Each summer it is hard to believe that the huge river ford area at the intersection of Chippewa Creek Road and Riverview Road in the Brecksville Reservation is groomed and gussied-up for the annual Brecksville Kiwanis Horse Show. The meadow is totally transformed by two large show rings, a main spectator striped tent and surrounding seating boxes. There are also bleachers, a concession stand, and vendors all around. It is a huge community event and many riders come from all around the area to participate.
The show is held the first week-end of August with Saturday hosting a fun, competitive hunter pace that is always well-attended. It is conducted on the bridle trails throughout the Reservation. It starts at 10:00am and finishes when the last team completes the pace. The big show It starts at 9:00am on Sunday and goes all day and into the evening. There is a Hunter Ring and a Main Ring and you can purchase main tent seating from which you can view both rings, or box seating around both rings, or just hang out.
The atmosphere is a mixture of fun, intensity, energy, and tons of pep talks and cheering. The weather, well, it is usually steaming hot and humid, but no one seems to notice. I think because the show has been around for 61 years, it is to be expected. Let’s face it, the first weekend in August just about anywhere is hot and humid! The horses and their riders, well that goes without saying—you will see everything from English to Western to driving, to stick horses! There are over 50 classes throughout the day and all are different and provide continued entertainment for the audience.
Our daughter has competed in this show since 2005 and enjoys it every year. We enjoy going and seeing people from other barns that we know. It is like “old home week,” in a sense. Our daughter visits with riders she hasn’t seen in awhile and they are all supportive of each other and in-between classes, they try to catch up on things.
If you are interested in the show, please visit last year’s show schedule. It is a large schedule. I have also included some pictures from over the years to further entice you to support this wonderful community event and the truly wonderful Brecksville Kiwanis for making it happen each and every year for the past 61!
Hunter Pace team starting out
Main Show Ring
Hunter Ring
Content and photos are copyrighted by Chris Olsen and protected by CopyScape.
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