Competition kicked the dust up at the Calhoun County Fair horse show
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By Cynthia Haggitt
Cynthia Haggitt/Calhoun News-Herald
Jonna Stelbrink participated in the Flag Race at the Calhoun County Fair’s Jr. and Open Horse Show on Saturday, Sept 11.
Barrelracing and other fast-paced horse events ‘kicked the dust up’ between local riders who participated in this year’s competition at Calhoun County Fair’s Jr. and Open Horse Show on Saturday, Sept. 11.
Weather was decent and there was a slight breeze coming from the northwest part of the fairgrounds where the show was taking place.
“Although there were not as many contestants as we usually have there was still a good turnout,” Dianne Stelbrink said. “We usually have more entries but because of other horse shows going on today nearby there are not as many people here today.”
Stelbrink has been involved with heading up the horse shows and competitions for the past 40 years.
“Over the years we have gotten to know alot of people and most of the participants have been around horses and competitions all their lives,” Stelbrink said. “ Everyone here today either knows everyone’s families or have grown up with one another. Horse shows like this one are family friendly fun and it helps build camaraderie between area riders who participate during show season.”
Stelbrink said the events during the horse show include the plug race (the horse and rider go around one barrel), flag race (the horse and rider go around two barrels, and riders move the flag from one barrel to the other, so there’s some hand work involved there), barrels (three barrels, like the rodeo barrel racing configuration you typically see), and pole bending (where the rider must navigate his/her horse following a particular pattern which involves weaving in and out and around a series of poles). “Events are timed, but if the horse and rider deviate from the designated course for the event, they are disqualified,” Cheyana Ames said. Ames was helping out Stelbrink on Saturday with the show and she was the m.c. for the event.
Cynthia Haggitt/Calhoun News-Herald
Makenzi Owens riding her horse Misty and Alena Nienke riding her horse Sparrow were excited for the Calhoun County Fair’s Jr. and Open Horse Show on Saturday, Sept 11. Both girls competed in the Jr division.
According to Stelbrink, competitors were divided by the events class h-rules and r-rules. They were also then broken down into age groups and divisions. Rules are different for the h-classes. A junior rider must be 8 by Jan1, 2021 and not 20 by Dec. 31. Horses shown in h classes can only be shown by riders in open classes. No stallions can be shown by anyone under the age of 20. Exhibitors were limted to two entries per class. The r-rules state that an electric eye is used and 3-d adult barrel riders must be 19 and over.
“Instead of giving out trophies we give out ribbions and monteary awards. Over the years we have learned people prefer cash prizes and so this is what we do now. We have several categories and divisions because it allows for everyone to compete, place and possibly win. We are giving out awards for the first five placements but some division you can place sixth.” Stelbrink said. “ Some of the riders have more than one horse entered so it just makes sense to have our competition this way.”
Charles Burch had three of his horses entered on Saturday and when asked how he felt he did during the competition.
“I entered Peek, Bro and Ghost and they are my third quarter horse gelding. I am happy. I got my entry fee paid back to me and it helped pay for the gas I spent over here. It was a lot of fun,” Bruch said. “I have been in shows since I was 11 years old. My first show was in 1989 and will continue to particpate as long as I can. I hope shows like this keep going as years are to come.”
Final placings in each event are as follow:
Jr. Poles
1. Maddie Berlemann
2. Jillian Delaney
3. Jillian Delaney
4. Alena Nienke
5. Cain Curtis
2D Open Poles
1. Jonna Stelbrink
2. Michelle Alhorn who rode Smash
3. Jonna Stelbrink who road Coal
4. Chuck Springer
5. Courtney Cox
2nd division of Open Poles
1. Hannah Curtis
2. Alena Nienke
3. Jody Smith
4. Chuck Springen
Jr Flags
1. Jillian Delaney
2. Jillian Delaney
3. Alena Nienke
4. Alena Nienke
Open Flags
1. Chuck Springer
D Flags
1. Tex Anderson who roade Thriller
2. Tex Anderson
3. Tex Anderson Flags Outside
5. Jonna Stelbrink Flags (Off Fence)
6. Charles Burch
7. Charles Burch
Jr. Barrels
1. Maddie Berrelman
1. Maddie Berlemann
1. Alena Nienke
1. Jillian Delaney
1. Jillian Delaney
1. Alena Nienke
1. Cain Curtis
Adult Barrels
1. Jillian Delaney
2. Johnny Johnson
3. Jillian Deleney
4. Becky Johnson
5. Michelle Alhorn
Adult second division
1. Jonna Stelbrink
2. Courtney Cox
3. Jonna Stelbrink
4. Charles Burch
5. Marilyn Sringer
Adult third division
1. Taylor Burton
2. Shale Curtis
3. Presley Spanton
4. Madyson Austin
5. Shale Curtis
Plug Race
1. Chuck Springer
2. Chuck Springer
3. Tex Anderson
4. Charles Burch
5. Shale Curtis
Open Barrel
1. Jillian Delaney
2. Johnny Johnson
3. Johnny Johnson
4. Becky Johnson
5. Micelle Athocr
Open Barrel second division
1. Jillian Delaney
2. Jonna Stellbrink
3. Madyson Austin
4. Maddie Berlemann
5. Hannah Curtis
Open Barrel third division
1. Jonna Stelbrink
2. Chuck Springer
3. Charles Burch
4. Chuck Springer
5. Jonna Stelbrink
4D Open Barrels
1. Courtney Cox
2. Marilyn Springer
3. Charles Burch
4. Shale Curtis
5. Taylor Dixie
