Count Down to Fair- An Exhibitors point of view

Fair is one week from being under way. The prospective of the exhibitor getting ready for fair is very hectic and at times panicky, yet it leads to diligence in getting everything cleaned, organised and ready to make that trip for the weeks stay.

As a horse exhibitor, it entails making sure over a month a head, that the animals have the necessary coggins tests and rabie shots required to exhibit this animal. These negative tests and proof of shots have to get copied along with breed registrations for horses going in classes for registered horses. Then one has to decide the proper classes to enroll in that fit that specific horse. That with all of the above, stall requests and memberships all have to be paid. Yes, there is that due date to get this all done by.

Well, then there is the tack to check out for proper fit and condition and then it all has to get cleaned and oiled and packed away. Supplies of hay and grain have to be considered and gathered to make the trip.

Then, comes readying the horse. Feet have to be properly trimmed and the horse fitted and groomed with proper care. Training is continual with a horse, ground manners, daily workouts of flat work and/or jumping to condition the horse for that course of jumps.

Getting the trailer ready to make the trip entails checking condition, cleaning, and packing. Of course making sure the vehicle you are hauling with is in condition to do the job is most important. Then we load our horse hoping that it is a good day and it can all be done easily with no fuss. Off we go! See you at the show ring!!!!!!!!!!

Auction set for Matthew Hass Chainsaw Carvings

Matthew Hass, the chainsaw carver, "Saw Dog" as he likes to be called, will be creating four times daily so check schedule daily for exhibition times. Watch and see his creations unfold. We are excited to have Matthew with his unique variety of designs. Each art piece is inviting to own!

On that note, Matthew will create several pieces during fair. All but one will be completed by Noon on Sunday and the last, later in the day after being purcased at auction as a custom order. That's right! Bid, win and have your own choice of what the final piece of art will be. Watch it unfold before your eyes and take it to it's new home.

The first auction will be held at Noon on Sunday at the start of the demolition derby. The "choice of design" piece will be sold at the noon auction. The second auction will be at 5 p.m. There will be an opportunity to leave sealed bids near the carvings for those who can't be at the auction. So if you have been wanting a piece of art for your yard, take the opportunity to see what Matthew creates!

Fire Works Display-Thursday Night

John Sheehan and Sons of Willsboro are helping to sponsor a fire works display to be set off Thurday night at dusk between the truck pulls. So if you love fireworks we have it for you!

Thanks John for helping to sponsor this event as it should bring even more excitement to Thursday's line up of entertainment.

Neil Perry Horsemanship Clinic

Neil Perry, Natural Horsemanship clinician and all around nice guy, from Brownington, Vt, will be at the fair on Wednesday and Thursday. Neil has worked his whole life with horses, growing up on a dairy farm, he will tell of working with the horses in the woods as a child. He relates his experience with the horse at that time to what he does now, along with studying the techniques of many natural horsemanship trainers to develope his own style. Neil teaches in a way that is easy to learn and use on a daily basis. The Perrys' breed Morgan Horses and use those horses in daily routines. Neil gives clinics at his farm and offers boarding, training, and breeding as services as well.




In these two days, Neil will "start" one horse by teaching ground manners and will take the horse through being saddled, mounted and ridden for the very first time. He will demonstrate in his round pen how to get the horse to connect and bond with him and will go through the stages to that first ride.

Neil will also demonstrate with three other horses how to over come issues that make it difficult for horse owners to deal with their horses. Neil will work with the horse, and then the horse owners to teach them how to use his techniques to keep the horse working well.

"Ben" the Black Morgan Stallion will be much a part of the day. Neil will demonstrate with Ben how this bond of horse and rider make a wonderful working relationship. Neil will be available throughout the exhibition to answer questions for horse owners or any potential horse owner who is a bit affraid to take on that first horse or the horse with issues that could be changed through this type of horsemanship.



We are looking for horses that fit the above criteria for the clinic ( one to start and three with vices). There is a fee per horse to cover Neil's cost. If you have a problem horse or want one started, contact Scott Christian at the fair office: 518-962-8650 or email him at countyfairfun@yahoo.com.

Breed information and horse listings will be available at this site as well.

