SEMO DISTRICT FAIR KICKS OFF WITH BIG TURNOUT AT HORSE SHOW

RAIN DOESN'T DAMPEN SPIRITS, COMPETITION AT DISTRICT FAIR SUNDAY: A downpour Sunday left one souvenir stand surrounded by water at Arena Park during the first day of the Southeast Missouri District Fair. At left, workers arrived to remove the water. At right, participants compete at the SEMO District Fair horse show. This year's show drew 344 entries, more than ever before, and hundreds of people watched. The fair officially begins today with a parade, which starts at 5:30 p.m. at Capaha Park. A demolition derby will be held in the grandstand area tonight. (Photos by Fred Lynch)

Though her horse is 10 times her size, Ashley Kutz says the animal is seldom hard to control.

"When she's real hyper, it's hard, but I just pull on the reins real hard," said 8-year-old Ashley of Perryville, who controlled the horse, named Eb's Summer Fling, well enough to take second place in her class at the SEMO District Fair horse show Sunday.

Ashley's mother, Kathy, said her daughter has been showing horses since she was 5.

"I just get a little nervous," Ashley said.

More than 300 people from four states took part in the horse show this year.

Charlie Fathervee of Xenia, Ill., said the reason he and his wife traveled 140 miles to bring their three horses to compete at the fair is the enthusiastic crowds the horse show attracts.

Even with rain and lightning dampening the fairgrounds Sunday, hundreds of people watched the show.

"No other show has this big of a crowd," Fathervee said. "And the crowd is good; they'll cheer you on. Believe me, your horse knows that, they can tell."

Fathervee and his wife, Pennie, compete in horse shows in Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky. They have been competing in horse shows for 11 years.

"I just love the competition," he said, adding that many of the horse owners and riders get to know each other as they compete. "You have to be a good sport."

Show organizer Donna Dockins of Jackson said the horse show is one of the most popular fair events, and the number of entries grows each year.

"It's not a professional horse show but we've got a lot of really good horses in the show," she said. "People can come here and face some really good competition but have fun at the same time."

The number of entries this year reached 344, she said. Last year there were 277 competitors.

Though some entrants traveled hundreds of miles to compete in the show, many competitors were from Cape Girardeau, Jackson and other nearby towns.

With 19 different classes, it's important to keep the show moving, Dockins said. Organizers try to keep the show from five to six hours long.

"It takes a lot of organization," she said.

Dockins said the reason the show attracts many competitors is that it's comparatively low entry fee of $3 and it's classic country fair competition. Many state fairs can't boast of a show as big as the one at the SEMO District Fair, she said.

The number of spectators also grows each year, she said.

"People like to watch horses," she said. "There's just something magical about them."

The fair continues today with free gate admission until 4 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., the fair parade begins at Capaha Park and goes to the fairgrounds. Astronaut and Oak Ridge native Linda Godwin will speak after the parade.

Tonight's grandstand entertainment is the demolition derby beginning at 8 p.m.