Ponies, mules, donkeys strut their stuff at fair show
By John Joyce
Published in News on October 4, 2013 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
Holly the mule seemed to be more interested in nuzzling Nora Smith of Wayne County and/or eating her hair ribbons than showing off Thursday night in the Open Pony and Mule Show at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair.
News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
Ashley Conder, second from left, helps her 3-year-old daughter, Olivia, lead her miniature horse Pattycake at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair Thursday night. Watching is Mrs. Conder's son Noah, 7. Behind her at left is her sister, Amber Kelly.
Heather Smith has been coming to the Wayne County Agricultural Fair ever since she moved to the area nine years ago, but for her 5-year-old daughter, Nora, the sights and sounds are still pretty new.
On Thursday, Nora held on tightly to the rope attached to her donkey, Holly, and tried not to get knocked down as the animal nuzzled up to her during the mule and pony show.
They both were wearing bows in their hair.
She and Holly would go on to win grand champion in the jack and jennie division of the Open Halter Pony, Mule and Draft Horse Show.
Mini-horses paraded first around the grandstand arena, with mini-persons leading them -- and sometimes being led.
Caitlyn and Kelsey Hinton of Smithfield were old enough to control their animals with ease.
Kelsey showed her horse, Clara, and Caitlyn showed her horse, Melody. Kelsey and Clara took third place in the mares and minis competition.
Scott Massey, 1, held on bravely for the first few minutes as he and his mother, Rose, showed their entry, Junebug. But Scott became startled when the animal stirred up, and tears flowed as his mother scooped him up.
"It's his second time showing," his father, Matt, said. At his first showing, Scott was only 3 months old.
The Masseys are from Seven Springs. Matt said he has been showing animals since he was his son's age.
Horses, draft to mini, whinnied all evening and donkeys hee-hawed back. Neither group seemed to like it when the other was in the ring.
But when the trophies were awarded, it was the crowd and not the animals doing all the whooping.