Horses

An animal cruelty officer in Franklin County, Pa., said he has been encountering overheated animals without access to water, including five miniature horses seized in the Chambersburg area Wednesday. The four male and one female horses were lying on ground that registered 133 degrees with an infrared thermometer, according to Buck Hessler, a humane society police officer with the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter. He is consulting with the Franklin County (Pa.) District Attorney's Office about filing citations against the horse's owner for improper shelter, tethering and unavailability of water.

When Kelli Martin first got Shadow a few years ago, the paint thoroughbred once reared up on her back legs and flipped over. The horse had been dropped off at New Beginnings Farm northwest of Hagerstown and she acted as if she had a history of abuse, Martin said Sunday. One of the rider’s first sessions with the horse led to Shadow's new moniker, Pain in My Shadow, said Martin, 26, of Hagerstown. Their ride was smoother Sunday with the pair earning the title of reserve champion in the horse pleasure adult division at the Washington County Horse Council's Hunter Show at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center south of Hagerstown.

The Washington County Horse Council will present its Hunter Horse Show on Sunday, July 10, starting at 8:30 a.m.   All horse council events are held at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center off Sharpsburg Pike (Md. 65), seven miles south of Hagerstown. With its new all-weather footing, parking, public bathrooms, a full complement of new jumps and standards, and no grounds fee, the show offers something for everyone. All divisions are subject to be split by age depending upon the number of entries.

Miniature horse shows are growing in popularity compared to their larger counterparts, according to Linda Marsh, president of the All State Miniature Horse and Donkey Club. “A lot of people in the area have miniature horses and all the big shows are so far away, so we all got together and made a club that is just kind of into itself and starts with fun,” Marsh said. Based out of Fayetteville, Pa., the club held its annual 2011 show Sunday at the Mountain Valley Riders Club Show Grounds just outside Waynesboro.

The Washington County Horse Council held its first open horse show of the season June 11 at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center. There were more than 30 entries in the various classes.    In the leadline class, Morgan Paulsen took first place on Knick Knack. Mackenzie Patterson on Keep Your Hat On followed a close second, and third was Megan Hahn on Little Frankie.   The short stirrup class champion was Maddie Joyner on Kodak Moment, and the reserve champion was Sarah McElroy on Sky Blue.

Chris Blethen guides his team of four horses northbound on U.S. 11 just south of the Pennsylvania line Tuesday morning. Blethen is on a ride to raise awareness about children with cancer. His ride began in March in Dallas, he will turn around in Manhattan, N.Y., then return to Dallas. Blethen lost a kidney to cancer five years ago and has helped with fundraising events since. "I want to raise awareness for children with cancer," he said. "I want to change that. " The father of three left his job breaking and raising horses, and bartending at large events to raise money for Heroes for Children.

The Washington County Horse Council will hold an open horse show Saturday, June 11, at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center. The show begins at 9 a.m. The ag center has new, all-weather footing; a full complement of new jumps and standards; and no grounds fee.   The ag center is at 7303 Sharpsburg Pike, south of Hagerstown. The public is invited to watch and attend the free event. Food will be available. Classes cost $6 each, with a discount available for registered 4-H members.

 The All-State Miniature Horse and Donkey Show that was set for Sunday, May 29, has been rescheduled. The show will be held Sunday, July 24, at the Mountain Valley Riders Club show grounds, 7591 Mentzer Gap Road, Waynesboro, Pa. For more information, call 717-352-7262 or go to www.allstateminiaturehorseanddonkeyclub .

Before “horsepower” was measured by machines as a selling point on a new Ford, it was literal. It rippled in the muscles of Percherons and flowed in the gait of Paso Finos. And it was an integral part of life. On Saturday, Washington County stepped back to a time when literal horse power carried humans to and from their destinations with the annual National Pike Festival. The festival features a wagon train — a group of horse-drawn wagons traveling together — that makes a symbolic journey each year from Clear Spring to Boonsboro along the historic National Pike (U.S.

The Washington County Horse Council will hold the Hunter Horse Show Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center. The entry fees for classes are $10 each or $25 per division. The fee for medal classes is $15 apiece. Grand and reserve ribbons will be awarded in each division. Ribbons will be given up to sixth place in each class except for the medal classes. For more information, go to www.wchorsecouncil.org . Pork-and-sauerkraut dinner slated for May 20 Three Keedysville churches — St. Peter’s Lutheran, Mount Vernon United Church of Christ and Salem United Methodist — will hold a pork-and-sauerkraut dinner Friday, May 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Salem United Methodist Church at 25 S. Main St. in Keedysville.