Published: September 19, 2007 06:49 pm         

Global Galloping

By David Wilfong

Herald-Banner Staff



The Bar S Arena is located out on a secluded rural road where “Greater Royse City” creeps across the line into Hunt County. It’s not the type of place that one would “happen upon” on a Sunday drive.

But foreign nationals are finding their way to the facility, in what can now be defined as a “growing trend.”

Jim and Zee Sykes first made news last year by hosting a team of riders from Italy for training and their first taste of American competition in the equestrian sport of penning and sorting.

Team penning and sorting is billed by many as the fastest growing equestrian sport. Jim questions the claim, but does point out that while participation in the sport is very thin — its also very wide, spanning far across international borders.

And its team penning and sorting that is bringing foreigners to Royse City.

Claudio Menetti, who led the Italian cavalry to Royse City last year returned again this year, bringing a new group of riders with him.

“Every time I come to the United States I have to come and see Jim,” Menetti said between dances at the Southern Junction. “He is my trainer.”

During this trip the Italians got to compete in Gainesville and did not go home empty-handed. Menetti, and Gianni Reggiani won first place in #6 sorting on August 26.

Menetti hosted Jim and Zee in Italy last December as the couple was invited to teach clinics to the Italian horseriding community.

But this year the Italians were the second nationality to visit the Bar S Arena.

Jorge Steiner, a horse enthusiast from Venezuela had made the trek to Royse City in July, when he and his family spent three weeks at the Bar S Arena honing their skills to take back home with them to Venezuela where Steiner competes in penning and sorting competitions atop his prized Andalusian stallion.

“Margaret (Steiner) was a beginning rider and did very well working cattle from the second day on,” said Jim of Jorge’s wife. “Leonardo had tried barrel racing but wanted to do cow work with his father Jorge who had some experience at this and they both were very aggressive on cattle after some lessons.

“They have invited us to visit them and compete there. We consider them very good friends even though we have not known them long. They have stated they would like to visit again and they would be very welcome.”

Then recently Jim has been contacted by a family in Australia making plans for a trip. The Australians are due to arrive on Sept. 29 and plan to compete in sorting competition while here. They also are looking forward to attending a Cowboy Church while in Texas.

“It seems we are spreading out,” Jim jokes of the current round Bar S guests that have darkened his doorway. “They seem to find our page on the Internet.”

Jim does not know why his page stands out among all the others, but is happy to be getting the riders and becoming somewhat of a tourism draw for Royse City.

Pasture Penning, using Bar S Arena ratings and a handicap system will be held on Sept. 29 at the Bar S Arena on 3312 PR 2558 outside Royse City. Competition begins at 9 a.m. The Australians will attempt their “equestrian invasion” at that time.