BROOKLINE — Vermont's oldest continuous horse show will hold its 74tth edition on Sunday, June 28, at West River Stables at Meadowbrook Farm, 102 Hill Rd., rain or shine.
The NewBrook Horse Show's first class begins at 9 a.m. As always, admission is free for spectators and all profits benefit the NewBrook Volunteer Fire Department which serves Newfane and Brookline.
Last year's show, with 40 competitors, yielded a $2,000 contribution to the NewBrook Fire Department, said Committee Member Roger Poitras.
Members of the fire department auxiliary will sell food and cold drinks at this all-day family event where friends and relatives on the rail root for their favorite riders and horses in a total of 50 classes.
New to the show this year --- and sure to be a spectator favorite --- are three classes for miniature horses hitched to two- or four-wheeled buggies.
The show also features hunter and jumper classes, lead-line classes for children 4- to 8-years-old, a division for gaited horses, trail horse classes with obstacles, and the Betty Cohn Memorial Class - pairs of Working Hunters, in which horses and riders jump two abreast over a course of nine fences. The late Mrs. Elizabeth R. Cohn, of West Townshend, was the NewBrook Horse Show's secretary for 50 years.
This year's competitors may choose to pay a comprehensive $50 day rate which covers all class entry fees.
The show grounds are the green fields and wooded hills belonging to Howard E. Osgood whose picturesque pre-Revolutionary War Meadowbrook Farm has been owned and worked by Osgoods for five generations.
The show committee has been meeting monthly since January to prepare for the show, said Committee Member Elaine Lambert, of Newfane. The show is always seeking volunteers, donations and sponsors for this annual charitable event.
Competitors and spectators are asked to leave their dogs at home that day.