus to their right. Pictured below, Alana Owen takes the reigns off her horse, King, after a long trail ride. Photos/Chelsea Weeks.
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A common love brought Alana Owen, Dawna Weaver and Veva Jiles, pictured to the right, together.

A love that they want to share with others - the love of life on the back of a horse.

Alana Owen got her first horse when she was five years old and has been riding for over 52 years.

Dawna Weaver lived most of her life around horses and was involved in barrel racing, but she had to sell them when she went back to college.

Owen met Weaver at the Meeker Round Up Club a few years ago and wanted to start a small group that she could go riding with.

Owen said she wanted to create an atmosphere where riders can feel comfortable — away from the titles, politics of riding and constant competition.

A place where riders are welcome at every level.

“I never want to feel like I’ve failed on the back of my horse,” Owen said.

Owen met Veva Jiles three years ago and invited her to ride.

Jiles has been riding since she was five and was the Southeast Director of the OSU 4H Horse Club covering 19 counties.

Three years ago Jiles moved to the area and met Owen while working at Atwoods.

“I didn’t know anybody up here, and these girls here have become my sisters,” Jiles said. “We’re really close.”

Owen created a Facebook group a year ago called the Central Oklahoma Trail Riders Networking

In just one year, their small group of three members has grown to over 40.

“We most anybody to come ride with us and enjoy what we enjoy,” Jiles said.

Owen said they ride the trails at Prague Lake, Meeker Lake, Stroud Lake and Chandler Lake.

“The horse facilities they have are amazing,” she said.

Owen described trail riding as it’s own sport.

“Trail riders have to be skillful,” she said.

When dealing with horses and the unpredictability of the trails, riders have to be alert.

Weaver said horses have to get to know each other as well as the riders.