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Gage Scanlan poses for a photo with his horse, Toby. Together, they won the Musical Bags event.
MACKEYVILLE — The 49th annual Clinton County Fair has begun and many exciting events are expected to take place throughout the week… so stay tuned!
On Monday, Aug. 1, kids and spectators alike gathered at the Clinton County Fairgrounds’s upper horse ring for the Youth Horseback Games.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic delayed some of the fair’s traditional events in past years, kids participating in the Youth Horseback Games are back in the saddle this year and more excited than ever!
Welcoming both 4-H kids and non-4-H kids, the Youth Horseback Games are perfect for newer riders who want to experience what a gaming show is like.
The Youth Horseback Games consist of various horseback riding events that are sure to excite everyone; whether you are sitting on the bleachers watching or competing yourself.
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Lennon Hanna reaches towards a mailbox at the Youth Horseback Games.
This year, a handful of kids from all different skill levels competed in the games.
Some of the events in this year’s games included Egg and Spoon, where riders ride around trying to balance a raw egg on a spoon without dropping it; Musical Bags, just like Musical Chairs, but on horses; Speed Trail, an obstacle course that riders try to complete in the shortest amount of time; and Bobbing for Apples, where riders ride to an area to bob apples from.
Karli Jo Mantle, first-time rider in the Youth Horseback Games, expressed how happy she was to compete in the games this year.
“It’s my first year and I am having a lot of fun… even though I’m not very good at the games,” she explained while laughing.
When it came to the games, Mantle had some favorite, although one less so.
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Karli Jo Mantle is pictured on horseback.
“Definitely not the Egg and Spoon’ game,” she said.
Mantle and her horse, Jake, completed their events with grace and a lot of excitement for the rest of the week.
“I am looking forward to the horse show on Friday. It is going to be great,” said Mantle.
Winner of the Musical Bags event, Gage Scanlan, who came out on top with his horse Toby, explained that he really likes participating in events like these.
“They’re a lot of fun and I really enjoy doing events like these,” said Scanlan.
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Sawyer Hanna is pictured on horseback.
Helper and competitor at the Clinton County Fair, Tessa Bitner, expressed how important the Youth Horseback Games are to the fair.
“The games are a great way to introduce the kids to what a gaming show is really like. They get to try it out here, and they all seem to really enjoy doing it,” she said.
The Open Gaming Horse Show is set to take place at 6 p.m. on Friday night. This event is always expected to bring in the most people, so make sure to come on out for a fast-paced, show-stopping night.
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