Marion Horse show a galloping success

Jul 3, 2022

MARION — Nearly 100 riders saddled up for the 75th anniversary of the Marion Horse Show, a July Fourth tradition for three-quarters of a century.

“That’s the biggest number we’ve seen in a long time,’’ said Jeffrey DeMoura, president of Marion Horse Show Inc., of the 91 entrants.

The day-long show, which was held Sunday July 3 at Washburn Park, is a “fun family event,’’ he said. 

In addition to the horse competitions in a variety of categories, festivities included face painting, pony rides, and food and craft vendors. Visitors also can savor the setting, “a beautiful property,’’ he said, with plenty of space for the public and the horses.

And the horses were the stars of the day.

“I like animals,’’ said Lillian Porter, 10, of Rochester, who rode Fancy. “It’s cool to be able to ride them.’’

Although she has ridden Fancy since she was seven, this was the youngster’s first time competing at the show. “It’s fun,’’ she said.

Jiselle Nicodemisen, 7, of Acushnet, received several awards for competing with Wyatt. 

She rides Wyatt often and described the horse as “special, He gives me nice rides,’’ and she noted, good kisses. 

“He’s a good boy,’’ Robin Nicodemisen, Jiselle’s mother, said of the horse as he enjoyed a post-ride snack from his trailer and shared a kiss with a visitor. 

That affection between horse and rider has drawn decades of equine lovers to the event. But the sponsoring organization is looking for support via a GoFundMe account to ensure the tradition continues, DeMoura said.

He encouraged riding enthusiasts to support the non-profit to keep its future healthy as a horse. This will help ensure  that the popular tradition will not ride off into the sunset.