Published: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 / Updated: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 07:17 PM
GALLOPING GREENWAY: These people are passionate about their four-legged friends
FORT MILL --
Whether it was “Puddin,” “Snowflake” or “Strawberry” in the show ring, there was no shortage of horses – and passion – at the 13th Annual Anne Springs Close Greenway Horse Show.
Sure, there were plenty of ribbons to hand out for the 42 classes.
But for the 90 or so people and their families who brought their horses, it was just as much of an event outside the ring to unite with other local horse enthusiasts, friends and family.
In some cases, it united fanatics.
Venture 50 feet from the ring, a person might mistake Cindy Ott's trailer and lawn chairs for out-of-towners tailgating at a sporting event.
“What's a ‘ball?'” joked one woman at Ott's gathering, which featured smoked salmon and gourmet chicken salad.
“We're obsessed (with horses). That's all we care about,” Ott, a Fort Mill resident, said. “It's our country club membership. Friends who aren't into horses feel deserted by us because we're always busy.”
Ott's horse trailer also includes living quarters. When the family goes camping, so does her 18-year-old – horse, that is – “Oraios.”
Despite having to postpone this year's show a week because of rain, event organizer Bill Steele of the ASCG was quite pleased with the turnout and the weather.
Steele said the event is still going strong, even during these tough times, because it attracts mostly locals. He said people tend to cut back on the distance trips.
“It's a fun show – no high stakes and no pressure,” said Steele, who was worked on the show for the last nine years.
The classes ranged from Leadline for those 7 and younger, to English Walk-Trot and Egg and Spoon. There was a $7 entry fee per horse per class, with money benefiting the greenway.
For young ones and a few daring adults, there were stick horses everywhere in anticipation for the stick races at intermission. Some had names for their pretend horses, including “Rose” and “Pancake.”
Sophie Johnson, 4, of Fort Mill, and older sister, Merryn, 10, went to their first show Sunday.
“I think they're pretty,” said Sophie, admiring the real horses as she tightly clutched her stick horse.
Merryn, whose family has adopted a horse at the greenway, hopes to one day have her own. She received four ribbons Sunday.
“I like that you don't have to be so competitive, but can still have fun,” said Merryn, a fifth-grader at Indian Land Elementary. “You get to be yourself. These people are my friends too. I like to ride with my mom. It's good bonding time for us.”
Laura Parks' 1,100-pound quarter horse, “Puddin,” is like a member of the family. The Fort Mill resident boards Puddin at the greenway and visits him daily.
“It's a passion. I love doing anything that has to do with horses,” said Parks, whose family members tagged along to watch her and Puddin participate in various classes, including Western Walk-Jog and the Western Go As You Please.
Parks' passion has led to teasing from her husband.
“My husband says the horse gets more attention than he does,” Parks joked.
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