The rain soaked the grounds in front of the giant grandstand pushing back the initial rounds of the “World’s Greatest Cowboy/Cowgirl Competition,” one of the newer attractions at this year’s fair.
“We started out really well and we got most people in before the rain started. The barns are full and the crowds are full and the weather broke so it looks like we’re going to have a good day,” said Doug Turner, president of the Butler County Fair Board, Sunday afternoon.
Bob Huff, owner and operator of the fair’s cowboy/cowgirl competition, said early afternoon rain showers delayed the start of the initial rounds of the competition in front of the fairgrounds grandstand but he was optimistic the crowds will come for the final rounds Sunday evening.
Chelsey LaRue, took second place in the horse riding competition at the recent Clinton County Fair and was hoping to grab the top prize Sunday for Butler County.
LaRue described herself as a cowgirl who has “been riding since before I could walk.”
“This event is great and it showcases horses from all different disciplines. They have to do multiple different things that are really hard for the average horse, so it takes a special one to do this,” said LaRue, as she looked over the course that include stairs, a water obstacle, a teeter totter and a pen of live steers the horse and rider have to navigate to separate out a single steer from the herd.
Oxford resident and rider Alli Huff said the event “definitely pushes you and your horse.”
“It’s a lot of different exposures. A lot of this stuff is new to them and they have never seen it before so they depend on you to get them through it safely. It all depends on your trust and your relationship with your horse,” said Huff.
Russ Spreckelmeier, announcer for the event, said fans will see “some great horsemanship and some great horses going through some obstacles you normally wouldn’t see a horse going through.”
The fair runs from Sunday through Saturday evening.
General admission tickets per day, which include parking, are $8 for adults, children 6-12 accompanied by paying adult are $3. Senior citizens and U.S. military veterans can enter for free on Wednesday July 26.
For times, specific events, evening grandstand shows – separate admission tickets required - and other information go to the Butler County Fair website or call 513-892-1423.
VIDEO: See the horses and riders as they maneuver through obstacle course on fair’s opening day @journal-news.com
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