About 100 riders expected for Point Show this weekend

COSHOCTON - Marissa and Madison Whitt have been riding horses most of their lives. The sisters were sat atop horses when they were 1, and have loved riding, showing and caring for horses ever since.

“I’ve been riding my entire life,” said Madison, 16, who will be competing with her sister this weekend at the All Ohio Show Horse Organization (AOSHO) Point Show at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds.

“It gets me out and practicing with my horse so we are ready for bigger shows,” she said. “I like to get to know people and make new friends, and I like the bonding time with the horses and to be able to get them to their potential.”

The show will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with a pleasure show lasting throughout the day and continue at 7 a.m. Sunday with competition in about 75 classes.

The sisters have spent a lot of time preparing and sometimes practice at the fairgrounds with their friend Liz Porteus, 16, also of Coshocton.

“I like being able to get out and be in the show experience,” said Liz, who is also a member of River View FFA. “It also helps me get ready for the fair.”

This will be Marissa’s last year as a youth rider. “These smaller shows are generally a lot of younger kids. I’ve watched them grow and become more skilled over the years,” said Marissa, 18, who is looking forward to offering guidance to the young riders who enter this weekend’s show.

“I look at the shows as a way to set good examples and use the knowledge I’ve learned to help the young riders. I think the shows also teach the kids sportsmanship, and that winning isn’t everything,” she continued.

About 100 riders are expected for the two-day show, said Dianna Whitt, Marissa’s and Madison’s mother and president of AOSHO. The event is open to all breeds of horses. Entry fees vary by class with free admission for spectators. The top five placers in each class pays based on the numbers of entries.

Dianna said the organization hosts four weekend shows a year, with this weekend’s show being the last of the season. Competitors come from all over the state to gain horse show experience.

“The show is a stepping stone to bigger shows,” Dianna said. Many competitors go on to compete in 4-H State Fair shows, National Barrel Horse Association shows and more, she continued. “They use our show to practice. It’s a good practice show.”

AOSHO has been in Coshocton for more than 50 years, and offers opportunities for youths to showcase their horses and handling skills in their own community.

“We like having a local show. There are a lot of horses in Coshocton County, and it’s nice that people don’t have to travel far to go to a good horse show,” Dianna added.