Shirley Bryan

Shirley Bryan

When I was MEC's Ride Missouri Coordinator, I was very lucky to get to know some
extremely active trail riders and their horses in the State. One exceptional trail rider I've been
lucky enough to get to meet is Shirley Bryan. Her and her Tennessee Walker, JaBarre have
put a lot of time in the saddle over the years. They've done and seen a lot together while out
riding. Shirley's Ride Missouri Logs are like a mini trail riding journal because she puts extra
notes into them and I've always enjoyed reading through them. Her ride logs are the only logs
I get in that I actually sit down and read like a book. This month I wanted to write a little
about her and her horse, taken in part from a small "article" she had written about herself and
JaBarre that she sent in to Ride Missouri .

Shirley has always ridden a lot from about the age of 10. She's never had more than one
horse at a time. Her horse JaBarre, a Tennessee Walker, and her have put in a lot of miles
and seen a lot of different country, doing a little bit of everything. JaBarre is a very willing
horse and will go anywhere you point him. Shirley spends a lot of time with him, on foot and
in the saddle. JaBarre was purchased when he was five years old, from a horse trader, no
less. He was very high-headed and antsy with groups of horses. His gaits were not that good,
but lots of relaxed riding changed all that. He is now one of the most laid-back horses Shirley
has ever ridden. He's a good traveler and he seems at home where ever they camp. He's
never interested in other horses and often grazes loose while they are in camp.

Just some of the places they have ridden include: Knob Noster State Park, Brushy Creek,
Eagle Ranch, Panther Creek, Ozark Trail Rides, The Katy Trail, Lead Mine Conservation
Area, Berry Bend, Cedar Creek Trail, James Reed Conservation Area, Prairie Home
Conservation Area, J Bar S, Scrivner Conservation Area, and Three Creeks Conservation
Area. In addition to trail riding, Shirley and JaBarre also take part in different charity rides,
parades, rides at friend's houses, and ride around their home a lot to check on cattle.

JaBarre is about 19 years old now, sound and seems to enjoy being ridden and loves all the
attention he receives. Shirley loves him a lot and enjoys all the awards they together from the
Ride Missouri Program.

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