Pony Up

IOWA CITY - The horses trot around the arena. Riders sit tall, a few make faces as they pass what will be the judge's table next week at the Johnson County Fair.

Dust rises with each clop of horse hoofs. Glitter, the lone pony in the arena, sneezes as the dirt clogs his muzzle.

“We have so many people in the arena, there's not enough space for everyone,” says Glitter's owner, Cassidy Sundine, 12. “If there's someone crowding him, he doesn't want to go anywhere.”

Members of the Johnson County 4-H Horse and Pony Club have dealt with the multipurpose arena's lack of space, improper flooring and low walls for more than 20 years. Leaders say the time has come for the fairgrounds to have an arena exclusively for equestrian use.

The program, along with the Johnson County Agricultural Association, recently launched fundraising efforts for construction of a new horse arena at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.

“What we have now really does not meet the needs of a horse arena,” says Kathryn Brenneman, program superintendent.

Measuring 65-by-120 feet, the arena isn't large enough for riders to participate in some of the activities other equestrian clubs do. And the arena's gates are only 4 feet tall - a height that wouldn't keep a horse penned in if he or she became agitated.

Then there's the ground. Because the arena also is used for tractor pulls, it needs to be hard so vehicles have traction. Horses, however, need soft footing to protect their hoofs. It also would protect the rider in a fall.

Chad Murphy, parent of two daughters who are club members, tries to help.

“I bring a small tractor with a 14-foot disc attached and just basically chew up the ground,” Murphy says.

It can take 90 minutes to two hours to complete. “We are so grateful for Chad's help and support,” says Kristin Fuhrmann, one of the program's leaders.

At the same time, though, she hopes it won't be needed at the 2014 Johnson County Fair. By then, they hope to have raised $30,000 for the new arena.

The new facility would measure 150-by-240 feet and have specially-prepared footing and permanent 5-feet high arena panels that are more attractive, safer and require less maintenance.

“The horse industry in Johnson County is strong,” Fuhrmann says. “This facility will allow us to expand the clinics we offer and the exhibitions we host.”

It also will be available for use by other equestrian groups in the area.

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The Johnson County Agricultural Association and the Johnson County 4-H Horse and Pony Program are accepting tax-deductible donations for a new horse arena.

Checks should be made payable to: Johnson County Agricultural Association and mailed to:

Johnson County Agricultural Association

4261 Oak Crest Hill Road SE, Iowa City, Iowa, 52246.

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The Johnson County Fair begins Monday, July 22, and continues through Thursday, July 25. To see the Johnson County 4-H Horse and Pony Program in action, visit the arena for the Pony Show at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23. The Horse Show will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24.

Here's a roundup of other county fairs in Eastern Iowa:

• Allamakee County Fair: Continues through July 21
• Benton County Fair: July 24 through July 28
• Buchanan County Fair: Continues through Jul 20
• Clayton County Fair: July 31 through Aug. 5
• Dubuque County Fair: July 23 through July 28
• Fayette County Fair: July 23 through July 27
• Great Jones County Fair: Continues through July 21
• Louisa County Fair: July 21 through July 27
• Muscatine County Fair: Continues through July 21
• Tama County Fair: Continues through July 21
• Washington County Fair: Today (July 19) is the last day

The Iowa State Fair begins on Aug. 8. It will run through Aug. 18.