HARRINGTON, Del. - Hundreds of horses have been taking the ring all day long. Today the animals were judged purely on looks for the halter show. Followed by a grooming and showmanship competition. WMDT got to see what it takes to win the gold.
Doug Sherwood has been competing in the Delaware State Fair horse show since 1996. It's an event he comes back for every year. "I'm a fair brat and I've been used to it all my life. I like to show and this gives me a chance to have some fun with my friends."
More than 250 horses compete for the recognition of grand champion in their class. Kay Betts, assistant superintendent, says "The horse has to be sound going into the ring. Their body structure, how they're put together as far as the horse goes, they judge the head to the tale, the combination of the confirmation of the horse."
And it takes a lot of hard work and responsibility to get there. Sherwood says "we keep our horses tuned up by working them, riding them, and doing odds and ends stuff with them, got to keep them tuned up and takes about an hour a day."
Aside from the competition, the horse show works to engage our youth. Dave Wilson, superintendent, Horse Department, says "and we like to keep our youth involved and thats what its all about, if we're gonna have horse shows 10, 15, 20 years from now, we've got to culture them and build it to that type of environment."
Tomorrow is the performance aspect where the horses will go through obstacles and are judged on riding. Then Thursday is the halter and performance show for ponies.
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