Gentle chaos reigned at Sunday's Horse Shows In The Sun hunter/jumper competition as about 800 local children gathered for Kids Day. HITS extended an invitation to local organizations to participate in this event, and many welcomed the opportunity.
"( HITS) wanted to put on a kids' day," Warren Bottnio of Douglas County Parks and Recreation said, noting the organization asked local officials for contacts. "We thought it was such a good idea, we decided to stay involved."
Organized by the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department and the Douglas County Library, the event drew about 10 local groups: Pony rides were courtesy of the High Sierra Stables, and the Bunny Hoppers 4-H Club had a rabbit petting zoo. Douglas County 4-H Sierra Riders presented horse-grooming demonstrations, and the Douglas County Sheriff's Posse demonstrated horsemanship skills.
There were many more, and the kids were visibly impressed.
Eight-year-old Natalie Christopher, proudly displaying the ribbon she received after her pony ride, announced she wants a horse and riding lessons.
"We went to the petting zoo, fire safety house, and the bouncey house," she said with a smile. "It was all good."
"It's going to be a big hit," Ed Abrams, commander of the Douglas County Sheriff's Posse said, talking about the hunter/jumper competitions as well as Kids Day. He thinks the event will attract tourists, and boost revenues here. "I'm very impressed with the professional way they put everything together. This is just getting started, and it's going to be good for the whole community."
"This is really fun, but we're looking forward to the jumping," Anne Groffman said as sons Jason and Dominique watched "Blooper" the clown do his juggling act. She was referring to this weeks' Grand Prix Competition, starting at 1 p.m. right after the Kids Day events.
Organizers expect this competition to grow to three times the size of this years' event, ultimately getting bigger than California's Indio Circuit show which precedes it.
This is the first Nevada event for Horse Shows In The Sun, a special events management company that produces hunter/jumper horse shows nationwide. Based in Rhinebeck, New York, HITS produced its first horse show circuit in Gainesville, Florida, in 1982. They presently produce six world-class circuits in New York, California, Florida, Arizona, Virginia, and now in Nevada.
