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More than 100 ponies are expected to compete at the fairgrounds in West Salem at the The Pony of the Americas event.
The event offers an opportunity to learn about the Pony of the Americas breed and see them in action, said Eva Dahl, an Onalaska endodontist whose children, Christina and Erik Blomquist, have had a lot of success competing in POA events.
Dahl said working with horses offers a lot of benefits for children.
“I think that it is a tremendous amount of responsibility for a youngster to have a large animal like a horse. The relationship is a very nurturing relationship,” she said. “The child really develops a very strong bond with their animal. I just think it’s healthy because most kids don’t have something that’s dependent on them.”
Competition will be going on all day Saturday and Sunday at the fairgrounds, and people can stop by any top to watch the proceedings.
For people interested in action, Dahl recommended stopping by toward the latter part of the afternoon Saturday or Sunday, when more intense riding events like pole bending and barrel races are scheduled.
Any time this weekend will be a good time to find action at the 12th annual high school rodeo at the Coulee Region Riders Club just outside Holmen. Tim Devine, longtime rodeo announcer and organizer, said he expects the number of entries will be up a little from last year, which had been down from previous years.
The crowd at this weekend’s rodeo will get to see some area residents enjoying success on the rodeo circuit, including Danna Jessie, a Melrose-Mindoro High School student. Jessie qualified for this summer’s nationals and won the all-around cowgirl title at the recent high school rodeo season kickoff at Mineral Point.
Devine said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Jessie win top honors on the state level this year. “It’s about her turn in the hopper,” he said. “Danna’s a pretty good rider, always has been.”
Devine is even more confident in the prospects for Nick Midtlien, a bull rider from Cashton. “You should have seen him at state finals this year. He stuck every bull he sat on,” Devine said. “He really hits it hard. In his eyes, there isn’t bull he can’t beat. He figures he can just butter their ears and swallow ’em whole. He’s tougher than woodpecker lips.”
If you go
Pony show
WHAT: Northern Chapter
Wisconsin Pony of the Americas show
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, starting at 7:30 a.m. each day; spectator friendly events happen later in the afternoon
WHERE: La Crosse Interstate Fairgrounds, West Salem
ADMISSION: Free
Rodeo
WHAT: Western Wisconsin Regional High School Rodeo
WHEN: Today, Saturday and Sunday, with today’s competition starting at 6:30 p.m.; main events start at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with “slack” barrel racing and pole bending at 9 a.m. Saturday and breakaway roping at 9 a.m. Sunday.
WHERE: Coulee Region Rider’s Club Grounds, N6350 Briggs Road, Holmen
ADMISSION: Tonight is free; daily admission is $5; free for people younger than 6 and older than 100
