Some were old, like 69-year-old Art Baker from Fort Dodge, and some were young, like 22-year-old Jennifer Allen from Des Moines. But all were there to have fun at the 19th annual Iowa Summer Games¡ equestrian jumping event, despite Sunday¡s heat and humidity.

Dana McCullough, the event commissioner as well as owner of the CanterBrooke Equestrian Center in Ames, said jumping for horses is a natural thing, but if they had the option, they¡d just as soon go around it.

They do it naturally, but you have to train them to do it,Πshe said.

Allen and her sister, Heather Neal, a Des Moines resident, have been riding horses since they were kids. Recently, they decided to join forces and start their own training business, opening River Hills Farms in Norwalk three years ago.

It was just a desire to teach,ΠAllen said.

Neal said they will work with anybody.

Our youngest student is five, and our oldest is 63,Πshe said.

Allen said she was born on a horse and enjoys both jumping and the hunting events. Some riders enjoy using one breed of horse, such as Baker, who uses nothing but Morgan horses. Allen likes riding a variety of breeds.

Quarter horses and thoroughbreds mainly,Œ she said. But thoroughbreds are my favorite.Œ

Allen was signed up to jump in three events Sunday with her horses Coyote and Mean and Nasty. Though the heat might have been a factor for some ¢ Baker called it quits after one event ¢ Allen went on to take gold in all three of her events, including a silver after taking a second run through her first event with a different horse.