The Horseman’s Mission entertains, educates in 3 exciting days
Kevin Raber rides a new unbroken colt he has never worked with as part of the colt starting competition. Raber walked away with a new trailer as champion of the competition that served as one of many highlights of the Horseman’s Mission Show in Millersburg.
Leave no doubt: The Horseman’s Mission Show at the Holmes County Fairgrounds Oct. 20-22 was exciting entertainment, with a full slate of equine-related activities that thrilled the audiences including a colt starting competition, clinics and performances.
But while the entertainment value was high, for promoter Ray Raber, the most important aspect of the event was in the education that was taking place.
When Raber created The Horseman’s Mission four years ago, he proclaimed the mission of the show would be to inspire horse lovers both young and old to learn how to best work with horses in the proper manner. He said there is a trust and bond between horse and trainer that, when done properly, leads to a lifetime of joy.
The three-day show did exactly what he and the organizational committee had hoped it would accomplish.
“It went above and beyond,” Raber said. “The entertainment was nice and was spectacular, but the real value is in educating people and especially our younger generation about developing a heart to work with their horse in the best way possible.”
When this show first began four years ago, Raber said they committed to performing in the ag building at Harvest Ridge. He said he didn’t think there was any way they could fill that building, but when that first show arrived, “the walls were breathing,” as Raber put it.
Thus, they moved it to the event center, making the ag building one where riders could work with their animals, and the main event on Thursday and Friday saw people packing the house, with a sold-out crowd enjoying a three-hour show featuring 17 different performers each evening.
Raber said the goal was to both entertain and educate, inspiring the next generation of horse owners and trainers with a Gospel flavor.
In that sense it was mission accomplished for the show.
“In the text messages I’ve received since the show, I’ve been so touched just hearing about how many people were touched by the show and how God used these horses to minister to people,” Raber said. “It brings out so many illustrations in that setting that we are seeing God speak to people through these horses without saying a word.”
The performers were sensational, and the other aspect was the teaching realm, where some worldwide educators provided insight into raising and working with horses in the best manner possible.
Included in that list was Gary McClean of Australia, who works as a stock horse ambassador. Raber said while McClean attends events worldwide, he provided some encouraging words to Raber and the staff.
“He said he absolutely couldn’t get over the enthusiasm and the passion he experienced,” Raber said. “He travels the world doing clinics, shows and performances with his horses, and he felt something here he never felt anywhere else.”
Other performers included Ken McNabb, a clinician and moderator of the colt starting competition, as well as the Silver Spurs Drill Team, Flying Fearless Trickriders, Roman Riding by Sadie Fisher, chariot racing, Bobby Kerr’s Mustang Act, Freak, the Dancing Friesian Stallion, obstacle course challenges and more.
“We’re preparing the kids of the future to do things the right way while keeping it fun,” Raber said.
As for the colt starting competition, it was three unbroken colts and three trainers filling three days of competition. The trainers were getting their first look at the colts in the competition, so their main challenge was to get the horse to trust them and listen to their lead in a short period. Each contestant was equipped with a microphone so they could share their vision, passion and knowledge with the crowd during each of three 90-minute training sessions.
Perhaps competitor Monroe Miller summed it up best when he said during his performance, “The first couple of times we work these colts isn’t going to last. The relationship a trainer and horse make will last a lifetime, so we want to make sure we do it the right way the first time.”
Miller was joined by Kevin Raber of Jackson and Sadie Fisher from Millertown, Pennsylvania in the ring for the event. Each took their turn working with the colts at different times throughout the event.
When initially presented with the idea by friends to put on a colt starting competition, the wheels started turning for Raber.
“With lots of planning and the help of a wonderful committee, the dream of the The Horseman’s Mission came true,” he said.
Kevin Raber emerged as the champion, earning a prize for his effort. He was given a new Cimaron three-horse aluminum slant load trailer. Miller took second, and Fisher was third in a competition that featured some of the top finishers from the past three shows.
“This is our fourth year, and it was the most rewarding show yet,” Ray Raber said. “We believe in our mission to educate so strongly, and the incredible entertainment allowed us to keep things fast-paced and lively while providing a whole lot of education for everyone.”
Raber said what they plan for 2023 is still to be seen, but topping this year’s event is going to take a lot of preparation.
Anyone seeking more information on the show and its mission can visit Horseman’s Mission on Facebook or at www.thehorsemansmission.com. The Horseman’s Mission is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all proceeds go to a variety of charities.