MANITOWANING—The Annual Assiginack Horticultural Society Fall Fair Horse Show is always a big hit and this year’s edition was no exception.
“We are really pleased with how the weather has turned out,” said organizer Sylvia Moggy, noting that the temperature wasn’t oppressive, and the sun was making an appearance instead of forecasted rain and clouds. Riders young and old were lined up to take part in the various events throughout the Saturday afternoon and it was clear that everyone in the stands were having almost as good a time as the riders themselves.
Ms. Moggy provided the results of the day’s events:
Showmanship
Showmanship involves a person on the ground leading a horse, wearing a halter or bridle, through a series of maneuvers called a pattern. Exhibitors are judged on showing the horse to its best advantage, with additional scoring for the grooming and presentation of both horse and handler.
First place in beginner showmanship went to Gibson with Yukon. First place in youth showmanship went to Jordan with Dobs. First place in adult showmanship went to Katie with Millie.
Western Pleasure
Western pleasure is a “Western style” competition at horse shows that evaluates horses on manners and suitability of the horse for a relaxed and slow but collected gait cadence, along with calm and responsive disposition. The horse is to appear to be a pleasure to ride, smooth-moving and very comfortable.
First place in beginner western pleasure went to Grayson on Yukon. First place in junior western pleasure went to CJ on Patches, second place went to Gibson on Yukon and third place went to Aubrey on Dancer. First place in youth western pleasure went to Isla on Queen, second place went to Jordan on Dobs and third place went to Memphis on Whiskey. First place in adult western pleasure went to Emmanuel on Jazz, second place went to Katie on Millie and third place went to Clayton on Bailey.
Barrels
Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to run a cloverleaf pattern around pre-set barrels in the fastest time. Barrel racing requires a combination of the horse’s athletic ability and the horsemanship skills of a rider to safely and successfully maneuver the horse around barrels placed within a large arena.
First place in leadline barrels went to Ruby on Yukon with a time of 31.939, second place went to Grayson on Yukon with a time of 39.901. First place in junior barrels went to Carter on Jazz with a time of 21.987, second place went to CJ on Patches with a time of 26.638, third place went to Aubrey on Dancer with a time of 32.849. First place in youth barrels went to Memphis on Whiskey with a time of 19.114, second place went to Isla on Queen with a time of 19.294 and third place went to Jordan on Dobs with a time of 26.177. First place in adult just for fun barrels went to Memphis on Whiskey with a time of 17.445, second place went to Katie on Millie with a time of 19.254 and third place went to Emmanuel on Jazz with a time of 19.445. First place in adult competitive barrels went to Memphis on Whiskey with a time of 17.608, second place went to Katie on Millie with a time of 17.733 and third place went to Emmanuel on Jazz with a time of 18.755.
Pole Bending
Pole bending is a timed event that features a horse and one mounted rider running a weaving or serpentine path around six poles arranged in a line.
First place in leadline pole bending went to Ruby on Yukon with a time of 31.785, second place went to Grayson on Yukon with a time of 44.735. First place in Junior pole bending went to CJ on Patches with a time of 32.610, second place went to Aubrey on Dancer with a time of 37.473, third place went to Gibson on Yukon with a time of 42.555. First place in youth pole bending went to Memphis on Jazz with a time of 25.648, second place went to Jordan on Dobs with a time of 28.162, third place went to Taylor on Ben with a time of 44.179. First place in adult just for fun pole bending went to Doug on Buck with a time of 24.225, second place went to Doug on Dragon Man with a time of 30.268, third place went to Hailey on Cheyenne with a time of 34.128. First place in adult competitive pole bending went to Emmanuel on Jazz with a time of 21.590, second place went to Katie on Millie with a time of 21.742 and third place went to Doug on Buck with a time of 23.790.
Keyhole
A keyhole race is a speed event in which the horse and rider team with the fastest time in completing the event wins. Horses running this event must have speed, but also the agility to stop quickly in full stride, turn, and bolt directly back into a run. The pattern the horse and rider follow is marked out in the sand in a “keyhole” pattern, thus the name. In leadline an adult or older child actually leads the horse in-hand, while the child that is judged sits on the horse and usually holds the reins.
First place in leadline keyhole went to Ruby on Yukon with a time of 14.213, second place went to Grayson on Yukon with a time of 14.893. First place in junior keyhole went to Carter on Lucky with a time of 10.012, second place went to CJ on Patches with a time of 11.274, third place went to Gibson on Yukon with a time of 16.053. First place in Youth keyhole went to Isla on Queen with a time of 11.120, second place went to Jordan on Dobs with a time of 12.615, third place went to Memphis on Whiskey with a time of 16.228. First place in adult just for fun keyhole went to Doug on Dragon Man with a time of 10.242, second place went to Hailey on Cheyenne with a time of 13.557, third place went to Taylor on Ice with a time of 19.143. First place in adult competitive keyhole went to Emmanuel on Jazz with a time of 9.078, second place went to Katie on Millie with a time of 9.311, third place went to Doug on Buck with a time of 10.245.
Obstacle Course
In the obstacle course horse and rider must successfully negotiate obstacles in order to complete the competition.
First place in the leadline obstacle course was a tie between Grayson on Yukon and Ruby on Yukon with both completing six obstacles. First place in junior obstacle course was Jordan on Dobs completing seven obstacles, second place went to Aubrey on Dancer completing six obstacles. First place in youth obstacle course was Hanna on Floyd completing eight obstacles, second place went to Isla on Queen completing six obstacles and third place went to Gibson on Yukon completing five obstacles. First place in adult just for fun obstacle course went to CJ on Patches completing six obstacles. Second place was a tie with Hailey on Cheyenne and Taylor on Ben both completing five obstacles, third place went to Andrew on Newbee completing four obstacles. First place adult competitive obstacle course was a tie with both Katie on Millie and Emmanuel on Jazz completing seven obstacles, second place went to Doug on Buck completing six obstacles. First place in youth leadline obstacle course went to Taylor with Ice completing four obstacles.
High points horse of the day was Yukon.
“It is a wonderful way to participate in our community and make unforgettable memories,” said Ms. Moggy of the entire Assiginack Fair experience. “My favorite memory from this fall fair was when Elizebeth and I were walking past the canning and preserves and Elizebeth with pride and some incredulity remarked ‘We tasted all of those!’ And I had to pause and let that sink in. Yes, we did! I was most impressed with the pickled leeks. They were very crunchy and very tasty.”
“There are so many people we need to thank for everything that they did to make this event happen,” Ms. Moggy added. “A big thank you to everyone from all of us. We did it!”
“I would love to encourage folks of any age to come and be a part of the agricultural society and help us put on this awesome event,” said Ms. Moggy.
