Country fair will host mustang horse show

The annual Country Fair & Art Show hosted by Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, is a much-anticipated event. Long known for it's old-time country fair atmosphere with fun for all the family, this year they are adding something new.

Gayla Nelson, a church member, and her friends are bringing a mustang horse show to the Fair. Nelson, who adopted her first mustang 12 years ago, will be bringing Spirit Dream, and prize-winning Pippin, as well as two burros, Brighty and Dusty, both originally from Nevada.

There will be at least seven other horses, each sharing a common bond. They were all adopted through one of the Mustang adoption programs operating in the western States.

There are 21 Herd Management Areas in Oregon alone, where adoptions are run by the Bureau of Land Management. Other programs, Mustang Heritage Foundation in Texas and locally in Prineville, the Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition, offer opportunities for mustang training and adoption.

Shelly Simmons, who is well-known in Central Oregon for her horse training, will bring her mustang "Atta Girl" and demonstrate the gentling techniques and training of a mustang.

"I always wanted to use animals for God," said Simmons. She found a way to merge her faith and her love of horses to help others through her training clinics.

Marietta Roby and her horse Sadie, a nine-year-old mustang mare from Southeast Oregon, will demonstrate some tricks and bridleless riding.

Like many other adopted mustangs, Sadie's life has not been easy. After a rough beginning as an adopted mustang, Sadie was fortunate to arrive at the Roby Farm for one last chance for rehabilitation. Marietta and Sadie found in each other a kindred spirit and the two have been inseparable every since.

The show will include exhibits and handout information on the adoption programs, including the strict criteria the potential adopter must meet prior to taking ownership of one of the horses. There will be horses and burros to pet and other activities to introduce children to the mustangs.