Iowa State Fair is an extended family affair
Clare cousins share passion for horsesBy KRISS NELSON, Messenger staff writer
Article Photos
DES MOINES - Free corndogs and free admission were a big part of the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Iowa State Fair.
More than 42,000 people took advantage of the free admission from 5 to 8:30 a.m. and more than 10,000 people gathered at the Grandstand for the Corndog Chomp, which set a record for the most people simultaneously eating corndogs.
While thousands consumed free corn dogs, one Webster County family was preparing for competition in the Western Pleasure show at the fair.
Ty Condon, 12, of Clare, and his cousins Samantha, 16, and Heather, 18, also of Clare, arrived at the fair Tuesday. They have been competing with their horses in between time spent enjoying the fair with their friends and family.
Ty just completed his second year of 4-H as a member of the Johnson Jaguars and will be entering seventh grade at Manson Northwest Webster. He competed in horsemanship, Western Pleasure and showmanship at the fair with his horses Lady and Flash.
Although Ty was a little disappointed with his results this year, he said he is still having fun being at the fair with his horses and family.
He is following in the footsteps of his four older sisters who all were active in 4-H, as well as his cousins who all not only compete at the Webster County Fair and the Iowa State Fair, but at shows just about every weekend throughout the summer.
Samantha, who has been in 4-H for six years as a member of the Johnson Jaguars club as well, will be a sophomore at Manson Northwest Webster. She competed in several classes at the fair.
Samantha was accompanied to the fair with her horses Hope and Sammie Jo; they competed in horsemanship, trail, Western Pleasure and 2- and 3-year-old snaffle-bit class, in which she won reserve champion this year.
''I'm pretty excited about that,'' said Samantha.
Although she excelled in the snaffle-bit class, trail is what she likes to compete in the most.
''I enjoy trail class and look forward to that every year,'' she said.
All three Condons say competition, meeting new friends, and seeing old friends and being around family are by far their favorite things about the Iowa State Fair.
''I love the State Fair. There's a lot of competition and it's fun to meet a lot of people -and you get to see people you only see once a year,'' said Heather. ''It's a blast staying and swimming at the hotel, and it's a fun family experience.''
Heather, who will be a senior at Manson Northwest Webster, is also a member of the Johnson Jaguars. She brought horses Missy and Nikki to the fair and competed in English Equestrian, horsemanship, 2- and 3-year-old Western Pleasure, and Western Pleasure.
They all agree it takes a lot of work; they ride almost every day to prepare for shows they participate in.
Heather and Samantha and their older sister, Danielle, also competed in the Iowa Cowgirl Queen Contest held tonight in the Pavilion at the fair.
According to Heather, in order to compete in the contest you have to qualify as queen of a club or association that has to do with horses.
The girls say they are really excited to compete because they get the chance to get all dressed up and compete with their horses.
The contest is made up of three parts that involve a Western Pleasure class and interviews.
''It's a lot of competition," said Heather, "and a lot of fun.''
Contact Kriss Nelson at (515) 573-2141 or editor@messengernews.net
