The 74th Annual Marion Horse Show is a cherished event for the town and the surrounding area. So, when the skies darkened and threatened this year’s event, people arrived anyway, towing their horse trailers loaded down with supplies for equines and their humans. This year’s event was held on July 3 at Washburn Park.
There were over 70 entries, which show officials said was a very respectable number, given the extremely cool, damp conditions. But Washburn Park in Marion was ready for the day’s much anticipated show where riders, handlers, and horses worked together in synchronicity.
This event titled, “Open Pleasure Show Class C,” featured 58 different categories with descriptive titles such as ‘pony in hand,’ ‘walk/trot pleasure,’ ‘stock seat equitation,’ and ‘hunt seat pleasure.’ From the tiniest person to the adults that participated, this was the culmination of many hours of training, even a lifetime’s worth.
Most of the riders were young women and girls riding English-style, dressed in jodhpurs and cutaway coats with their hair neatly tucked away. But punctuated throughout the day were Western riders as well, every bit as turned out in their boots and breeches. And let’s not forget the horses all brushed to glowing sheens and many sporting braided tails, knotted manes, and some with colorful ribbons.
Show day is a very big deal. Still, shows like this need a venue equal to the task, and that’s where Washburn Park fills the bill.
Officially known as the Charles R. Washburn Park, these forested acres have for decades been a place to connect with nature. Scouts, athletic teams, schools, dog walkers, horseback riders, senior citizens, and families gathering to celebrate or worship. People from the Tri-Town area or those visiting for a day find this park a place to experience life surrounded by the natural environment.
Marion Horse Show Committee President and Co-Manager of the event Jeffrey DeMoura noted that show venues as well-designed as that found in Washburn Park are few and far between. “We don’t get this at other places,” he said.
As lifelong resident Sherman Briggs, in attendance to watch his granddaughter ride in the show, recalled, a group of local landowners donated acreage to the town for the purpose of creating the park. He said local contractors used their equipment and skills to carve out such features as the riding ring with its glorious stone wall, a ring that has been terraced into the landscape giving spectators an elevated view of the events taking place therein. The park also features balls fields, walking and riding trails, tennis and basketball courts, and a playground.
“The Buzzards Bay Coalition, along with the Sippican Lands Trust, collaborated to add 109 acres of protected land to Washburn Park,” the BBC states on its website. But it is the Washburn Park Trust and its board of directors in partnership with various town departments and administrations over the years that controls the use and maintenance of the original parklands.
Washburn Park is a critical historic, recreational, and social point of interest in Marion. Yet it cannot sustain itself. It needs the support of the town. Before the event, Department of Public Works crews cleared trees and brush, giving the park a bit of a shine. They were schedule to return afterwards to do the cleanup, as well. DeMoura heaped praise on MHS board member and recent DPW addition Jody Dickerson and Marion’s staff for making that happen.
As the show wrapped up, the rain that had been promised poured down, but DeMoura said, “We were done by then.… It was a fantastic day! Everyone was saying what a great show it was in spite of the weather.” He was also pleased to add that no one was injured, and the two riders that were off their mounts landed upright on their feet. I say, “Well done, all.”
By Marilou Newell
Listed below are the champion and reserve champion from each Championship Class in the July 3 Marion Horse Show held at Washburn Park.
Leadline Equitation 6 & Under Championship: 1st place, Georgia Cole-Vieira, riding Aspen (trainer Jocelyn Maniglia); 2nd place, Layla Ramos, riding Finnegan’s Wake (Equestrian Element).
Leadline Equitation 7-10 years old Championship: 1st place, Morgan Myers, riding Boxford Bulls & Bears (A&M Equine); 2nd place, Isabella Rodriquez, riding Motion Maker (Edgewood Farms).
Walk Trot Pleasure 18 & over Championship: 1st place, Amber Ferreira, riding Splash of Sass (Holly Grove Equestrian); 2nd place. Alexa Betta-Rue, riding Sunny Scout (Michelle Cravenho training).
Novice Horse Walk Trot Pleasure Championship: 1st place, Makayla Dupe, riding Sugar Brook Easily Blue (Holly Grove Equestrian center); 2nd place, Nicole Blundell, riding Canadream Kalbeck DBest.
