Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania softball student-athlete Amanda Breon has distinguished herself on the field, earning numerous conference honors over the course of the past three seasons.

But the junior shortstop and third baseman also sparkles off the diamond in pursuit of a decidedly unusual hobby.

Breon spent part of last summer learning how to drive Belgian draft horses, otherwise known as miniature Clydesdales, and competing in farm shows.

With no experience or knowledge of caring for or driving horses, Breon's introduction to the activity came through a friend whose family owns 12 Belgians -- six for shows and six for use in weddings, proms, parades and other similar events.

Breon said she was attracted to learning to drive Belgians because of the challenge.

"I thought I'd give it a try and ended up really enjoying it," she said.

It didn't take long for the newcomer to find a rhythm, either.

"With driving, probably by the third or fourth time, I really got comfortable and felt confident that I could do this," she said. "As far as getting to know the horses, basically if you're around them one day, you're comfortable."

The most difficult task Breon has faced in settling into her new hobby has been building a secure relationship with the horse.

"At first it was scary. You have a horse that weighs a ton. If he wants to run away, he can run away. So, getting to know the horses and being confident with them was the most challenging," she said.

However, Breon said the challenge also is what makes driving the Belgians so much fun.

"It's not something that everyone can do or pick up on. It's something different I never thought I would do," she said.

Breon said there's also an added benefit of the work on the farm being great conditioning for softball.

"While being on the farm in the summer, it helps keep me in shape," she said. "Usually while I'm there, I work up a good sweat. It helps me build up my stamina and also has helped me to build muscle."

So far, Breon has participated in three shows, entering the Ladies' Cart class. There's also a Men's Cart class and two-, four-, six- and eight-horse team classes.

In competition, with two lines to steer and on-voice command, she rides in a small chariot-like cart, maneuvering one horse clockwise, then in reverse, clockwise, backward then forward. According to Breon there can be between 10 to 20 competitors in the ring at the same time. Riders are judged on how well the horse responds to the them and how well they control the horse. Judges also watch to see how well the horse moves from a walk to a trot and back to a walk.

"I've been the youngest in a class, so far," Breon said. "The women are in their 30s and 40s and then there's me, 21, doing this. They are obviously more experienced than I am."

But Breon is gaining fast. This past winter, she finished third in the 88th annual Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor farm show in the nation. It was the first time she had placed.

Given the short time she has been working with the horses, that's a big accomplishment, but Breon points to the first time she entered a competition as the achievement of which she's most proud.

"My first experience in the ring is probably something I'm most proud of because I got in and out without getting hurt. That was my biggest fear," she explained. "I'd watched the Men's Cart just before and a horse had run away with a cart. I was so nervous."

This summer, Breon is aiming even higher. She plans to drive a ladies team, in which she'll be driving two horses attached to a hitch wagon.

"I'm going to give it a whirl," she said. "It's a new challenge. I've got the cart down so now I want to try this."

As for the future, Breon, who is a communications studies major, is contemplating a career as a sportswriter and a softball coach. There also will be horses.

"I'm hooked to horses now. Even if driving doesn't work out, horses are definitely in the future," Breon said. "It's something I'd like to continue to do. It's a new hobby and a fun interest."