Paris Fair continued

When I walked over to the livestock area there were very few animals. Just a few cows being milked. On looking at the schedule, most of the cattle show events were in the morning, all that was left was the milking and I was the only one there to witness it. The midway and food was waaaay more popular.

 

I was also the only one watching the goat milking demonstration.

She wasn't impressed by the lack of audience.

My car was parked down by the horse show so I walked down having no idea what was scheduled. I sat on the bleachers to watch female barrel racing. It was a good chance to see how my camera is at capturing a rapidly moving target. I switched it to sports mode.

For anyone who has not seen barrel racing - they come galloping into the ring and have to get around (full 360 degrees) the three barrels, placed in a triangle, and then race out. Its a timed event. Look at the focus on her face.

Some of the horses have done it a hundred times and many of them don't even need the riders to direct them.

Can't take it too tight or you run the risk of hitting the barrel but if you take it too wide you are losing time.

Nearly came off.

After that first one I was hooked.

Guessing at how good they would be as they burst into the ring.

Trying to get good action shots.

Sand, manes, tails and hair flying.

Riders shouting encouragement at their horses as well as kicking wildly and smacking them on their rumps or necks.

If it hadn't been so hot on the bleachers I would have stayed there longer. 

I walked around to the gate where they entered and watched the horses "on deck" dancing and excited to do their round. Riders checking their tack and that their hats were on securely.

On the other side of the ring I stood in the shade of a trailer to watch some more

 

After every 3 riders the barrels would be lifted and two huge tractors would re-rake the sand smooth.

Too hot to watch anymore I walked back up to the car park and spent a good 20minutes searching for my car. I had turned and looked at it as I walked away, trying to lock the position into my mind, but I was returning from the opposite direction!

Well that added to my step count for the day. I was going to Brantford and contemplated taking the long way, via Glen Morris, to avoid downtown Paris, which was already a traffic nightmare with the main street closed. However the fair traffic was being directed away from downtown and it wasn't bad getting through and going to Brantford for supper with Cyndy and Jim.