79th annual horse show trots into Marion

MARION — Amidst the competitive atmosphere of the Marion Horse Show, there was still plenty of time for horsing around.

Equestrians gathered to show off their riding skills at Washburn Park on Sunday, July 5 for the 79th iteration of the event.

Dartmouth residents Anastasia Staley and Calie Johnson, and Abigail Welch, of Fall River, spent months practicing for their first appearance at the show. 

Johnson said she’s loved horses since she was a kid and began riding about three years ago. She’s still new to competing.

“Today is actually my first show, so I think I did pretty good,” she said. “I had a lot of fun.”

Welch said in the beginning it felt nerve-wracking to compete because there were so many people and intimidating horses, but ended up enjoying her time on the course. 

“It was really fun, because the horse I was riding was a dressage champion, so he was nice to ride,” she said. 

Staley, whose mother is a horse trainer, has been riding since she was 2 years old.

She’s no stranger to horse shows, but this was her first time trending in Marion’s. It was also her first time competing with the pony she rode. 

“It's fun being in an environment with so many different horses and styles,” she said.

For some attendees, coming to the event is part of their yearly Fourth of July celebration. 

Melissa Cabucio, of Acushnet, said she comes every year. Some years her daughters compete, but this year she said she came just to enjoy the show.

“The games are always fun to watch,” she said. “Usually we like to watch the equitation and pleasure (classes).”