Junior Livestock Show 2010

By: Meg Preston, Junior Livestock Show Coordinator

The countdown begins to the 63rd annual Junior Livestock Show, at the Iroquois Showgrounds, County Highway 33, which will be held on July 11-13. Now that ribbons are ordered, judges are in place, and over 300 kids and over 700 animals have entered, we are sure to have another excellent show!


This will be my 13th Jr. Show. My first year, I was thrown into the Dairy Cattle ring trying to figure out how to give out ribbons. Now I coordinate the show, running between show tents making sure everyone is settled in with no problems. This year, I will be adding my daughter into the mix; she will be showing a dairy goat.

The show kicks off Sunday evening (July 11) with a chicken barbecue by Miller’s Barbecue of Walton at 5:00 p.m., followed at 7:30 by the ice cream social. The bluegrass band Gravel Yard will begin playing at 6:30. These are both open to the public. The Barbecue is $8.00 per dinner and the ice cream social is free.

Showing begins on Monday, at 9:30 a.m. and Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. The championship awards begin at 2:30 on Tuesday.

Hunter/Jumper Clinic in Cooperstown

By: Meg Preston

The Farmers' Museum 14th Annual Benefit Horse Show is a great chance for riders to show in Cooperstown and support the museum’s education programs. The day before the show, riders of all ages have a wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the top equestrians in the country. I grew up here in Cooperstown, and was very lucky to own a horse, take riding lessons, and most of all, go to shows. I had a very knowledgeable trainer, and I know that if an opportunity to go to a clinic and take instruction by a nationally known equestrian had come along so close to home, she would have encouraged me to go for it! I was fortunate to be able to take a lesson from John Moffat, and was thrilled for the experience.

This year the 4th Annual Hunter/Jumper Clinic will be held on Saturday, June 12, and is open to riders of all ages, levels, and abilities riding horses or ponies (participants must be able to jump at least 2 feet). The clinic will be conducted by Timmy Kees from Westport, CT. With over 35 years experience on the “A” horse show circuit, W.T. (“Timmy”) Kees is one of the country’s most prominent hunter/equitation trainers. Overnight stabling off-site and a discount on entry fees is available for registrants who are participating in the both the clinic and the show. Four sessions are available. Space is limited and registration is required by June 9. You can download a registration form on our website.