Pine-Richland teen and horse headed to state show

Things weren’t looking good for Woody. The saddlebred horse was too thin to win the hearts of bidders at the Amish Country auction.

If someone didn’t take Woody, he’d be shipped across the border to Canada or Mexico, where horse slaughterhouses are still legal.

Fortunately, Woody was rescued. He spent the next few years living on a farm with older horses.

Though farm life is certainly preferable to what could have been the alternative, Woody grew bored on the farm, according to Pine-Richland sophomore Lilly Sauer.

Sauer, a member of Allegheny County 4-H who began horseback riding when she was 10 years old, offered to take him in February 2021.

Less than two years later, Sauer and Woody are headed to the state 4-H horse show at the end of October.

“I’m really looking forward to the experience,” Sauer said. “I’ve never been to a big horse show.”

It might be hard for some to believe that Sauer’s race-winning horse is the same “menace” who she began training 20 months ago.

The spunky, 8-year-old horse was very skittish when he first met Sauer. The teen spent one to two hours with Woody every day at Babcock Stables, where she boards Woody.

Sauer began competing with Woody in spring 2021. Soon, the duo was outracing the other horses — despite Woody’s breed.

The purpose of most saddlebred horses is to “look pretty and move pretty,” Sauer explained. The fact that Woody is competing — and winning against — quarter horses and thoroughbred horses is unusual.

“Before I got him, no one could ride him, and now he beats horses that are bred to compete,” Sauer said. “He’s breaking society norms.”

To qualify for the state show, Sauer and Woody placed in the top four in a county show, and then in the top four in a district show.

During the district competition, the pair earned first place in the cutback race, which requires the horses to race in a pattern around poles as fast as they can.

They also placed third in the district barrel race, during which the horses quickly race in a pattern around barrels.

The state show begins on Oct. 27 in Harrisburg, and concludes on Oct. 30.

Sauer is proud of the horse who is her “best friend.”

“Friends come and go, but (Woody) has been the only constant in my life,” Sauer said. “He’s stuck with me.”