Saddling up for a ribbon
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on October 3, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Dan Lancaster, 10, handles his mule, Maggie, during the Open Pony and Mule Show at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair on Thursday night. Maggie, also called Arizona, is a 20-year-old mule retired from the Grand Canyon.
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Debbie Stroud smiles big after hearing that she and her horse, Wiz, placed first in the Open Horse Show in their category. The horse show is one of the most popular.
Scott Massey had all the makings of a cowboy -- the 10-gallon hat, boots and horse towering over him.
It didn't seem to matter that he held his father's hand as a judge walked toward him with a ribbon -- that he needed a little help getting his horse out of the ring after his run in the 2014 Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair Horse Show.
The 2-year-old was as much a cowboy as the more seasoned competitors.
Scott was among those who stole the crowd's heart during the final agricultural contest Thursday evening at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.
A 20-year-old mule was another.
Maggie, who was nicknamed Arizona because he is from the Grand Canyon, and his 10-year-old handler, Dan Lancaster, were favorites, too.
"I started (showing) when I was 2 -- or 3 or 4," Dan said.
The boy said his favorite part of a competition is when he enters the ring and jogs the horse -- or, in his case, mule -- around.
And presentation is important.
Just ask Ashley Nicholas.
She spent more than two hours completing the ribbon work necessary to ensure her horse's pink decorations did justice to the cause she hoped to raise awareness for -- Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Ashley's mother and other family members have battled breast cancer, so Ashley wanted to do something in honor of them.
"Presentation and proper attire," she said. "And practice never hurts."
The winners from this year's horse show included:
* Hannah Aycock, 7-13 division
* Abigail Figgins, 14-19 division (Grand Champion)
* Carolyn Plummer, Reserve Champion.
* Katie Wilkins, miniature horse division, Grand Champion
* Natalia Lancaster, miniature horse division, Reserve Champion.
* Amy Baker, pony division, Grand Champion
* Natalia Lancaster, pony division, Reserve Champion.
* Shannon Hoffman, mule division, Grand Champion
* Tiffany Stewart, mule division, Reserve Champion.
* Dan Lancaster, Jack/Jennie division, Grand Champion
* Starr Benton, Jack/Jennie division, Reserve Champion.
* Donald Stroud, draft horses division, Grand Champion
* Debbie Stroud, draft horses, Reserve Champion.