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Pony show ready to mark 92nd year
At 92, the Warrenton Pony Show is as spry as the juniors who run it.
Witness the recent organizational meeting of the show committee at the historic show grounds on Shirley Avenue in Warrenton.
Average age of the 60-some committee members? Twelve and half.
Many have just a sixth-grade education. Prior management experience is limited, but the chief requisite skill required follows the golden rule learned in kindergarten -- plays nicely with others.
As it has for nearly a century, Warrenton's five-day, A-rated summertime tradition runs like a well-oiled machine.
"Okay, next on the list," said the show co-president before the show. Preparations neared fever pitch, timed with the week's crushing heat and humidity.
Caitlin Palmer pushed back her bangs. Again. She was consulting a thick writing pad, filled with scribbles and pages of neat notes.
She looked up at a dozen young volunteers, smiling and eager in the midday sun, not wilting complainingly or retreating to air conditioned sanctuary of their cars, like the adults.
"Who wants to handle ordering the ribbons online? Anybody? Anybody?" she said.
"I'm going to do that," said co-president Erin Flynn raising her hand. "I'll do it. I'd like to do that."
Under the shade of a tree, senior show advisor Wilma Hoovler crossed her arms and smiled. If only all labor contract negotiations were as easy.
"These kids do an excellent job running the show every year," said professional show manager Tommy Lee Jones, one of a handful of adult advisors to the junior committee.
"They 'age out' at 18, but the peer-training they get by working at the show really is the key."
The oldest junior-run horse show in the nation, the Warrenton Pony Show is held each year on Fourth of July weekend at the historic Warrenton Horse Show grounds.
The Shirley Avenue venue also hosts the older Warrenton Horse Show, marking its 112th year this Labor Day.
"The idea is tradition, remaining just the same," said co-president Caroline Newbill, third of three junior execs.
Like Palmer and Flynn, Newbill is an 18-year-old 2011 graduate of Fauquier High School. In their final year running the pony show and all headed to college in a couple of months, they look at their tenure wistfully.
"I love the history," Flynn said, the perpetual trophies displayed near the pavilion, for instance.
"All week, people will come over and look at the trophies -- if you won it one year, you'll find your name and show it to everybody," he said. "It's like a trip down memory lane. I love that part."
On the other hand, Newbill said the "one-ring show" aspect is a major challenge. "Shows have to run on schedule," she said. "It's hard to keep the classes rolling."
With any less than 60 helpers, brimming with youthful enthusiasm, Palmer said, staying on task would be impossible.
But that small-town, small-time feeling -- far more relaxed than bigger professional shows, by comparison, held in three, four, even five rings, concurrently -- is what makes the pony show unique, and popular. "It feels home-y," Flynn said.
The Warrenton Pony Show was voted Best Show of the Year in 2003. "That's always our goal," Palmer said.
Classes run through Sunday, July 3, at the show rated "A" by the U.S. Equestrian Federation, and the Virginia and Maryland Horse Show Associations.
Aiding show co-presidents Erin Flynn, Karoline Newbill and Caitlin Palmer and vice presidents McKenzie Canard, Jennie Norden and Kelli Park -- the group from which Jones suggested next year's likely co-presidents will be chosen, show secretaries Sammy Bunn and Marina Macklin and treasurers Tanya Bopp and Riley Moore.
A "senior advisory" committee made up of prior junior organizers helps guide the young committee; this year Katrina Bess, Rachel Giampa, Lauren Hair, Abbey McGuire, Stockett Marr and Emily Watt are assisting.
At the show, divisions range from small, medium and large ponies, juniors, equitation, leadline, conformation, amateur hunters, working hunters and divisions for Caspian and Connemara ponies.
Classes start at 8 a.m. each day, with a benefit silent auction ongoing. Find full prize list details online at www.WarrentonHorseShow.com.
New and prospective junior committee members may sign up to help next year. No prior horse nor management experience is required.
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