Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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July 20, 2012

Rain postpones start of Bluefield Shrine Horse Show

By KATE COIL Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BLUEFIELD — Rain may have canceled the opening night of the 44th Annual Bluefield Shrine Horse Show, but organizers are planning to go on with the show at an earlier time today.

The Bluefield Shrine Horse Show will get underway at 4 p.m. in Lotito City Park today to make up for time lost as the result of rain delays Thursday evening. Beginning at 10 a.m., the horse show will be hosting events for young riders and children who benefit from the Bluefield Shrine Horse Show.

Jim Bailey, coordinator of the horse show, said organizers have plenty of events that are in store for today with many activities aimed at children.

“I can’t say enough about the city of Bluefield and their staff,” he said. “This is their property, and they let us use it every year for this show to benefit the kids. Tomorrow night, we will be recognizing the 240 kids we’re are presently serving, as well as the city for their continued support. There will be a petting zoo for the kids. Gina and John Moore will be setting up with llamas, goats, ducks and chickens for the kids. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., tomorrow we will be having young riders classes and contests. This year, R&M Stables from Wytheville, Va., will be giving free riding lessons to the contest winners.”

Bailey said around 200 horses will be competing in events over the weekend.

“We had a lot of people come up yesterday and start setting up their barns, but most of the people came in (Thursday),” Bailey said. “Most of the people are local, from a one-hour to one-and-a-half hour drive. We have people out here from Ohio, Charleston, Wytheville, Tazewell, Grundy, Rural Retreat, Huntington, and lots of places. We will have about 200 horses come through here over the weekend. The girls handing out our ribbons are students from Bluefield High School and Graham High School. It’s a lot of fun. It’s so much fun we don’t think about all the work we put into it.”

Stephen Dickerson, 32, of Princeton is a member of the Bluefield Shrine Club all proceeds from the show help bring children needed medical care.

“We have 240 kids we transported to the orthopedic hospital in Kentucky and the burn unit hospital in Cincinnati,” Dickerson said. “We pay all of their transportation fees and all of their medical fees are taken care of. We invite every one of the kids out to see the show. The kids come in for free.”

Putting the show together is several months worth of hard work.

“We put 200 stalls up this week,” Dickerson said. “It takes about two months of planning and one month of work. After the show is over, we’re usually out here for a few weeks to finish taking everything down.”

 Dickerson said the best part of the show for him is knowing his hard work has helped local children.

“The spectators really enjoy seeing the animals,” Dickerson said. “A lot of people love seeing the horses and showing the horses. Being a Shriner, you enjoy the fraternity of you fellow members but the best part is getting to help the kids. It is all about those kids. I love knowing that by working out here, we are helping kids walk and lead normal lives.”

Rich Work, 66, of Princeton said his membership with the Bluefield Shrine Club has helped make his retirement worthwhile.

“This is my second year working this show though I’ve been a Shriner since 1980,” Work said. “The event helps to raise money for children who need medical care. We try to bring in revenue for them through this and other events. It’s just something that’s great to be involved in. These kids deserve the best. We get to fellowship with our friends, and benefit these kids. Our theme for the event is always ‘Strong Legs Walk So Weak Legs Can Walk,’ and we always say for the event that our strong legs work so weak legs can play.”  

Charlene McKinney, 40, of Herndon, Va., came to show four of her horses Thursday evening.

“We have been coming here for years,” McKinney said. “We are showing in the hackney pleasure driving tonight and riding class as well. It’s a local show, and we need to keep these local shows going. It helps the economy and you get to meet friends. This show is especially important because it helps the children. It’s all for the kids. It’s a good cause and we don’t have to drive very far. It’s great.”

— Contact Kate Coil at

kcoil@bdtonline.com�

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