The community is invited.

A horse drill team competition is a contest between teams where equestrians turn the art of riding and their love of horses into a dance.

Costumed riders and horses work as one to make synchronized moves and music come alive.

Horses and riders perform precision movements in tight drill formation at high speeds. Many of the routines have complicated formations and quick maneuvers that will send the arena sand flying.

Some of the teams which might participate in the competition at Circle K-D include two teams from Wisconsin - the Four Square Walking of Elkhorn, Wis., and the Kettle Moraine Rough Riders of Dousman, Wis.

Two youth teams may be competing - Hoof Beats, DeKalb County 4-H and Ogle County 4-H.

Three other teams from northern Illinois may participate - Hidden Acres from Elgin, Timmermann's Ranch & Saddle Shop from Island Lake and Tumbleweed Ranglers from Garden Prairie.

Registration still is open and interested drill teams can contact Linda Odom at (815) 784-2645 or lindap@tbcnet.com.

The competition is judged on entertainment, which includes such things as costumes and grooming, overall uniformity, music, choreography, difficulty of the routine, theme and overall entertainment value.

It also is judged on equitation. This judges spacing of the horses, correctness of transitions and gaits, attitude and behavior of the horses, riders' position, speed and difficulty of the moves, uniformity of the moves, roundness of circles, spacing, etc.

A drill team competition has all the glitz and glamour of show biz. It's a chance for riders and horses to dress up and show off while encouraging a sense of team spirit and cooperation.

It's a highly focused kind of riding that takes concentration and effort and is an excellent tool for teaching the fine tuning of horse and rider communication and control.

It is one thing to be able to ask a horse to pick up a trot. It takes a much higher level of skill to be able to control the horse's speed and position at a specific trot to match the drill teammates.

Teams consist of either six to 12 members or 13 to 24 members. The small teams must perform a routine between seven and 10 minutes long, with large team performances between seven and 12 minutes. Most often, riders will carry flags.

Each team will vary their routine and the moves used in each performance. Moves can be basic like the Figure 8 or Mirror-Split, or they can be much more difficult like the Pinwheel, Thread-the-needle or Do-si-do.

Drilling can be done as a just-for-fun activity or as an exhibition team to entertain audiences of all kinds. It also can be done as competition against other drill teams like the event Circle K-D Trail Riders is hosting July 9.

Some drill teams perform in local rodeos, parades and at fairs or horse shows in addition to participating in drill team competitions.

Drill riders often belong to various other riding groups and enjoy using their horses for showing, roping, penning, trail riding and other activities.

Advance ticket prices for the competition at Circle K-D are $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 4 to 10 years. At the gate, tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for children.

Children ages 3 and younger are admitted free.

The ticket includes drill team performances and lunch of a steak sandwich cooked by the DeKalb-Kane Cattlemen's Association.

All proceeds go toward the Circle K-D Arena and grounds-improvement project.

In addition to the drill team competition, a silent auction will be held and face painting is available for the kids. There are a limited number of picnic tables, so everyone is encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

For more information, visit www.circlekd.org.