Ranch Horse Races are New Event

For this year's Celebration Days, Cowgirl Horse Racing is certain to be an exciting new event. The races will kick-off at 1 p.m. Saturday, and the ultimate prize will be $400 (prizes for runners-up will depend upon the number of entries).

Riders over the age of eighteen are encouraged to arrive with their wellmannered horses at the fairgrounds around 9 AM to sign up. The races will be held in brackets that will eventually be narrowed down to finalists. There may also be time in between for some small "grudge matches," where folks can test "whose horse is fastest." For safety reasons, the event organizers have also said there will be a pace horse to lead a quick warm-up at the start, as they are unsure how many horses will be ready to just take off and go the full length of the track.

The many volunteers who have helped plan the racing, such as Annie Sovich and Lisa Naylor, are hoping this will bring back some family-friendly fun with horses in Waitsburg.

Sovich recalls that when she was younger, most of the kids she grew up with rode horses. But these days, she says, "We don't see a lot of kids riding. I would like to see some kids get hooked on horses this weekend!" She notes that with pony rides and lessons surrounding the races, there will be something fun for all ages. There is even a round they are affectionately calling the "Medicare Race," which is for the older crowd.

Organizers are asking people with horse trailers to park on the other side of the track. For the safety of the riders, Lisa Naylor is also looking for help with watering the tracks to make the dirt softer, Friday after sunset.

Volunteers may contact Naylor at (509) 386-6021 or Annie Sovich at (509) 540-0313.