Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

Blue Ridge Equestrian 4-H to Host Third Annual Fun Show September 15

Story by Celeste von Mangan

The Third Annual Blue Ridge Equestrian 4-H Fun Show will be held on Saturday, September 15, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Photo Courtesy of Blue Ridge Equestrian 4-H On Saturday, September 15, the Blue Ridge Equestrian 4-H will host its third annual fun show beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m. The show is open to the public, and you do not have to join the 4-H club to participate in it. As in past years, it will be held at the L.M. Tate Showgrounds at Broyhill Park in the Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve.

Dara Watson founded the club in 2003 and serves as the current leader. The fun show is a fundraiser for the club, as well as the only horse show of its kind in the High Country.

“There is nothing else in the area that offers this,” said Watson. “There is the charity show, but most of these kids are not eligible to ride in that horse show.”

Though Watson has added some exciting new features and classes to the show, it will provide the same fun competition for riders to showcase their talents on horseback or gain experience in the world of competitive show riding.

“I’ve added the trail class this year,” said Watson. “It’s a trail competition class. We also invited the ISHA Zone 3 schools with riders from places like Duke University. It should draw some really good jumping—really good athletes with jumps up to four feet.”

Registration for classes begins now or participants can sign up from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 14, at the Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve, or on Saturday, the day of the show, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. All classes are $8 except the Jackpot Classes that are $10 per class. Participating horses must have a negative Coggins test result, and riders must wear helmets in every class.

Stalls can be rented at the preserve for $20 per day, plus $6 per bag of shavings if you do not bring your own.

Schooling rings are available on Friday evening, September 14, until 8:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 5:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m.

In case of rain, the fun show will be held the following day, on Sunday, September 16.

The Blue Ridge Equestrian 4-H is a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching leadership skills to boys and girls. The club also helps young people achieve their horsemanship goals by promoting teamwork and a healthy relationship between horse and rider. When Blue Ridge was formed four years ago, it had two founding members. The club now has more than 30 members and has gained regional recognition.

For more information, call 828-264-3061 or click to www.blueridge4-h.org.

Become a Fun Show Sponsor

For a $200 donation, you can become a golden sponsor entitled to advertise your business or group on an outdoor banner located on the showgrounds. In addition, you will be listed on the back of the horse show program or can have booth space beside the show ring.

A contribution of $100 entitles you to two advertising spots throughout the day plus a listing on back of the horse show program. As an alternative, you are entitled to booth space beside the show ring.

For $50, any business, organization or individual can become a class sponsor. You will be announced as such for your class, and your name will appear beside the class in the horse show program.

For all other amounts under $50, you will be listed on the sponsor board displayed at the showgrounds.

Send sponsorship money to the Blue Ridge Equestrian 4-H, P.O. Box 1581, Boone, NC 28607.

Blue Ridge Equestrian 4-H Fun Show Schedule 2007

This year’s horseshow has exciting new features and classes and will provide fun competition for riders to showcase their talents on horseback or gain experience in the world of competitive show riding.

1.Halter

2. Leadline (8 and Under)

3. English Walk Only (12 and Under)

4. Hunter Under Saddle W/T (12 and Under)

5. Hunter Under Saddle W/T

6. Hunter Under Saddle W/T/C (12 and Under)

7. Hunter Under Saddle W/T/C

8. Novice English Equitation W/T (12 and Under)

9. Open English Equitation W/T/C

10. Hunter Hack (max 2’)

11. Hunter Over Fences (max 2’3”)

12. Hunter Over Fences (max 2’9”)

13. Novice Hunter Over Fences (max 2’6”)

14. Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences (max 3’3”)

15. Working Hunter Over Fences (max 3’3”)

16. Gamblers Choice Jumper

********15 Minute Break/Tack Change********

17. Showmanship Halter

18. Western Walk Only (12 and Under)

19. Western Pleasure (Walk/Jog)

20. Open Western Pleasure

21. Western Go-As-You-Please

22. Western Equitation

23. Old-Timers Walk/Jog

24. Old-Timers poker Run

25. Open Trail (held in field arena during lunch break)

26. Non-Trotting Equitation (12 and Under)

27. Non-Trotting Equitation

28. Walking Horse 3 Gait

29. Non-Trotting Go-As-You-Please

30. Non-Trotting Go-As-You-Please

******** 30 Minute Break/Lunch********

31. Costume Class

32. Ride-A-Buck

33. Musical Pairs

34. Egg and Spoon

35. Keyhole

36. Bubble Gum Race

37. Red Light/Green Light

38. Barrels (12 and Under)

39. Barrels

40. Open Texas Barrels

41. Pole Bending (12 and Under)

42. Pole Bending

43. Stake Race

44. Goat Tying

Want To Go?

Date: Saturday, September 15
Time: 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Location: L.M. Tate Showgrounds, Blowing Rock
Cost: Free admission/$8 per regular class/$10 Jackpot classes