|
|
|
PITTSBURG —
Changes made at last year’s Crawford County Fair open horse show seem to have had the effect organizers hoped for.
Typically held early on Friday mornings, the event was held for the first time last year on Tuesday afternoon, a move open horse superintendent Desiree Humble said was made to spread out the events, and hopefully to mitigate the effects of record high temperatures. Tuesday afternoon’s show had about 65 entries, up from last year — Humble was sure of the exact number — and there was another pleasant surprise.
“We have a crowd today,” she said with a smile, looking at the grandstand. “Everybody’s eager to come out and get the fair started.”
Each of the contestants spend untold hours working with their animals. A few of them might have what you’d call beginner’s luck, but saying that wouldn’t quite be true.
Averie Hinton-Evans, 6, of Pittsburg, has been showing horses since she was 3 years old.
“She loves it,” said her mother, Missy. “She just likes the horses in general and she loves riding.”
Averie said she’d be content to do just one thing, though.
“I enjoy just trotting,” she said, grinning.
Austin Smith, 10, of Hepler, has been showing since he was 6 years old said he likes the timed event, halter, showmanship and costume class events.
A member of the Lucky Riders 4-H group, he said he loves participating in the events with his brown American Quarterhorse, Cowboys Poco San, who is a descendent of the famous Quarterhorse Poco Bueno.
“The best are the timed events,” Smith said. “But I really just like them all.”
Smith also is showing his paint, Smokey, who used to be a roping horse but went partially lame.
“He can turn really well,” Smith said.
Piper Zimmerman, 5, of Fort Scott, rides with her 25-year-old Quarterhorse, Maximus, in Four State area fairs. Maximus was once a two-time Kansas Ranch Rodeo Association Quarterhorse of the Year.
“Now he’s a full-time baby-sitter,” Zimmerman’s mother, Crystal, laughed as she stroked the gentle horse’s nose. “I tell people I’d let him in the house if it was socially acceptable. He’s just a great baby-sitter.”
Changes made at last year’s Crawford County Fair open horse show seem to have had the effect organizers hoped for.
Typically held early on Friday mornings, the event was held for the first time last year on Tuesday afternoon, a move open horse superintendent Desiree Humble said was made to spread out the events, and hopefully to mitigate the effects of record high temperatures. Tuesday afternoon’s show had about 65 entries, up from last year — Humble was sure of the exact number — and there was another pleasant surprise.
“We have a crowd today,” she said with a smile, looking at the grandstand. “Everybody’s eager to come out and get the fair started.”
Each of the contestants spend untold hours working with their animals. A few of them might have what you’d call beginner’s luck, but saying that wouldn’t quite be true.
Averie Hinton-Evans, 6, of Pittsburg, has been showing horses since she was 3 years old.
“She loves it,” said her mother, Missy. “She just likes the horses in general and she loves riding.”
Averie said she’d be content to do just one thing, though.
“I enjoy just trotting,” she said, grinning.
Austin Smith, 10, of Hepler, has been showing since he was 6 years old said he likes the timed event, halter, showmanship and costume class events.
A member of the Lucky Riders 4-H group, he said he loves participating in the events with his brown American Quarterhorse, Cowboys Poco San, who is a descendent of the famous Quarterhorse Poco Bueno.
“The best are the timed events,” Smith said. “But I really just like them all.”
Smith also is showing his paint, Smokey, who used to be a roping horse but went partially lame.
“He can turn really well,” Smith said.
Piper Zimmerman, 5, of Fort Scott, rides with her 25-year-old Quarterhorse, Maximus, in Four State area fairs. Maximus was once a two-time Kansas Ranch Rodeo Association Quarterhorse of the Year.
“Now he’s a full-time baby-sitter,” Zimmerman’s mother, Crystal, laughed as she stroked the gentle horse’s nose. “I tell people I’d let him in the house if it was socially acceptable. He’s just a great baby-sitter.”
