Hitchin Post to host horse show on Oct. 27

By Ashley McCleery

The North Jefferson News




For the Reid family in Kimberly, the Hitchin Post is a not just a place to “horse around.” Instead, it’s an award-winning horse facility that places much emphasis on nurturing their relationships with the riders and horses as well as the bond between rider and horse.

“I’ve worked at a lot of barns, and this one is the best,” Hitchin Post employee Guy Whitaker said. “Everyone gets along, and no one wants to be better than each other. It’s really like a family.”

In fact, the Hitchin Post is a six-generation family farm, which began with beef cattle, hogs, corn and hay. Co-owner Ramona Reid said her granddad truck farmed until her father, Raymond Reid, took over the farm years later.

“We always had a few horses to mess around with- to play with as backyard pets but not strictly in the horse business,” Ramona said.

However, in 2005, the Reid family decided to sell their cattle because they kept getting out of the barn and becoming a nuisance. Shortly after, they concluded to start a horse business.

Ramona said her family’s plans kept expanding as they continued to discuss their new horse facility. Although they had originally wanted to build a six-stall barn, they finally decided to build a 150-by-80-foot barn that could house 21 horses.

Two years after their initial idea, the Hitchin Post now boards horses, trains riders and horses, hosts rodeos, holds birthday parties and family gathers, offers an indoor and outdoor racing track and provides riding gear at their retail store.

Even though the Reid family didn’t plan on going into the retail business, Whitaker said it’s part of what makes the Hitchin Post so unique. “You can come in the door buy clothes, buy a horse, buy a saddle and get lessons,” Whitaker said. “They will dress you and get you anything you need from head to toe.”

Ramona said the quality of Hitching Post’s teachers was displayed in September at the Alabama Open Horse Association State (AOHA) championship show because several of their instructors placed in the top 10. To enter the AOHA show, riders must qualify throughout the year, which guarantees only the best riders will appear at the championship.

“For us, as owners to have employees that are good, it builds integrity and makes us more reputable to teach lessons,” Ramona said.

Employee Jessie Fuqua placed fifth and sixth in lady’s open racking and employee Whitaker placed ninth in men’s barrels, while student Jeff Lehr placed second in speed racking, which makes him a reserved grand champion.

To exhibit these accomplished riders and horses to the north Jefferson area, the Hitchin Post will host an open horse on Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. Ramona said all are welcome to come.

Although Melanie Hallman placed ninth in open flat shod racking, learning to ride her horse, Joker, at the Hitchin Post is more than just a chance to earn a trophy. “I’m fulfilling a childhood dream,” Hallman said. “You can get on your horse and can get into the woods. It’s another world. It’s just you and the animal.”

In addition to falling in love with her horse, Hallman has become quite attached to the Hitchin Post. “It’s a very family oriented place and a relaxed atmosphere. There’s a lot of fun and a lot of humor,” she said. “The folks here are willing to do anything to fulfill your dreams.”