Fun time at the county fair

The Pierce County Fair in Graham featured something for everyone, last week, including the rides, the reptile shows, concerts and various types of vendors and food trucks, but most popular were the animals and the coinciding competitions.

Two local girls, 10-year-old Madison Morris from Eatonville, and her friend, 9-year-old Kyla Kelly from Roy, competed for the first time in this year’s horse competitions and shows.

Morris and Kelly, both members of the Highpoint Horseshoes 4H club, train together for events often with their horses. Morris rides Amelie, a 13-year-old Paint.

“You can watch Amelie and me in the Junior Novice Gaming events," Morris said.

She said Amelie enjoys eating cotton candy as a treat.

Kelly competes with Comet, an 8-year-old Shetland pony with unusual white markings on his head in between the eyes. Kelly said she is proud of her pony, even though he needs to work on his manners.

They both said barrel racing is their favorite competition event.

“In barrel racing, you have to go really fast,” Kelly said.

Both girls had a strong showing at the fair on opening day, decorating their horses’ stalls with the ribbons they won. Kelly won a red, second-place ribbon, and Morris placed second and third in her competitions Thursday.

Both girls said they look forward to competing in more events after the Pierce County Fair.