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Giddyap! Sycamore drill competition entertains many
By EMILY Olson - emolson@daily-chronicle.com
Eva Lynch likened the competition
to synchronized swimming - on horses.
“A drill competition is precision
riding to music,” said Sandy Mann, a member of horseback drill team the
Kettle Moraine Rough Riders.
As many as 26 riders at a time led their costumed horses in choreographed
numbers around the Circle K-D arena in Sycamore on Sunday at the third annual
Drill Team Competition hosted by Circle K-D. The Sycamore-based horse club
offers trail rides, competitions and horse clinics for members from all over
northern Illinois.
Attendance was up at this year's show, with 10 teams registered to perform in
front of a panel of judges who graded them on appearance, uniformity,
showmanship and their ability to perform certain maneuvers.
While some teams have spent the summer traveling from show to show, many of
the members of the Boone County Burning Fury had never competed before. After
riding on trails, the group of riders ranging in age from 8 to 20 decided
they wanted to compete.
“Just remember to smile,” suggested
a veteran member of the Four Square Walking team.
Teams arrived early in the day to get their horses acclimated to the scene,
Circle K-D member Karen Turner
said.
“The horses have to get used to the boogiemen around, like the canopy tents,
so they aren't so skittish when it comes time to compete,” she said.
Along with the main attraction, visitors could bid at a silent auction or
have their faces painted. The Boone
County 4-H Mini Driving
Team opened the show with tricks by mini horses.
The first drill team competition was held in 2005 as a way to raise funds for
grounds improvements, but it went so well that the event has continued each
year.
“It's nice for members to be able
to do competitions rather than shows,” event organizer Linda Odom said.
The club also hosts weekly play nights. Members can bring their horses and
participate in pleasure classes and fun classes, like water balloon fights.
“There's a lot going on here. It's very family oriented,” Turner said.
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