Rodeo Contests Were a Barrel of Fun
HORSE AND RIDER SET A FAST PACE
PAMELA FOSTER LISBON, OH
LARKSON, OHIO, WHERE
I grew up in the ’70s, was the epitome of smalltown USA. There was one crossroad, one streetlight on the cement pad where every kid hung out, and everyone knew everything about everybody. My grandfather bought my first pony for my fifth birthday. I remember the ride home like it was yesterday, sitting tall and proud like I owned the world, on Apache, a beautiful, full-blooded Hackney pony. I was in sixth grade when I discovered 4-H. It was heaven for an awkward kid with few friends to find people who were as horse crazy as I. For several years, I showed Apache, competing in shows every weekend, but the main event was the yearly Columbiana County Fair in Lisbon. Kids from all over converged on a dirty, dusty plot of land laced with “gifts” from the livestock, straw, mud, and the best and greasiest fair food ever. There were friends to be made, competitions to enter, and baths were nonexistent. Apache loved the halter conformation competitions, which was basically me leading him around the ring and showing off how gorgeous he was. I, however, also wanted to go fast and barrel race, so the last year I competed, I rode my dad’s horse, Shandell. She was a senior quarter horse, but she had no idea older ladies were supposed to be reserved, quiet and slow. She loved the speed competitions, too, and even though we never won a ribbon, we had a blast. I competed in one class in which riders showcased how well their horses followed leg and bridle cues. I had the great idea to let Shandell show how quick she was and how tightly she could turn. The next day, an announcement was made that, going forward, a rider would be disqualified for stunts like Shandell and I had pulled. I wonder if that’s still a rule. That was also the year I learned boys were treated differently than girls. It was an unwritten rule that kids could stay in the barns with their horses, and I was so looking forward
Shandell was a senior quarter horse, but she had no idea older ladies were supposed to be reserved, quiet and slow.
to it. But shortly before the fair started, the board decided that only boys were allowed to stay in the barns with their animals. I was outraged. With the full support of my parents, I chopped my long hair off and wore hoodies to disguise my appearance so I could room with my buddy. It was a successful ruse and 4-H taught me, however inadvertently, to stand up for things I believe in. I am so thankful for the time I spent in 4-H. It taught me that not everyone who competes for a trophy will get one, and that shouldn’t be the goal anyway. The goal should be to have fun, make friends and learn about yourself, which I did and continue to do to this day.