For the last 65 years, the Marion Horse Show has been an Independence Day staple for the Tri-Town community, bringing together generations of horse lovers and families for a day of friendly competition.
“It’s a Fourth of July tradition,” said Faith Perkins, who is the Horse Show Committee President. She also participated in the exhibition in her youth, as did most of those who help organize the show each year. “We are all here because we remember how fun it was growing up,” she said.
The equestrian show is about community as much as it is about horses. Washburn Park itself was designed to be a horse exhibition space decades ago, by the Washburn family, who deeply embraced horse riding traditions. Many local businesses and groups make annual donations to the show, whether financially or otherwise. The Mattapoisett Lions Club was on hand for the third year in a row, cooking and selling the food.
“They were looking for people to run concessions, so we stepped up,” said Mattapoisett Lions Club member Ken Dawicki. “I love to get involved with these kinds of things. I work as a meat cutter and I just love to cook. I was actually out till about seven last night picking up more food for today.”
“We’re here to help with the food and it sort of spins off our Harbor Days celebration,” said Dom Bamberger, President of the Mattapoisett Lions Club. Harbor Days will be held this year from July 20 to July 22 at Shipyard Park in Mattapoisett.
While there were no specific events planned during the show to commemorate its anniversary, Perkins said that the categories of competition were a bit different this time around.
“We’ve really changed it up. This year there is a games class, a costume class, and even a trail class,” she said.
Despite the rainy morning, participants and spectators appeared ready for the show. Dozens of trailers and piles of hay outlined the open field between the two show rings. This year, the competition had over 50 entrants in 13 divisions, with rider ages ranging from five years told to adult.
Mikayla Henderson of Marstons Mills was riding in this show for the first time, but at age 13, is a veteran in her own right.
“I’m riding Boomie, who is a Quarter Horse,” she said as the horse’s handler indicated the boomerang-shaped white stripe down the horse’s nose. “I’m excited. A little nervous because it’s so slippery, but I’m still excited.”
By Eric Tripoli