KEENE IDOL PARTICIPANTS QUALIFY FOR IDOL SHOW AT THE FAIR

The Keene Idol qualifying show was held at Keene Central School on July 12. This is the first year for the Essex County Fair to hold the Idol Contest. The show was a success and paved the road for future contests.

This competition was open to any individual, any age, who resides within 45 miles of Keene Valley, NY and did not compete at the Ti Idol Contest. The top five contestants of each age group from Keene and Ti will compete on Friday, August 15Th at 7 p.m. on the grandstand stage at the Essex County Fair Idol Contest. Thirty people will perform for this event. Don't miss out on the fun. Come and support your favorite singer.


Time allowed for contestants to sing their favorite song, hear the judges comments and then come back and do the second selection they had brought for a tie breaker. Kaitlin and Aaron Diskin winners from the Ti Idol Contest were quest performers. Thank you to the all participants for being willing to come on stage and sing. You did a great job!

Trophys and award money were presented to the first through third place winners. Junior Division: first place-Haley Pierce from Willsboro; Teen Division: first place-Caitlyn Reynolds from Keene; Adult Division: first place-Alyssa Rusio from Ausable Forks, second place-Tara Diskin from Ticonderoga, Third place-Kathleen Shadows. Congratulations to each of you.

Thank you to Jim Ratliff for who was announcer for the evening, Russell Feher, sound man, and the Keene Central School for giving us access to their wonderful auditorium. A special thank you goes to board member, Bertha Rand who persevered to get the Idol on the program of The Essex County Fair.

Appreciation goes to KV Idol sponsors: The Essex County Fair, Champlain National Bank, LeRoy Crowningshield- Willsboro Lawn Furniture, Stop DWI, Elizabethtown Community Hospital and the Town of Keene.

Our Wednesday "Carload" Special

This year a brand new evening special at Essex County Fair should be on your Plate. After 4 p.m., a one fee pricing of $25.00 per car load will get you onto the grounds and this includes rides, shows, and parking. Where can you find a deal like that anywhere else in the Adirondacks or beyond for that matter??

For the seniors citizens, regular price tickets get you a $2.00 food coupon to spend anywhere on the grounds.

What a line up we have for Wednesday! All the family entertainment shows on the South end of the grounds, animal shows, opening ceremonies, Garden Tractor and ATV pulls, and a new carnival with assorted rides and games for all ages.

Horse shows at ECF are super fun.

Horse shows are addictive and they are available everyday of the fair.

Our draft show has big changes guaranteed to be a blast to watch. The show is now on Wednesday and will be held at the horse show ring. In hand classes are broken down to registered and non registered drafts. There are now eight riding classes: walk-trot and walk-trot-canter classes, each with equitation, pleasure and command. A trail class has been added along with a cross rail class. Come watch these big horses with their wonderful, natural, high footed gaits. Just one riding class brought new excitement to the fair's draft show last year, hopefully these added classes wil cause an even larger draw. It seems that many people enjoy riding their draft horses, and this is a great way to show the draft versatility.

Wednesday night, the 4-H horse show starts with dressage and trail classes. 4-H classes resume all day Thursday. Each 4-Her will do fitting and showmanship and then the classes break into English and Western. An all time favorite, the costume class, finalizes the day. It is fun to see what these 4-Hers choose for themselves and their horses to wear.


Saddle horse classes for the horse show on Friday will remain nearly the same. A couple of jumping classes have been added to make the action more enjoyable. Driving classes for beginner-junior and senior-adult have been added just to bring back the old fashioned feel.

Laurie Ducharme has run her Saturday Horse Show now for over 15 years. This is always fun because of the variety of classes to fit every riders style.

The Sunday Gymkhana has a whole new look with musical rides starting at 8 a.m. These will include drill team and dressage freestyles. The gymkhana itself will include many traditional games and several new ones. This is the fun show where everyone cheers on their competitors in timed, patterns. If you like speed and excitement, here's the place to be at 8:30 Sunday morning.

People who come to our horse shows have a blast. Why not join the fun. Come for the week and watch or participate. Once your here and settled, you can stay put and enjoy the fair.