Novice Horse Walk Trot Canter Pleasure Championship: 1st place, Mia Oliveira, riding Homero (Michelle Cravenho training); 2nd place, Crystal Mattia, riding Newmonts Victory Dance (Michelle Cravenho training).
Walk Trot Pleasure 10 & under Championship – Class A: 1st place, Addison Marshman, riding Newmonts Immortal Homerun (Michelle Cravenho training); 2nd place, Sarah Vieira, riding Splash of Sass (Holly Grove Equestrian Center).
Walk Trot Pleasure 10 & under Championship – Class B: 1st place, Nevaeh Merritt, riding Sugah (Washburn Stables); 2nd place, Abby Pereira, riding Sunny Scout (Michelle Cravenho training).
Walk Trot 10 & Under Equitation Championship – Class A: 1st place, Abby Pereira, riding Sunny Scout (Michelle Cravenho training); 2nd place, Nevaeh Merritt, riding Sugah (Washburn Stables).
Walk Trot 10 & Under Equitation Championship – Class B: 1st place, Addison Marshman, riding Newmonts Immortal Homerun (Michelle Cravenho training); 2nd place, Lucy Bradford, riding Raggedy Anne (Bradford Farm).
Walk Trot Pleasure 11-17 Championship: 1st place, Gianna Rollock, riding Boxford Bulls & Bears (A&M Equine); 2nd place, Helena Morrison, riding Tanner (Equestrian Element).
Stock Seat Equitation Championship: 1st place, Taryn Gomes, riding Castle Ridge Truly Above (First Foundations Farm).
Hunt Seat Walk Trot Canter 17 & under: 1st place, Macee Pina, riding Cooper (Equestrian Element); 2nd place, Makayla Dupe, riding Splash of Sass (Holly Grove Equestrian Center).
Walk Trot Equitation Championship: 1st place, Amber Ferreira, riding Splash of Sass (Holly Grove Equestrian center); 2nd place, Alexa Betta-Rue, riding Sunny Scout (Michelle Cravenho Training).
Junior Exhibitor Hack Championship: 1st place, Mia Oliveira, riding Homero (Michelle Cravenho Training); 2nd place, Kyra Johnson, riding Pumpkin Moonshine (Washburn Stables).
Cowboy Classic 17 & under Rescue Horse (This benefit class was started because of a special rescue horse named Cowboy. This year there were 12 entries of all sizes. The class is sponsored by the Devlin Family and monies are donated to Don’t Forget Us Pet Us sanctuary): 1st place, Neveah Merritt, riding Sugah (Washburn Stables); 2nd place, Gianna Rollock, riding Boxford Bulls & Bears (A&M Equine).
Pony Open Pleasure Walk Trot Canter Championship: Jessica Janak, riding Tanner (Equestrian Element).
Ladies Open Walk Trot Canter Championship: 1st place, Stephanie Speers, riding Leap of Faith (First Foundations Farm); 2nd place, Tiffany Eldridge, riding Century Oak Balinese (Perry Paquette training).
Walk Trot Equitation 11-17 Championship: 1st place, Gianna Rollock, riding Boxford Bulls & Bears (A&M Equine); 2nd place, Leah Vieira, riding Cocoa Puff (Holly Grove Equestrian Center).
Adult Equitation Walk Trot Canter 18 & over Championship: 1st place, Bonnie Penniman, riding Shine on Harvest Moon (Bradford Stables); 2nd place, Stephanie Speers, riding Leap of Faith (first Foundations farm).
Western Junior Exhibitor 17 & under Championship: 1st place, Taryn Gomes, riding Castle Ridge Truly Above (First Foundations Farm).
Hunter Open Walk Trot Canter Championship: 1st place, Mia Oliveira, riding Homero (Michelle Cravenho training); 2nd place, Makayla Dupe, riding Splash of Sass (Holly Grove Equestrian Center).
Road Hack Championship: 1st place, Stephanie Speers, riding Leap of Faith (First Foundations Farm); 2nd place, Crystal Mattia, riding Newmont’s Victory Dance (Michelle Cravenho training).