Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show

A good-times annual tradition with some new twists

by ANNETTE JOYCE

Since bringing back the Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show in 2021 after it had been on hiatus for several years, Oak Ridge Horse Show Association (ORHSA), comprised of a group of hard-working volunteers who organize the show, has pulled out all the stops to make this year’s event even more exciting and family-friendly.

Show attendees will definitely see the results of all that work when the gates open this Friday and Saturday, April 7 and 8, at its new location, Hardin Farm and Stables in Stokesdale. The weekend show, which started in 1946, features the best of the triedand-true horse competitions and rodeo events mixed with the excitement of some new additions.

Mainstays of the event include riding competitions for both adults and children, draft horse pull and the minidraft horse pull, which was added last year, and the wildly popular Southern Rodeo Association (SRA) sanctioned rodeo.

In addition, ORHSA has added lots of new events and improved on others.

According to Richard Isley, show manager, the Hardin Farm location allows the group to spread out into four rings and offer more activities.

“We’re taking advantage of that opportunity and we’ve got a full schedule planned for the weekend,” he said.

Isley is especially excited about adding a Ranch/Working Western division to the show’s lineup. This division brings in cattle and showcases a horse and rider’s ability to work with the bovines.

The annual Easter Horse Show scheduled for April 7 and 8 will have a new location as well as some new events, vendors and kid-friendly activities, while still offering many of the same horse-and-rider competitions as it has for the last 80+ years.

“This is one of the hottest growing areas in the equine industry right now,” Isley said.

Young cowboys and cowgirls will be happy to know the Calf Scramble and Mutton Bustin’ contests are on the schedule again this year. However, there is one change: due to its popularity, Mutton Bustin’ participants (kids 10 and under) must register online by April 6.

To make the day even more enjoyable for the younger crowd, ORHSA, in partnership with Reynolds and Stoner Orthodontics in Summerfield, has added a Kids’ Zone, which includes a mechanical bull, the Guilford County Fire Department’s smokehouse and a petting zoo. The Easter Bunny has also promised to make appearances and provide photo opportunities.

Isley said he’s also “super excited” about the show’s expanded Vendor Village.

“We’ve got in excess of 20 vendors with a range of products including pottery, jewelry, hats, Western clothing and more,” he said, noting that both the Kids’ Zone and Vendor Village close at 5 p.m. each day before the rodeo starts.

Produced by Double Creek Rodeo Company, the rodeo is a huge draw for the weekend show.

“We have an action-packed, eightevent rodeo,” Isley said.

Besides bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping and more, the rodeo also brings back Keith Isley, a professional rodeo clown and entertainer who has

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$5 registration per event, per dog

Ribbons and prizes awarded

 All-breed fun match dog shows for purebreds, mixed breeds and junior handlers

 Contests for best paw-shaker, ball retriever, treat toss, best puppy dog eyes, smallest dog, largest dog, best vocal performance, best kisser, best tail-wagger, best senior dog  Canine Good Citizen test

 Dog maze

 Raffle

 Bark Avenue – featuring merchants, rescue groups and more!

Photo courtesy of Oak Ridge Horse Show Association been involved in the rodeo world for nearly 50 years.

Produced by Double Creek Rodeo Company, the rodeo on Friday and Saturday evenings is a huge draw for the Easter weekend horse show. This year’s eight-event rodeo includes bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping and more. Additionally, Keith Isley, a professional rodeo clown and entertainer who has been involved in the rodeo world for almost 50 years, is sure to liven things up as he has in previous years.

“We’re very lucky to have someone like Keith,” Isley said. “He was raised in Reidsville and enjoys coming back home to entertain the locals – and they love him. He is probably one of the most decorated and funny acts in the industry.”

The Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show started over 80 years ago as a way to raise money to build Oak Ridge United Methodist Church and has continued to provide funds for other community groups. Triad Honor Flight, HORSEPOWER Therapeutic Learning Center, local elementary schools and Scout troops, and Northwest Guilford Middle and High schools are just some of the organizations that have benefitted from the profits.

The show’s organizers are looking forward to this weekend and express their gratitude for the community’s support.

“Our group has really worked hard to bring the show back to life,” Isley said. “We couldn’t have done it without the tremendous support of the community. We hope that everyone has a great time.”

want to go?

Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show

Friday and Saturday, April 7 & 8 9 a.m.–Until Hardin Farm and Stables 8201 Millrun Road, Stokesdale Tickets available for advance purchase at www.oakridgehorseshow.org, or at the entrance gate to the showgrounds