Throughout the year, Kosciusko County 4-H Horse and Pony Club members and their families meet once a week at the county fairgrounds to perfect riding and halter skills, to bring horses together and to get them used to the grounds and stables.

"It's open to the public, and people come here with their families and picnic baskets that night, just to see the horses," said Horse and Pony Club co-leader Charity Trump.

"Only members and their parents ride those nights," said Randy Shepherd, the other half of the popular club's leadership. Shepherd also is a fair board member.

The pair have headed the club for more than a decade, watching it grow from 34 members to more than 100 kids now.

During these years, they've seen the quality of horses improve, added to the English style of riding and watched kids come and go through the program.

"The kids compete at the fair and at other shows," Shepherd said, "some on the national level."

It's a tight-knit group. Mothers and fathers are urged to attend meetings where speakers discuss nutrition, equestrian health, training and how to prepare for the show ring.

Campers line the south side of the arena during fair week where members and their families spend the night, have a ready-made dressing room and a place to rest.

Parents volunteer their time keeping the arena area and barn well-maintained. They are on hand to place and remove any equipment needed during the 146 classes held over the course of the fair.

On Tuesday, parent Patti Marlow served as announcer, relaying the judge's commands over the loud speakers and queuing up participants in the next class.

From her perch above the arena, Marlow advised non-riders to stay out of the practice arena, sent on messages and, off-microphone, cheered on each and every member in every class.

Asked where the club gets its announcers, both leaders shook their heads sadly.

"From the bottom of the barrel," Shepherd said. "We just take anybody."

Marlow scoffed at that sarcastic remark, reminding everyone of her volunteer status.

Marlow didn't leave her important post, however, nor were Trump's comments recalled.

They're a tight-knit group.

There are always adults on hand in case a horse gets skittish. Parents are always on the alert. They scan the grounds carefully, ready to react to any emergency caused by unpredictable animal or rider behavior.

People slip through fence slats faster than a pony can break into a trot, to assist a fallen rider and to corral a loose horse.

Falls don't happen often, but they do happen. It's a hazard of the activity.

Great injury to riders or a horse or pony is very rare.

Yet tragedy struck Monday when a 17-year-old member's mare unexpectedly reared up during a morning class, the animal's two-month-old colt at her side.

She flung herself up and backward, hitting her head as she fell. Horse and Pony Club supporters streamed into the arena to secure the badly injured horse and ensure the safety of everyone involved.

"Two Multi-Township EMS crews arrived immediately," said Shepherd. "They emptied their ambulances of bandages for the horse."

Also called to the scene were veterinarians Bruce Lamb and Al Schaefer, who were on the fairgrounds.

The local animal doctors administered pain reliever until the family's vet, Rob Koontz arrived. The mare suffered a mortal head wound. The Columbia City animal doctor determined she was too badly injured to survive and put her to sleep.

"We called the kids to the bleacher area," Shepherd said. "Dr. Koontz talked to them for a long, long time, explaining what happened to her, what he did and why he did it. He answered all their questions."

"He handled it very, very well," said Susan Shepherd, Randy's wife.

Later in the day, classes resumed.

A Kosciusko County team of seven horses and six ponies and their riders competed in the Mid States Team Tourney in Kendallville this year. They came in second in the horse classes and seventh in pony, out of 18 counties.

Only 30 percent of the members can compete at the State Fair, regardless of the number of champions presented during the county fair.

"It's not fun telling a kid they can't compete at State Fair," Shepherd said, "but the state sets quotas, based on a number of things, for the horse shows. Last year we could only send 25 percent of the members."

Horse and pony classes continue today with western pleasure classes beginning in the morning and versatility starting at 6 p.m. in the horse arena.

The show continues Thursday morning with an awards presentation beginning at 7 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]