Horse ridership in the east has become a quickly growing sport, an enthusiastic hobby and a way of life for some. With Cathy Fletcher, it is much more so because she’s been around horses much of her life.

When asked about her affinity with riding, Fletcher said she was born to be in love with horses. She’s been riding off and on since she was around 12 years old.

Fletcher, born in Washington into the Captain and Betsy Shaw family, said once she started getting older she rode a lot. Although she rode less while in high school and college, after college, she began riding in fox hunting in the Raleigh area when she lived there.

“And then I discovered dressage (riding), and that’s the kind of riding I do now,” she said.

Dressage is an English style of riding, teaching different controlled movements and patterns to the horse and maximizing a horse’s potential. Competitions are held at all levels, from amateur to the Olympics.

Fletcher said once she started getting older, she didn’t want to fall off horses as much, as it started getting more dangerous, which is why she got into dressage and has been doing it ever since.

She attributes the Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, located in Williamston, as not only being the best horse arena in North Carolina, but one of the best on the East Coast, if not the country.

“We’re so lucky to have it so close to us,” she said. “Every chance I get I’ll compete there.”

Fletcher said the next competition she will enter will be held in Beaufort County at The Preserve, located off Clark’s Neck Road. The competition begins at 9 a.m. May 21. The Preserve is the first horse farm to the left after crossing the Tranter’s Creek bridge (if headed toward Grimesland on Clark’s Neck Road). The event is free to spectators.

Competitors can log on to www.edctsa.org to fill out entry forms. The costs for competitors are listed on the website.

Cathy’s father, Fred, said what he can’t fathom is how just five years ago his daughter would not even consider pulling a horse trailer.

“Now, she trailers all over the countryside, going to shows and clinics,” he said.

Fletcher’s horse, Nightie (its formal name is Night Music), was bought from Gail and Pat Riley of Washington. Fred Fletcher said Nightie was originally trained for and quite successful in “carriage” competitions, which was the family’s sport.

“Cathy has also become somewhat of a self-taught expert in horsemanship and horse management,” he said, “in areas such as horse care, nutrition, alternative therapies and training methods.”

He said his daughter was invited to participate in a demonstration clinic held in the Triangle area and conducted by a nationally recognized trainer.

“She’s the best horse mom any one horse could have,” he said. “Then again, I’m biased.”

The elder Fletcher said his daughter has worked hard to get to her level of ridership.

Eastern North Carolina’s horse community is growing by leaps and bounds, with the addition of Fox Hollow and the construction of another 100 or so horse stalls at the Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center, according to Fletcher.

The elder Fletcher said The Preserve is the result of a partnership with Jack and Wanda Morrow to construct a professional competition riding arena and jump field. For now, the facility hosts two shows each year that attract riders from as far away as Wake and Onslow counties.

“We would like to get more competitors and get some higher-level riders,” Fletcher said. “And there are different levels of riders.”