White Mountain Riding Club

05/29/2026

🌟 WMRC Member Spotlight: Tara Girard from Newport, VT

Tara Girard brings a thoughtful, compassionate, and deeply horse-centered approach to the equine community 💙🐴

With several horses in her life, each one brings something different to her journey. There’s Lena, a saucy 22-year-old Quarter Horse mare and former reining horse who is stepping into the world of ranch trail this year, and Rocky, a laid-back 15-year-old spotted draft horse who makes the perfect trail partner. Tara also works with Bonnie and Jay, a semi-retired team of pulling ponies who are patiently teaching her the art of driving a pair.

For Tara, horses are much more than a hobby—they are healing. After spending 15 years involved in rescue work, she shifted her focus toward working with clients with mental disabilities while continuing to help people and horses build trust, patience, and connection together.

Her horsemanship philosophy centers around truly listening to the horse in front of her. She is especially proud of her ability to adapt, work through trauma and imbalance, and become the person each horse needs in the moment.

Tara’s students have participated in several WMRC clinics over the years, and she values how welcoming and supportive the club has been to both riders and students alike. She hopes to become even more involved in the future and is excited about the positive direction WMRC is heading.

She would love to see more schooling shows and networking opportunities where trainers, riders, and programs can connect, learn from one another, and continue building a stronger horse community together.

Tara’s entire career has been dedicated to strengthening the relationship between horse and rider, especially helping children who may not otherwise have access to horses or opportunities to learn. Her holistic “whole horse, whole rider” philosophy shines through in everything she does.

✨ “Giving them a reason to trust.” ✨

We’re so glad to have Tara and her students as part of the WMRC community 💫

05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. 🇺🇸

Memorial Day is a reminder that freedom comes at a cost carried by generations of heroes and the families who loved them.

From all of us at White Mountain Riding Club, thank you to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember you today and always.

05/24/2026

Only 1 week to go to get those videos uploaded folks. This is a pretty simple challenge. Give it a go!

05/24/2026

One of the best parts of the horse world is finding “your people.” ❤️ The people who cheer for your tiny wins. The people who help hold your horse when things go sideways. The people who understand why a good ride can change your entire day.

That is what clubs like White Mountain Riding Club are really about. Not perfection. Not fancy horses. Not who has the newest trailer. Just people who love horses and want to keep the local horse community alive and growing for the next generation.

If you have been looking for a way to get more involved, meet other riders, support local events, volunteer, learn new things, or simply feel more connected to the horse community… consider joining WMRC this year.

Small clubs survive because people choose to show up. And every membership matters more than most people realize. ❤️

Join here:

How to join White Mountain Riding Club as a Member

05/22/2026

🌟 WMRC Member, Officer and Board Spotlight: David & Ramona Chessman from Lancaster, NH🌟

Some members become part of a club… and some help shape its history. David and Ramona Chessman are truly part of the foundation of the White Mountain Riding Club community 💙🐴

Longtime members of WMRC for nearly 30 years, David and Ramona have dedicated countless hours to supporting horses, youth, and the local equine community. Both served as 4-H leaders for more than 25 years, mentoring generations of young horsemen and horsewomen through their equine club. One of the things they are most proud of is seeing where those young people are today and the impact horses and 4-H had on their lives.

Over the years, the Chessmans owned six horses, each with their own unique personality and special connection. Ramona’s heart horse was Midnight, a Morgan/Draft cross known for his playful personality and love of parades and drill teams. Though Midnight passed at age 23, the memories and partnership they shared clearly still hold a special place in her heart.

Ramona has participated in countless WMRC shows and clinics over the past 35 years and, together, both David and Ramona have held several officer positions within the club throughout the years. Their dedication to service extends beyond WMRC as well. Ramona currently serves as Vice President of the Lancaster Fair, while David is an Associate Director overseeing the L&G tractor pulling events.

