The Newport Plain Talk

NEWPORT-Horse show enthusiasts from across East Tennessee and beyond have this show circled on their calendars every year, and for good reason.

The 16th Annual Newport Lions Club Horse Show is set for Saturday, May 17, at the Cocke County A&I Fairgrounds in Newport starting at 6 p.m. And, this year's show is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.

"We begin planning the show in January every year," said Lions Club Horse Show Chairman Jack Suggs. "There's so much work involved in putting the show together. But it always turns out to be a real crowd pleaser, and a great show for the horse owners and riders to participate in."

There are many reasons why the annual Lions Club Horse Show is a favorite of many.

"First, I think, is that the show is outdoors," explained Suggs. "I believe we're one of the few shows in the area held outdoors. Second, it's one of the Lions Club's biggest fundraisers. This show will help many as has been the case the previous 15 years."

In deed it does. The Newport Lions Club is very heavily involved in community activities and charities, and thanks to the annual horse show, so many people benefit.

"The Lions Club serves our community in so many ways," said Suggs. "Lions are well known for their involvement in sight conservation, so we help support Volunteer Blind Industries in Morristown and Lead Dogs for the Blind out of Sevierville, along with the Tennessee Lions Eye Center at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. But, we go beyond that. We're very much involved with Baskets for the Needy and scholarships for our school children in the local community. And, we help as much as we can with numerous local charities, including Relay For Life. We also try to help the Rescue Squad. The annual horse show is a way to allow us to do that."

So everyone wins through the support of the Lions Club Horse Show. And, maybe that's why the show is always well attended.

"It doesn't seem to matter whether it's sunny or it's raining," said Suggs. "We always seem to have a big crowd, and a large number of horses and riders competing. We accommodate everyone and try to make it a wonderful family experience."

And, this year's show schedule will be as busy as ever.

"We have 29 classes," said Suggs. "They're all Pleasure and Racking classes, no Walking horses. And, among the 29 classes are Lead Line and Stick Horse."

Which, of course, is a fan favorite because it involves the youngsters.

"The kids and families really look forward to it," said Suggs. "The Newport Lions Club provides the Stick Horses and pays the fee for the kids. It's really fun to watch."

Plus there will be plenty of door prizes given away during intermission.

This year's show is affiliated with the United Racking Horse Owners and Exhibitors Association (URHOEA) and the Appalachian Horse Show Association.

Among the 29 classes are Lead Line, URHOEA two-year-old, URHOEA Men's Trail Pleasure, URHOEA three-four year old, URHOEA Ladies Trail Pleasure, URHOEA Style Racking, URHOEA Juvenile Country Pleasure, URHOEA Flatshod, URHOEA Versatility Waterglass, Country Saddle-2-Gait, URHOEA Men's Racking, URHOEA Juvenile Traile Pleasure, URHOEA AOT, URHOEA Country Show Pleasure, 11-years and under Open Pleasure, Stick Horse, URHOEA Versatility Jumping, URHOEA Ladies Racking, Go As You Please-Walk-Favorite Gait, URHOEA Country Saddle, URHOEA Egg and Spoon, URHOEA Amateur, URHOEA Country Pleasure, URHOEA Juvenile Racking, Ole Timer's Pleasure-Walk-Favorite Gate, URHOEA Versatility Western Pleasure, URHOEA Show Pleasure with Action Device, URHOEA Speed Racking and URHOEA Racking Stake.

The URHOEA and Pleasure Judge will be Audie Ray Asbury from Freeburn, Kentucky. The Farrier will be Lloyd Styles of Newport, while the Ringmasters will be Bobby Holt and Larry Butler. The announcer will be Alton Cureton of Newport. Veterinarians include John R. Chambers, D.V.M., of Bybee and Russell Reel, D.V.M. of Bybee.

Admission to the show is a mere $5, with children 10 years and under free.

For more information, you can contact Jack Suggs at (423) 623-3918, or call Dr. John Chambers D.V.M. at (423-613-9757.