Lions Club Horse Show A Top Attraction

TONY STINNETT, Courier Co-Editor


People travel from across the state and region to attend what is considered one of the best "one-night" horse shows offered.

The 2012 Woodbury Lions Club Horse Show will feature more than 35 classes when it opens Saturday (July 7) at the Clayton Glenn Champions Arena in Woodbury. The show begins at 3:30 p.m.

It has been named the "Best One-Night Horse Show" by the Walking Horse Trainers Association in 1988, 1995, 1998, 2001-05. The Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association offered an award called the Emerald Award for the best managed one-night horse show. The award was discontinued after Woodbury's Horse Show won two straight.

"We are looking forward to another outstanding show in 2012," said Bruce Steelman, horse show chairman. "We have been fortunate to be considered one of the best one-night shows and the quality of show and our event enables that to happen year after year. A lot of people put in a lot of hard work to make this happen but it is worthwhile."

The Lions Horse Show is the Woodbury Lions Club's premier event and major fundraiser. It provides funds for many of the charities supported by the Lions Club.

Because of the numerous horse shows in the area throughout the Fourth of July Weekend, horse enthusiasts from across the nation convene on Woodbury during this annual event. Prize money exceeds $10,000 in some instances.

"We get some new entries along the way, but we also get a lot of people who return to show their horse," Steelman said. "We attract people from across the United States and that makes you feel like you are doing things right."

Early records indicate that the Lions Club was responsible for the Woodbury Horse Show in 1938. In years since, the club was sponsor of the annual show, at times in connection with the county fair. For one period of time, the Jaycees were also affiliated with the show. Cannon Courier files indicate the Lions Club has been the official sponsor of the show since 1949.

The afternoon session begins with judging in the first 14 classes. The evening session, slated to begin at 6:30 p.m., features the premium classes.