What they enjoy most about WMRC is meeting people who share the same love of horses and community. Looking ahead, they hope to see continued growth within the club, with more shows, new members, and active volunteers helping carry WMRC into the future.

The White Mountain Riding Club would not be what it is today without dedicated members like David and Ramona. Thank you both for the decades of support, mentorship, and commitment to the equine community 💫

05/19/2026

We’ve been hearing your requests… so we’re thinking about opening the ring for an Open Ring Day on either July 25 or July 26, 2026! 👀🐴

This would be a chance to come ride, school, haul in for exposure, or simply enjoy some arena time in a relaxed environment. This is for the practice ring and main ring only, not the grounds.

🕘 Morning and afternoon time slots would be available
💲 Cost: $30 per participant
✅ Sign up and Prepayment would be required
📌 Minimum of 10 paid participants needed to make it happen

Before we finalize plans, we’d love to know:

Would you be interested?
If so, which day works better for you — July 25 or July 26?

Drop a comment below or send us a message so we can gauge interest before we pursue! 👇

05/18/2026

Meeting reminder - TONIGHT!

Monday, May 18, 2026, 7:00 pm
Weeks Memorial Library, 128 Main St, Lancaster, NH and Zoom Option

Make your voice heard!

05/17/2026

🌟 WMRC Board and Officer Spotlight: Bonnie Hamel from Milan, NH🌟

Bonnie Hamel is a dedicated member of the White Mountain Riding Club who brings a thoughtful and always-learning approach to her horsemanship.

She serves as a member of the WMRC Board, is the club’s webmaster, and manages much of the social media, helping keep members informed, engaged, and connected throughout the season.

Bonnie, owner and coach at 4C Horsemanship, shares her journey with two horses: D’Lady, an 8-year-old Canadian mare and Reco, a 4-year-old Quarter Horse. For Bonnie, horses are all about the connection and partnership they offer. She values the way they reflect what we bring to them, and the sense of calm that comes from simply being present with them. She enjoys exploring disciplines like working equitation and western dressage, and appreciates being part of a club that is growing beyond traditional ring riding.

One thing Bonnie would love to see more of at WMRC is more volunteer participation, helping the club continue to expand opportunities like schooling shows and clinics for all types of riders.

Her approach to horses says it best:
✨ Stay teachable, stay flexible, and keep learning how to show up better for the horse in front of you. ✨

Bonnie Hamel

05/15/2026

🌟 WMRC Board and Member Spotlight: Jonathan Franko from Wheelock, VT 🌟

Jonathan Franko is a longtime member of the White Mountain Riding Club who brings a deep-rooted passion for horses, community, and lifelong learning to everything he does.

With a herd that includes Quarter Horses, a Morab, a mini, and a Standardbred, Jonathan has experience across a wide range of horses but his main partner is his 22-year-old off-track Standardbred mare. She may like her space, but out on the trail, there’s nothing she won’t do. After three years together, she’s become a steady, dependable partner who’s always ready to hit the trail and put in the miles.

For Jonathan, horses are about connection. He values how they ground us, bring us back to nature, and offer a kind of honesty that’s hard to find anywhere else if we’re willing to listen.

His horsemanship journey goes well beyond riding. Jonathan is a farrier, has helped organize equine events, and has been involved in clinics of many kinds. He’s also a WMRC Board member and is a clinician at the upcoming NEK Equine Expo, as well as sponsor and organizer for the very first NEK Ranch Challenge, continuing to share knowledge and support the equine community.

He has been showing and participating at WMRC for the past 7 years and values the strong sense of community especially the opportunities it creates for youth to get involved in clinics and shows.

A lifelong supporter of 4-H, Jonathan has experienced it from all sides as a member, leader, and state horse council involvement and now enjoys watching his own kids grow through the program.

His perspective says it best: It takes all of us to keep the equine community alive and strong.

We’re glad to have your knowledge, dedication, and community spirit as part of WMRC, Jonathan.