The Winter Woolies Horse Show, established in the 1980s, remains a beloved Clark County equestrian tradition.
This year’s final of three weekend events takes place at 8 a.m. April 5-6 at the Dr. Jack Geisy Equestrian Arena at the Clark County Fairgrounds, located at 17402 NE 174th St., Ridgefield.
Alice Heller, president of the Clark County Executive Horse Council (CCEHC), has been involved with the event since the 1990s. She explained that the council started the Winter Woolies Horse Show as a fundraising initiative to support the construction of the Dr. Jack Geisy Equestrian Arena when it was built.
“Back then, a group of dedicated individuals even mortgaged their homes to ensure the arena’s construction,” she recalled.
Although the arena is now owned by the Clark County Fairgrounds, the CCEHC continues to host the annual Winter Woolies event decades later. Proceeds from the show continue to support scholarships, equine welfare programs and emergency assistance for horse owners in need.
Through these proceeds, CCEHC contributes three to four $1,000 scholarships annually to help local equestrians purchase their gear, including saddles. Another initiative, the Ripley’s Fund, provides emergency aid for horse owners during financial distress, natural disasters or medical emergencies.
“If someone loses their job and can’t afford feed or vet care for a few weeks, we step in,” Heller said. “The community has been incredibly generous over the years, making it possible for us to help those in need.”
This year’s final event weekend will include a two-day tack sale, organized by the Battle Ground High School Equestrian Team. Vendors rent booth spaces in the arena, and all rental fees directly benefit the team.
“This is a way for them to earn money for travel and competition expenses,” Heller explained. “We wanted to create opportunities for young riders to work for their funding instead of just handing out money.”
The show itself features over 80 classes, ranging from halter and showmanship to English and Western riding. Saturday is dedicated to halter and English events, while Sunday highlights showmanship and Western riding. A special “Lead Line” class for children under 6 adds a fun, family-friendly element.
As the event wraps up its season, it also marks the awarding of the coveted high-point buckles, sponsored by individuals and organizations.
“Each buckle is personalized with the sponsor’s name and sometimes a special message,” Heller added. “This sponsorship has allowed us to expand the number of awards we offer. It’s a wonderful way to recognize the hard work of all the participants.”
As the season ends, Heller and the team plan to continue volunteering for the Clark County Fair in August. Heller is hopeful about celebrating the 40th anniversary of the indoor arena, though there are no plans at this time.
Readers can learn more about CCEHC at ccehc.org.
