FROM STAFF REPORTS

PELHAM – Fifteen hundred pounds of animal is galloping across the 36,000-square-foot ring with its many obstacles. Sounds of awe and excitement fill the air, as the scent freshly cleaned leather is everywhere. Pelham resident, Christine McClurkin, leans forward and urges her horse as the extraordinary beast gracefully conquers the 4-foot jump with ease.

Welcome to the Windwood Horse Show for the Alabama Hunter Jumpers Association.  Come watch the excitement as riders from all over the state, both novice and experienced, compete for points as the show season nears its end. Nearly 100 pampered and gregarious horses and their riders will convene on the 150-acre farm on Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31.

A special costume contest will be held for horses and riders on Friday evening. Showing begins at 4 p.m. on Friday, with registration starting at 3:30 p.m. Showing begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m.  All competitors are encouraged to preregister online at Alabamahunterjumpers.org.

Come and see what a horse show is all about. There is no admission fee for spectators.  Sneaky Pete’s will be on-site for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Windwood Equestrian is located at 4848 Shelby County 11 in Pelham.  For more information, call or text Windwood trainer Jill Dean at 603-6166.