When the scrubs come off, the boots go on.

For one NMC Health nurse, the Newton Saddle Club isn’t just a weekend hobby. It’s a second home, a labor of love, and a place where young riders grow into confident adults.

“I started riding when I was five,” Stephanie says. “My dad made me ride bareback (without a saddle) to build my balance and core before he would let me put a saddle on. I didn’t know what a saddle club was – I just loved to ride for the love of the horse.”

That love only grew stronger. After attending her first show, she was hooked not just on riding, but on the community that surrounded it.

“I fell in love immediately with the family feel, the comradery and the healthy competitiveness. Fast friends were made, and I learned so much,” she says. “This club is a second home to me, and the people are the reason. There’s no better place to learn more about horses and riding than in a judgement free, helpful place like the Newton Saddle Club. I wouldn’t be the horsewoman I am today without the club.”

And now, she’s paying it forward in a big way.

The Newton Saddle Club, organized in 1962, is dedicated to fostering horseback riding and equine education through shows, trail rides, rodeos, clinics, and more. From April through October, the arena buzzes with activity, culminating in the CPRA rodeo and Bulls and Barrels event during the Harvey County Fair. But its purpose goes far beyond entertainment.

“Our goal is to include the community in our adventures, horse or no horse,” she says. “We have many members that don’t own horses but wanted to learn and help out.  Our mission is to foster the new generation of horsemen and women, spread knowledge about the equine community, bring revenue to our local community, and grow as a horse family.”

And it runs on pure volunteer power.

“Every hour is a volunteer hour,” she says. “No member gets paid, not for setting up the arena, cleaning the office, mowing, organizing fun shows, or working the gates. We all pitch in, whether it’s behind the scenes in meetings or hands-on in the dirt.”

The commitment is evident in everything from the pristine arena footing, considered some of the best in Kansas, to the little moments, like a child’s first ribbon or the grin of a young rodeo star buckling on their very first award.

One such moment, starring “the cutest little boy,” stands out for her:

“This little boy won the buckle in the 1-5 division. I remember his sweet, wide smile as I called his name as the winner and he bebopped up to the front to accept his buckle,” she says. “Without hesitation, he ripped off his belt, took off his clasp, and got that buckle on in less than five seconds. I think I was still holding the buckle case! I’ve ever seen a smile so big as he stood there for a picture, hands on either side of his buckle for all to see! That is what pure joy looks like, not because he won, not because it’s a shiny new buckle, but because it was his first and he had worked so hard practicing at home, made it to every show, and rode in every class. His hard work paid off and he knew it! He learned what hard work and loving your animal can get you. That is the greatest reward.”

Stephanie’s passion for the club mirrors her commitment to nursing. “Patience is a virtue for both patients and animals. You have to understand body language, sense feelings, understand barriers and limitations, as well as have empathy.”

She continues: “You must understand that you are there for others, whether it be the patient in the hospital or the animal on the farm. They both depend on you to be at your best, to care for them, and to keep their best interests in mind. Both depend on you as a caregiver.”

Many of the club members are nurses, EMTs, and healthcare workers. “This is a very dangerous sport. Riding a 1,200-pound animal with a mind of its own can spell disaster at times, but I’m always ready to jump the fence to help someone.”

For Stephanie, the joy is in the giving. “My favorite part is hosting a show, rodeo, or any event and being able to watch people have a great time. The smiles are what brings me the greatest joy, knowing that I helped do that for them.”

Just don’t ask her husband how often she disappears to the arena. “He loses me to the arena more often than he likes,” she laughs,” but it’s my safe place, my relaxation, my comfort, and it brings me great joy to watch the members have a great time, loving their horses and each other.”

In the hospital or the corral, Stephanie shows up the same way: steady, compassionate, and fully present, helping people and horses alike find their footing.