Mini horse races entertain festival crowd
Inspired by Houston Livestock Show, brothers come up with competition staged for Easter event at P-6 Farms in Montgomery
MONTGOMERY — Hundreds of people drove to this city Saturday to check out a new attraction.
“Y’all have seen the pig races, right?” P-6 Farms co-owner Bo Poole said, emceeing within an arena on the back of a horse named Gus. “Well, my boys have decided they are going to race mini horses.”
The Poole siblings, Tanner and Jackson, had the idea for the races last fall, inspired by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s small, canvas-covered chuck wagons that are pulled by a team of six.
“It has been about six months now, and it has been very comical,” Bo Poole told the crowd.
A few dozen of the festival-goers eagerly waited, then cheered and laughed from the stands as the miniature horses pulled the brothers in small wagons in a stiff competition against each other. Employee Micah Mock also participated, stepping in for employee Ashton Padon, who was away for a barrel race.
“It’s good ol’ fashion fun with the family,” co-owner Carey Poole said.
The crowd “awe’d” at the cuteness of miniature horses Ruby, Clyde and Fluffy. While Bo Poole, the brothers’ father, said it has been going well, he shared that they had their first crash last Saturday with a horse named Stormy, the best and fastest horse, who the family said is still adjusting to the crowd.
“Last Sunday, we had our first wreck, and it was right here,” Bo Poole said. “It started at about right there, and he got on one wheel — and that was it.”
The family has two other miniature horses that are still learning the ropes. The brothers went through lots of bridles, harnesses and training for months.
By showtime, the crowd at the property located off Texas 105 was loving the entertainment — even when the horses decided to run the laps in the wrong direction or halt in the corner of the arena. Afterward, children had a chance to meet and pet the horses.
“It was fun, this is our first time here, and this one — she loves horses,” said Houston resident Alexis Gomez, 25. She noted that she would return to watch the show again.
P-6 Farms hosted the activity during its second family-friendly Easter festival. The final day of the Easter Farm Days event featured an egg hunt with eggs shot from a cannon for an estimated 200-plus children.
“It’s a great opportunity to be outside, making memories, seeing some farm animals, and it is great to support local family businesses,” said Montgomery resident Courtney Andrews, 33. “This whole family is always hands-on in the community and takes care of everyone around them.”
Eleven-year-old Michael Fonseck declared the day a success. “It was really, really fun,” the Sulphur Springs boy said. “There was also tug of war, a vintage roller coaster, a mini horse race.”
The festival was originally scheduled for last year but canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Masks were optional at this year’s event.
Carey Poole attributed the larger crowd to people being ready to get back outside.
“It was great,” said Harris County resident Heather Hollis, 33. “There were lots of events for children of all ages. We have two, and there was something for each of them to do. It was super cute and very humorous, so they made it fun. It’s nice to see the family-oriented environment.”
P-6 Farms, which began as a cattle ranch in 1973, celebrated its 10th anniversary in the fall — marking a decade since it first started hosting an annual corn maze for the community.
The family plans to have the maze and more miniature horse racing in the fall. Tanner Poole says his goal for the next set of races is obtaining a faster horse to ensure his victory.
P-6 Farms is at 9963 Poole’s Road in Montgomery. Find more information at p-6farms.com.