Lions’ horse shows drew thousands

May 13, 2022 admin COMMUNITY 0

By Roger Allen
Third in a series

After a busy first year in 1947, the energetic members of the Montezuma Lions Club greatly upped their game in 1948 when they decided to put on a “bigger and better” Horse Show.

Other towns around the area were having horse shows and the Lions decided it was time for Montezuma to have one as well. They proved to be a huge success and a show was held for one summer night each year for eight years. The shows were held on the west side of the school, just beyond what was then the location of the football field.

An article in the Montezuma Republican reported on the first show, calling it “an unqualified success,” adding that “compliments were heard on all sides as to the quality of the entertainment.”

HERE IS THE WAY the arena grounds looked before the Lions club horse show in 1950, west of the school building. A newspaper caption with the photo said, “Many reported they had attended many shows but this was the best setting of any.” The baseball field to the left front had been watered down for dust control. It made a good place for riders to exercise their horses. The Lions put on horse shows here from 1948 through 1955, with attendance reaching an estimated 2,500 people. Roger Allen photos

The location was said to be ideal, situated just west of the athletic field, surrounded by green pine trees, and the area was well-lighted.

“The great first-year crowd, estimated at 1,800 people, all combined “to make it a real spectacle.” The crowds grew from there. A banner front page headline in the Republican in 1950 proclaimed, “Well Over 2,000 attended Lions Club Horse Show.” Another year the number reported was 2,500.

1948 was the centennial year for Montezuma and the Montezuma Centennial Band made its initial appearance under the direction of Don Hoy that added to the event. Organ music provided by the talented Mrs. Arulen Brown Morrow was another classy touch.

Adding beauty and charm were girl students that wore evening gowns or classy dresses and handed out ribbons and prizes to the winning riders.

Three of the daughters of Lions were briefly interviewed for this article. Shirley Arendt Bolen, Norma McNeil Williamson and Mary Margaret Elliott Mobley all agreed that they felt very honored to be selected and receive celebrity treatment. But they also agreed that most of the girls were intimidated – or scared – by the horses as they galloped toward them, then stopped for their ribbon.

Norma Williamson said the girls “extended their arms out as far as they could” in handing out a ribbon. Most of the girls had not had much experience around horses. All three also remember focusing on avoiding “road apples.”

Shirley Bolen recalls that the first “ribbon girls” were all members of Theta Rho Girls Club, affiliated with the Rebekah Lodge. They were asked as a group to be part of the show. Mary Margaret Mobley still remembers the royal treatment the girls received, especially the ride in a classy convertible around the show ring. In later years, daughters of Lions were the ribbon girls.

TWO “RIBBON GIRLS” dressed in formal attire deliver a ribbon to an event winner.

Lion Maynard Hutchinson was the annual chairman. Preparations for the show required lots of hard work to prepare the arena, arrange for parking, and prepare stalls for the horses. The Lions cleared the land west of the evergreen trees and stalls were created. There the horses were quartered until time for their ring appearances.

It was reported that 94 horses were entered in 1948, “an unusually high number for a first show.” Some riders entered several events, bringing total event entries close to an estimated 150. The numbers grew in the following years.

It was also reported that the show was “accredited.” Being accredited meant the top three winners in any class could apply the points won here toward the state championship.

An advertisement for the 1949 show listed these 11 competition classes:

·         Pony (46” and under. Rider under age 14)

·         Open Fine Harness

·         Western Pleasure (Western Euipment

·         Pony (Over 46”. Rider under age 16)

·         Open Three-Gaited

·         Draft Team Hitch

·         English Pleasure (English Equipment)

·         Children’s Musical Chair

·         Pair

·         Open Five-Gaited

·         Open Stock Horse

THESE ATTRACTIVE YOUNG LADIES presented ribbons as the various prizes were announced at the 1950 Lions Horse Show. In their midst in the center is Mrs. Arulen Brown Morrow, who skillfully played the organ throughout the July evening. Pictured are, from left, in back: Alice Vanderwal, Carol Cummings, Barbara Lou Phillips, Roberta Badger, Norma McNeil, Shirley Taylor, Ruth Ann Phillips, Ruth Vanderwal and Marjorie Ollendorf. Front row: Mary Margaret Elliott, Patty Ollendorf, Mrs. Morrow and Shirley Arendt.

General admission was Adults 50¢, Children 25¢. Reserved Box Seats Including Admission: $1.00.

Trick riders and others provided entertainment between some of the classes.

The Lions also operated a concession stand. The only pricing visible in a picture of the stand listed coffee at 10¢ and a hot dog was 20¢.

People are not identified in some of the pictures accompanying this article. If you are in one of those pictures or know who is, please share. Stop in at The Record office (8 a.m. to Noon, Monday through Friday), call 641-623-1000, or email: therecord@windstream.net.