ASHLAND — The year is 1944.

The Allies are winning the war. Big bands and pop music play on the radio. The number one hit is “Swinging on a Star” by Bing Crosby and kids can’t get enough of a newly introduced chocolate milk drink called Choc Ola.

Life in small town America is simple.

For many residents of Ashland County, that simple life might involve riding a favorite
horse or pony down the road to the neighbors. Perhaps it might involve competing in the Ashland County Paint and Plain Saddle Club horse shows at the Ashland County fairgrounds.

The first reference of an Ashland County organized equestrian club comes from an article that appeared in the Ashland Times Gazette regarding the dedication of the Ashland County fairgrounds coliseum.

The dedication took place during a two-day horse show sponsored by the Ashland Riding Club on June 26-27, 1936. According to the article, exhibitors brought 78 horses to compete for $550 in cash prizes, silver trophies and ribbons.

It was described as a must-see event. Two local equestrians earned special mention in that story. First named was Mary Miller, who took home the blue ribbon with her chestnut mare Sweet Senorita.

Mathew Laird, a native Ashlander, also received special recognition as the oldest driving exhibitor on the circuit at the age of 81, although illness prevented him from competing that day.

Unfortunately, only undocumented stories seemingly exist for the next several years
surrounding the growth or the disbanding of the Ashland Riding Club. There are tales of local horsemen and women socializing on weekends at each other farms.

Horseback friendly competition entertained the group and camaraderie bonded their friendships. And although there are no historical records that link these men and women to the Ashland Riding Club or to the Ashland County Paint and Plain Saddle Club that appeared years later, signs certainly point to that connection.

A recent visit with local renowned horsewoman, Joy Sue McNutt, helped to validate these weekend excursions and shed light on the creation of the Ashland County Paint and Plain Saddle Club. McNutt clearly recalls riding her pony at a very young age and engaging in the weekend fun – musical chairs, barrel races and other horseback games.

Although McNutt does not recall specifically who or when the Ashland County Paint and Plain Saddle Club was founded or if the club was grounded in the Ashland Riding Club from 1936, she does recall the club hosting shows at the fairgrounds during the mid- to late-1940s.

And to underscore her memory is her fragile and faded scrapbook of newspaper clippings.

Clippings that feature results of not only the local saddle club but of the Central Ohio Saddle Club Association and the Ashland County Owned Saddle Club. The latter club held its annual show on the last day of the Ashland County fair and was an exhibitors favorite.

The aged and yellowed scrapbook not only contains a collection of newspaper articles but also offers two undated newspaper photos. The first image shows several men and women on horseback lined up on the racetrack in front of the grandstand. There is a gentleman in the background dressed in a suit and tie – presumably the judge.

A second related photo features five men and three women seemingly in the announcer’s booth with a large Ashland County Paint and Plain Saddle Club banner displayed beneath.

McNutt suggests the image could be dated to the late 1940s or early 1950s.

Perhaps the most insightful archive is an article that appeared in the Times Gazette reporting that the Ashland County Paint and Plain Saddle Club hosted its first horse show at the county fairgrounds on July 23, 1944. The story noted an estimated 229 horses competed in 18 different classes.

Officers of the saddle club in 1944 included Charles Morrison, director; T.S. Linn, president; and K.L. Morrison, secretary-treasurer. The club also boasted a rodeo
committee with members: Charles Masters, Frank Davis, Charles Morrison, Arthur Smith and Arlin Plank.

This event was not an ordinary horse show. Horses from all over Ohio and surrounding states came to compete. The crowds were huge, admission was charged and entertainment was provided during intermission.

Certainly it was the place to be that weekend.

Following the club’s debut event in 1944, another extravaganza show was held a year or two after. As reported in an undated article in the Times Gazette, the annual horse show
and rodeo of the Ashland Paint and Plaint Saddle Club was held at the fairgrounds. It
attracted 2,500 spectators and boasted 229 horses.

The story noted that the Western classes were notably large that show. John Donley served as the ringmaster, while Charles Masters was the chairman of the show. Unlike the club’s showbill of today, the competition featured musical chairs, pony races, bend and tie competition, a jumping contest, a free-for-all-race and steer riding.

It is possible this show was held in either 1945 or soon after as the clipping references Peggy Sue Garner and her mother in attendance. Gardner had starred in the hit movie, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” which was released in 1945.

The Times Gazette may have only reported on the hugely successful annual shows hosted by the club. An undated article states the “annual” Ten Point Horse Show and Rodeo sponsored by the Ashland County Paint and Plain Saddle Club was held at the county fairgrounds.

The story details the weekend show noting there were 1,500 spectators and over 150 exhibitors with 33 different classes that included rodeo events. Awards valued at $1,300 were given out and beautiful trophies went to winners. Paul Rumbaugh was named
as the club’s president. H. E. Clements was in charge of the event and was assisted by his wife.

Mrs. Kay Reed was identified as the treasurer of the club while Boyer Gourd served as
ringmaster.

Trying to piece together the tattered threads of history is at best challenging. But the
historical importance of the Ashland Paint and Plain Saddle Club to this county cannot be denied nor should it be ignored.

In addition to the individuals already listed, several Ashlanders have guided the club through the decades. Both Joy McNutt and her husband, Nelson, local judge and horseman Jim Nelson, Boyer and Cathy Gourd, Ed Maxwell, Ellen Fackler, Bill and Chris Strine, Denny Lukity, Carol Morrison, Jean Yancer and many more have volunteered their time and efforts during the past 82 years.

It is these men and women and their love of horses and the devotion to the sport that have kept the Ashland Paint and Plain Saddle Club a respected viable club today.

The club will host four shows this year. All shows will be held at the fairgrounds in the
coliseum. The two-day event is action-packed with exhibitors of all ages and disciplines vying for cash prizes, trophies, ribbons and year-end awards.

The event is free and the public is welcome.