BETHEL – The annual 4-H Spring Benefit Horse Show will be held Sunday, May 15, at the Cooperative Extension System grounds on Stony Hill Road in Bethel.

The popular Open School show will feature divisions in English Equitation, Hunt Seat, Western and Trail. Most classes will be pinned through sixth place, with the first-place winner also receiving a trophy. Divisions will be awarded champion and reserve ribbons.

Interstate + Lakeland Lumber, Fairfield Equine, and Benedict Home and Garden will sponsor the 2005 show.

“The support of these companies greatly expands our fundraising efforts,” said show manager Jamie Wallace.

The high-point horse and rider combination from both the Spring Benefit and Fall Nutmeg shows will receive year-end awards in the following divisions: Open Beginner Hunter and Walk/Trot (Sunny Brook Farm of Newtown); Low Hunters (Clearview Farm of Sandy Hook); The Kentucky Hunter Classic (All The King’s Horses of Ridgefield); and Western Adult Walk/Job (Happy Trails Farm of Danbury).

Proof of a current rabies vaccination (within one year) will be checked at the gate for each animal.

Refreshments will be available on the grounds. 4-Hers will be offering “horse-side” service for food and drink and Bit O’ Tack will be offering horse products for sale. For a prize list, stop by the CES building on Stony Hill Road or call 1-203-207-8440.

In other Fairfield County 4-H news –

Vendors are now being recruited for the Fairfield County 4-H Horse Tack and Clothing Tag Sale on Sunday, April 10, at the CES grounds in Bethel. Tag sale space will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. In case of inclement weather, the tag sale will take place in the white building on the CES grounds.

The tag sale is a fundraiser for the Fairfield County 4-H Horse Committee and will support the local 4-H program.

“This will be a chance to get rid of the stuff you no longer use or need and also to buy news things for the upcoming show season,” said tag sale co-chairman Beth Chaves.

For further information, call Ms Chaves at 270-9893 or contact her at chavesbethntony@aol.com.

The Fairfield County 4-H Horse Committee is also planning a spring riding clinic with Jim Pelton on Sunday, April 10, on the CES grounds. The clinic will be open to both English and Western riders, adult and youth.

Each class in the clinic will run 90 minutes and classes will be available for beginning and advanced riders. The cost for enrolled 4-H members is $5; the fee for non-members is $25. Class size is limited and entry deadline is April 1.

For further information, call Randi Santiso at 264-4493.