The Mini Manias are BIG in East Branch

from Delaware County Fair_2023

Cutest Baby Contest WINNERS

Local 4-H Club Trains and Shows Miniature Horses

By Kristin Barron

Members of the East Branch Mini Manias, an area 4-H club dedicated to the care and show of miniature horses, were hard at work at Lamica Stables in East Branch on a sunny, warm day in early July—training the horses in anticipation of an upcoming competition to qualify for the New York State Fair in Syracuse later this summer. However, before the State Fair, comes the Delaware County Fair, in Walton, where club members will show their miniature horses on Tuesday and Wednesday of fair week, scheduled August 14th through the 19th.

But first of all—what is a mini horse? That is the first question many people ask when meeting members of the club and their petite equines.

“A mini horse is in exact proportion to a fullsized horse but in miniature,” says Lori Lamica Nelson, 4-H Club leader, who owns and houses the horses in East Branch at Lamica Stables. According to the Miniature Horse Association, “minis,” as they are affectionately known, also must be under 34 inches in height at the withers (the end of the mane hairs).

In contrast, ponies, another type of small horse which are sometimes confused with mini horses, are proportioned differently than a fullsized horse. Ponies have shorter legs, stockier build, and thicker coats and manes. They are 14.2

“hands high” or up to 58 inches in height while a horse is anything taller than that.

Developed for centuries through selective breeding, the earliest appearance of miniature horses in history is recorded in 1650 at the Palace of Versailles where King Louis XIV kept them as pets. Miniature horses were also used to pull coal carts in coal mines in northern Europe. They were brought to America in the 19th century for use in coal mines.

Today, mini horses are increasingly popular as companion animals and therapy animals. They cost and eat less than regular horses. And, while they can’t be ridden because of their small stature, they are especially useful for children to learn the basics of horse care and participate in equestrian sports such as driving and jumping.

In Delaware County, 4-H clubs, including the East Branch Mini Manias who are active in the horse program can participate in shows, horse clinics, and the annual 4-H Horse Bowl & Hippology which is a team event with a game show set up to answer questions about horses.

The East Branch Mini Mania 4-H Club has been in operation for about 17 years now, says Nelson, who currently runs the club with the help of fellow leaders Tina Kokoszka and Roseann Warfield. Nelson calculates the club started in 2007, when her son, Austin, was eight years old.

In addition to horse activities, the club also participates in community service projects and walks with the minis in regional parades each year such as the East Branch Fire Department’s 100th Anniversary parade held July 2 and the Parade of Lights Holiday Parade held annually in Hancock each December.

“Minis are much harder to train than regular horses,” said Nelson, “They are very headstrong and stubborn,” she said, as club members practiced jumping their tiny horses over poles, taught them to weave through hula hoops, and walked them through an obstacle course which included standing in a baby pool. Members also used curry combs—bushes specially made for horses—to untangle knots and remove debris from the horse’s coats.

The horses must also be “desensitized,” Nelson said, a process which accustoms them to the noises they may encounter at shows or along the parade route, such as sirens, fire truck horns, crying children, and crowd commotion. Mini horses can start attending shows at about three months of age, said Nelson.

The horses are herd animals and cannot be left alone, said club member Zoey Gilmore, who pointed out the accompanying donkeys and mini donkeys that are part of the equine crowd at the Stables.

Currently the club is training six minis. They are all registered show horses.

