Fair starts with horse shows

This year’s Sheridan County Fair started Friday with the first of three days of horse shows.

Horse Superintendent Heidi Justus estimated there were 25 youth, mostly 4-H but some FFA members as well, participating in the shows this year. She said that number was down a little from the total numbers of youth involved with horses this year.

Friday’s show focused on the working cow horse and western events. Justus said the western events include reining and pattern riding and gives the young riders a chance to show what their horses can do. She said quarter horses appear to be the most popular breed in the western events.

She said many of the participants in the horse shows may not show other livestock, but showing horses allows them to do something that they love.

The horse shows continue Saturday with showmanship and English events and on Sunday with team sorting and speed events. Justus said the speed events include pole bending, barrel racing, stake race and goat tying.

Also on Sunday, this year’s dairy goat show starts at 9 a.m. and will be followed by dairy cattle.