Coolest county companions

PNT staff writer

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Saturday might as well have been designated children’s day at the Roosevelt County Fair, as activities geared towards the little ones dominated the action early.

link Eric Norwood Jr.: Portales News-Tribune

Brothers Tristan Howl, 7, (left) and Kayden Howl, 5, pet their dog Rocky on Saturday at the Roosevelt County Fair Pet Show. Rocky is a 7-week old Chihuahua/basset hound mix who won a first place ribbon at the pet show.

The pet show brought out some of the coolest companions in the county and the stick horse race highlighted a family fun morning at the Fair.

“I competed in the stick horse race when I was a little girl, same building and everything,” said Alicea Mullins, as she watched her daughter Trinity Mullins, 3, sprint down the show ring holding her horse.

Some of the adults had more fun than the children, as shrieks of laughter rang out as soon as the little ones would take off running. Some of the children fell, but were troopers as they quickly got up and crossed the finish line with grins as wide as ever.

“My horse’s name is Bullseye,” said Dylan Griffith, 5, after his race in the boys 5 and under division.

Other activities included the pet show with children bringing their pets to showcase. Everyone who entered was awarded a ribbon based on a unique feature about their animal.

“My puppy Rocky got first place from the judges for having a stripe on his head. They liked his stripe,” said Tristin Howl, 7. Tristin’s mother Sandy Beaty was happy to bring her children out to the events at the fair.

“It’s lots of fun and enjoyment for the kids to participate in a young age,” Beaty said. She also likes that her children can experience the same fun she did as a child.

“I did the pet show, the turtle race, and the stick horse race,” said Beaty. “It’s great that I can share that with them.”

The turtle race featured locally found turtles who started at the center of the show ring and raced to the perimeter. Turtles used in the race were encouraged to be returned to the wild, so not to alter the population according to contest officials.

link Eric Norwood Jr.: Portales News-Tribune

Contestants line up on Saturday at the Roosevelt County Fair Stick Horse Race.

Children were running around all day, from toddlers clutching candy apples to preteens toting puppies as later events such as dummy roping and goat branding were getting started. Once again the annual tradition of good old-fashioned fun reigned at the Roosevelt County Fair.