plantation pleasure walking horse association of nc

Other Horse Shows

NC State Fair Horse Show

A significant hoof print
at State Fair

BY DEBORAH JACKSON - djackson@newsobserver.com

The flashy Walkers are a crowd-pleaser, but it's the big guys who pull in a crowd.

The equine industry leaves a significant hoof print in North Carolina's agricultural economy, and that is never more evident than during three busy weeks of daily horse shows held in conjunction with October's N.C. State Fair.

Two days before the rides started spinning last week, the stables at the James B. Hunt Horse Complex were teaming. Horses, ponies, minis and mules of all colors, breeds and sizes came to compete. And it doesn't stop until six days after the deep-fried vendors, midway thrills and 4-H exhibitors are packed up and gone.

"The youth shows are huge, with all the mamas and grandmamas and aunts and uncles," said Joyce Wilson, N.C. State Fair horse show manager.

Owner-trainer Kevin Gilliam, of Bayfield Farms in Oxford, and his assistant Denise Corbitt brought 18 horses to show in youth and adult classes for spotted saddle and walking horse classes. They teach lessons and hold horse camps for horse lovers 8 years and older.

They also help their students compete nearly year-round in shows, and at the fair since 1986, Gilliam said.

"This show is what we work (for)," Corbitt said. "This show is kind of a culmination of what we've been doing and working on all year. So, it's a big show for us."

Erin Cottrell and Michaela Burroughs

They brought their big guns - World Champion and 2010 State Fair winner Beowolf, a black-and-white Tobiano known as "Baby B" around the barn. Also there are his friends Spanky, Goose and Maverick - all hoping to snag lots of blue ribbons.

"People have a big sense of pride showing at the their state fair," Wilson said. "That state fair championship is worth more to them than big ribbons at other shows."

Last year, 1,631 entrants saddled up or hitched to carriages to show off their moves.

This year, 1,640 had signed up with 10 days left before the dust settles at the end of the last show Oct. 29.

"We are seeing an up trend for the first time in 10 years, so that's a good thing," Wilson said.

That's good news considering how many competing horse shows have cropped up across the state.

"I average about four weekends off from March to December," Gilliam said. "Off meaning at home working and not going somewhere (to a show)." Brooklyn Watkins

If that sounds exhausting, consider Wilson's job. There are shows at the Hunt Horse Complex every weekend except two during the year. Some weekends, there are two shows going at once.

Still, the three-week-long State Fair show is the biggest.

The logistics of hosting a show of that length and magnitude are daunting. But Wilson has help. Her husband, Steve, is the stall manager in the stables where the competitors are housed. His 20 years of experience is a welcome asset.

One breed finishes showing and another moves in to show the next day. Some horses show more than one day.

Koren Barnes Kartes

"It's a balancing act," she said. "The stall manager has to be part mathematician and part wizard."

But it's a lot of fun, even if you don't know withers from a fetlock. (For the nonequine inclined, withers are the area between a horse's shoulder blades. A fetlock is the joint above a horse's hoof.)

Michaela Burroughs

Last year, the debut of cowboy mounted shooting was a big hit.

"It's very popular. Participation has doubled in size Brooklyn Watkins
this year," Wilson said.

And when there's a break in the competition, everything deep-fried and a midway of thrilling rides are right next door.

Staff writer Brooke Cain contributed to this report.
Jackson: 919-829-8920
Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/10/22/1585606/a-significant-hoof-print.html#ixzz1buYTN7PQ

RESULTS
NC State Fair Horse Show
Walking Horses

2011

N.C. EQUINE FACTS

The last comprehensive report on the state's equine industry economic footprint was sponsored by the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center and published in 2009. The survey found:

Total annual economic impact: $1.9 billion
Federal, state and local taxes paid: $196 million
Total number of equine: 306,210
Total number of jobs: 19,183
Spending for goods and services: $1.4 billion
Spending within the state: 90 percent

Terri Smith and Princess Power win
at the Asheville NC Walking Horse Show

Princess Power, who is owned, trained, and shown by Terri Smith had a great show season. She won all three Trail Pleasure classes at the highly competitive Asheville, NC fall show. The Asheville NC show had over 670 entries,with the trail pleasure division having from 15 - 19 horses in each class. This show was voted the best multi-night show by the exhibitors.

The team also won all three of their classes at White Pine, TN unamimously getting all 9 first place votes. Princess Power and Terri Smith ended the season as the the high point open Trail Pleasure horse and rider in the NC walking horse association NCWHA. Peeps is on vacation now but will be back at work soon.

ASHEVILLE SHOW RESULTS
TRAIL PLEASURE SPECIALTY OPEN – 15 entries
1st / Princess Power owned and ridden by Terri Smith

TRAIL PLEASURE SPECIALTY CHAMPIONSHIP – 12 entries
1st / Princess Power owned and ridden by Terri Smith

AMATEUR TRAIL PLEASURE SPECIALTY
1st / Princess Power owned and ridden by Terri Smith