REDWOOD FALLS

M onths of practice were about to be put to the test Thursday, as judges called the next group of young riders into the horse arena at the Redwood County fairgrounds. But the mood wasn't totally serious. Outside the judging area, kids exercised their horses and chatted with each other. One group reviewed their next event, chanting out what they'd be asked to do: "Trot, walk, walk . . ."

The horse events at the Redwood County Fair draw riders of all skill levels, and some entrants come back year after year. It feels more like a chance to ride with friends than a competition, they said.

"I like seeing friends, the horses, the events. Really, anything to do with horses," said Cassie Murray of Echo. "I've been riding since I was five."

Murray had just come out of the ring on her horse, Annie. So far, their day was going well.

"In showmanship, I was champion," she said, but the day wasn't over yet. One of Murray's family members suggested working Annie a little more to keep her focused for the next event.

"It depends on how fast the classes go. Sometimes it'll be afternoon before it's over," said Samantha Welu, describing the fair events. In some, there could be a dozen or more horses and riders, in others, only one.

Welu, who lives in rural Milroy, said she's been riding for about five years. She and her horse Fancy had been practicing for the fair since spring.

Welu said the fair atmosphere was one of her favorite things about competing.

"Everyone's nice to each other. It's kinda like a big family," she said.

Part of the fun of going to the fair is putting a little flair into the horse barn. Typically, the fair participants decorate their horses' stalls with homemade signs, banners and curtains. A lot of times the ideas for decorations just come to them, riders said.

"I just went to a fabric store and found something I liked," said rider Maria Gilland of Morgan. The result was a zebra striped pattern.

"I went half and half with a friend," Murray said. The two go to a lot of the same riding events, she said, and they also decided to share the same pink fabric with a John Deere pattern for their stall decorations.

Once the fair did have a formal contest for the best decorated stall, said Jonathan Tauer, another rider from Morgan. But now it's mostly a way to get creative, a return to the friendly feel of the fair.

"I talk to everyone here, so it's not like I'm competing against them," said Kelsey Otto of Redwood Falls, as she waited for her next event. "I tell everyone 'Good luck' before we go."