Spotted horses get sporty at Calsonic Arena

Gaited saddle horses are back at Calsonic Arena this weekend, only they've left their English saddles and fancy riding habits behind.

This weekend features the Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association's Sport Horse championship, where the breed truly gets to prove its versatility. Instead of demonstrating their smooth gaits by walking and cantering around the ring, as the Tennessee walkers do,these horses demonstrate their ability and willingness to do just about anything their riders ask, from penning cattle and running barrels to jumping, all in Western tack. The classes start today at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m.

There are 10 main events offered by SSHBEA Sport Horse. The timed events include barrel racing, pole bending, and jumping, and the agility events include trail obstacles, competitive trail rides, reining, and hunting classes. Cattle classes include team penning, shotgunning, and stockyard sorting.

While many people are familiar with seeing gaited horses as just a saddle breed, more and more are coming recognize its versatility.

"It's really growing," said Terry Givens, who coordinates the event with his wife Michelle. "We've been having more entries in the one-day shows than we've had before."

One reason, he said, is that SSHBEA moved many of its June, July and August shows to the fall, after the worst of the summer heat wore off.

"It's more pleasant," he said. "And there have been a lot more people."

Givens is familiar with the show both from the administrative side and the competitive side. For the last three years, he and his spotted saddle horse High Country Outlaw have walked, trail rode, penned and jumped away with the world grand championship. Don't count on it happening again this year, though. Givens has decided to give Outlaw -- and his competition-- a break.

"I'm just bringing him to run the cattle," he said, "Michelle and I are coming for fun this year."

Givens said there will plenty of fun going on, too. Admission to the show is free, and concessions will be available. In the ring, something is always going on.

"As soon as the last horse leaves, the next horse is coming in for the next class," he said. "The hottest classes are the 12-17-year-olds. It's ridiculous, how good those kids are."

Sport Horse classes

Friday

Classes being at 5 p.m.

* Jumping Horses-World Championship

Youth-Riders 12-17

Two Year Olds

Non-Pro

Three & Four Year Olds

Open

* Pole Bending-World Championship

Youth-Riders 11 & Under-Saddle Around Poles

Youth-Riders 6 & Under-Saddle Around Poles

Saddle Around The Poles-12 & Over

Youth 12-17

Two Year Olds

Non Pro

Ladies 45 & Over/Men 50 & Over

Three & Four Year Olds

Open-Any Rider

* Barrel Racing-World Championship

Youth-Riders 11 & Under-Saddle Around Barrels

Youth-Riders 6 & Under-Saddle Around Barrels

* Saddle Around The Barrels-12 & Over

Youth 12-17

Two Year Olds

Non-Pro

Ladies 45 & Over / Men 50 & Over

Three & Four Year Olds

Open-Any Rider

Saturday

Classes begin at 9 a.m.

* Trail Obstacle-World Championship

Colts In Hand-Handlers 12 & Over

Youth-Riders 6 & Under

Youth-Riders 11 & Under

Youth-Riders 12-17

Two Year Olds

Non Pro

Three & Four Year Olds

Open-Any Rider

*Reining Horses-World Championship

Saddle Gait-Any Rider

Youth-Riders 11 & Under-Saddle Gait

Youth-Riders 12-17

Two Year Olds

Non-Pro

Three & Four Year Olds

Open-Any Rider

* Shotgunning-World Championship

Youth-Riders 12-17

Two Year Olds

Ladies-Riders 18 & Over

Non-Pro

Three & Four Year Olds

Youth-Riders 6-11

Open-Any Rider

* Team Penning-World Championship

Youth-12-17

Mixed-At Least 1 Youth Or Lady Per Team

Non-Pro

Youth-Riders 6-11

Open-Any Rider