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    Chief LaFontaine Saddle Club

History

The Chief LaFontaine Saddle Club is a not–for-profit organization, established in February of 1941.  The first meeting was held in a welding shop belonging to one of the members.  There were sixteen people present for the first meeting.  The club at that time was called the Playtime Saddle Club.  The first horse show the club held was a fun show, just for its members, on September 12, 1941.

      After the war the club purchased their own ground, starting with a small parcel and adding to it three different times to complete the grounds currently located two miles south of Huntington, on 200 W.  The Chief LaFontaine Saddle Club was the first club in Indiana to own its own show grounds, and to have electric lighting around the show ring.

      The first horse barn was built in 1955, and the second, west barn was added in 1961.  Today there are 65 box stalls and 2 tie stalls.  The registration booth was built in 1970, and a second story was added in 1990.  Restrooms were built in 1988 to provide showers and flush toilets.  The west arena was built in 1976 to provide exhibitors a place to warm up their horses before entering the show arena.  In 2001 the club added 12 electrical pedestals each containing three outlets, which provides electrical service to three trailers or RV’s per pedestal.  Also in 2001 we were able to replace the main arena fence with new vinyl rails.  In 2002 we rebuilt the west barn, replacing the old stalls with 24 new box stalls, and putting on a new white steel roof.  We were also able to build a new tractor shed and replace the fencing on the back make up arena.

     Throughout the years, the purpose of the Chief LaFontaine Saddle Club has been to provide wholesome entertainment for the community, and at the same time give exhibitors, and 4-H exhibitors of Huntington and the surrounding areas an opportunity to show horses and promote 4-H horsemanship to its best advantage.

      The present day membership continues this tradition by helping several major programs in our community.  Starting the first of May through mid July, over one hundred 4-H horse and pony members, and fifteen 4-H llama members use the facilities three days a week.  The Knights of Columbus run the concession stand in the clubhouse with proceeds directly benefiting community projects.  Every year the Saddle Club donates fruit baskets to the Salvation Army for under-privileged children in our community.  In 2003 we installed a new well, water lines and hydrants.  This gives us 2 wells with plenty of pressure to handle the needs of horse show participants.

    In 2007 fund raising efforts created a fund for replacing the old wooden bleachers. New sturdy comfortable aluminum bleachers with railed stairs were installed with several under roof for greater comfort.

     Through continued facility improvements, the Chief LaFontaine Saddle Club will strive to provide a quality facility benefiting the youth and families of Huntington County, the State of Indiana, and surrounding states.