Horseman’s show holds costume contest, games Saturday
PROSPECT — Families kicked up a lot of dust at the Big Butler Fairgrounds on Saturday. That is, their horses did, as they cantered around the track for the final Pennsylvania Amateur Horseman’s Association show of the year.
With a weekend’s worth of events, the association organizers helped participants of all ages harness skills, sportsmanship and prizes.
TJ McConahy, president of the association, said it runs eight shows a year, and the final weekend always offers unique activities.
“We do our regular show bill, where we show the different classes in peewee, youth and adult divisions. Then we have game time, because it’s the last show, a pig roast picnic and a costume contest,” he said.
The final festivities also include a pantyhose race, where two riders on their horses have to hold onto a pair of pantyhose while running a track and maneuvering barrels, competing for the fastest time.
“They way I look at it, we’re a family organization, the kids are the future,” McConahy said. “We cater a lot to the kids, but if you have a horse you can have fun here.”
Ashlee Maggie ,of New Castle, said her three daughters and niece were participating in the weekend’s events. She was most excited for the egg-and-spoon game.
“You give them a little plastic spoon on their horse, and the judge asks them to do a bunch of different things. The kids can wear whatever they want, the horses don’t have to be clean. It’s just fun,” she said.
Not only that, but the games often teach the younger riders valuable skills.
“The game is really teaching them balance, but the kids just laugh,” she said. “Other than that, the show teaches them maintenance, maneuvers and basics, and crazy posture, since you have to be straight up on the horse.”
Competing riders will win prizes at the end-of-year ceremony in October, but the competitions help develop sportsmanship among younger children, Maggie said.
“You need to cheer on the person who beats you,” she said. “It teaches them good work ethic, it’s not like a normal sport where you have an off season. Those horses need (to be) cared for all the time.”
Avery Maggie, 12, won her youth division competition with her horse, Cricket. She was excited for the costume contest, where she and Cricket would be dressing up as the Grim Reaper.
“I’ve been riding since I was two,” she said. “I like competing in the English classes.”
English class competitions showcase the horses’ obedience in trotting, cantering and walking, she explained.
Debbie Sherman, of Grove City, said she’d be competing in the adult division for the western pleasure class, which she said is more laid back than the English class. Her horse, R.R. Sudden Moonlite, took well to the competition.
“The judges watch your horse and ask you to walk and jog, but it’s slow and easy,” she said. “I like how everybody has what they like and that everyone’s super friendly here.”
Libby Jablonski and her daughter Addie, 6, of Franklin, were both showing their horses in the adult and peewee divisions, respectively. Jablonski said the association was great to work with, which is why they come back every year.
“(Addie) has been riding since age two, she’s now six, and she’s been showing three years. It’s fun, this is a great group to show with, it’s laid back,” she said.
She added she would be the fairy godmother in the costume contest, and her horse Tyke would be one of the carriage horses. Addie was prepared with a mermaid costume and her horse Misty would dressed as the sea foaming around her.
Jablonski was sad that this would be the last show, but said it had been a good season of 16 shows.
