Out Around the Barn

The fair has came to a close and everyone enjoyed all the activities and events.  I have wrote about the 4-H shows and Kids Day and all the fun we had.  Now let me tell you of the remaining events that followed.

On Monday evening the ITPA , Illinois Tractor Pullers Association, put on a terrific show for all to see.  The noise, the smell of smoke and fuel and the roar and cheers of the crowd made for a great evening.

On Tuesday evening everyone was mesmerized by the beauty and elegance of the LiL Miss and Queen Pageant.  Our retiring Queen, Mallory Borger, presented our new Queen, Taylor Purcell, with her crown.

2008 Marion Co. Queen, Mallory Borger  &  2009 Marion Co. Queen, Taylor Purcell                

On Wednesday evening we were in awe of the C-Bar Rodeo and its performances.  The bulls, horses, dust, riders, hoots and hollers, made watching the bull and bronc riding such a pleasure.  The speed of the barrel racers and the preciseness of the rider and horse kept the audience on the edge of their seats.   Just being a spectator and watching the swiftness and agility of some of these horses, we know that they have to have the right nutrition.  That is why equine supplements are so important, to keep up their strength and stamina to perform.

We were then entertained by Dusty Crane, trick rider, with her unique riding techniques and abilities.  Such a wonderful event to watch and witness.  Dusty has been riding for years and her passion and love for the profession shows. 

Bullriding & Dusty Crane; C Bar Rodeo                                                       

During ther entire event we were entertained by Pork Chop, rodeo clown, and he kept the laughs coming and at half time, intermission, the children were included in activities such as chasing bunnies and finding their shoes.  Everyone had a blast.

Thursday was the Draft Horse pull and we had 14 teams show for the event.  Our winners in the Lightweight division were 1st place, Ronnie Onstatt from Farina, IL and Jeff Weidekamp from Morrisonville, IL.  Our Heavyweight division winner was David Cox of Newton, IL.

Heath Hager w/Allen Hager & Sons #2 team           1st -  Lightweight team – Onstott &  Weidekamp

Best handling team went to Allen Hager & Son’s of Nicholason, KY.  The best matched team went to Jim Weatherholt of Grandview, IN and the team that traveled the farthest from Mullen Point, MS, went to Jeremy Vice.

  1st – Heavyweight team – David Cox

On Friday, the Grand Stand was packed and the Pit area full of spectators to watch the Demolition Derby.  There is just something about the crashing of cars and the smell of gas and smoke that will draw a crowd.  Friends and families come to witness the event as the contestants vied for first place.  This is the longest event of the fair and last at least 4 hours or more.  The mud slinging is a highlight and most go home with some kind of mud in their hair or on their bodies.  This is the Fair’s biggest event of the week.

Saturday we wrapped up our eight days of fun with the NTPA, National Tractor Pullers Assoc.  This event I wasn’t able to attend but, I heard it was pretty great. 

It was a wonderful week and the weather was good.  We only had a couple of days with rain but we were able to keep the fair going.  Mother Nature worked well with us this year and we look forward to next year for the 2010 Marion County Fair. 

Once again, thanks to all of those that prepared and organized this event for Marion and surrounding counties.  We all had fun.

When I was still in elementary school, one of my best friends lived on a cattle farm. My parents occasionally complained about driving down the long, dusty rural roads in order to drop me off at his house, but I certainly didn’t mind. Once I arrived, we would spend the entire day outside, running through the grass and even performing some chores around the farm.

My friend’s older brother would give us a ride to the barn, which sat back in the middle of a cow pasture a half-mile or so from the house. On the way, the beat-up pick-up truck would bump into a drive through gate, which would close immediately behind us. This kept the cattle from getting through, but it was easily a highlight of the day for my 8-year-old self.

Many horses get their share of daily vitamins from fresh grass and hay. In some cases, however, horse owners are unable to provide their horse with high-quality hay. At this point, it becomes necessary to supplement a horse’s diet with the vitamins they require to remain healthy. Race horses and colts need vitamins in addition to a healthy diet of grains and forage.

Before feeding equine vitamins to your animal, take a moment to consider an important question: What sort of lifestyle does your horse lead? If he or she experiences a lot of stress from carrying heavy loads, keep an ample supply of vitamin C at the ready. If, on the other hand, your horse experiences a cracked hoof, you’ll want to infuse his or her diet with Vitamin H. Most vitamins should be synthesized in a horse’s everyday diet, but some instances call for more.