Horse shows planned at Gogebic fairgrounds

IRONWOOD - The Spring Valley Ranch Horsemen's Club will host two all-day horse shows Saturday and Sunday at the Gogebic County Fairgrounds in Ironwood.

Competition begins at 8 a.m. both days. Classes for all levels and ages of riders will be featured, including leadline and walk-trot classes for children, rookie classes for beginners in the show ring and higher levels where exhibitors can earn national breed show points. Both days will include "in hand" halter and showmanship classes, English and western rail, performance, jumping and trail classes.

Saturday's show also features timed speed events.

In honor of Flag Day on Saturday, the show will begin with a special flag presentation. The colors will be presented by Claire Jewess, with her huge Gypsy Vanner gelding, Sir Avano. Jewess sponsored the show in honor of her late father Arvid Anderson, of Ramsay. Sunday's show will honor dads for Father's Day with a special fathers walk only horsemanship class, open to all current and future dads.

The shows will be judged by Larry Kasten, of River Falls, Wis., and GiGi Bailey-Rahmlow, of De Pere, Wis.

Kasten is a professional horseman with years of experience training and competing in the National Reining Horse Association. He is also retired instructor/dean of the Equine Department at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Bailey-Rahmlow is an instructor and trainer with World Championships in the American Quarter Horse Association. She has also judged top national and international shows, including the AQHA World Show, the All American Quarter Horse Congress and European shows.

Exhibitors include local residents and horsemen and women from as far as Stephenson, Houghton, Eau Claire and Superior, Wis.

Both shows are sanctioned by the AQHA, the Lake Superior Quarter Horse Association and the Upper Peninsula Quarter Horse Association. Riders can also earn American Paint Horse Association Paint Alternative Competition points or qualify for the Wisconsin Champion Challenge Show or the U.P Equifest Championship Show set for this fall.

Spectators are welcome and there is no gate fee. Concessions will be available.

The Spring Valley Ranch Horsemen's Club is an all-ages club formed by a group of local riders to promote good horsemanship and provide the riders with opportunities for learning experiences, trail rides, fun play-days and camaraderie, a news release said.

For more information, visit springvalleyranch.net.