| Have you ever been to a horse show and seen | | | | you see that Thoroughbred collect himself and |
| the sleek, shiny horses of every size and | | | | go up and over a four-foot stone wall with |
| color performing at the peak of their | | | | the ease and grace of a dancer. |
| splendor? If not, you don't know what you're | | | | |
| missing. Come along now on a trip to the | | | | Pounding away in the distance will be the |
| country and the wonderful world of the show. | | | | rhythmic beat of the black-smith's hammer, |
| | | | the ringing clang of iron on iron as he |
| As soon as you start to bump along the old | | | | shapes a shoe. When the shoe is properly |
| dirt road that leads to the show grounds, | | | | formed, the clanging will stop only to be |
| you'll feel excitement in the air. It's a | | | | replaced by the softer thud of a small hammer |
| kind of excitement like a light fever, horse | | | | driving the nails through the shoe and into |
| fever. Anyone who likes animals loves horses, | | | | the horse's hoof. But don't worry about the |
| and almost everywhere you look you'll see | | | | horse being hurt. His hooves are like your |
| horses - some being ridden in an easy, | | | | fingernails. No pain is felt around the edges |
| relaxed manner by seasoned professional | | | | where the shoe is tacked on, any more than |
| riders; some being held by proud, smiling | | | | you feel pain when your nails are filed. Only |
| grandmothers; some acting frisky in the crisp | | | | if a nail is hammered too near the center of |
| morning air as soft-voiced grooms do their | | | | the hoof will a horse feel any discomfort. |
| best to quiet down the snorting animals ; | | | | |
| some standing peacefully, gently nuzzling | | | | As you keep moving along the dirt road, |
| their affectionate owners. | | | | you'll see horse vans and trailers, which |
| | | | transport the animals and equipment to and |
| Young riders will be scurrying in every | | | | from their home stables. In the background, |
| direction, hunting for the proper number to | | | | you'll see the barns where each owner is |
| wear on their backs so the judges can | | | | assigned stalls for his horses and, if the |
| identify them easily, searching for their | | | | show is a large one, there will even be huge |
| hunt caps or derbies before the next class | | | | tents put up to stable the hundreds of horses |
| begins, or maybe just plain trying to find | | | | that will be on hand to compete in the sport |
| mother. Other riders may be out for some | | | | of kings. |
| early morning practice, putting the | | | | |
| high-stepping Saddle Horses through a walk, | | | | But these days is it the sport of kings only? |
| trot, and canter. | | | | Not on your life! In fact, if you'll buy |
| | | | yourself a program and step right up to the |
| Or you may see a well-dressed rider in black | | | | rail of the big riding ring where the various |
| boots and canary-yellow riding breeches | | | | events (each of which is called a 'class') |
| taking a big, rangy hunter over the outside | | | | take place, you'll discover for yourself that |
| hunt course where the jumps are like the | | | | riding horses is truly becoming the sport of |
| actual jumps a rider would meet on a real | | | | kids. |
| hunt. You'll hold your breath the first time | | | | |