July 7, 2014

Horse shows always exciting entertainment

This weekend Slayton will once again play host to the 8th Annual Murray County Classic Draft  Horse Show at the county fairgrounds.  Gates open at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday and festivities will continue through Sunday afternoon.  It's definitely a show to take in as there will be more than 100 Belgian, Percheron, Clydesdale and Shire horse teams  on the grounds.

Horse spectaculars are nothing new in these parts.  Back in August of 1941, Murray County hosted a rodeo that was touted to, "Thrill Valhalla Crowds."   

Read on.....

"Those who like the life of the wild west with its thrills and spills will have their heart's content Sunday when Glenn Spiller of Huron, S.D. brings his wild-west rodeo to Valhalla.  Included in the program are bronk-riding, calf-roping, bulldogging steer riding, chariot races and Roman standing races.

Outstanding bucking horses from the noted Roe Bailey string of Custer, S.D., will be seen in action as will be the famous Appaloosa horses owned by Mr. Spiller and adjudged by the Appaloosa Horse club of Moro, Oregon, as the best of the breed.  There are but 60 of these horses registered in the United States.

To be seen also is "Panchita", the widely  known trick horse of Minot, N.D. and "More Power," famous high jump horse of the Sutton Ranch, Agar, S.D.  One of this horse's many feats is to jump over two saddle horses and also over an automobile.

Eva Hammond, famous 14-year-old Huron girl, will give an exhibition of Roman standing riding, etc. 

 Mr. Spiller offers two cash awards, $20.00 to any local rider who can make a qualified ride on his horse, "C.O.D." and also $10 cash per head to owners who bring local horses which his cowboys and cowgirls cannot ride."

Sure sounds like it was a show that you wouldn't want to miss indeed, and I'm sure that people turned out in flocks to witness the automobile-vaulting horse.  

Kind of like the Classic Draft show coming to Slayton in a way.  But this weekend show promises to showcase the "Yesteryear's work horses and the beauty, grandeur and sheer force of today's draft horses."  

Check it out, why don't you.  You can make some memories of your own while you're at it.