Valley vendor spotlight: Pony Wheel Ranch

BUTTE— Anyone who’s lived in the Mat-Su Valley and attended annual events like the Alaska State Fair over the years has likely seen the familiar sight of children riding ponies in a circle.

Annette Hale has owned and operated her homegrown business, Pony Wheel Ranch for over four decades.

“We do okay. It feeds the horses. We don’t get rich but it makes a lot of people happy,” Hale said.

Hale said she started Pony Wheel Ranch in the 1970s with the Alaska State Fair as their first venue. She said they return to the Fairgrounds every year, and they’ve become one of their longest returning vendors.

“We built all our own pony wheels,” Hale said. “It was such a hit at the fair the first year.”

Hale said that she looks forward to vending at the Fair even though it goes by in a busy blur. She commended all the logistical work put into each season.

“It’s like building a little city. They work really hard,” Hale said.

Hale said that her favorite part of running Pony Wheel Ranch is giving countless children their first experience riding a horse or pony. She said it’s sparked many to pursue equestrian companions of their own over the years.

Her daughter, Venita Hale has been helping her out for many years. She said seeing a kid’s face light up as they ride a horse for the first time is also her most cherished takeaway from all the hard work it takes to help her mother maintain the animals and overall operation.

“Some kids never have that opportunity,” Venita said. “It’s just always good working with animals. It keeps you grounded.”

Pony Wheel Ranch is regularly featured at Friday Fling each week. It will be onsite during several events for the rest of the summer, including the Palmer Midsummer Garden and Art Faire, Eagle River’s annual Bear Paw Festival, and of course, the 2021 Alaska State Fair.

For more information about Pony Wheel Ranch, call 907-745-4507.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com