At State Fair, families connect, build relationships through horse shows
In the back of the Youth Arena sat a circle of 15 collapsible chairs. The Mares, McCorkles, Fridleys and other families from around Lapel filled the seats. Karley Fridley was in the ring, showing her horse, Blackjack. Jaydann McCorkle was off with her Belgian draft horse, Ed. And Joe Mares was resting before showing his Belgian draft horse, Big B.
Though these 4-Hers compete against one another for titles and awards, most recently at the Indiana State Fair, their families’ relationships extend far beyond the show ring.
“I just like it because it’s fun,” Joe said. “You get to meet a lot of different 4-Hers.”
There are some 4-Hers, though, that Joe sees often.
There’s Jaydann, the 14-year-old friend of Joe. Her family sports blue T-shirts with the words “Bud’s Belgians” printed on the back in honor of her late great-grandfather. They contrast the red “Big B” shirts the Mares family wears. The competition between the friends, however, is friendly. Jaydann and Joe encourage one another at shows. They joke that they trade off winning, with Ed winning one competition and Big B taking another.
“We both started at the same time,” Jaydann said. “My great-grandpa started Joe and I together with different draft horses, and we just kind of made a friendship over it.”
There’s also Wyatt Poling, a 12-year-old boy who shows horses from the Mares’ farm. Wyatt had hoped to show his horse at the fair, but his horse fell ill, and Wyatt made the decision not to bring him. Instead, he watched the others, lending a hand when he was needed.
And then there’s Karley, who returned from her last 4-H showing. Blackjack, her 27-year-old Tennessee walking horse, is retiring, and Karley has reached the end of her 10 years in 4-H.
“He tried to run over a judge,” Karley said, as she approaches the group. There were a few laughs and some inquiries about how she placed.
The Mares and Fridleys have known each other for years. Karley said her older sister, Dana Fridley, helped Joe’s older brother, Tom Mares, train his horse. And now, the Mares have given back by allowing Karley to ride their horse, Blackjack.
“We’re all super close,” Karley said. “Everyone gets along with each other. We don’t have any problems within the group. … We’re always doing stuff together, whether it has to do with horses or not.”
According to 4-H Horse and Pony Superintendent Jim Baker of Elkhart County, there are 662 horses competing in various categories over the next week. He has worked with 4-H horses for 32 years and firmly believes in the success of 4-H.
“The 4-H program, as far as I am concerned, is one of the finest youth programs in the country,” Jim said. “Whether they win or lose, it’s good experience. They love it or they wouldn’t be here.”
Joe walked away with a second place ribbon in the English halter competition. He is proud of the accomplishment, but the day isn’t over. He has the draft halter and draft driving competitions ahead of him. But he has a whole team of friends and families there for support.
The Mares family prepares Big B for the English halter show Aug. 10 at the Indiana State Fair. SOPHIE GORDON / BSU JOURNALISM AT THE FAIR
Sophie Gordon is a writer for BSU Journalism at the Fair, a group of 30 students telling Indiana’s stories from a trailer somewhere between the cheese sculpture and the state’s biggest sow. This Ball State University immersive-learning project works for elephant ears.