Club member Zoey Gilmore, a club member for nine years, is in charge of showing “Valley Girl,” “Valley Boy,” and “Desiree.” Last year at the NY State Fair, Gilmore took first place in the costume competition, fourth place in jumping, and eighth in showmanship. Club member Jersey Forrest, who has been showing for three years, shows “Cadence.” Club member Skyelee Kauffman, also a 4-H member for nine years, took first place in showmanship last year at the State Fair. She shows “Sunday Surprise,” so named due to the fact that the horse was a surprise birth

Wednesday August 16, 2023

Teen Council Quilt Tickets for Sale; Baby Chicks Hatching; 4-H Photo Opportunity (Youth Bldg)

All Day Food Preservation- CCE human Ecology Program

As Scheduled 4-H Public Presentations (Youth Building)

As Scheduled 4-H Activities (Youth Building)

9 a.m. 4-H Beef Cattle Show – Livestock Barn

4-H Horse Show (Western; Gymkhana) Horse Arena Stock Farm Tractor Pull – Track Side

9:30 a.m. 4-H Cavy Breeds Show – Rabbit Show Ring

(weighing 22 pounds) at the stables one Sunday morning a few years ago. The youngest club member, five-year-old Elizabeth Doig, is a “Clover Bud” 4-H member and is learning to show “Little Charmer.”

The club hopes to show their horses, have fun, and earn even more awards at the fairs this year.

4-H Club LeaderLori Lamica Nelson

Thursday August 16, 2023

** Senior Citizens Day – Seniors $5 Admission

Teen Council Quilt Tickets for Sale; Baby Chicks Hatching; 4-H Photo Opportunity (Youth Bldg)

All Day Food Preservation- CCE human Ecology Program

Beef Show)

2-4 p.m. Canning Pickles CCE Human Ecology Bldg 3 p.m. Buffalo Barfield - Entertainment Court

* The Entertainment Court is sponsored by Curtis Lumber

(Fair Schedule Continues on page 17)

Dreamland Amusements will once again be providing all the exciting amusement rides, fun family game and delicious fair foods for the Delaware County Fair! There will be rides for riders of all ages including kiddy rides for the little ones, family rides which everyone can enjoy, and spectacular thrill rides for thrill seekers!

Midway House of Operation

MIDWAY WILL NOT BE OPEN ON MONDAY 8/14

8/15 Tuesday.....12pm-11pm

8/16 Wednesday...12pm-11pm

8/17 Thursday....12pm-11pm

8/18 Friday......12pm-11pm

8/19 Saturday....12pm-11pm Armband Ride Special Information

Pre-sale

1 wristband for $25 (save $10)

50 ride tickets for $45 (save $15)

At the Fair

1 wristband for $35

50 ride tickets for $55 (save $5)

Ride Ticket Pricing

Single ticket $1.50

20 tickets $30

50 tickets (includes 1 free ride) $55

Sunday Night, August 13th, Vesper Service 6:00 P.M.

To Be Held In The Entertainment Tent

The Delaware County Christian Ministries is sponsoring a Sunday evening Service at the Fairgrounds for the convenience of those working at the Fairgrounds setting up exhibits and caring for animals, making it difficult for them to attend Sunday Services.

About the Fair

THE AREA'S BIGGEST AGRICULTURAL FAIR RETURNS TO WALTON, NY

Get ready, because the 136th annual Delaware County Fair will be here before you know it! The Delaware County Fair in Walton, NY is the largest agricultural fair in the region and has something for everyone. Over 80,000 people flock to the six day spectacular in Walton, NY to enjoy our local events, shows, contests, rides, cuisine and more. If you're looking for family friendly local events, go ahead and mark Delaware County Fair down on your calendar for family fun and excitement!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE COUNTY FAIR?

When the Delaware County Fair offers so much fun and excitement, it's hard to choose! All of the fun and excitement of an agricultural fair is in Walton, NY! As a guest, you and your family can expect tons of fun with attractions such as: y Tractor and farm equipment displays and demonstrations y Livestock contests and encounters with over 1,000 animals y Great Food from corn dogs to cotton candy and local favorites. y Live entertainment all day long y COME SHARE THE FUN!

We would like to invite you and your family to come spend some time with us at the Delaware County Fair. Our volunteer board of directors features local residents who are familiar with the agricultural industry and dedicated to providing you and your family the best experience at the Delaware County Fair. We are always welcoming of individuals and organizations that would like to help the Delaware County Fair of Walton, NY, be the best it can be for our visitors.