Looking for love: Valley stallions in search of dates and mates

PALMER — Sunday was a great horse event at the state fairgrounds. But it wasn’t just horses; it was Stallions, with a capital S. These majestic beasts gathered together to celebrate and show off. This is the 37th year of the Stallions of the North event, but this year was the first time it was organized by Judi Heathcock, France Equestrian Center Coordinator and the Alaska State Fair.

Although the weather was marginal, the crowd was not. The stallions didn’t care about a little rain. In fact, these amazing animals looked as if they could leap through both ice and fire easily. They are large animals, but all beauty and grace. They seem proud-spirited, like well oiled, equine Olympians. Their muscular physique is well-defined especially with a thick crested neck and strong jowls. Even their eyes seem wiser and more brillant than most. All 16 stallions strutted their stuff as they presented from different Valley farms and ranches.

That’s the whole point of this event. After all, if you are a horse owner and have a female horse and you want to breed her, then you have an obligation to select the best sire for the job. It is nothing more than a totally arranged marriage. At this Valley event, you get to see the whole horse—disposition, breed, and genepool. This go-to event is speed dating, stallion-style.

It would be hard to choose the best looking stallion because all were elegant. In front of hundreds of observers, experienced riders demonstrated their horse’s temperment, talent and training during individual debuts in the arena, set to music.

Back at the barn, there was more than a bit of snorting, pawing, lip curls and naughty stink- eyeballing happening between one stallion and another. Typically stallions do not group up in close proximity, so this get-together was probably less comfortable than a standard rodeo.

Before the stallion showcase, visitors in cowboy hats, fleece and jeans visited separate horse stalls and talked with owners and inspected bloodline material. Most of the horses were curious and well mannered with the interested visitors.

In addition to stallions (a breeding jack donkey, some ponies and a few barn cats), a dozen vendors were available. One visiting a vendor was Josh Feral, from Anchorage.

“Horses are an expensive habit,” he said. “We could spend money from dawn to dusk on these guys.”

But, he adds that horses are his family’s passion and he has no problem ensuring their well-being.

One of the vendors was the Alaska Equine Rescue group, whose mission is to help starving, abused and neglected horses in Alaska. Becky and Gary Ross are both board members and have volunteered with the group for the last 17 years. Along with other board members, the couple is committed to ensuring that horses—statewide—are cared for, regardless of circumstance. They are assisted by feed stores, vets, farriers and many volunteers.

Through out the day were various events including the Rebel Riders Trick Team, velocity vaulters, drill teams, and trick riding performances.