by Susan MacLennan
With over 80 different classes, there were plenty of long, flowing manes and high-stepping horses to be seen at the Didsbury Agricultural Society’s Annual Horse Show held July 8 and 9, 2006.
The classes included everything from Western pleasure and dressage, to American Saddlebred and Arabian classes. One of the special features of the show was the Equine and Acreage Essential’s Obstacle Challenge held on Saturday night, which offered $500 in prize money.
A spectator favourite, the Jeopardy Trail Course had 12 obstacles carrying a value from 10 to 50 points. This fun and crazy course could be ridden either English or Western. At the end of the allotted time, the rider could then opt to risk points earned for the final challenge – pulling a wagon holding a large stuffed monkey with tin cans rattling on the ground – that was worth 100 points.
Another unique feature of the horse show was the live music. Jean McCulloch has been playing the organ at the end of the Didsbury arena since the first show, 44 years ago. She never takes her eyes off the horses, as she knows all her music by heart.
She plays a lively tempo for pleasure classes, but plays a softer tone if a horse is having trouble at an obstacle in trail. She has been told that her music calms the horses, which is one of the reasons that so many participants keep coming back year after year.
McCulloch’s music, the well-organized show officials, and this year’s judge, Scott Benjamin, all contributed to an enjoyable event for everyone.
The Didsbury Horse Show is held yearly on the second weekend in July. New spectators and exhibitors are encouraged to attend next year!
