Horse show provides ‘good time' for all participants, spectators

VANCEBORO - Everybody won at this weekend's Coastal Carolina Saddle Club show at Barker's Farm off Streets Ferry Road.

"Y'all have a good time; that's what you're here for," said Diane Dawson, the club treasurer, of Cove City.

She was taking the $6 entry fees for each event at the New Bern club's show, which drew participants for 120 youth and adult events from at least seven counties, including Craven, Pamlico, Onslow, Beaufort, Wayne, Cumberland and Wake.

The club keeps some of the proceeds to pay the expense of putting on the show, including judges and ribbons, but much of it goes to broaden club activities and participants and to charity.

Saturday's chief judge was Linda Smarsh of La Grange. Smarsh is certified by N.C. State University, and club president Jo Anne Abney of New Bern called her "awesome."

"She talks to you, particularly with kids who need to know what they did wrong in a nice way," Abney said. "One thing about this saddle club I am so proud of is that we try to offer something for every discipline of riding."

She has been riding on and off since her youth and has owned a horse for 24 years. But she said she is "not really a show person" herself.

 Abney said the club supports community charities, including the Equine Rescue League, Christmas donations to Toys for Tots and the food drive. It also sponsors a scholarship for a student in equine studies at Martin Community College. The student is selected by the institute based on need and grade point average.

Showmen were out on Saturday riding a wide variety of breeds - quarter horses, paints, Arabian, thoroughbreds, Walkers, Bays, ponies, and mules.

"We had to change our logo a year ago to include the mule," said Linda Barker, who has "been into mules for about 11 years," beginning with trail riding and moving to show.

Barker's registered mule, Sonny's Boss Man, took fourth in halter class at last year's Shelbyville, Tenn., National Saddle Mule Association show and will go again July 8, Barker said. She and her husband, Bill Barker, hosted the Saturday event at their farm.

"I show him some up in Williamston; there's some very steep competition," she said.

Candice Morris, 16, was showing the mule some riding English on Saturday.

Horse lovers are an interesting breed themselves with a consuming hobby. And it takes a lot of time to take care of horses and show them, Barker and Abney said, but it is worth the effort.

New members are welcome and may attend meetings on the fourth Tuesday each month at West New Bern Recreation Center on Pine Tree Drive. Abney is the contact at (252) 671-2837.