300 horses expected here, starting Thursday
They call the show 'Ride and Slide' and it's a lot different from many of the horse competitions you see in this area:
no jumping, but plenty of action as western-style horses go fast and skid to stops, and spin--fast!.
Jennifer Hoyt is managing the CNY Reining Association show and expects 300 horses, plus riders, trainers and staff and families, to be at the State Fairgrounds Thursday to Sunday. She says it's the biggest show of its kind in the Northeast, in a horse discipline that is growing in popularity--especially after reining has been recognized by international horse groups, and the United States brought home the gold (our only one) in reining at last year's World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.
Exhibitors may be at the top of the competitive game, but Hoyt says this style of riding is easy to learn, and her group has programs to help people who ride in other disciplines pick up both the basics and the fine points of reining.
The show is free to watch, except for the 'showcase' event Saturday at 6pm which is a benefit for the Golisano Children's Hospital in Syracuse.
