Have you ever wondered what it was like to show horses in the seventies? GoHorseShow came across a new Facebook group called: That 70s Show, and we couldn’t resist finding out more about what it was like showing back then. The pictures posted on the site are classic reminders of the trends, colors, and hat styles that were popular.
We have provided a fabulous slideshow of some of the competitors from the 70s. Click here to check out the pictures.
“My mom made most of my clothes. I remember just putting outfits together from what I had in the closet,” seventies competitor, Robin Merrill, explained to GoHorseShow. “My mom was a genius with a sewing machine. I often think she could of been the first gal out there to make show outfits, but she was too busy making my dad’s early crazy outfits to make anything for anyone else.”
Some of the trends included: Cadillac DeVilles pulling two horse in-line trailers, buck stitch, paten leather, pointed toe boots, saddle pads with yarn fringe on the back edge–with velcro, so, exhibitors could change the color of the fringe to match their outfits, colored hats, no chaps in horsemanship, single shows, homemade food stands, all volunteer workers, showing in every class with one horse, and showing without a trainer were common place during this time period.
“There was always a grand champion trophy given out which we proudly displayed on the dash of our one ton duallies for the entire show,” AQHA judge Ruth Ellen told GoHorseShow, who showed back in the seventies. “Almost every show was outdoors and many times if it got late and the light was bad, we’d pull the vehicle close to the arena and turn on the headlights.”
Ellen also remembered a class that was very popular back then called “break your gait and out.” The judge would walk in a counter direction to the horses on the rail. He would point to a horse and give a command: lope, jog, hand gallop and the rider had to do it immediately. If he didn’t, he was out. “Sometimes there were numerous horses doing numerous gaits all at once and you couldn’t change gaits until the judge pointed at you with another command,” Ruth recalls.
Some of the famous horses back then included: Alisa Lark, Laredo Lark, Pawnee Eagle, Wahini Dancer, Wills High Time, Wells Sport Model, Poco Don Dee, Frosty Skip, Physical Ed, Rustybuck, Iron Rebel, Come On In, Chics Son, Van Decka, Jujos Tiffany, and Prissy Mistress.
Some of the exhibitors back then include: Steve Heckaman, Carla Wennberg, Jim and Linda Becker, Catherine Jennings, Ruth Ellen, Robin Merrill, Jody Hannagan Quiram, Cheryl Johnson, Perry C. Andrews III, Michael D. Espenlaub, Kevin Lynn, Laurel Walker Denton, Robin Ferrer, Gary Reynolds, Sue Calloway Ewan, Candace Jussen, Tim Whitney, David Mangold, and Debbie Pinney Challman to name a few.
Jody Hannagan Quiram says that she loved the camaraderie back then. “The state fairs were the major shows besides the Congress. The versatility classes were the highlight of the show. All the great horses and riders were in this class. Tommy and Chris Manion, Kenny and Dianne Eppers, Clark and Sarah Bradley, Jody and Debbie Galyean, Randy and Sherry Fowler, The Endres girls, Beth Moon and her brother, Andy Moorman’s horses and Troy and Cheryl Green. The grand champion halter horse was amazing to watch. Tommy Manion, Jerry Wells, Larry Sullivant, Charlie Dobbs, Chip Knost, Denny Hassett and Stretch Bradley would all be showing against each other just to name a few. We had some really fun times, and I made incredible friendships I will always treasure.”
Merrill concludes, “To sum it up; everything in general was more affordable. I know that horses, outfits, and trailers were all attainable by most everyone. Lots of home bred horses being shown by familes. Sure, we all spent lots of money doing what we loved, but compared to today’s price for everything, the game is not attainable for most people anymore.”
Can you guess the exhibitor we have on the home page? Let us know if you recognize this young female youth exhibitor. We will be changing the homepage photo periodically for our readers to guess more exhibitor photos from back in the day!
